Manfrin, D-C get to run again
Dundee-Crown's Anthony Manfrin and his teammates will lace up their running shoes again next weekend at the Schaumburg sectional at Busse Woods.
Manfrin suffered a hip injury that wiped-out last year track season. The D-C senior came back last weekend to win the Fox Valley Conference title and continued his comeback on Saturday by taking fourth at the Hoffman Estates regional in 15:32.
“I'm starting to finally get back in shape,” said Manfrin who finished 6th in Class 3A last season. “It's about finishing strong; the end of my race is what's hurting me. I'm working on developing my kick and staying confident.”
Senior Robert Medina (16:17), senior Ryan Smith (16:19), and senior Jon Keable (16:20) finished 22nd, 24th, and 25th to aid the Chargers attack.
“It was a real solid run,” said D-C coach Tom Smith, “Medina, Smith, and Keable just latched on to each other and packed up, that was the key.”
Michael EakenSt. Charles North regional: By the time the boys race started, the rain had pretty much dissipated, but the soggy course didn't slow down the St. Charles North Stars, who placed five runners in the top 10 to win the regional with 27 points. Prairie Ridge, which placed three runners in the top 10, was second with 53 points. Jacobs (71), Crystal Lake South (103), and South Elgin (168) will also advance to the St. Charles East sectional next weekend.
North Stars senior Ryan Senci won the race in a time of 15:26.6.
#8220;We tried to pack up in the front and stay there,#8221; Senci said. #8220;We just wanted to control the race, so I think we did a pretty good job of that. We love running on our home course. Our biggest goal is to be top five in the state.#8221;
Prairie Ridge junior Mitch Wilkins finished second in a time of 15:27.6. Wilkins was aware that two opponents consider Leroy Oaks Forest Preserve as their home course, but indicated that he thinks of the course as the next best thing to running at home.
#8220;I'm pretty proud of the result today,#8221; Wilkins said. #8220;I was only three seconds slower than my time here from earlier in the year. Next week will be our fourth time running here (Leroy Oakes) this year, so we kind of think of this as our home away from home. It's a nice course and I like running here.#8221;
Marc Diverde (4th), sophomore Joe Cowlin (8th), junior David Thompson (12th), and junior Adam Procknow (27th) rounded out the top five runners for the Wolves.
Individuals advancing onto next weekend's St. Charles East sectional include Steven Decker (St. Charles East), junior Jhoan Lino (Streamwood), junior Dan Runzel (Larkin), and sophomores Chris Porras and Tanner Bednar of Elgin.
Eric BridgesWheeling regional: Though his team finished eighth, Cary-Grove's Dustin Throw was able to advance. The sophomore covered the course at Heritage Park in 16:31 to finished 32nd overall and snare the final at-large sectional berth.
Sycamore regional: In a race run in a driving rain storm, Burlington Central junior Clint Kliem finishing third by traversing the 3-mile course at Kishwaukee College in 16:10.41. Marmion won the sectional with 36 points. Burlington Central finished fourth with 91 points to advance to .
West Aurora regional: The host Blackhawks continued their best season in over 30 years by winning the regional championship.
Batavia followed Geneva in fourth with 98 points and Oswego was the fifth team to advance, beating sixth-place Bartlett by 16 points. The Hawks did qualify two individuals, led by ninth-place finisher Dan Guimon and Adrian Perez in 19th.
The sectional qualifiers all advance to the St. Charles East sectional next Saturday at LeRoy Oakes.
#8220;We knew going in it was going to be close,#8221; Bartlett coach Eric Bechtel said. #8220;Our top three did what they need to do. The guys ran tough.#8221;
John Lemon