New course, familiar result for talented Geneva
Several runners commented after Kaneland's 45th annual Larry Eddington Invitational last Saturday that they preferred the new course at the high school instead of the traditional site at Elburn Woods.
One big reason is Elburn Woods is known to be one of the more challenging courses especially because of a hill that tests even the most fit runners. There wasn't any such elevation to conquer at Kaneland's new course.
But don't count Geneva sophomore Emma Ehrhardt among those glad to get away from Elburn Woods.
"I actually like the Elburn Woods course better because it is more forested and more shade and the hill to me isn't that bad," Ehrhardt said. "I think it pushes me and it comes out nice in the end."
Ehrhardt adjusted to the new course and ran a fine race, finishing with a time of 18:26 to take fourth overall, just behind teammate McKenzie Altmayer in third.
Ehrhardt said the most difficult part of the new course was the wind.
"The course was really nice, it was really flat but the headwind was really bad especially on the long stretches," Ehrhardt said. "I just pushed it and it didn't feel that bad. It was my worst race time wise (of three this year), but I think I am improving. I have never run this course so I didn't know what to expect."
It was a strong day for the entire Geneva team who won the 17-team invitational going away with 40 points, its third straight Eddington championship. The Vikings have now won five of the last eight Eddington titles: 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Senior Brooke Nusser (seventh, 18:57), freshman Brittany Caskey (12th, 19:18), junior Emma McSpadden (14th, 19:22) and sophomore Mary Grace Neville (15th, 19:26) all finished top 15.
"I liked the way I had a teammate in front of me to push me to stay with her and a teammate in back for support," Ehrhardt said. "I just felt supported with my team and really structured."
Geneva returns to action Saturday at Sterling for the Rock River Run, which has a unique format allowing an unlimited number of varsity runners for each school. Vikings coach Bob Thomson said he is looking forward to it so he can enter a few more runners and see them race head to head with each other.
More course work: While Geneva dominated the girls race, Glenbard West did the same in the boys race.
Hilltoppers coach Kyle Nugent said he also is a fan of the Elburn Woods course.
"The old course was fun. It was pretty," Nugent said. "The kids like running up the hill. This took us totally by surprise. The wind was tough. They struggled with it especially the guys who got out alone. Seems more like a college course almost."
Kaneland moved the meet to the school in preparation for the Class 2A sectional it will host later this fall.
Knights coach Chad Clarey thanked all the officials and maintenance staff who worked so hard to get the course ready.
"(Kaneland track coach) Eric Baron set this whole thing up. It's kind of his brain trust to put this together," Clarey said.
Clarey said he hopes to have the race back at Elburn Woods next year, but there is another factor at play. Kaneland increased the number of teams in the field this year and might not be able to have it at Elburn Woods in the future with that many schools.
"Right now it is the plan (to go back to Elburn Woods)," Clarey said. "We're trying to decide if we can host 25 teams at Elburn Woods. We added more teams because teams wanted to come out and see the course and run on it (in preparation for the sectional). We wanted to use it as a dress rehearsal so we can see all the things we need to do better so when we host the sectional we can do it the right way."
Because none of the runners had run the course before, Clarey rode in a utility vehicle in front of the lead runners so they could follow.
"I'm usually on the sidelines trying to work with my boys," Clarey said. "Thankfully we have great assistant coaches to help. We wanted to lead the runners because none of the runners had run this course before except for our kids. We wanted to make sure we gave them the right direction."
Coming on strong: One of those runners at the front of the pack following Clarey was West Aurora's Connor McCue.
The Blackhawk junior surged in the final half mile to win the boys race in 15:27, six seconds ahead of runner-up Eryk Yunk from Belvidere North.
McCue's title Saturday follows a 20th-place finish in Peoria at the First to Finish (15:06 time) and the championship at the Aurora City invite.
"I was really satisfied with my race today," McCue said. "Definitely not done but I think the sky is the limit for me. I'm only getting faster."