Falcons fly high at DVC meet

Wheaton North's cross country teams had the kind of day that dreams are made of.

With Chase Kadlec and Kelsey Tharnstrom capturing the individual titles, both the Falcons boys and girls teams captured DuPage Valley Conference championships in Friday's meet that was hosted by Naperville Central at Northside Park in Wheaton.

In winning the dual titles the Falcons turned the tables on Naperville North, last year's conference champion in both races.

In the boys race Wheaton North finished with 26 points to the Huskies' 34 and the rest of the field far behind.

The Falcons outran the Huskies 31-42 on the girls side with Wheaton Warrenville South in third at 72.

There was a role reversal for Kadlec as well. He caught and passed last year's boys conference champ, Kyle Gibson of Naperville North, on the final straightaway, the same way Gibson had defeated him a year ago.

"Because Kyle beat me last year," Kadlec said. "I just wanted to leave everything out on the track. This race gives me a ton of confidence for regionals, sectionals and state."

The Falcons' successful strategy was for Kadlec and teammate Justin Soderlund to run together on the lead early and push each other, while Wheaton North's next group, which included Collin Christensen and Graham Farnsworth, started a second or two behind the first group and made their push at the end.

Kadlec's ran his personal best for the course in 15:10.3, followed close behind by Gibson at 15:11.4.

Christensen finished third, Farnsworth fifth, Soderlund was eighth and Ryan Mademann gave the Falcons of the top nine.

"This win was awesome, awesome, awesome," Christensen said. "Our last great run on the home course could not have had a better ending."

"I'm speechless, overjoyed," said Falcons coach Nate Roe. "We've won almost all our meets this year and we hope to put ourselves into contention for some hardware in the next few weeks."

Naperville North's second-place finish was led by Gibson a little over a second just behind Kadlec. John Newman was fourth, David McWilliams, seventh, Tyler Jermann, 10th and Mike Herbert 11th.

In the girls race sophomore Tharnstrom led from pole to pole and finished with a time of 17:56.7, more than nine seconds ahead of teammate and second-place runner Jackie Laesch.

"I don't have a strategy," Tharnstrom said. "I just get in front or else I'm out if it mentally. My start is the key. I feel wonderful -- and tired."

"I just wanted to go out behind Kelsey," Laesch said. "I knew she would lead and eventually win it."

Laesch missed last year's DVC meet due to mononucleosis.

"Last year I had to come to the race and watch my team run without me," Laesch said. "This year I got a (personal record) and our team won. I couldn't be happier."

Jaime Orewiler of Wheaton North was sixth, while Emily Delaney was 10th and Kat Bolos finished 12th.

"Last year we were second in conference and 11th at state," said Wheaton North coach Ron Piro. "Injury and illness cost us a lot. We're back with a hunger this year."

Alicia Zimmerman of Wheaton Warrenville South finished third, and Michelle Stratton was the Huskies' top runner in fourth place.