Despite their top runner bowing out of the race, the Riverside-Brookfield High School girls cross country team grabbed the final team qualifying spot at last Saturday’s IHSA Class 2A regional meet, hosted by Kaneland High School, and advanced to the sectional meet on Oct. 30.
The Bulldogs grabbed the sixth by a margin of just 5 points edging out seventh-place finisher Glenbard South to advance to the sectional race at Fenton.
The Bulldogs’ top runner Bryce Pacourek who has been ill, was unable to run for the second straight week. But the Bulldogs had a solid pack, led by Maria Dalton who finished 25th and freshman Gianna Gelb ran a strong race to finish 29th, a step ahead of Lily Kocourek, who finished 30th. Joaliz Rodriguez finished 44th and Mia Wagner finished 45th to complete the scoring for the Bulldogs.
“We’re very happy,” said RBHS coach Blair Jensen. “It was really a team effort because our top girl, she’s been sick for two weeks so she pulled out, and the rest of the girls stepped up. It really shows that the team is looking after each other and running hard.”
Nazareth Academy took the team title in the girls race and Fenwick’s Bella Daley was the top individual finisher, covering the three-mile course in 18 minutes, 6.21 seconds
RBHS boys finish 1-2 at regionals
The RBHS boys team easily qualified for the sectional by finishing third powered by a one-two finish by Paul Proteau (15:09.60) and Cooper Marrs (15:14.20).
Jack O’Brien finished 12th (16:05.97), followed by Zack Gaynor (29th, 16:32.27) and William Kallas (32nd, 16:39.17) to complete the scoring for the Bulldogs.
Fenwick captured the team title with 44 points. Kaneland finished second with 69 points while the Bulldogs were third with 76 points.
The Bulldogs again defeated conference rival St. Francis, which finished fourth with 113 points. Glenbard South and Marmion grabbed the final two team qualifying spots.
