The best -- including York -- are ready

It is often said that to be a champion you have to beat the best.

That philosophy is the guiding principle behind Saturday's Palatine Invitational, which marks the middle of the boys cross country season. Top teams will travel from around the area -- and in one case from Ohio -- to run in one of the most anticipated invites of the year.

Perennial state champ York will be running its invitational debut at Palatine and six of the top 11 teams in the state, according to the most recent Illinois cross county coaches poll, will compete with 24 other teams.

"What I'm concerned with is raising the level of the meet every year," Palatine coach Chris Quick said. "I want to have the best programs here every year. I want to make it as tough as possible. We want to test our guys against the best."

To emphasize the point, Quick said the unofficial name of the event is the "Meet of Champions."

However, he might want to consider changing it to "York's Coming Out Party"

The Dukes have opened their invitational season at Palatine for more than 15 years and have produced impressive results.

York has won nine titles -- including the last four -- and placed in the top two in 13 of the past 15 years.

Meanwhile, host Palatine has been the runner-up the previous four years and has yet to win its own invite.

The meet is expected to have 2,000 runners and draw anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 spectators.

Quick said the grass was a little dry early in the week, suggesting that some faster than normal times might be recorded Saturday on the 2.95-mile Deer Grove East forest preserve course.

The invite starts at 9 a.m. and there is limited parking, so fans are advised to arrive early.

Hersey, Lyons, Sandburg, St. Charles North, Barrington, Lake Zurich, Barrington, Fremd, Libertyville, Maine West, Mundelein and Vernon Hills are among the teams that will participate.

Saxons reload: When Schaumburg came into the year without four of its top five runners from a year ago, many were writing off the Saxons as serious threat for the state title.

Although they lack the firepower of a front runner such as graduates Mike Spain or Jon Roberts, Schaumburg's depth has proven to be its strength.

"We graduated four seniors. Everybody doesn't think we're going to have guys come back," coach Jim Macnider said. "I know we have kids who are here who get better every year. I make sure that we run a little more mileage every year and they're going to be better."

Senior Nathan Rutz, the lone holdover from the top five, knew the Saxons were going through a transition but never doubted his team's ability to succeed.

"We had a good feeling about this year because our coach always brings back a good team every year," he said. "So we felt confident. We have a lot of young guys and they're stepping up more than anyone could ask."

Sophomore Pat Lesiewicz has emerged as Schaumburg's second runner and freshman Travis Morrison has been a top-five contributor, although Morrison might miss the next two weeks with a sore Achilles.

Hayek's comeback: Prospect junior Chris Hayek ran a season-best 15:36 at the Libertyville invitational last Saturday and helped the Knights finish second. For Hayek, the performance continued an incredible comeback.

The tall, shaggy haired runner came down with mononucleosis in June and was inactive for about week.

But then he got out of bed and back to work, refusing to let the lethargy caused by mono to keep him from his summer running.

"I've never had a kid this strong who's able to come back from something like that," coach Mike Stokes said after Hayek placed third individually. "It's a compliment to his character and his drive."

Hayek said last Saturday was the first time he felt good, although he admitted he still wasn't completely healthy. Hayek added that he's still dealing with some fatigue, which affects him most at the end of meets.

"I'm getting over it. I think I'm almost done," he said, speculating that his health would return to normal in a week or two. "The last couple of races, I think my last mile has been a little bit slower because I've been tired."