Hampshire's Kruse 4th at state
PEORIA — St. Charles East's girls cross country team had a special season, and the Saints came so close to securing a trophy at the Class 3A state meet.
New Trier placed three runners in the top 11 to secure the Class 3A title with 82 points on a sunny day at Detweiller Park.
Wheaton Warrenville South (144 points) took second followed by Naperville North and St. Charles East, which tied with 183 points. Naperville North was award the third place trophy on a sixth runner tiebreaker.
Naperville Central senior Amanda Fox won the Class 3A title with an impressive 16:24, followed by defending Class 3A champion Ariel Michalek (16:37) of Oswego East and Lake Park junior Kaylee Flanagan (16:43).
New Trier junior Courtney Ackerman (16:50) and Hinsdale Central junior Jill Hardies (16:59) rounded out the top five.
Yorkville won the Class 2A title with 74 points, and Montini took third place with 165 points.
Hampshire senior Cassie Kruse (17:21) set the pace early and came on strong at the end to secure fourth place.
“I went into the race very confident,” said Kruse who held the lead through the first mile. “I held on and at the end I gave it all I had.”
Kaneland freshman Victoria Clinton (17:41) had an impressive state debut by finishing 11th for the Knights. The freshman showed no signs of nerves in clinging to the lead pack.
“I had a goal set out and I accomplished my goal,” said Clinton of her all-state run. “I tried to stay in the front pack and not lose them.”
Freshman Sami Staples took control in the final mile to secure the Class 2A state title and help lead Crystal Lake Central to second place with 106 points.
Senior Kelly McNeely (17:42) and freshman Mary Fleming (17:50) added 12th and 17th place for an impressive Tigers performance.
“My coach told me not to take the lead until the third mile,” said Staples of her title run. “I didn't want to die too early, so I waited until the third mile to take it out and gave it everything I had.”
Crystal Lake Central is coached by former Larkin standout Shannon (Everett) Schroeder.
Despite missing a trophy, St. Charles East coach Denise Hefferin was proud of how her girls finished the season.
“Rules are rules, and that is why you run seven runners,” said Hefferin of the tiebreaker. “They ran tough and they put themselves in great position to compete for a trophy — that's all you can ask for.”
Freshman Torree Scull (17:38) led the Saints charge by taking 29th place, followed by junior Sarah Hill (17:48) and senior Mallory Abel (17:50) in 42nd and 44th place.
Abel ended her senior campaign on a high note after being injured and missing the state meet as a junior.
“It's hard to be that close and not get it,” said Abel of the Saints' fourth place finish. “But I'm really excited how we ran so hard. I didn't get to run last year, so I'm happy I got to finish this year.”
West Aurora junior Rachel Cavender (17:26) took 21st place to secure all-state honors.
Boys race: Palatine won the Class 3A title with 114 points followed by O'Fallon (120 points) and Neuqua Valley (144 points) at Detweiller Park on Saturday.
New Trier senior Leland Later won the Class 3A individual title in 14:17, followed by O'Fallon junior Alex Riba (14:27) and Oak Park-River Forest senior Malachy Schrobilgen (14:28).
Senior Zach Heuer (15:13) and senior Declan Duggan (15:14) finished 40th and 41st to lead St. Charles North to ninth place.
Senior Josh Robinson (15:19) took 56th place leading West Aurora to a 14th place finish.
Belvidere North won its third consecutive Class 2A title with 110 points followed by Glenbard South (128 points) and Normal (173 points).
Senior Michael Clevenger won the Class 2A individual title in 14:26 for Decatur MacArthur.
Burlington Central senior Clint Kliem (14:47) took seventh place in securing his second consecutive all-state honor.
“I wanted to get out fast,” said Kliem of his opening charge. “I wanted to keep the leaders in site. I know the feeling and I knew what to expect coming into the race. I just kept grinding.”
Senior Will Graft (15:32) took 37th place to lead Marmion to an eighth-place finish.
Junior Alex Baker (14:43) and senior Chris Alvarez (15:00) took fifth and 13th place in leading Crystal Lake Central to 10th place.