IHSA Regional, October 20, 2018

Wind is the great equalizer. In the minutes before a race, each runner sheds his sweats, takes the line, and feels the invisible pressure of gusting air. The wind always works against an athlete more than it pushes him along, and it can sap a man’s will more quickly than just about any other impediment. It unites the field together, even as it makes each runner feel his isolation.

This is all the more true on a beautiful course as Oswego East’s, which provides great sight lines for spectators but little shelter from the elements. With gales reaching 25-30 mph, the seventy runners had to contend with more resistance than just the hillocks and knolls along Wolf’s Crossing Road. In these conditions, we were fortunate to take the Regional title, our tenth in a row. RESULTS      Daily Herald Article      ILXTF Interview       Video Race Highlights

Chris Keeley (15:23) and Michael Madiol (15:24) led the way, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. Michael O’Connor (15:39) showed enough determination to lean past the 6th place finisher, and Matt Jett (15:54) spent the tank to get over the line in 10th. Nick Drechsler (16:00)  ran a building race to sneak past Oswego East’s fifth man, and sophomores Nick Dovalovsky (16:04) and Vasant Fong (16:31) learned a valuable lesson about mid-race decision points.

The team assembled in the swirling currents of Oswego East’s stadium to stamp our passport to Sectionals, then set about running a post-race workout, our fourteen man roster charging the blast. We’re racing the future, and with luck, we’ll feel the wind in our steps.