Barrington’s Peterson kicks it in at Wheeling Invite

Barrington senior Erik Peterson admitted after the Palatine Invite that he just didn’t have it in the final mile after finishing fourth place.

But the Broncos senior found an extra gear on Saturday at the Wheeling Invitational, matching St. Ignatius junior Jack Keelan move for move in the final mile before taking command in the final 100 meters to secure the victory in 14:56, just ahead of Keelan (14:57).

Keelan finished third at the Palatine Invite, but Peterson was able to turn the tables on the Wolfpack star on Saturday.

“I was feeling comfortable for most of the race,” said Peterson of his victory. “I just sat with him (Keelan) and was able to answer his surges.”

Keelan and Peterson both are on the short list for state contenders in Class 3A, and they put on quite a show at Heritage Park on Saturday.

“It was kind of like the calm before the storm,” said Keelan of the intense battle, “And it wasn’t exactly calm today. “Plan was to kick at the 800, but I couldn’t hang with him.”

Two-time defending Class 2A state champion Belvidere North place five runners in the top 20 in taking the team title with 47 points, with Barrington (62 points) nipping Lake Zurich (63 points) for second. St. Ignatius (132 points) and Whitney Young (140 points) rounded out the top five.

Junior Tyler Yunk (15:13) and junior Garrett Lee (15:25) took third and fourth place to lead Belvidere North to the team title in the 17-team field, and senior Pat Juras (15:33) finished fifth in pacing Lake Zurich.

Yunk hung with Peterson and Keelan through the first 2-miles, but a side cramp put a drag on the Blue Thunder junior final mile.

“They kind of took off and I couldn’t hang with them,” said Yunk, whose team now has it sights set on capturing a third straight Class 2A title. “We know what we have to do to get it done, and we’re focused on working hard and getting that title back again.”

Junior Paxson Menard (15:55), senior Will Crocker (16:03) and sophomore Chase Hill (16:26) completed Belvidere North’s scoring by taking 9th, 11th, and 20th place.

Junior Ryan Burgoon (15:34) ran an impressive race in taking sixth place and combining with Peterson in leading Barrington to second place.

“He’s starting to figure it out,” said Barrington coach Ty Gorman of Burgoon’s performance. “He’s starting to see he can run with the top guys.”

Senior Nolan Wojtowicz (16:13), junior Ryan Skelly(16:21), junior Kerry Frank (16:28), and junior Mike Rappleye (16:28) finished 15th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd in aiding the Broncos attack.

Wojtowicz proved to be the difference finishing just ahead of two Lake Zurich runners to help the Broncos narrow second-place finish.

“It’s all coming together,” said Burgoon. “We’re saving our best for the state series.”

Juras led the charge for Lake Zurich, but the senior had plenty of help from senior Jonathon Smith (16:05), junior Trevor Kuehr (16:12), junior Jared Ripoli (16:14) and senior David Smith (16:19).

“Every race we want to keep moving that pack up further,” said Juras.

Juras is coming back from a right knee injury, but the senior seems to be getting back to the level that helped him secure 17th place in Class 3A last season.

“I’m trying to get back to that level,” said Juras who has resumed full training. “It’s only natural going from 0-to-60 miles over the course of two weeks. I’m not too worried.”

Senior KJ Matuszak (15:59) took 10th place to lead Carmel. In a tough field Matuszak made an impressive showing with his top 10 finish.

“I knew some of the tougher guys in state would be here, so I wanted to make a good showing,” said Matuszak. “I wanted to try and compete as well as I could.”

Lakes junior Ryan Prais (16:12) also made a good showing, taking 14th place to lead the Eagles.

“I want to get out a little better,” said Prais who finished strong. “I just need to keep training and finish strong.”

St. Viator junior Kevin Schreiber (16:30) took 23rd to lead the Lions, and Maine West junior Alex Gasca (16:32) paced the Warriors at 25th place.

Wheeling senior Jordy Arriaga (16:37) secured 28th place for the host Wildcats.