In a meet that continues to be considered a preview of the Class A state championships, and a meet which really highlights the small school powers as they prepare for regionals and sectionals, the Lisle Lions finished 18th overall in the 2.9 mile girls varsity race. Last year the Lady Lions finished 27th. The highest Lisle’s ever finished in this meet was 11th. The team that placed this high ended up qualifying for state that year. Two years ago on our way to state we took 11th Christine Young was our top finisher, placing 71st in 19:50. Just two placed behind Christine at the finish was Sarah Spiel, wino was 73rd in 19:52. This is Sarah’s all time best 2.9 mile time. Jennifer Potter finished 118th in 20:49. This is Jen’s best 2.9 mile time by 43 seconds! Lexi Britton finished 144th in 21:21. Lexi improved her best 2.9 time by 5 seconds. Sara Ruthberg ran 21:36 and placed 157th. Sara improved by two seconds over he best 2.9 miler. :Last year Sara was 189th in 22:25. Renee DeSitter finished 160th in 21:40. Renee’s best career 2.9 miler is four seconds faster. Renee ran this faster time last year at Amboy, where she took 157th in 21:36. Rebecca Ruthberg finished 195th in 22:32. Last year Rebecca placed 193rd in 22:31. She was one second off her all time career best 2.9 miler. In the Girls Open, Danielle Grego finished 143rd in 16:09. Last year Danielle ran on the varsity level, where she finished 175th in 22:01. Audrey Danner finished 153rd in 16:20, Ashleigh Zurek was 173rd in 17:10, and Robin Krc was 197th in 18:30. Audrey Danner ran 109th in 15:57 last year. How do these varsity times compare to two years ago? Eileen Neuffer finished 58th in 20:15. Sarah Spiel was our number two runner. Sarah took 121st in 21:45. Nicole Phelps was our number three runner. Nicole clocked a 22:18 and finished 139. On the boys varsity level, Lisle placed 28th with 705 points. Last year we were 26th with 673 points. Greg Danner was our top finisher, finishing 83rd in 16:35. Last year Greg was 110th in 17:00. This is Greg’s all time best 2.9 race by six seconds. “I really thought I’d run faster today,” noted Danner. “The hills were tough Alex Begley maintained his number two spot, finishing 123rd in 17:08. Last year Alex was 126th in 17:13. This is Alex’s all time best 2.9 miler by 5 seconds. Will DeCraene took 146th in 17:34. Last year will was our fifth scorer, placing 196th in 18:37. Will was three seconds off his all time best 2.9 miler. Greg Dzuricsko was our 4th scorer. Greg took 210th in 18:58. Last year Greg was our 4th scorer. He took 224th in 19:41. Greg is just one second off his all time best 2.9 miler. Austin Goetz took 217th in 19:23. The surprise of the meet was Sam Rowe. Sam finished 228th in 19:34. This is Sam’s all time career best by 50 seconds! Great work once again, Sam. We’re all proud of what you’re accomplishing on a weekly basis. Last year Sam ran in the 2 mile open race. Jon Early finished 232nd in 19:47.

Boys frosh-soph boys results; Pat Swindle was our top finisher, but a lost chip meant no time and no place, and minus ten bucks! Last year Pat was 131st in 18:25. Matt Holland finished 123rd in 19:08. Last year Matt was 133rd in 18:51.

Open Race

Evan Swiatek led all finishers, taking 45th in 13:35. Michael Swartz finished 51st in 13:45. Geordon Pflug took 82nd in 14:40. Jack Stephens was 122nd in 15:40. Last year Geordon was 40th in 13:53

Final Comments: This week it’s the I-8 Independents Classic Invite—and combined in that meets is the I-8 Conference championship. Both squads have the opportunity to finish among the top five, which is one of our seasonal goals. I believe the girls have the potential to finish second in the Interstate Eight Conference behind Westmont. This is the time to really focus for our best chance to earn team plaques and/or Conference medals.