Boys cross country: Preparation leads to triumph for Buffalo Grove's Salvano
PEORIA - Buffalo Grove senior Kevin Salvano definitely had a plan going into the Class 3A boys cross country state meet on Saturday at Detweiller Park.
And on a sun-splashed but cool afternoon, the Bison senior made it a reality.
Salvano took control of the race with 1 mile remaining, then hung on down the final stretch to secure a state championship in 14:20.
Salvano became the first Bison to earn a state title in cross country, and he earned his third consecutive state trophy.
"The plan all year was to hit at the end," said Salvano who finished fifth last year. "I've had goals. Sophomore year I wanted a top-25 finish, last year I wanted a top-five finish - and this year I wanted to finish first.
"I've had this goal since eighth grade, so yeah, it's definitely been a long process."
Sandburg won the Class 3A team title with 79 points, followed by Lyons (118). Neuqua Valley (171) needed a sixth-runner tiebreaker to secure third place. York (171) took fourth, followed by Lake Zurich (207).
There may have been some concerns when Salvano finished second behind Lake Zurich junior Matt Pereira at the Schaumburg sectional last weekend, but the Bison senior erased any doubt when he started working the final mile and getting separation.
"We told him to go for it in the last mile, and that is what he did," said Buffalo Grove coach Zack Crandall of his senior's state title run. "He did it perfectly - he ran like a champ from the gun and made it happen."
The Bison senior was bunched with a pack the first 2 miles before making his move and holding off York sophomore Charlie Kern (14:22) in the final 200 meters.
"Everyone was starting to settle and I just wanted to go for it," said Salvano. "I have confidence in my kick, but I just wanted to make people hurt in that final mile."
Salvano ran to a Mid-Suburban League title in October, helping the Bison earn their first conference title. Then he kept his momentum going in November.
"He finished harder than I've ever seen him finish," said Crandall.
Salvano hit it big on Saturday, but he was still trying to absorb his accomplishments moments after the race.
"It hasn't hit me yet - I'm just too tired," said Salvano, who took one final glance back with 50 meters remaining. "I had a smile on my face. I knew I had it."
Buffalo Grove finished sixth place with 223 points for the program's second top-10 finish in three state meet appearances.
"It's been a great era for BG running," said senior Tom Cleary (15:01) who finished 39th. "It feels great and Kevin deserves the title he has put n the work."
Senior Karson LeComte (14:55) finished in 32nd place, with senior Matt Cozine (15:09) taking 56th place to pace Prospect's seventh-place finish with 230 points.
"We just went out and ran our race," said LeComte, who said runner-up conference and sectional meet finishes helped the Knights' confidence. "It definitely put us on the radar. We just all worked well together."
Wheeling junior Justin Loquercio was the last individual to qualify out of the Schaumburg sectional, and he continued his run to individual success downstate.
Loquercio (14:46) didn't panic after a conservative start and started moving in the final 2 miles to secure 25th place - and the Wildcats' first state medal since 2002.
"I'll take it," said Loquercio. "I went out a bit too fast at sectionals - today I just wanted to run relaxed. It feels great."
Senior Shiv Patel (15:08) finished 52nd to pace Hoffman Estates' 22nd-place finish.
Grayslake Central won the Class 2A title with 54 points, with Grayslake Central senior Jack Aho earning the Class 2A individual title in 14:25.
Tolono won the Class 1A title with 30 points, with Oakwood senior Jon Davis running to the Class 1A individual title in 14:00.