|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PPD - Oct 7th
|
|
9/6/08 (Sat.)
|
Var, F/S
|
Crystal Lake South Inv.
|
Veteran Acres
|
9:00 am
|
10th/20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L 22-34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PPD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L 20-43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3rd/12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L 22-33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro L 21-40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
22nd/54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Soph 8th/17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11th/21
|
|
|
|
|
Busse Woods
|
|
11th/12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
----
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6th/8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
Erik Rodriguez is GOING TO STATE!!!!
Sectionals - Busse Woods - On the best day in years weather-wise, Erik Rodriguez advanced from the Sectional to became the 7th and final qualifier for the state meet. Erik ran 15:38, finished 19th. Erik's teammated David Martin and Rob Meier were there to support him from the state. Erik ran a smart and patient race, moving up from the 50's early in the race coming through in a slow 5:08 first mile, (but only 15 seconds from the leaders) moved up dramatically during the second mile, moving into the 20's before the 2 mile mark. He ran as high as 17th and finished 19th, finishing strong, only a couple of seconds from 15th place. This marks the first qualfier for Wheeling's boys Cross Country program since 2002.
Regionals - Sauk Park -- The CATS ran their hearts out on saturday but come up just 5 points short of advancing as a team. Glenbrook South beat us 127-132 for the 5th spot out of the regional. We did advance 3 individuals including Erik Rodriguez 6th (15:58), David Martin 16th (16:28) and Rob Meier 32nd (16:53). The rest of the cats included junior Kevin Koranda 38th (17:23), Sophomore Jon Kirby 40th (17:27), Junior Victor Gonzalez 46th (17:55) and Henry Kirby 52nd.
MSL Conference Meet - Congratulations to Eric Rodriguez for finishing 11th in the MSL meet to become the Wildcats first All-Conference athlete in 4 years. Eric finished 27th last year and had set his sites on the top 25 this year.
Eric ran an impressive 15:51 on a sloppy Busse Woods course. Eric was followed by Rob Meier in 54th (16:52), David Martin 62nd (17:01), Sophomore Jon Kirby 69th (17:44), Victor Gonzalez 73rd (17:53) and Henry Kirby 74th (18:12). The cats finished 11th as a team.
Wildcat Inv. - -- The F/S Course was really 2.55 miles. What a great day to host a meet. Thank you to all the workers who make the meet such a success. We hosted 24 boys and girls teams at Heritage Park today. The times were great and everyone competed well.
The Wildcats continue to get better each week. This week Eric Rodriguez improved to 15:31 and an 8th place finish. This time was a 50 second improvement on last years performance. David Martin followed in 42nd in 16:17. David has continued to make great strides this season. Rob Meier finished 69th in 16:42, improving his personal best by almost a minute on our home course. Victor Gonzalez followed Rob in 96th in 17:18. Victor has been battling some aches and pains, but he continued to compete through the finish line. Our 5th man today was Kevin Koranda, running only his 2nd race of the season. He has been battling tendinitis
much of the season. Rounding out our top 7 was Henry Kirby who finished 113th in 18:02. Jon Kirby ran a great race finishing 15th in the Frosh-Soph race in 14:33.
Jorge Torres visits WHS Cross Country -- Jorge Torres, class of 1999, 3-time IHSA Cross Country Champion, NCAA Cross Country Champion and 2008 Olympic Qualifier visited with the boys and girls cross country team on wednesday. The teams enjoyed an inspirational talk by Jorge, and asked many questions of the Olympian.
Peoria Inv. - This pat Saturday the Varsity team traveled down to the Peoria Invitational. Fifty-four teams toed the line on a picture perfect saturday at Detwiller Park in Peoria. Our athletes did not disappoint. Running our strongest effort of the season, the Cats finished 22nd as a team with 623 points. Our team finish was respectable, but our personal accomplishments were something to get excited about. As a team the 6-team members dropped a combined 170 seconds off of their personal bests.
Eric Rodriguez led the team with our first individual medal at the invite finishing 26th in 15:19. This was the fastest time at Detwiller Park by a Wheeling runner since the state qualifiying team in 2002. Eric ran a patient and consistent race running 5:00-5:08-5:11. This was Eric's first big test and he came through in a big way.
