Prospect's making a convincing case
The race for the Mid-Suburban League boys cross country title looks to be wide open this year, but Prospect sure looks like it might have a strong voice in the final outcome.
The Knights opened their season by cruising to a 15-50 MSL crossover victory over Barrington, and they added more winning evidence on Thursday, running away with a 16-46 MSL East victory over two-time defending MSL champion Hersey on Prospect's new home course at Melas Park in Arlington Heights.
"We're off to a good start," said Prospect coach Mike Stokes. "We wanted to have a race on our new course, and they raced wonderfully."
The Knights jumped out to a solid start in the first mile, with six runners in the top seven, and then continued to impress in the final 2 miles.
Senior Matt Cozine (16:04) and junior Sean Sanaghan (16:06) led the charge by going 1-2 in pushing the Knights' attack.
"It's about the team," said Cozine, one of eight Prospect runners to finish in the top 10. "We have a huge pack in front and a huge pack in back. It's all about moving up. We are looking better and better every week."
Senior Karson LeComte (16:12) and junior James Riordan (16:18) kept the pressure on by going 3-4, with junior Jack O'Donnell (16:24) and senior Max Crowninshield (16:24) adding a 6-7 finish for Prospect.
The Knights returns six of the top seven runners who helped earn a third-place overall MSL finish last season. But Prospect ended last year on a down note, finishing 14th at the Schaumburg sectional.
That finish has fueled the Knights' drive this season.
"It's definitely in the back of everyone's mind," said Cozine. "It was terrible not making it to the state meet; it gives us energy for this season."
Prospect has not won an MSL East title since 2010, but with the impending return of No. 2 runner Alec Heyde from injury, the Knights understandably have high hopes this season.
Hersey, meanwhile, lost a quite chunk of talent from last season's team, which qualified for its third consecutive state meet last season behind all-state runner David Rodriguez. The Huskies then had a setback during the summer when No. 1 runner junior Jacob Krupa was sidelined with health issues.
But don't turn the page on this Huskies team yet. Senior Kevin Paton (16:23) is off to a solid start and led his team Thursday with a fifth-place finish. Senior Brendon Stonequist (16:25) also has impressed; he placed eighth.
"Right now we don't look as strong as we really are," said Paton, who has made the transition to become a leader this season after competing as a No. 7 runner last season. "It's a lot easier than it should be because my teammates are so helpful."
Krupa ran his first race of the season on Thursday. The junior finished 16th; at last year's MSL meet he placed 12th.
"Today was a good experience against who I think is the best team in conference," said Hersey coach Jay Renaud, who had three sophomores finish in the top six for his group. "It was good to see how we stack up."