Marmion nips Kaneland with its 6th score
Four points separated an equal number of teams, and the boys division of the Aurora Central Catholic Class 2A cross country regional lived up its billing.
Marmion was knocked down a rung in all three-class sports this school year, but the Cadets' seasoning ultimately paid the difference.
"We've been running a Triple-A schedule all year," said Marmion coach Bill Billish. "I really thought Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge was going to be steering the ship today. Once it was clear we beat them, I didn't think there would be anyone there."
Kaneland had its own designs on the team title, but Marmion prevailed when its sixth runner, junior Chris Hebert, bettered the Knights' sixth man.
The two teams finished with 66 points; Crystal Lake Central, which had the individual champion in senior Ryan Alvarez, and Prairie Ridge each had 70 points.
Burlington Central edged the host Chargers for the final sectional qualifier at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora on Saturday afternoon.
The five advancing teams and an equal number of at-large competitors advanced to the Belvidere sectional.
Marmion senior Zach Young toured the 3-mile layout in 15 minutes, 24.5 seconds to finish second.
"The footing was awful, but that's what makes it fun," said the Batavia resident. "It was a test of character, and we came through.'
The Cadets' Ben Kanute was fifth; Bennett Marsh, Matt Wenzel and Josh Kanute were the other Marmion contributors.
Kaneland also had two athletes in the top 10: Trevor Holm was fourth, and senior Matt Reusche was eighth on the treacherous course whose main characteristic is its forested backdrop.
"This is my favorite weather to run in," said Holm. "I like cold and rain. I just wanted to drop my time today."
Dominic Furco, Logan Markuson and Edgar Valle finished in respective order, all snaring top-20 status, to cement the Knights' runner-up standing.
Burlington Central sophomore Clint Kliem proved to be the difference-maker in the Rockets' nine-second plurality over Aurora Central for the final team berth.
Kliem bettered the 15:30 barrier to finish third.
"Today definitely wasn't about time," Kliem said. "It was about place. It seems like I have more stamina than speed. (The conditions were) dreadful in the back of the forest."
Aurora Central senior Manuel Saucedo had the best time among the five at-large contenders with his seventh-place result.
Jimmy Spencer also made the individual cut for Aurora Central, as did Wheaton Academy runners Kent Smith and Mike DeRenzo.
"I just wanted to get out, to qualify for the sectional," said Smith, a two-time state qualifier. "I knew (the pace) would be kind of slow due to the wind."
Tanner Holman was the sole qualifier for Hampshire.