Post Season Racing

Post season cross country is magical, everyone toes the line with a chance to move on, but you have to perform on the day. Going into this weekend, the Wildcats had the privilege of getting to compete in one of the most competitive regionals in the State. Unfortunately for both the girls and boys they finished in the 7^th place team place, the first team to not move on to the IHSA Sectional, but with the 5 individuals advancing the season is complete for either team.

It was a rocky week leading into the race with illness and injury impacted the girls, but with a team of tough competitors we put forth a great effort. The girls ran a great TEAM race, with their best (and the best of any of the 11 teams in the race) split between number 1 and number 5 (43 seconds). Hannah Kilday did not run her best race, but still battled through the entire way to finish as our top runner as she has done all season, close on her heels was Bridget Kemp who has really been coming on strong the last 3 weeks of the season. Then came the power of the pack Cassie Salkas and Selah Fornelli pushed the pace together through the first mile with Alexis Pacholski about 10 meters back, as the race progressed Alexis got stronger and stronger and she moved up and took over as the number 3 runner. Cassie battle her way with Alexis. Alexis ran her second fastest time of the season, and her best race of the season since this course is much slower than Lakes. Cassie Salkas finished the race with her best time of the season right behind Alexis. Selah hit a rough patch in the middle of the race but fought her way in as the team’s 5^th runner. Lydia Velazquez was a late addition to the line up due to injury, but she stepped in a big way as a sophomore in her first season, she gained valuable experience as a Wildcat. Carrie Kraft rounded out the race for the Wildcats, Carrie had been battling illness all week but did not want to miss a chance to race for the team, and she put everything she could into this race. I am very proud of the effort of each and every girl who raced. Unfortunately the team did not advance, but Hannah Kilday and Bridget Kemp secured spots to move on to the Normal Sectional next week with a chance to qualify for the State Finals.

The boys knew the key would be running as a pack. Tyler Schick, Harlan Matson, and Arnold Arce got out well and in a good position through the first half mile. In the back loop Tyler moved into a strong position as Harlan and Arnold held strong at the tail end of the chase group. Ubaldo Rodriguez, Luke Adair, Tanner Torri and Michael Kawa found each other and moved into a strong position to start as well. The second mile is always what separates the field at Channahon. Tyler Schick made a tough move the continue to press the pace and found himself in a strong top 20 position. Harlan and Arnold started to falter a bit in the middle, but came back to close their race strong as our 2 and 3. Ubaldo finished as our 4^th just in front of Tanner Torri. Ubaldo stepped up in a big was this year as a sophomore, moving from being a 18:00 guy as a freshman to run sub 16:30 this season. Tanner has been a leader for us as a senior, he moved into that void with 12 seniors last year who graduated. Michael Kawa ran just off his season best time to finish as our 6^th, as another senior I was very proud of the way he competed in his final race. Luke Adair put himself out their in a varsity Regional as a sophomore and paid a price the last mile, but he gained valuable experience. Just like the girls, the boys finished just outside of qualifying in 7^th place, but did advance 3 individuals to Normal next week: Tyler, Harlan and Arnold.

Next week IHSA Sectional Normal Maxwell Park, a chance to qualify for the IHSA State Finals.