Boys cross country: Methner, Hersey ready for state after securing sectional titles

Hersey senior Josh Methner made it look easy on Saturday at the Class 3A Hoffman Estates boys cross country sectional.

Methner, the defending Class 3A champion, jumped out to an early lead on a muddy Busse Woods course and didn't look back, cruising to his second consecutive sectional crown crossing the line in 15:23.

He came in 10 seconds in front of Mundelein senior Carter Schorr (15:33).

"I wanted to keep a consistent pace the whole time," said Methner, who zigzagged through the mud to earn the crown. "It's my last race here so I wanted to make it good."

Hersey earned its third consecutive sectional title with 88 points, followed by Lake Zurich (120 points), McHenry (153 points), Glenbrook South (166 points), and Barrington (178 points).

All five teams will advance to next Saturday's Class 3A state race at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The Class 3A boys race will begin at 2 p.m.

Methner, after a successful season that included the Mid-Suburban League title and Prospect regional crown, can now set his sights on defending his state title.

"There is always pressure, but I just have to focus on myself," said Methner, who verbally committed to run for Notre Dame in mid-October. "The goal is state, that is where I really want to kick into gear."

Senior Colin Safford (15:47) ran a solid race in securing eighth place for the Huskies, while senior Max Svienty (16:01) added a 15th place finish.

"We just wanted to go out and compete," said Safford, who was part of a big opening push by Hersey. "We're Huskies. We get out fast, compete hard, and do our thing."

Senior Quinn Rudy (16:19) added a 28th place finish, with junior Luis Vazquez (16:35) completing the Hersey scoring by securing 44th place.

"We talked about it all year, getting out hard and being in good position for the first mile," added Svienty of the Huskies' early surge.

Now the Huskies, who earned a second-place team trophy last season, will head into the state meet with a bit of momentum.

"Absolutely, you want a little bit of momentum going into state," said Hersey coach Kevin Young. "But I also like that we didn't have the greatest of days but still got the title, so there is still more to come."

Barrington will also be returning to state after senior Paddy Furlong (16:15) and junior Ben Deweerdt (16:19) went 26th and 30th to aid the Broncos in their fifth-place finish.

"On one hand we wanted to get out quick because we knew positions were not going to shift during the race," said Barrington coach Tom Root. "But we also wanted to keep our composure in the first mile. We did both those things and they were ready to go."

With Furlong and Deweerdt setting the tone, the Broncos were able to attack the final two miles to secure their spot on the state line.

"Other races we had a tendency to go out a bit too fast, then get eaten up," said Deweerdt. "This race we wanted to stay back and eat up the rest of the teams. We were able to do that a little and we worked as a team today."

Senior Trevor Giampa (16:26) and junior Alfredo Arnieri (16:30) paired up to secure 39th and 40th place, with junior Matt Hargrave (16:44) securing 58th place to complete the Broncos' scoring.

"We stayed strong throughout the race," said Furlong. "We attacked the second half of the race, even though it was hard to make moves. It's going to be fun, we are looking to peak at state."

Cary-Grove senior Maxum Caesar (15:54) made a move midrace to secure 11th place for the Trojans. Caesar will advance to his second consecutive state meet.

"I just went for it," said Ceasar. "If this was going to be my last race I was going to make it good."