Eric was followed by David Martin who continues to quietly make steady improvements. David ran a personal best 16:02 and finished 82nd. David was followed by Rob Meier 16:24 (129th), Victor Gonzalez 16:42 (163rd), Henry Kirby 17:07 (223rd) and Jon Kirby 17:28 (263rd). We hope that this is our springboard for the rest of the season.
Niles West Inv. - The JV and Frosh-Soph teams participated at the Niles West Inv. on saturday. Every athlete who participated ran a personal best, some improving over 90 seconds on their previous 3 mile time. It was a very positive weekend.
Our Triangular dual at Prospect, with Elk Grove netted our first dual meet victory. The Cats ran past Elk Grove 19-39. In the other dual, state ranked Prospect defeated Wheeling 21-40. It was the first cool day of the season, and season bests were accomplished by many of the team members.
Tuesday the final stop of our triple header, at Heritage Park against Rolling Meadows. RM rolled past WHS 22-33. Eric Rodriguez again led the way with a personal course record 16:14, running the entire race pretty much alone. 
The Rockford Inv. was moved from Elliot Golf Course for the first time in over 30 years. We competed on Rockford Jefferson HS campus. The 2.75 course was rolling fast course. The Cats turned in their best performance as a team finishing 3rd as a team. The Cats were lead by Eric Rodriguez in 4th place (14:45). Eric was followed by David Martin (14th 15:19) who ran a strong race coming from the 30's early at the mile to 14th at the finish. Rob Meier was our 3rd man in 30th (16:00), Victor Gonzalez 34th (16:16) and Henry Kirby 43rd (16:48).
We ran at Willowstream Park last Thursday and were defeated 20-43 by Buffalo Grove. Eric Rodriguez won in 16:23, but BG placed the next 7 runn
ers. Freshman Nick Modlin ran varsity for the first time and ran 17:57 as our 5th man.
The meets that we ran have been encouraging, but we believe we have more then we have shown so far. At the Crystal Lake South Inv. the boys finished 10th out of 20 teams. The team results was not what we had hoped for but we had a couple of solid performances. Eric Rodriguez finished a very solid 5th place in 17:17 on the hilly 5k course. Eric was followed by David Martin, Rob Meier, Victor Gonzalez and Henry Kirby.
This past thursday we hosted Hersey at Heritage Park. (Before Rain) The times were slow and we ran a little sluggishly allowing Hersey to defeat us 22-34. Eric Rodriguez was 2nd in 16:23 bettering his best time at Heritage Park last year. Eric was followed by David Martin in 4th and 17:00, which was a personal best by 30 seconds. Rob Meier, Victor Gonzalez and Henry Kirby rounded out the top 5.
The summer has been successful with many runners putting in significant mileage. We have had mileage totals surpassing those of the past few years. Our annual trip to Stockton and the Wallace property was successful. Everyone survived the Monster 5 even, even Nowicki and Polak managed to finish. The weather was as nice as we've ever had. We even had a Freshman go to Stockton for the first time and complete the weekend runs.
We may have two athletes over 750 miles and at least 4 to 5 over 500 miles for the summer. We will be lacking in experience, but that may be a benefit since each experience will be new. We will have a better idea where we stand when the season begins on Wednesday.
Attention new comers and incoming freshman!!. All ability levels are welcome. Track athletes who are not in a fall sport please get involved, we already have 6 sprinters committed to getting stronger and faster by participating in cross country. Everyone runs in every competition, no one is left out.
We will be breaking up the team into at least 4 training groups. Each athlete will be placed in a group based on their ability level and how much training they have accomplished over the summer. For freshman and other newcomers, we start athletes at a low mileage level and build them up based on what they can handle. Too many freshman expect to be sent on an 8 mile run their first day of practice. That does not happen.
Wheeling Cross Country has had a tradition of success for many years. It is our goal to maintain this level of success. We expect our athletes to be dedicated and committed to becoming better athletes, students and members of our community. Success does not come easy, but for those who are willing to put in the time they will reap the benefits of success.
During the school year , we practice after school. Meet in front of the tennis courts in the back. All skill levels are welcome. Cross country is a great way for an athlete to get into shape for winter and spring sports.
If you have any questions please contact Coach Polak by email - tom.polak@d214.org - this is best during the summer. During the school year you can reach me a 718-4834.
Coach Polak