Neuqua Valley, Glenbard South land at trophy stand again
PEORIA — Neuqua Valley continued its strong tradition and Glenbard South reignited its own at the boys cross country state meets at Detweiller Park on Saturday.
Neuqua Valley scored 144 points in securing third place in Class 3A. It's the Wildcats' fourth trophy in five years.
“We can't hang our heads — obviously, we wanted to win,” said Neuqua Valley coach Paul Vandersteen. “I still think we ran well, and it's our fourth time on the trophy stand in five years.”
Glenbard South took second in Class 2A with 128 points; it was the Raiders' first trophy since finishing first and third in Class AA in 2001 and 2002.
“We've been consistent all year long and we've done the right thing,” said Glenbard South coach Andy Preuss who may be reconsidering his retirement after the Raiders' success. “It's really special. We have a small team and to come home with a trophy is awesome.”
Palatine won the Class 3A title with 114 points, followed by O'Fallon (120).
New Trier senior Leland Later won the Class 3A title in 14:17 easily outdistancing second-place runner Alex Riba of O'Fallon.
Oak Park-River Forest Malachy Schrobilgen took third, followed by Edwardsville senior Garrett Sweat and Buffalo Grove senior Jereme Atchison.
Senior Mark Derrick and senior Taylor Soltys powered Neuqua Valley to the third place trophy, finishing ninth and 10th, respectively.
“Third place is still a trophy, so we're all pretty happy,” said Derrick who helped to push the Wildcats' charge. “I always wanted to contend with the top guys — I kind of fell off at the end, but it was still good.”
Junior Alekh Meka and sophomore Nick Bushelle aided Neuqua Valley's charge, finishing 49th and 53rd, respectively, and senior Drew Smith completed the scoring with a 77th-place finish.
“We wanted to win it all — that was the goal,” said Soltys, who made all-state for the second consecutive year. “But finishing third is nothing to be ashamed of. It was our 3-4-5 guys' first race at state, and I'm proud of how they did.”
Junior Scott Milling and sophomore Nathan Mroz finished 15th and 21st in leading defending Class 3A champion York to fourth place with 151 points.
Willowbrook senior Pat Niyork completed a sensational season by taking 12th place. Niyork had a breakthrough season and completed the ride with all-state honors.
“It was awesome and a perfect way to end the season,” Niyork said. “It came down to this year, and I knew I had to lay it on the line.”
Metea Valley senior Joe Stewart captured all-state honors for the Mustangs with a 13th-place finish.
Downers Grove South senior Nick Kirk also made all-state, taking 14th place.
Naperville North junior Griffen Haugen took 27th place in leading the Huskies to a 10th-place finish.
Belvidere North won its third consecutive Class 2A title with 110 points, followed by Glenbard South and Normal (173 points).
Decatur MacArthur senior Michael Clevenger won his second consecutive Class 2A state title.
Glenbard South's trophy run was aided by hair-raising performance by a pair of sophomores.
John Wold clung to the lead pack for much of the race, finishing fourth and leading the Raiders attack. Joe Singleton followed close behind, taking 11th.
“We've been running together since sixth grade — we always push each other,” Wold said. “I was scared, but by the third mile I started to settle in and I started to enjoy the race.”
Senior Scott Wurtz took 32nd place for Glenbard South, followed by sophomore Andrew Kladiva and junior Tommy Stoffels, who took 68th and 72nd place, respectively.
“We really came together this season,” Singleton said. “It started in the summer and we started to believe we could do something big. It's awesome.”