Derrick leads Neuqua boys to first in regional
from staff reports October 22, 2011 8:40PM
Updated: November 24, 2011 8:33AM
No matter if there had been frost the night before. Any weather is good if you’re a cross country runner, especially if you run for the Neuqua Valley Wildcats boys team. That’s because on Saturday, with the frost still melting away, the Wildcats won the Plainfield South Class 3A Regional.
The biggest reason for the victory was that the top three runners all came from Neuqua Valley. Completing the three-mile course first was Mark Derrick, who did the deed in 14:49.1. Not far behind were the second-place Taylor Soltys (15:05.1) and the third-place Alekh Meka (15:19.5).
“We ran better than (we did) last week,” said coach Paul Vandersteen. “We’re starting to come together.”
The Wildcats advance to Saturday’s Lockport Sectional. In addition to the other advancing teams and runners from non-qualifiers, they will be joined by fellow regional winners Hinsdale Central and Sandburg. Already though, Vandersteen is ready to look toward the state meet in just a couple of weeks.
“Our confidence is rising, he said. “We’re feeling really good about what we’re doing. I think if we can stay healthy these last two weeks, we have a really good shot at winning a trophy.”
Neuqua girls take third
There was no need to frown on the ride back home. Neuqua Valley’s girls cross country team didn’t win the Plainfield South Class 3A Regional, but they’ll live to run another week. That’s because they finished third out of 10 competing teams thanks to a score of 82.
Leading coach Tim McCoskey’s team was Gina O’Brien, who placed fifth overall with a time of 18:52.9. O’Brien finished well ahead of the teammates who finished closest to her: Bobbi Provost at 19:30.1 and Catriona Barr at 19:33.7.
Lockport won the meet with a score of 48. The Wildcats finished behind second-place Oswego (63). They will move to Saturday’s Lockport Sectional.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment