Boys cross country: Buffalo Grove's Salvano set for future at Notre Dame
It has been a big month for Buffalo Grove senior Kevin Salvano.
The Bison senior started the month by winning the Class 3A state boys cross country title on Nov. 7.
Salvano then signed a National Letter of Intent with Notre Dame on Nov. 18.
Needless to say, Salvano is glad to finally be able to exhale a bit.
“The past 10 weeks have been pretty busy and stressful, but it has been a good stress,” said Salvano, who chose Notre Dame over Illinois, Wisconsin, and Syracuse. “Obviously Notre Dame is strong in academics and it ended up just feeling right. I am definitely able to relax a bit now.”
Salvano made his mark at Buffalo Grove securing three cross country state medals. He finished 20th in Class 3A as a sophomore and continued to climb the ladder his junior year by finishing fifth in Class 3A.
This fall, Salvano became the first Buffalo Grove runner to win a Mid-Suburban League title while helping the Bison secure their first-ever MSL team title. He then capped a spectacular career by pulling away in the final mile to earn the Class 3A state title in 14:20 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
“He has definitely been the best distance runner we've ever had at Buffalo Grove,” said BG coach Zach Crandall of his senior star who also earned a state medal in track last season, finishing eighth in the 3,200 in Class 3A. “He has elevated the program, and the rest of the guys have been trying to move up to his level.
“It has been talent paired with effort. He gets out and runs more than anybody and that sort of dedication has paid off to win the state championship. That has rubbed off on the other guys.”
Salvano will major in accounting/finance, competing on both the cross country and track and field squads for the Irish.
Notre Dame offered a bit of familiarity for Salvano. Notre Dame Assistant cross country and track and field coach and chief recruiter Sean Carlson was a 2006 Buffalo Grove graduate.
Salvano had hoped to make a deep postseason run at the Nike Cross Nationals, but that effort was cut short by a pulled hip flexor suffered during the Class 3A state meet.
The Bison senior now has put his focus on the upcoming track season.
Salvano had a quiet confidence all season as he aimed to put his name among some of the top Illinois runners of the past.
When he finally reached the peak, it came as no surprise to the Bison senior.
“It's not hard to believe, because it was a goal of mine,” said Salvano of his state title run. “But it is pretty cool to be mentioned with the names of past state champions.”