It was a come from behind win in the last year's 2A cross country final for Charlie Smith who had to battle through several battle scars and tough mental tactics
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High school sports are 360 degrees in nature- a full circle if you will. Most long-distance runners will begin their quest during the early months of summer training for cross country. The three months of training that kids put in are an attempt to run in the state championship in November. For the few lucky ones, they will go on and compete in Team Cross Nationals, Foot Locker, or some other post-season meet. But what has been lost in the sauce is the entire school calendar which runs through the winter indoor campaign and finally back around to the all-important outdoor track and field season.
Typically, we wanted to chronicle the very beginning and end. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 put a paralyzing grip on the 2020 seasons (most of the winter sports) and certainly the latter half of indoor track & field and outdoor campaigns.
1 | Charlie Smith- Ran only one race in 2020 at the Buffalo Grove Invite : 800m (2:06.8i) | 12 | Antioch High School | 14:46.50 | |
2 | Sam Lange- Won only race of '20 with a 4:27.98i personal best in the 1600m | 12 | Morton High School | 14:49.10 | |
3 | Anthony Farmer- Won only 1600m in 4:28.62i | 12 | Burlington Central High School | 14:50.10 | |
4 | Brock Drengenberg- Did not compete in 2020 | 11 | Dixon High School | 14:58.80 | |
5 | Craig Hundley- Clocked 3200m PBs in (9:44.55i) and 1600m (4:38.09i) | 12 | Grayslake Central High School | 15:05.00 | |
6 | Dan Weizeorick- Did not compete in '20 | 12 | Wheaton St. Francis High School | 15:07.20 | |
7 | Wilson Georges- Ran 4:40.78i to win the only race in '20 | 10 | Limestone High School | 15:09.70 | |
8 | Austin Adams- Just one race in '20: 2:02.77i | 12 | Kaneland High School | 15:10.60 | |
9 | Christian Seagren- Ran 4:41.65i PB in one race | 12 | Dixon High School | 15:12.20 | |
10 | Chris Cherry- 3200m (10:06.54i), 1600m (4:38.42i) PBs | 11 | Taylorville High School | 15:12.30 | |
11 | Peter Walsdorf- Ran only race at Indiana Showcase: 3200m: 9:47.17i PB | 11 | Woodstock (Marian) | 15:12.70 | |
12 | Eli Ward- 4:27.80i PB in the 1600m | 12 | Waterloo High School | 15:14.10 | |
13 | Brooks Harlan- PBs: 3200- 9:25.35i; Mile- 4:20.13i IL#1; 800m- 1:59.74i | 11 | Centralia High School | 15:16.10 | |
14 | Luke Manolakes- 3200m PB 9:49.89i | 12 | Champaign Centennial High School | 15:16.60 | |
15 | Ryan Jones- Did not compete in '20 | 12 | Woodstock (Marian) | 15:18.90 | |
16 | Ian O'laughlin- 1600m (4:44.08i PB) | 11 | Metamora High School | 15:22.00 | |
17 | Jacob Flynn- In one race, clocked 4:38.11i for 1600m | 12 | St. Ignatius College Prep High School | 15:22.20 | |
18 | Daniel Occhipinti- Ran 2:05.97i for 800m | 12 | Kaneland High School | 15:23.70 | |
19 | Drake Bleier- Ran one race: 1600m (4:51.89i) | 11 | Triad High School | 15:26.00 | |
20 | Jackson Ward-10:17.07i PB for 3200m | 10 | Washington High School | 15:26.40 | |
21 | Ethan Walker- 800m PB 2:08.81i | 12 | Kaneland High School | 15:27.00 | |
22 | Logan Johnson- 1600m PB 4:54.64i | 12 | LaSalle-Peru High School | 15:27.20 | |
23 | Gavin Kirby- 800m PB 2:08.02i | 11 | Richland County | 15:27.60 | |
24 | Isaiah Dallal- Ran one 1600m in 4:51.59i PB | 11 | Kaneland High School | 15:27.80 | |
25 | Matt Herren- Ran one 1600m in 4:41.51i PB | 11 | Rochester High School | 15:30.70 |