The top 7 runners travelled to Peoria for the 2nd time in 3 weekends, while the balance of the team headed over to LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve for the St. Charles North Invitational.
Facing 51 teams from throughout the State of Illinois on the famed Detweiller course, the 7 Eagles were determined to improve over their effort from two weeks ago at the Peoria Notre Dame Invite. This would be the last chance to try out strategies and test themselves in Peoria before the State Meet on November 8th.
Getting out a little more conservatively, our pack of seven coasted thru the first 800 meters in 2:21/2:22. At the mile mark, all 7 were still together, crossing the timing carpet in 4:51. Into the North Loop, the boys set their sights on the leader, McHenry's Jesse Reiser. Tommy Brennan made the first move and the rest followed close behind. By the time they exited the "triangle", the team race was over with the Eagles dominating the top 10. Brennan & Sean Torpy reached the 2 mile at 9:52, with the other 5 within nine seconds of that time. Working thru the last mile, Brennan wrapped up third place overall in 14:49 (eighth best on the Eagles All-Time Detweiller list). Sean Torpy entered the chute next in 4th place in 14:53. Brother Chris Torpy followed in 7th place, breaking 15 for the first time in 14:58. Our fourth junior finisher was Max Lehnhardt in 8th place, just missing sub-15 with a time of 15:00. Another junior, Brandon Lukas was 9th in 15:10 - just edging teammate Martin Skucas in 10th place in the same time of 15:10. Six Eagles in the top ten (and all six ran PR's)! Senior Greg Burzinski closed things out in 16th place in 15:18.
When the points were tabulated, the Eagles easily captured the championship trophy with 31 points. Prospect (181), Hoffman Estates (185), Huntley (187) and McHenry (198) closed out the top five teams. The overall team time of 74:50 was the best Detweiller time in Sandburg history, breaking the previous record of 75:18 that had been set at the 2010 State Meet by Lukas Verzbikas, Mitch Rees, Pat McMahon, Mike Tortorelli and Derek Hevel.
Loading back on the bus for the long ride home, the boys were satisfied. But they knew they still had plenty of work to do over the next 5 weeks. This was just another step to get ready to race on November 8th.
In the Varsity race, David Gleisner took a fall rounding a corner, but recovered to finish in 21st place with a fine time of 15:50. Dan Laskero closed to finish in 22nd in 15:52. A trio of seniors followed, with Brady Walter in 34th (16:09), Matt Benz-Weeden in 41st (16:12) and Mike Brower in 16:19 (with a chip malfunction). Paul Sieczkowski scored in 53rd place with a time of 16:23 - rounding into shape nicely after an early-season injury. Anthony Lifonti wrapped things up in 102nd place in 16:57. Overall the Eagles finished in 5th place out of 23 teams with 171 points.
In the Frosh-Soph race, 440 runners crossed the finish line, but none were faster than Sandburg freshman sensation Dylan Jacobs. His time of 16:12 was more than 11 seconds faster than the second place finisher. Alex Szymanski rebounded from a tough outing at PND with a time of 17:09, good for 23rd place. Danny Papan took 43rd in 17:28, with freshmen Robbie Sieczkowski (17:32) in 47th and Nick Gonsch (17:36) in 55th. The young Eagles placed 6th overall with 168 points.
Lou Cavalier ran like a man possessed in the Open race, finishing in 14th place with a great time of 16:56. Senior Kyle Lahucik followed in 17th place in 17:00. In 26th was Brian McMahon with a time of 17:06. John Wagner (33rd in 17:17) and Miles Draskovic (44th in 17:279 also had strong races. Team-wise, the Eagles just missed 3rd place by 2 points - finishing in 4th with 130.