Marmion wins first state trophy
PEORIA -- Marmiom and coach Dan Billish made a bit of history on Saturday at the Class 2A state meet.
The Cadets secured their first state cross trophy with a third-place finish with 164 points at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
Marmion tied Normal University with senior Ben Kanute taking 25th place in 15:16 leading the Cadets attack, who took third on the sixth-place runner tie breaker.
Belvidere North cruised to the Class 2A state title with amazing 28 points followed by Springfield (153 points).
“It's the way they handle things, they're just a really professional group,” said Billish of the Cadets attack. “Nothing surprises them. Today was a numeric thing, I told them you need to be this number and they pushed for where they wanted to be.”
Senior Ben Marsh (15:19) and junior Nolan Dickenson (15:26) took 30th and 39th place, with junior Brady Hunt (15:42) and junior Will Graft (15:47) taking 62nd and 73rd place helping the Cadets on their trophy run.
“It feels great it and makes it all worth it,” said Kanute who led the Cadets attack. “This is what we set out to do at the beginning of the season and we were able to do it. It came down to our sixth guy and we were able to break the tiebreaker.”
Senior Chris Hebert (15:52) finished in 80th place, the sixth Cadet runner, to supply the deciding points.
“It was a fast race and I think everybody stepped up,” said Dickenson who along with Kanute had a delayed start to their season due to World Triathlon. “We are an experienced group and that helped us this year.”
“Last year we were excited about winning regionals and then we kind of crashed at state,” added Kanute, “This year we had specific goals, we came into today wanting a trophy and we all came in giving it our best shot.”
And in the end the Cadets made a bit of history.
Senior Kevin McDowell (14:49) took 29th helping Geneva take 15th place with 350 points.
“I was hoping to get all-state,” said McDowell who set a personal best on the Detweiller course. “But it has been a great season and it was great having the team down here.”
West Aurora made its first appearance at the state meet since 1976 and the Blackhawks finished in 16th place with 350 points.
West Aurora top runner Steve Loran missed the meet due to some health related issues, but senior Ryan Bartell (14:55) stepped up taking 35th place to lead the Blackhawk attack.
“We did very well,” said West Aurora coach Matt Sinott. “We dedicated this race to Loran, and maybe with him we may have done a bit better. This season has been incredible, these guys put together a great summer and built a solid team atmosphere and it paid off.”