The full clip is loaded here: 2A boys highlights
Peoria IL-
The action continued to heat up with the preceding girls' individual race almost providing a showstopper of sorts with freshman Tatum David of Olney Richland County setting a classification record at Detweiller Park. This race was expected to be much closer than many people think between Kaneland and Dixon.
#1 Kaneland got everything they expected from Dixon in a hard-fought victory 74-95.
Both teams but mainly Dixon struck in the early going putting their top runners Brock Drengenberg (Jr.) and Christian Seagren (Sr.) at forefront of attention.
Likewise, and soon after the first mile, four of the Knights responded in the back loop led by Austin Adams (Sr.). It was a battle of strategically placed racing that Kaneland won because of a vastly superior fifth man. They would also close things out with four runners inside the top 15 and that was the difference.
Chicago St. Ignatius worked very hard to keep themselves in the trophy and thanks to a superb effort by all five runners, led by Jacob Flynn's (Sr.) 17th place, the Wolfpack was able to match the upper pack racing and closing on a 41-second spread to earn the team's first state trophy under coach Ed Ernst.
| 1 | Kaneland High School | 74 | 5+10+12+13+34 (40+63) | 0:41 1-5 Split | 15:28 Avg | ||
| 2 | Dixon High School | 95 | 3+6+18+20+48 (102+137) | 1:05 1-5 Split | 15:31 Avg | ||
| 3 | St. Ignatius College Prep High School | 141 | 9+21+22+43+46 (49+82) | 0:41 1-5 Split | 15:46 Avg | ||
| 4 | Morton High School | 186 | 1+27+38+45+75 (155+173) | 1:31 1-5 Split | 15:47 Avg | ||
| 5 | Sycamore High School | 237 | 15+23+54+62+83 (105+175) | 0:50 1-5 Split | 16:00 Avg | ||
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The individual field was the least competitive in terms of talent among the three classes. There were only four runners who broke 15:00 on the day. In addition to the lack of depth, it took only 15:31 to earn all-state honors. But perhaps, it meant there would be some drama and cinematic acts to follow. This provided an unknown assailant Craig Hundley (Sr., Grayslake Central) to take charge opening the first mile in 4:46. Hundley continued to lead as the race entered the "Bermuda Triangle." But that would change soon thereafter.
The pre-meet favorite Sam Lange (Sr., Morton) took over a slight lead with Charlie Smith (Sr., Antioch) trailing him. During the fierce battle were several physical tangles that included tripping, spiking, elbowing- items that are usually attributed with cross country racing. The highlight of the battle was Smith inadvertently pushing Lange and he nearly falling flat on his face near the 1.75-mile mark.
Lange tried to distance himself from Smith with no success. Both runners hit the second mile in 9:46. At 2.5 miles, Anthony Farmer (Sr., Burlington Central) joined the duo.
Smith finally had enough and used his 4:15 mile speed and put away the pair to win the heavyweight fight complete with blood and cuts on his shin over Lange 14:46-49. Farmer held on for third in 14:50.
| 1 | Charlie Smith | 12 | Antioch High School | 14:46.50 | 0 | ||
| 2 | Sam Lange | 12 | Morton High School | 14:49.10 | 1 | ||
| 3 | Anthony Farmer | 12 | Burlington Central High School | 14:50.10 | 2 | ||
| 4 | Brock Drengenberg | 11 | Dixon High School | 14:58.80 | 3 | ||
| 5 | Craig Hundley | 12 | Grayslake Central High School | 15:05.00 | 0 | ||
| 6 | Dan Weizeorick | 12 | Wheaton St. Francis High School | 15:07.20 | 4 | ||
| 7 | Wilson Georges | 10 | Limestone High School | 15:09.70 | 0 | ||
| 8 | Austin Adams | 12 | Kaneland High School | 15:10.60 | 5 | ||
| 9 | Christian Seagren | 12 | Dixon High School | 15:12.20 | 6 | ||
| 10 | Chris Cherry | 11 | Taylorville High School | 15:12.30 | 0 | ||