Boys cross country: No surprise - Methner, Hersey are MSL champs
It was business as usual for senior Josh Methner and the Hersey boys cross country team Saturday.
Methner, the defending Class 3A state champion, ran to his second consecutive Mid-Suburban League title, crossing the finish line in 14:32 and tying the course record which he set at the 2018 Palatine Invitational.
Hersey placed four runners in the Top 6 to capture its fourth consecutive MSL title and sixth in seven years, scoring 36 points on a near-perfect autumn morning at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine.
"The focus was the team today," said Methner, who ran controlled first two miles before surging in the final mile to secure his title. "It's a big deal and we all celebrate together. But we have high goals and we are not where we need to be right now, but we're in good shape."
Senior Richie Jacobo (14:48) took second and led host Palatine to a second-place team finish with 55 points, followed by Barrington (78), Prospect (108), and Rolling Meadows (139).
Senior Max Svienty (15:03) added a third-place finish for Hersey and was followed by senior Quinn Rudy (15:19) and senior Colin Safford (15:21), who went 5-6. Junior Luis Vasquez (15:56) completed the scoring for the Huskies taking 21st place.
"That was our goal," said Svienty of the Huskies' title run. "Conference is really important and we wanted to make a statement and get off to a good start."
That is exactly what Hersey did as it had five runners in the Top 10 after the first mile.
"We wanted to assert ourselves in the race early," said Hersey coach Kevin Young. "It was a blast to win again and I feel like we are only going to get stronger."
Palatine had its highest finish at a conference race since 2013 and Jacobo was a big reason. The Pirate senior hung back early before switching gears in the final mile to secure second place.
"I'm very happy," said Jacobo, who set a school record on his home course. "I waited it out until the final mile and then I dropped the hammer. We believe in each other and we've been working together as a unit."
Senior James Spencer (15:33), freshman Jack Casccio (15:35) and senior Andrew Duran (15:41) kept the line moving by stringing together 9-10-12 finishes. Junior Brandon Waller (15:56) added a 22nd place finish for the Pirates.
"Our seniors ran great - they stepped up," said Palatine coach Chris Quick. "They set the tone for today."
Barrington senior Paddy Furlong (15:29) set the tone for the Broncos running to a third-place finish.
"Paddy always runs gutsy," said Barrington coach Tom Root. "Our next few guys are still learning and need to match that."
Senior Trevor Giampa (15:45) and junior Ben DeWeerdt (15:45) went 13-14, with junior Matt Hargrave (15:50) and junior Carter Hart (15:57) adding 20-24 finishes for the Broncos.
"We got out in good position and made it competitive," said Furlong. "We are looking to bridge the gap and put it all together in the next few weeks."
Prospect coach Mike Stokes is in his 29th and final year for the Knights and senior Erik Snell wanted to send his coach out in style.
Snell (15:30) took eighth place to lead the Knights, and was aided by senior Thomas Walter (15:45, 15th place) and junior Jack Dechoudens (15:50, 19th place).
"It was kind of emotional," said Snell. "We wanted to run as a team and pack it up."
Junior Stephan Barretto (15:18) gave Rolling Meadows a lift with his fourth-place finish, aiding the Mustangs' fifth-place team finish. Senior Jack Martin (15:38) delivered an 11th-place finish.
"I was aiming for a top ten finish," said Barretto. "I stuck with the top group the first two miles and wanted to see what happened in the final mile. I just tried to hammer it down the stretch."
Buffalo Grove sophomore Tyler Matsuda (15:47) and senior Grant Wasielewski (15:48) went 16-17 for the Bison. Conant senior James Preucil (15:48) took 18th place. Hoffman Estates junior Ken Winston (15:57) captured 23rd place and Fremd senior Jack Wolski (15:58) took 25th place.