Neuqua Valley returns to state trophy stand
PEORIA It's no secret, but Neuqua Valley and coach Paul Vandersteen seem to have found a winning formula.
The Wildcats powered to their third trophy in four years, securing third place with 180 points at the Class 3A state cross country meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
Neuqua Valley lost seven of eight runners from last year's state championship team, but the Wildcats barely missed a beat this season on a clear fall day.
“The key was the commitment to work hard in the off-season,” Vandersteen said of Wildcats' success. “We had kids waiting in the wing, and it's nice to see their hard work pay off.”
Junior Taylor Soltys finished 15th in 14:39 to power Neuqua Valley. The Wildcats then flashed the same type of pack running that led them to the title last year.
Junior Mark Derrick, senior Josh Ferguson and senior Vincenzo DalPozzo finished 40th, 47th and 53rd, respectively, to help secure the trophy run.
“It's definitely tried and true, and Vandersteen knows what he's doing,” Soltys said of the Wildcats' solid pack running. “There is a plan every year and we stick to it.”
Seniors Josh Antonson, Hirsh Gaikwad and Matt Coyne completed Warriors attack by taking 79th, 81st and 82nd.
The most impressive thing about the Neuqua Valley trophy was that six new faces dotted the lineup, but the results remained the same for the Wildcats.
“Last year's team set a good example for us and we wanted to rise to the occasion,” Soltys added. “There was pressure, but in a good way.”
Sandburg senior Lukas Verzbicas' quest to break Craig Virgin's course record time of 13:50.6 set in 1972 fell a bit short, but Verzbicas did win his second consecutive Class 3A state title in 13:54.
Verzbicas was on target to break the mark, cruising the first 2 miles in 9:09, but the Sandburg senior slowed a bit in the final mile.
“A lot of people underestimate the last mile, and I think I did,” Verzbicas said.
Senior Jack Driggs finished second, leading York to its 27th state title and first since 2006.
“It's special, but it's expected,” Driggs said of the Dukes' title.
Lake Zurich finished second with 164 points, with Palatine (189 points) and O'Fallon (200 points) taking fourth and fifth place.
Waubonsie Valley senior David Groeber secured his first state medal by placing 23rd for the Warriors.
“I've been working toward this the whole season and it just worked out on the final day,” Groeber said. “There was a huge pack of guys, a lot of great runners, and I just hung on.”
Naperville North (430 points) finished in 19th place, with Wheaton North (554 points) taking 22nd place.
In Class 2A, Glenbard South placed 11th as freshman John Wold placed a team-best 29th in 15:19.
St. Francis junior Joe Giamberdino placed ninth in 14:56.