At the IHSA Regional meet at Lakes Community High School on Saturday, Oct. 21, both the girls and boys cross country teams placed within the top six to ensure a spot in the IHSA Sectional meet at Woodstock on Saturday, Oct. 28. With favorable conditions and a flat, fast course for the Sequoits, it seemed like a lock to advance with both the boys and girls teams in very solid positions to place in the top six. Even with a good course and a nice day, it wasn’t all sunshine.
Coming off a state trip the season prior, the girls cross country team has big goals to return this year. Their hopes were almost dashed though, as a below average race from the team saw their fifth place projection turn into a sixth place placement by just 10 points. Senior Addison Lane has learned to not take any race for granted, knowing that nothing is guaranteed and her final race could come at any moment.
“I realized towards the end of the race that our typical third runner was behind me,” Lane said. “I didn’t know how far back she was and I just really didn’t want a bad race to be my last race.”
The boys race did not go much better, as they were projected to take fourth place but ended up tied for fifth. Some of the team thought this may have been their worst race since the first race of the season. When it comes to the State Series, the runners either need to show up and perform or their season is bound to be over. Senior Carter Webb believes that the team knows this was an outlier, and they can get back to running well for their biggest race of the season.
“I think that our confidence is at an all-time high heading into Saturday,” Webb said. “We believe we have a great opportunity to knock off some teams and qualify for State.”
Only seven runners are allowed to race, but the team brings along three to five extras in case of injuries or sickness. Even though they do not run and cannot physically help the team, they are still able to support their teammates and be there for them. Senior Cole Loiacano is one of the alternates for the boys team and he takes pride in his role even though he is not directly benefitting the team.
“[The alternates] are good friends with a lot of the varsity guys,” Loiacano said. “I really think if they hear us yelling at them it gives them energy and motivates them.”
The Sequoits head to Emricson Park in Woodstock for the IHSA Sectional meet on Saturday, Oct. 28. They are hoping to place in the top seven to punch their tickets to the IHSA State Finals. With a senior heavy group, they hope to get one extra race together and solidify their Sequoit cross country legacies.
