Steps Forward

Now is the time of the season where athletes are really starting to get a sense of how to race. The Joliet Steelman Invitational gave the Wildcat a great opportunity to test themselves against strong competition. The morning brought warm, sunny, and humid conditions on a dry course. The team was missing over 10 athletes who were in Ohio with the band program, which meant opportunities for stepping up in varsity races.

The frosh/soph girls got the day started. Brooke Rochacz and Ella Ruland set the tone early, passing through the mile shoulder to shoulder, Brooke continued to move through the front of the field the second half of the race to finish 10^th overall. Ella battled strong to finish 17^th. Both girls earning medals and giving the team two low sticks to help with a great team effort. Emily Fannin was next in, as she continues to build confidence each week in racing. Sophie Salkas was 4^th for the team, back running strong after a weekend off of racing. Kylie DeFano ran a lifetime PR to finish 5^th and round out the scoring. Sam Norville ran a very tough race, to also run a lifetime PR. Alyssa Cuthbertson put herself in a strong position early in the race and hung tough to finish out the race for the Wildcats.

The frosh/soph boys were next, and freshman Joey Des Garennes led the way in a new lifetime PR. Every race Joey is getting stronger and stronger and he will continue to be a force for the Wildcats in years to come. Brady Husak was next in, running a season best time. Dominik Barrios did not have his best days, but his bar has been raised after a great summer of training. Dom will bounce back next week in Peoria. Liam Thompson continues his improvement as a rookie sophomore. He was flanked by teammate Ezequiel Ocegueda, who ran another lifetime PR, 20:44, not bad for someone who was running over 30 minutes most of last XC season. Danny Montalvo dropped nearly 5 minutes from his 1^st race from 2 weeks ago. The sky is the limit for Danny. Freshman Noah DeLuna rounded out the race for the Wildcats.

Bridget Kemp ran 20:40 last year at this race, this year she finished 20^th place and ran 19:33. BK continues to crush it and today was no different. She led the way for the varsity crew. Cyan Bradley was next in, despite a mid-race set back, she battled tough the second half of the race. Lydia Velazquez was 3^rd in for the team, battling illness all week, she stepped up and put herself in a position to find success. Next in for the Wildcats was freshman Cynthia Velazquez, she stepped up to fill the roster for the team at the varsity level and came away with a lifetime PR. Isabelle Reyes was next in. Aayliah Banda was the final Wildcat. She ran a tough race on warm day.

Luke Adair made the decision to go with the leaders from the gun. He stayed in the front pack through 2K and then had a fight strong the last half of the race. He was able to stay strong despite the hot early pace and finish 14^th place. Micah Ruland ran his best race of the season to finish 2^nd for the team. Micah closed like a train, passing 8 runners the last half mile. Adrian Castillo was next in. Followed by Aden Valjacic, who did a nice job of working his way through the field all race. Gabe Ibarra was the 5^th finisher for the Wildcats. Thomas Coleman and Guilian Salas rounded out the race for the Wildcat in their varsity debuts.

Open boys closed out the day for the team. Richard Rogers led the team with a strong effort. Zack Omiecinski was next in after moving through the field to run a lifetime PR. A nice pack with Luke Florez, Ethan Collins, and Adriel Moreno were next in, with Ethan running a lifetime PR. Chris Johnston was next, followed by Troy Henschen to finish out the day for the Wildcats.

The team is back in action on Tuesday for Senior Night!