Lisle coach Ken Jakalski said just a few things on the bus at the end of the ride back at Lisle. “Two things will hit you Monday afternoon. First, you’ll say to yourself I don’t have practice this afternoon. Then, the you’ll say it again as the reality sets in: I don’t have practice this afternoon. It will be tough for the seniors. But I’m proud of what everyone accomplished this season. For all of us, a quarter’s worth of our after school activity has come to an end. For the seniors, it’s a career’s worth of after school activity you’ll never do again, and that always hits hard.” For the Lady Lions, 14th place was a major accomplishment, considering the team ran without two if its most consistent top five scorers. “Actually, the way it ended was quite special. Two other seniors had a chance to end their careers on the last race of the season for the Lions, and they can really be proud of their accomplishments.” Freshman Christine Young ended in the position she held throughout the season—our top varsity runner. Christine finished 38th overall in 20:39. “I’m sure this was not the way she would have liked to have ended her season, but I think it makes for an even more exciting future. There’s something about all the more special about building on a talent base over four years. Sure, being a state placer as a freshman is a wonderful thing, but it pales in comparison to watching consistent improvement from one season to the next over four years. Just ask Sarah Spiel and Greg Danner how they feel about what they’ve accomplished.”

And senior Sarah Spiel had another amazing race, finishing 42nd in 20:41. Sarah was a little over a mile into the race. “I told Sarah after the meet just how excited I was about her running future should she continue cross country in college. She has what I call ’young legs’ in that her talent has been progressive and has never been static over the past four years. She took major steps forward each fall, and I see no reason why that wouldn’t continue in the years ahead.

Lexi Britton stepped up to take the third spot, finishing 114th in 22:46. “Lexi gave it all and was pretty spent at the end of the race. The EMT’s gave her some oxygen, and aside from bumping her head on the ceiling when she stood up in the van, she recovered pretty quickly. The other story of the meet was Danni Grego’s effort. Danni finished 121st in 23:23. “Danni may have run a faster 2.9 miler, but certainly not under these kinds of conditions. I am very proud of what she’s accomplished, and I’m pleased that she took full advantage of this opportunity to compete for the last time.” Rebecca Ruthberg 127th in 23:36. “I still keep thinking that Rebecca is still and underclassmen, but that’s just wishful thinking on my part.” The same holds true for both Renee and Gracie.” Renee DeSitter was our sixth runner, placing 132nd in 24:09. Renee is part an outstanding tradition of DeSitters running for Lisle. Her family has been good to Lisle cross country. She’s represented her team and her sport very well. Another running saying farewell in the Aurora Sectional was Gracie Coletta. Gracie finished 141st in 24:36. Gracie’s been like a mother hen with this team, and I really appreciate the spirit, humor, and energy she’s brought to our program over the years.

Only one runner for the boys represented Lisle in the state sectional, and it was fitting in the Greg Danner has been the ultimate ambassador of all that we value in Lisle cross country. Greg finished 71st in 17:22. “I really wanted to run this as the fastest race of my career, but it wasn’t going to happen under these conditions. I came through the mile in 5:40, and I really don’t know what else I could have done.” This is the kind of way you’d like to see a classy senior like Greg end his career. He raced hard and had a very respectable finish for his effort. There are many reasons why I will miss Greg. I think three things that are most impressive about him are that he has never backed off from hard work, has never been injured, and has embraced all the fun things that we’ve done throughout his career. He pressed the limits of his talent, but always had fun in the process.