BSS/SAS Boys Team Is Going to Bloomington and Not to Shop!
Springfield, IL (October 12, 2002) — That's right! You heard it here first... The Blessed Sacrament/Saint Agnes Co-Op Boys Cross Country Team is going to State!!! All seven runners and three alternates... Michael Enno, Gus Bloink, Chris Frank, Colin McCormick, Andy Ralph, Trey Dhabalt, and Michael Witsman all ran today in Monticello and took second place honors at the Sectional Meet qualifying the entire team for a seat at the State Meet next weekend in Bloomington.
Rain was in the forecast but not until later in the day. The morning started out with a cool breeze and a bit of overcast but turned into a beautiful sunshiny day for the boys and the girls of BSS/SAS. Because there is such depth of talent on this young boys team, it came right down to the wire as to who would be running at the Sectional Meet. Nick Garcia, Greg Larson and Ryan Timoney were on back up as alternates ready to step up to the plate should any of the top seven runners come up lame to the line. But, today was the day of great physical health as well as mental health proved by the victory in the end.
Eighth grader Michael Enno(12:19) took the lead setting a confident pace
for his teammates to follow. Up against a strong Monticello team, BSS/SAS had
their work cut out for them. They all needed to run their best race today and
take charge as a group. Right behind Enno was Sixth grader Gus Bloink(12:21)
and then Seventh grader Chris Frank(12:26). Enno took a 6th place finish
overall while Bloink placed 7th and Frank took 10th. Three BSS/SAS
runners in the top ten at a Sectional meet, unheard of and completely awesome.
Eighth grader Colin McCormick put up a great performance today as well
placing the fourth BSS/SAS runner under 13:00 for the day. McCormick ran
12:41 for 19th place overall. Seventh grader Andy Ralph(13:17), sixth grader
Michael Witsman(13:21) and seventh grader Trey Dhabalt(13:34) all helped to do
the work that needed to be done today to get thier ride to Bloomington.
The BSS/SAS Boys finished second overall as a team and the top three teams go to
State. The point spread was as follows: Monticello 43, BSS/SAS 67, Shelbyville
104, Champaign 107, CTK 113.
" I knew from the start that this boys team had promise. After the Petersburg
meet I was pretty sure a state trip was in their future. The boys wanted it and
that is half the battle. They know that running is 90% mental. The rest of it is
easy. They did the work that needed to be done at practices and there was no
doubt they would be statebound," said Coach JR.
"The best part of this accomplishment is that we are only losing three varsity
runners to SHG next year, which by the way they are very grateful to have along
with all the other graduating eighth grade runners. The BSS/SAS team is still in
its infancy. There is no doubt in my mind they will be statebound again next
year with Gus Bloink, Chris Frank, Andy Ralph, Trey Dhabalt, Michael Witsman,
Nick Garcia, Ryan Timoney and Val Contri leading the way. The depth we have just
goes on and on."
"Congratulations on a great victory and Good Luck at State."
practice hard this week those boys at state are tough!!!
BSS/SAS Girls Just Miss a Trip to State
Springfield, IL (October 12, 2002) — It was a cool morning in Monticello and the nerves on the BSS/SAS Girls Team were as raw as they get. For a few, this was their second time running in a Sectional meet for others it was a first time experience with no idea what to expect from the competition. Anne Cumming, a key runner for the BSS/SAS girls, was not present due to family obligations and three other top runners were just making it back from several weeks of injury. But, seven girls took the line and went for the best. This year their best was a fifth place finish at the Sectional Meet, just three positions out of third which would have won them a trip to state.
Darian Dolenc, a member of last years state Cross Country team, lead this year's girls team with a 17th place finish overall. Dolenc put up a personal best time of 14:09. Darian just missed an individual ride to state by 8 seconds.
Kiley Enno had a great race this morning posting 14:36 for her
best time of the season. Kaitlyn White, who has been running well since
Porta put up a PR of 14:39 and came in right behind Enno. Olivia Gay
who is just coming off an achilles injury posted 14:47 just one-second
over her personal best for the season while her sister Melissa Gay who
has been plagued with shin splints for the later half of the season posted
15:12. Melissa ran on last year's state Cross Country team.
Katie Dresser and Julie McDermott, both sixth graders put up fine
performances for their first trip to Sectionals posting 15:14 and
15:18 respectively on a tough Monticello course. Look for both of these
girls to be running strong on next year's Sectional team. Both girls posted a
new PR.
"I am sure it was a disappointment to the girls to not win a trip to state this
year but with so many injuries still healing and the entire team not present, a
trip to state was a difficult task to accomplish," said Coach JR.
"The girls gave their best performances and should walk away from Sectionals
proud. Afterall, there were no eighth grade girls running today and the team was
within three points of a trip to state which means, there is always next year. I
have no doubt they will all be back stronger and better than ever."
Congratulations on a Great Season Ladies!!!
