St. Charles East 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 tie-breaker.
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).
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 tie-breaker. “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.”
St. Charles North finished 17th with 394 points, highlighted by a solid 30th place effort from senior Sydney Stuenkel (17:39) and a 51st place performance from sophomore Ashley England (17:57).
West Aurora junior Rachel Cavender (17:26) took 21st place to secure all-state honors while Batavia freshman Lexi Slome checked in 39th at 17:46.
Yorkville won the Class 2A title with 74 points, and Montini took third place with 165 points.
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.”
The Knights placed 8th in the team standings as Maggie Brundige checked in 45th at 18.29. Aislinn Lodwig (18:52), Abby Dodis (18:52) and Amanda Lesak (18:53) were 77th, 78th and 80th, respectively.
Aurora Central Catholic junior Jenna Koerner capped her season with a 41st place time of 18:28 and Rosary junior Kara Kalisz posted a 18:50 for 74th place.
Decatur St. Teresa rolled to the Class 1A championship while Aurora Christian captured 17th place.
Senior Sarina Oleson led the way for the Eagles, notching 76th place at 19:15. Anna Pape (19:30) and Becca Wert (19:31) followed in 89th and 90th.
Boys race: In the boys cross country state meet, 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. Omar Gomez (15:21) and Calvin Robinson (15:26) followed close behind for the Blackhawks in 43rd and 52nd, respectively.Geneva junior Michael Bianchina notched a 42nd place time of 15:14 while Batavia's Chris Spadafora (15:26) finished 72nd.Belvidere North won its third consecutive Class 2A title with 110 points followed by Glenbard South (128 points) and Normal (173 points). Burlington Central senior Clint Kliem (14:47) took seventh place in securing his second consecutive all-state honor. #8220;I wanted to get out fast,#8221; said Kliem of his opening charge. #8220;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.#8221; Marmion, which took home a third place trophy last year, landed in eighth place with 258 points. Cadets' senior Will Graft (15:32) capped his career with a 37th place performance while Brady Hunt (15:46) crossed in 55th and Nolan Dickson (15:53) was 65th.Kaneland collected a 15th place team finish as sophomore Kyle Carter checked in 53rd at 15:45. Conor Johnson (16:00) and John Meisenger (16:01) followed in 79th and 80th for the Knights. Mount Zion (76 points) nipped Tolono Unity (88 points) for the Class 1A title with Aurora Christian placing ninth overall with 265 points.Eagles' senior Jake Wert posted a team-best time of 16:03, good for 57th place. Sophomore John DiCicco (16:07) took 64th and junior Jake Gehman (16:21) placed 82nd.#8212; Mike Eaken 13361828West Auroras Rachel Cavender and St. Viators Hanna Winter approach the finish line in the 3A state cross country final in Peoria on Saturday, November 5. Cavender took 21st place and Winter took 19th place.Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com 8281362Batavias Lexi Slome takes 39th place in the 3A state cross country final in Peoria on Saturday, November 5. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com 14342040Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.comKaneland's Victoria Clinton takes 11th place with a time of 17:41 in the 2A state cross country final in Peoria on Saturday, November 5. 40002657St. Charles Easts Annie Martines hangs out the window of the Saints school bus upon arrival to the state finals meet in Peoria on Saturday, November 5.Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com 14822250Genevas Michael Bianchina finishes in 42nd place in the 3A state cross country final in Peoria on Saturday, November 5. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com 16502436St. Charles Norths Declan Duggan takes 41st place with a time of 15:14 in the 3A state cross country final in Peoria on Saturday, November 5. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com 13142532Marmion Academys John Graft nears the finish to take 37th place with a time of 15:32 in the 2A state cross country final in Peoria on Saturday, November 5. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com 9361844Kanelands Kyle Carter takes 53rd place with a time of 15:45 in the 2A state cross country final in Peoria on Saturday, November 5. Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com