Loran helps drive West Aurora to new heights
The best season of West Aurora boys cross country in at least 30 years continued Saturday when the Blackhawks won their own 27-team Stampede invitational at Waubonsee Community College.
Steve Loran led the way by winning the race in 15:33. The victory continued a senior year that has seen Loran make great strides according to Blackhawks coach Matt Sinnott.
“Last year was a rough season, Sinnott said. “His mileage, his training, everything was saying he should be at this level of racing and his performances on weekends weren't showing that. I think he was frustrated. But he figured things out over the track season, over the summer. He's really putting together in mind and body what he needs to race well.
Sinnott said Loran's biggest improvement has been in his mental frame of mind during a race. It has paid off all fall.
Saturday's title was the latest in a string of impressive races that includes first at the Aurora City meet, second at the Charger Classic and 10th at Peoria Woodruff.
“He struggled with that for awhile but he found that competitive spirit and he has not let up at all once for any reason whether it is a dual, invitational, hot weather, cold weather, Sinnott said. “He's out there to race.
Blonde bombers: St. Charles North coach Kevin Harrington has a nickname for junior Grant Markowicz and sophomore Spencer Gray, aka the “blonde kids.The two followed teammates Billy Clink and Declan Duggan into the chute finishing in 36th and 42nd, respectively, Saturday at Waubonsee. Harrington has been impressed with how the two work together to help each other on the course.#8220;We call them our blond kids duking it out, talking to each other the whole time, the first-year cross country coach said. #8220;To have two kids who are friendly, help out and are competitive at the same time, that's just a great thing to see.Plenty of H20: The unexpected warm weather last Saturday took a toll on every runner.Then again, Batavia's Mike Redmond is always prepared. He said he drinks at least three or four bottles of water before every race.Did it help him make it through the race? Yes, but...#8220;I was dying at the finish line, Redmond said.Resting up: It's the time of year when runners start feeling the wear and tear on their bodies.To minimize that, coaches have been looking for chances to give their runners a rest. Last week at the Stampede, Geneva coach Bob Thomson held out Connor Bartel after he rested Bill Koskiewicz the previous week.St. Charles North coach Kevin Harrington gave sophomore Zach Heuer a Saturday off from racing.Thomson has another decision to make with conference this week and whether 2008 all-stater Kevin McDowell will run in his first race of the season. As with Kelly Whitley for the Geneva girls team, Thomson isn't going to run them until he's sure the two world-class athletes are 100 percent after making the transition from their triathlon training to cross country.#8220;That's the plan, I want to make sure we're not throwing them into their first race with a potential injury, Thomson said.