Marmion dominates conference foes
Marmion's cross country team is finding its groove at just the right time.
A week after an impressive second-place showing at the West Aurora Stampede, the Cadets followed by winning the Suburban Christian Conference meet Saturday on their home course at Marmion.
The Cadets scored 24 points to easily win the meet. St. Francis was second at 61 points, Aurora Central third with 81 and Aurora Christian fourth with 94.
Marmion still isn't running with its full lineup, resting Chris Hebert Saturday. Yet the Cadets continue to build momentum toward their goal of a Class 2A state trophy.
“That (the Stampede) was a great stepping stone for us, said Marmion's Ben Kanute, the individual winner Saturday in 15:56.
“We still have to put together our full lineup so we are looking to do some great things.
Kanute was part of the Cadets' lineup that was missing early in the season while he competed in international triathlons. His return has give Marmion a spark and another runner capable of winning races along with Bennett Marsh.
Kanute also improved from his third-place finish at conference the past two years, pulling away from the other leaders in the final mile.
“It was really great to come out and do something, Kanute said.
Aurora Christian's Sam Schuette stayed with Kanute for the first mile and a half before coming in fourth with a 16:17 time quite a drop from his previous best on the course, 17:09.
“I just like to go out fast and hang with the leaders as long as I can, Schuette said. “I'm really happy (with fourth place).
The other lead runners Saturday were Joe Giamberdino from St. Francis and Marsh who wound up three and 10 seconds behind Kanute, respectively.
“They were running strong, Kanute said. “I was keeping an eye on them going around the corners. I knew they were strong runners. Some of the ravel sections I could hear them and around the corners sometimes I'd sneak a peak.
The rest of Marmion's top five included Nolan Dickson in fifth, Brady Hunt in seventh and Will Graft in eighth, with sixth runner Eddie Grahovec right behind in 10th.
Giamberdino's runner-up finish in 15:59 led the runner-up Spartans.
“I ran a decent time, Giamberdino said. “It's a pretty fast course. I try to save a little bit so I can kick at the end and it paid off today. I wanted to stay close to him (Kanute).
Matt Deny took ninth for St. Francis, Trevor Holzman was 11th, Anthony Calderone 19th and Robert Delfin 20th.
The second-place finish pleased Giamberdino who said his team was expected to finish around fifth.
“I can't take all the credit, my team really helped back me up, Giamberdino said. “We have been working really hard this entire week and it's paying off.
Aurora Central's Matt Meyers won an intense and a little bit of a physical finish into the chute to edge Hunt for sixth place. The Chargers' Alex Duncan (12th) and Adrian Alviar (18th) also finished in the top 20.
Jake Gehman and Jake Wert followed Schuette for Aurora Christian in 17th and 21st places, respectively.
Other team leaders included Widi Moestopo taking 16th for Wheaton Academy and John Danner 27th for St. Edward, who only ran two varsity runners.