Geneva takes 4th in state
PEORIA -- Geneva ended a very special run on Saturday at the Class 3A state race at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
Geneva had made one state appearance finishing fifth in 2004, before the Vikings started a very special run in 2007.
Geneva went on to win the 2007 and 2008 Class 3A state title, and then finished fifth last season.
The Vikings completed a historic run by capturing fourth place on Saturday with 138 points.
Schaumburg won its third state title with 112 points followed by defending state champion Palatine (121 points) and Wheaton Warrenville South (124 points).
Oswego East junior Ariel Michalek took the Class 3A individual title in 16:32 followed by Hinsdale Central sophomore Jill Hardies (16:34).
Senior Kelly Whitley, who has been a major force in Geneva's run, took third in 16:43 to pace the Vikings.
Whitley took second her first two years, then finished 18th last year, before securing her fourth all-state honors on Saturday.
“It's been a fun ride,” said an emotional Whitley who hung with the lead pack for the entire race. “We've had our ups and downs, but we really came together well this year and we gave it everything we had.”
The Vikings once again demonstrated their lethal pack running with seniors Tess Ehrhardt (17:15), Liza Tauscher (17:28) and Rachel Hammond (17:32) taking 25th, 28th and 31st place.
Senior Megan Brady (18:12) completed Geneva scoring taking 91st place. The Vikings' top five runners laid the foundation for the historic run.
“We knew we were good, but there were a ton of great teams down here,” added Ehrhardt who finished 14th as a sophomore. “There has been a lot of pressure, but I really felt like we came back stronger this year.”
Whitley, who had a delay start to the season due to the Junior World Triathalon competition, made up for lost time by winning conference, regional and sectional titles.
The senior finished strong on Saturday, hanging with the lead pack until the final home stretch.
“I just wanted to stick with the pack,” said Whitley of the tense battle. “They made a move and I just couldn't counter. That's just the way it goes sometimes.”
But thanks Whitley, Ehrhardt, Tauscher, Hammond and Brady the Vikings have made up plenty of ground the past four seasons.
It was bittersweet for the Vikings on Saturday.
“A lot of sadness,” said Whitley of the Vikings' final run. “Winning the first year wasn't expected, we didn't really know anything. Then taking fifth last year, a lot of teams would kill to be in that position.”
“Our main goal this year was just to work hard, knowing when we got to the finish line we gave it everything we had. There's nothing we would have done differently.”
And Vikings faithful are happy for that.