Marmion poised to challenge top-rated Belvidere North

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The Class 2A Belvidere boys cross country sectional should live up to its reputation for being one of the most difficult meets when area schools and runners hit the course Saturday.

Leading the pack of area hopefuls against top-rated Belvidere North, which scored a perfect 15 in last Saturday’s Freeport Regional, is Marmion Academy. The Cadets scored an impressive 36 points to win the Sycamore Regional.

“We have found victory against the remaining teams in the sectional,” Marmion coach Dan Billish said, “so our goal for the weekend is to run as close to Belvidere North as possible.”

Seniors Ben Kanute, Bennett Marsh and Chris Hebert, along with juniors Nolan Dickson and Brady Hunt will make up the lead pack for the Cadets.

“Ben Kanute, Bennett Marsh and Nolan Dickson are a powerful top three that can run with just about any team’s top guys,” Billish added.

Joining Marmion on the course will be local schools Kaneland and Aurora Central Catholic. Both teams are coached by veteran coaches who know how to get their runners to the Detweiller Park starting line. The Knights are led by seniors Trevor Holm and Grant Alef, while the young Chargers’ will look to sophomore Matthew Meyers for leadership.

Sam Kwak and Kevin Baker will represent IMSA.

Class 2A East Peoria Sectional

Yorkville, which won the Sandwich Regional with a mere 23 points, will chase Normal University High and other downstate schools for the opportunity to race 20 miles down the road the following Saturday.

“We feel as though we have put ourselves in position to be a top three finishing team at sectionals,” Yorkville coach Chris Muth said.

In an amazing feat, Yorkville finished all seven runners in the top 10 in its regional competition and recorded a 31-second split between runners one through seven.

The young Foxes are led by sophomore Eric Baker and juniors Jake Callahan and Chris Kellogg.

Returning senior state-qualifier Mike Gaydos will pace Sandwich on the East Peoria course. Gaydos won his second-consecutive regional title and should qualify for a second trip to state.

“That’s pretty impressive,” said Sandwich coach Jeff Smith of Gaydos’ repeat.

Class 3A St. Charles Sectional

This competitive regional at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve is stacking up to be repeats of both the DuPage Valley and Upstate Eight conference meets. Expect Wheaton North, Naperville North and St. Charles North to battle conference foes West Aurora, Geneva and Waubonsie Valley for berths in the IHSA finals.

West Aurora, which won its regional, is led by seniors Steve Loran, Ryan Bartell and Matt Muth.

“We’re going to try and stay confident,” Blackhawks’ coach Matt Sinnott said, “and peak at the right time of year, which is right about now.”

Sophomore Omar Gomez is one of those runners who is peaking at the right time. He finished first for the Blackhawks and fourth overall.

Geneva seniors Bill Koskiewicz and Kevin McDowell will pace the Vikings, while regional individual title holder David Groeber leads the Warriors.

“We feel like we’re starting to put it together,” Groeber said of his team, “…and hopefully run at state.”

Batavia and Oswego will also field teams in this difficult sectional. Junior Mike Redmond has run well for the Bulldogs all season, while the young Panthers’ will be piloted by sophomore Caleb Beck.

“We are anticipating an intense race and have talked about the need to take risks in order for us to really prove ourselves out there,” Oswego coach Dan Whipple said.

Metea Valley junior twins Joe and Matt Stewart and East Aurora senior Gerardo Paleo will compete as individuals.

Oswego East sophomore Andrew Holm is the lone local representative in the Class 3A Lockport Sectional.

Aurora Christian 1A Sectional

Defending state champ Justin Rehfeldt will lead a pack of talented runners at Oakhurst Forest Preserve on Saturday.

The host Eagles will battle Ottawa Marquette and Byron for the team title. Aurora Christian is led by junior Sam Schuette, who finished fifth overall at the Seneca Regional.

Plano’s Brandon Miller and Adam Morlello each finished in the top 10 at regional and have helped bolster the Reapers hopes of making a state run. Somonauk’s Art Connolley and Joe Tuburan will represent the Bobcats as individuals.

“They will have to do something special on Saturday to qualify,” said Somonauk coach Brian Davis, “and I feel they have the talent to do it.”

The top five teams and top seven individuals not on a qualifying team will move onto the IHSA finals Nov. 6th at Detweiller Park in Peoria.