Naperville Central's Fox clocks a state title

PEORIA — Naperville Central's Amanda Fox took charge early and then finished the deal in securing the Class 3A girls cross country title on Saturday at Detweiller Park.

Wheaton Warrenville South met expectations in claiming second place in the team race, and Naperville North edged St. Charles East for third place on a sixth runner tiebreaker.

Fox set the tone early, cruising through the first mile in 5:13. The Redhawks senior then held the pace, holding off a late charge by Oswego East senior Ariel Michalek in nailing down the title in 16:24 — only two seconds off the state record set by Woodstock Kayla Beattie in Class 2A last season.

“I wanted to go out as fast as I could,” said Fox, who held a comfortable lead entering the final mile. “I knew if I got off to a good start, my endurance would take over.”

Michalek tried to offer a challenge in the final mile, but Fox responded with a closing punch to seal the title.

“I knew I had the lead — I wanted to win it,” Fox said. “I didn't know I'd be that close to the record.”

WW South entered the season with high expectations after finishing the last two seasons with a pair of third-place trophies. But the Tigers finished second at their sectional and a few questions arose.

WW South addressed those questions soundly, finishing in second with 144 points.

Junior McKenna Kiple led the charge by taking 24th place, followed by junior Hope Schmelzle and junior Kayla Kightlinger in 37th and 38th.

Senior Lauren Mordini and freshman Katie Popejoy closed the door on the Tigers' run at 46th and 64th.

“I told the girls we had to run the best we can, and they ran the best race they could today,” said WW South coach Rob Harvey. “We're a true team. It's hard to get a trophy, and now we have three straight. I'm very proud of the girls.”

“We knew from the beginning of the year we had a special team,” Kiple added, “and we kept working through the entire year.”

Naperville North came on strong during the postseason, winning a sectional title. The Huskies capped it with a third-place finish with 183 points.

“We've had some young kids develop, we've had some experienced kids pick it up,” said Naperville North coach Dan Iverson. “We've had a lot of depth, and I think that brought out the best in people.”

Junior Maria McDaniel led the Huskies with a 31st-place finish, followed by junior Kimber Meyer and senior Rachel Weathered in 43rd and 52nd. Senior Britney Weizeorick and freshman Elly DeTurris placed 61st and 68th.

But it came down to the Huskies' sixth runner — senior Emma Shannon — who broke the tie with St. Charles East with a 117th-place finish.

“Our pack was tight enough,” Iverson said. “I'll take it. I'm excited.”

Junior Kaylee Flanagan completed a strong season by taking third for Lake Park.

“It was a tough race, but it was good,” said Flanagan, who had won every race she ran this year up to last week's sectional. “It was a good ride this year, and I still have next year.”

Glenbard East senior Lindsey Rakosnik hung with the leaders early and finished in seventh place.

Sophomore Maddie Perez finished 15th to power Glenbard West to an impressive sixth-place finish.

“I've just been pushing myself really hard this season,” said Perez, who gained her first all-state honor. “You can't duplicate the state experience. Having the experience from last year really helped.”

Yorkville won the Class 2A title with 74 points, followed by Crystal Lake Central (106 points).

Senior Ericka Laviste powered Montini to a third place trophy by placing fifth. Sophomore Brittany Fisher and junior Theresa Connelly took 28th and 38th.

“I knew it was going to be a fast race, so I had to be mentally tough,” Laviste said. “We've just pushed each other as a team all season, and that has really helped.”

“We've been confident all season and that is how we approached state,” Fisher said. “As a team we wanted to do well and whatever happens, happens.”

Junior Kate Roback took 24th place in leading St. Francis to seventh place, its third top 10 finish in three years.

“It's been a team effort all season, and they really pushed me,” Roback said. “We've been very consistent the past three years, and I'm really proud of the team.”