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Boys cross country: Kaneland, St. Charles East win state titles

PEORIA - There will be no second-guessing the prognosticators in the aftermath of the two largest boys cross country classes on the final day of the season.

Kaneland and St. Charles East held the top ranking for the vast majority of the season, and the schools justified their elite pedigrees with historic victories at Detweiller Park in the Class 2A and Class 3A state meets on Saturday.

Harvest Christian nearly made it a clean sweep for local boys programs, only to have to settle for runner-up to Monticello by 6 points in a 115-121 barnburner to begin the morning in Class 1A.

But Kaneland more than stepped up for the Lions' near-miss.

Austin Adams and Daniel Occhipinti were the twin anchors for the Knights with their eighth and 18th overall finishes.

But Ethan Walker and Isaiah Dallal also had all-state-worthy performances in snaring the 21st and 24th slots.

Ethan Neal completed the Knights' 74-95 triumph (team scores do not reflect at-large runners' places) as the fifth man.

"We didn't listen to the rankings too much," said Adams, who led Kaneland with his time of 15 minutes, 10.64 seconds. "There is no doubt now. We know what we have. If everyone showed up, we have a really good team."

Occhipinti was all-state for a second straight campaign.

"This is an amazing feeling," Occhipinti said. "To have three other all-state teammates and the team championship, there is nothing better than that."

Kaneland coach Chad Clearey had some anxious moments as he and his assistant coaches tried to determine the Dixon score.

"It doesn't come to fruition until they flash it on the scoreboard," Clarey said after it became official the Knights had their first state championship in 32 years. "It's a great representation of the (program)."

After Naperville North extended its consecutive Class 3A girls state championships to four, it was time for St. Charles East to demonstrate its staying power.

In the unquestioned team competition of the day, the Saints outlasted defending state champion and DuKane Conference rival Wheaton Warrenville South 64-68.

Storied West Suburban Silver power York was a distant third.

The Saints used an identical concoction as Kaneland, placing four runners in the top 25 to secure the first state championship for a boys program at the school since the district opened North High School.

Bob Liking and Micah Wilson were sixth and seventh for the Saints; Aidan King was No. 14, and Luke Schildmeyer secured the final all-state nod at No. 25 to power St. Charles East.

Zack Loomis rounded out the Saints' five counting runners.

"I cried today, but for much different reasons," said Liking, who personally felt he cost the program a trophy last year. "It was tough to see teams go up there last year that weren't us. It started as a dream freshman year. We just kept working."

"I am really excited for the future of this team," said Wilson, only a sophomore. "I think in coming years we might be able to repeat this. (The prospect of a team title) got more and more real as (the postseason) got closer."

"To win a state championship like this, it's like a movie," King said. "I don't think any of us thought this was possible two years ago."

"We all came with our 'A' game today," said Schildmeyer.

Seniors Ian Geisler and Anthony Farmer ended their cross country careers in style for Huntley and Burlington Central.

The Iowa-bound Geisler was fourth in Class 3A; Farmer duplicated his third-place Class 2A finish from a year ago.

From left to right, Daniel Occhipinti, Ethan Walker, Austin Adams and Isaiah Dallal helped Kaneland win the Class 2A state title. Photo by Kevin McGavin
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