By Bobby Narang
On a day when former Kaneland High School star wide receiver, P.J. Fleck, notched his biggest head coaching victory, his former school made history.
Fleck, who led the Knights to back-to-back State football championships in 1997 and 1998, helped guide the University of Minnesota to a victory over No. 4 Penn State in Minneapolis Saturday, in a Big Ten Conference game. Each team entered the game with an 8-0 record.
Many miles away, the Kaneland boys team captured the Class 2A State cross country championship at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The Knights finished with 75 points, led by Austin Adams who ran a top team time of 15 minutes, 10.64 seconds.
“Everyone stepped up and ran a great race,” Adams said. “We have a really good team and we showed it today.” Marmion Academy finished in seventh place.
Jill Motley Schildmeyer photo
In 3A, St. Charles East had four runners earn all-State honors by finishing in the top 15 to win the program’s first State championship. Bob Liking, a senior, paced the Saints with a sixth-place finish.
“It was so great to win this (championship) especially after last year,” Liking said. “We have been dreaming about this since freshman year. We have worked really hard and kept believing.”
St. Charles East finished ahead of second place Wheaton Warrenville by four points, 64 to 68, York in third place with 153 points, and Oswego East in fifth, 189 points.
Meanwhile, the Naperville North girls cross country team notched its fourth straight Class 3A State team championship, by defeating second place Yorkville, 90-142. Hinsdale Central was in third place and Batavia took fourth place.
Glenbard West senior Katelynne Hart, a University of Michigan recruit, made history by winning the 3A individual championship in a time of 16:05. With the track season in the Spring, Hart already has etched her name among the all-time best runners in Illinois history.
“There have been so many great and strong female runners in the State of Illinois, so to be among them is definitely a great honor,” Hart said. “It’s been a great ride, but it’s not over yet.”
Hart, an 11-time State champion in cross country and track, defeated Wheaton Warrenville South runnerup, Samantha Poglitsch, 16:37.
Rosary sophomore Lianna Surtz avenged last season’s second-place finish to win the 1A individual State championship in a time of 16:41.
“It was great competition and I was motivated to do well and it was great to win,” Surtz said.
Benet Academy cruised to its first program championship by winning the 2A girls team championship with 110 points. Kaneland’s Rachel Richtman placed ninth in the race in a time of 17:46.