Published: 10/28/09 | 621 words | Print Version

Fighting a challenging course in Freeport, Woodstock's high schools competed well in the IHSA Freeport Cross Country Regional Oct. 24. Despite conditions described by Woodstock High School coach Marty Sobczak as "greasy," the Blue Streak girls team stunned highly ranked Belvidere North to win the meet and advance to the sectional next Saturday in Belvidere.

The WHS girls were led by sisters Kayla and Elise Beattie. Kayla Beattie, a junior, finished second among the girls with a time of 18 minutes, 9 seconds, with senior Elise Beattie right behind in third place at 18:29. Sobczak credited the strong performance of the Blue Streaks' freshman runners with the first-place finish, namely Kerstin Wolf, who finished seventh with a time of 20:18.

"Of course we have two of the best runners in the state in the Beattie girls," Sobczak said, "but the freshmen were a real key for us. Kerstin has just flipped a switch and realized she is a very good runner."

Also competing for the WHS girls was senior Hailey Jacobs (14th place, 20:34), freshman Hannah Jacobs (19th place, 21:14), freshman Erin Sarich (27th place, 21:57, and senior Lindsay Heaver (29th place, 22:10).

The Blue Streak boys advanced to the sectionals as a team, finishing in third place. The Streaks were paced by junior Phil Meyer, who finished sixth overall with a time of 16:31 with teammate junior J.D. Fuller close behind in 7th place at 16:37.

Also running for the WHS boys were sophomore Tim Semmen (22nd place, 17:33), senior Townshend Peters (25th place, 17:39), senior Dave Hess (29th place, 17:53), junior Matt Nordin (33rd place, 18:15) and junior Jake Leinweber (43rd place, 19:04).

Marian girls team advances

The Marian Central girls finished in fifth place, good enough to advance to the sectional as a team. The Lady 'Canes' Allie Manning led the way, finishing sixth with a time of 19:58. Rounding out Marian Central's performance were Stephanie Carran (20th place, 21:18), Paige Gulbrandsen (28th place, 22:10), Teresa Manion (35th place, 22:38), Amy Rechenberg (36th place, 22:43), Meg Van Der Bosch (47th place, 23:51) and Hanna Casleton (52nd place, 25:03).

The Marian Central boys were unable to qualify as a team for sectionals, but the Hurricanes will send two runners as individuals. Andrew Wozniak, who finished in 15th place with a time of 17:07 and Alex Foley who finished in 30th place in 17:54.

Several runners struggled with the slick conditions of the 2.98-mile course at Highland Community College. Persistent rains over the past week saturated the ground and led to tricky footing. In fact, Marian Central runner Jonathan Tarter was unable to finish the race after falling.

"The conditions were definitely a challenge," Sobczak said. "There were quite a few bare spots, and, at one point, there was a stretch of slick concrete we had to run over. It was a little harsh."

WNHS to send individuals

to sectionals

Woodstock North, competing in the Antioch Regional, was unable to qualify for sectionals as a team, but will be sending three runners to Belvidere to compete as individuals. Junior Mary Kelley led the way for WNHS, finishing 13th in a time of 21:43. Also moving on to the Belvidere Sectional will be WNHS sophomore Nancy Julio (23rd place, 22:43) and sophomore Carlee Belt, (32nd place, 23:39). This achievement is notable since this is the first time WNHS, in its first year of varsity competition, has sent any athletes to sectional competition.

The sectional meet will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, at Belvidere High School. The boys will run at 10 a.m. with the girls to follow at 11 a.m. Sobczak said he expects another strong performance from the Blue Streak girls.

"Belvidere is a flatter course," Sobczak said. "Historically we do better on a hilly course, like Emricson Park. But several of our girls have run at Belvidere before, and they're aware of the conditions. They'll be ready."