Waubonsie snaps West Aurora’s city streak
Waubonsie Valley senior Ashley Bruner defended her Aurora City title Saturday at Marmion and in the process helped the Warriors end West Aurora’s reign on top of the team standings.
Bruner’s 19:55 time put her 25 seconds ahead of runner-up Miranda Gollwitzer from West Aurora. Bruner also won this race as a junior, took second her sophomore season and finished 16th when the City meet was held at Oakhurst her freshman year.
“Times were worse, it was just for place today,” Bruner said. “I could tell after we started a little slower nobody was pushing for time, it was just the title.”
While Claire Loran and Rachel Cavender followed right behind Gollwitzer to give West Aurora a 2-3-4 finish, the Warriors’ depth won out. Kristina Chapman took seventh, Alison Schenone eighth, Allison Wilson ninth and Elizabeth Sapoznik 15th. Waubonsie Valley won 40-43 with Aurora Central Catholic third at 76.
“I think the heat got to us,” Bruner said. “We were working on placing trying to beat West Aurora. It was amazing. Every year since freshman through last year West Aurora has beat us by a couple points. That (first place) is what we all really wanted.”
Bruner and the Warriors move to LeRoy Oaks in St. Charles next week as she continues a senior season she hopes to cap with all-state honors.
“Definitely thinking about all-state this year,” Bruner said. “I really wanted it last year and unfortunately my legs were just not up for the state race. This year I’m really trying to get all-state.”
Gollwitzer, a sophomore, also finished second to Bruner last year at the City Meet.
“It was déjà vu,” Gollwitzer said. “Neither one of us really wanted to take the lead. There were times she started to slow down and I said, no I’m behind you.”
Like Bruner, Gollwitzer has set high goals for herself and team.
“We have to work on our fourth and fifth runners and close the gap,” Gollwitzer said. “Today we did pretty good, I’m really proud of the girls. We did awesome today.”
IMSA’s Natalie Runkle finished fourth. Aurora Central put two runners in the top 10, Jenna Koerner in sixth and freshman Karina Liz in 10th. Kara Kalisz led Rosary finishing 14th.