York edgest Lake Zurich for boys title
PEORIA -- The Lake Zurich Bears surprised a lot of people on Saturday at the Class 3A boys cross country state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria, including themselves.
Lake Zurich has been bubbling all season with an experienced group of runners and the Bears put it all together at the state meet, securing second place 164 points, 2 behind state champion York (162).
Sandburg senior Lukas Verzbicas' quest to break Craig Virgin's course record of 13:50.6 set in 1972 fell a bit short, but Verzbicas did win his second consecutive Class 3A state title in 13:54.
Verzbicas was on target to break the mark, cruising the first 2 miles in 9:09, but the Sandburg senior slowed a bit in the final mile.
“A lot of people underestimate the last mile and I think I did,” Verzbicas said.
York senior Jack Driggs (14:16) took second leading the Dukes to their 27th state title.
But it was Lake Zurich's runner-up run that had people blinking. The Bears' best finish before this year was 13th in 2008, and last year they were 16th.
“I think we surprised a lot of people,” said Bears coach JB Hansen. “We had a group of talented runners who work very hard. You have to be lucky, you have to be talented and you have to work hard.”
Senior Victor Delatorre (14:38) led the Bears in 14th place.
“We came here and we were really hungry for it,” said Delatorre, whose team won the Schaumburg sectional last week. “We each have our individual strengths, and we all had an amazing race.”
Delatorre had plenty of help, as junior Pat Juras (14:39) and senior Alex Brend (14:39) took 17th and 18th places to give the Bears three all-state runners.
“We have a huge front-running pack and we just switch off all the time,” Juras said.
Senior Ryan Moncrieff (14:57) took 37th and junior Joe Smith (15:30) added 159th place to help secure the Bears' trophy.
“We knew we were going to do well,” Brend said. “But we didn't foresee second place, that's a huge upset. It came down to everyone putting it together.”
Palatine just missed a trophy, finishing fourth with 189 points 9 points behind third-place Neuqua Valley.
Pirates junior Anthony Gregorio (14:40) finished 20th, as the Pirates led the race for the first two miles before slipping in the final mile.
“We ran our best race of the season,” said Pirates coach Chris Quick, “The emphasis all week was to try and win, and we were winning deep into the race. We just didn't have it in the end.”
Pirates senior A.J. Laskowske (15:00), junior Tim Johnson (15:04) and senior Reuben Frey (15:05) took 45th, 51st and 54th.
“We went for broke,” said Gregorio of the Pirates' fast start. “I'd rather get fourth place going to win. We have some of the toughest guys in state and I'm really proud of all of them.”
Barrington junior Erik Peterson (14:33) completed an outstanding season by taking sixth and leading the Broncos to eighth with 268 points.
“I wanted to go out hard then I just held on,” Peterson said. “A lot less butterflies than last year.”
Stevenson senior Kevin Wood (14:39) secured 19th place.
Buffalo Grove's Jereme Atchison (14:41) went on the attack early, hanging in the top 10 before taking 21st place.
“I got out quick and stayed up as long as I could,” said Atchison of his first state medal. “I was trying to match moves all race, and this race definitely gives me a lot of confidence.”
Schaumburg senior Travis Morrison (14:46) capped a stellar season by taking 25th and leading Schaumburg to 11th.
“It felt good,” said Morrison, “This is the icing on the cake. I was able to hit my times.”
Prospect senior Kellan Strobel (14:49) placed 27th.