Peterson, Barrington set the pace at Harland Invitational
The Barrington boys cross country team has enjoyed a lot of success this fall against Lake County competition.
After winning the Lake County meet at the end of August to open the 2011 season, the Broncos displayed a similar winning attitude Saturday morning at the 38th Annual Harland Invitational hosted by Antioch.
Led by senior standout Erik Peterson once again on the hilly 3-mile Fox River State Park course, the Broncos easily toppled runner-up Crystal Lake Central 44-89 to capture the championship of the 20-team meet.
Peterson had to go head-to-head with Grayslake Central senior Will Brewster for the majority of the race before Peterson (15:35) pulled away late in the race to take first place by 10 seconds.
Warren put together a very good team effort to edge Jacobs 116-118 for third place. Grayslake Central placed fifth with 126 points under dry conditions and temperatures in the low 50’s.
“I’ve been a little disappointed with two splits in particular in the past two weeks and we improved on both of those today,” said Barrington coach Ty Gorman. “They ran a much better team race today and I was happy to see Erik push himself early in the race.”
Unlike the Lake County meet, when Peterson (sixth in Class 3A) nipped Grayslake Central’s Luke Zygmunt for first place heading into the chute, Saturday it was Brewster that stayed pretty close to the all-stater for the majority of the race. Zygmunt (45th in Class 2A) missed the meet due to shin splints, but he should return to the lineup no later than the regional meet.
“In the last 800 meters he (Peterson) put on a surge and I just couldn’t respond,” said Brewster, who missed all of last season with a broken leg. “Considering that last year I was on the sidelines just watching this meet, I’m just glad to be back and I’ll be ready to go for the state series.”
Peterson got great support from teammates Ryan Burgoon (fourth), Mike Rappleye (10th), Kerry Frank (13th), Ryan Skelly (16th), and freshman Konrad Eiring (21st).
Junior Martin Martinez led Warren’s push for third place with a sixth-place run. The Blue Devils showed a lot of depth behind Tyler Herman (20th), Jacob Butler (23rd), Roberto Lara (33rd), and Michael Harland (34th).
“They looked good, but they all know they can do better,” said Warren assistant coach Jason Jecmen. “Martinez is looking strong, and all of our guys know they have more in them.”
Junior Ryan Ross led Jacobs in ninth place followed by freshman teammate Matt Goldby in 17th and senior Trevor Tschosik in 18th.
“Our top runner (William Hennessy) did not compete, but our kids ran well,” said Jacobs coach Kevin Christian. “We had a freshman (Goldby) take 17th so we’re pretty excited about that.”
After Brewster, Grayslake Central’s troops were bolstered by Kevin Boyle in 11th and Kevin Orozco in 14th.
“Luke (Zygmunt) should be back for conference or regionals, but the guys really stepped up today,” said Grayslake Central coach Jim Centella. “Our top three were really strong and Will Brewster ran fantastic against one of the top runners in the state.”
Two-time Class 2A state qualifier Ryan Prais continued to be a great leader for Lakes with a fifth-place finish.
“He (Prais) was trying to aim for the top five so he reached his goal,” said Lakes coach Andy Schroeder. “He’s beeen very consistent and I was happy to see him be a little more competitive. Now we have to try to get him to go out with the leaders and get out a little faster.”
Junior Trent Peters-Clarke was Grant’s top runner in 25th place.
“On paper he (Peters-Clarke) was our top returning guy from last year and he’s slowly starting to come around (from leg injury),” said Grant coach Jeff Durlak. “We were missing a couple of other guys from our lineup today and we’re trying to get five guys healthy for the end of the year.”