Prospect's boys charge to Peoria Invitational crown

Prospect boys cross country team won the Mid-Suburban League East title on Wednesday, and the Knights continued their momentum on Saturday.

Prospect had five runners finish in the top 30 to easily outdistance the 55-team field with 109 point in winning the Peoria Invitational at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

Senior Kellan Strobel (15:08) and junior Mike Thill (15:11) finished eighth and 11th to power the Knights' attack.

Sandburg (207 points), Springfield (213 points), Normal West (251 points), and McHenry (252) rounded out the top five.

"I am happy that Strobel and Thill moved up, then everybody else hung in there and we're progressing," said Prospect coach Mike Stokes. "We were able to run our race and the pack moved together.

In the girls race, Prospect sophomore Brooke Wolfe won her fourth invitational of the season in a sizzling 16:55, leading the Knight girls to second place with 113 points, Glenbrook North took first with 89 points.

Wolfe was sitting in second at the 2-mile before cruising the final mile in 5:20 to set a meet record.

Lauren Poplawski (17:33) took fifth place to aid the Knights.

"The times were really fast," said Prospect coach Dave Wurster. "Wolfe had great finish."

Rolling Meadows senior Christina Gastfield (17:16) took second place in leading the Mustangs (186 points) to fifth place in the team race.

Hoffman Estates junior Haley Goers (17:30) took fourth place as the Hawks placed seventh.