Even after classes officially began, Aug. 17, the Riverside Brookfield High School boys cross country team still had practice before school.
“We had to get here at 6:30 in the morning and almost the entire team was there,” senior Ian Spatzek said. “I thought it really showed a lot of grit and determination that most people were really serious about the team.”
The Bulldogs hope to translate a more dedicated offseason into success under second-year coach Travis Trevizo. They won the season-opening Trial on the Trail, Aug. 26, at Elmwood Park and were 22nd at Lyons Township’s Mike Kuharic Invitational, Saturday (591 points).
“At the end of last year (Trevizo) gave us a really detailed plan and was passionate about us improving ourselves and building the team and improving upon the foundation from before,” senior Tony Lombardo said. “I’ve kind of looked up to him. I used to be kind of lazy, not doing all of the things I was supposed to, but now I’ve banded with my friends. I’ve gone on runs on my off days. I’ve really improved from there and other people should be doing that, too.”
Riverside-Brookfield’s Gavin Duncan heads out onto the course to start the Mike Kuharic Invitational at Lyons Township Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 in Western Springs, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Tony Lombardo during the Mike Kuharic Invitational at Lyons Township Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 in Western Springs, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
At last year’s Class 3A Sectional, junior Levi Huffman (129th) and senior Bryson Reum (139th) were the No. 4 and 7 team finishers the Bulldogs (18th, 525 points). Other varsity returnees include seniors Aiden O’Brien, Emerson Ayala, Gavin Duncan, Spatzek and Lombardo and juniors Wilson Leister and Cameron Glennie. Key sophomores include Cameron Cimino, Carmine LaManna and Asher Edmonson. Key freshmen include Frankie Harford, Ian Durbin, Clark Walker, Matthew Castorena and Aaron Greco.
“We are committed to getting better for our end goals,” Trevizo said. “The kids are coming early for weights, practicing in the rain, and running high mileage on weekends. Our senior and sophomore leaders are truly taking charge. We want to continue to grow our program for the better and we’ve got the right athletes.”
At Trial on the Trail, Leister (11:14.3 for 2.0 miles) and O’Brien (11:29.3) were third and fifth.
At the Kuharic Invite, O’Brien was 92nd (18:07.5 for 5,000 meters), followed by Lombardo (114th, 19:06.9), Duncan (124th, 19:27.4), Leister (125th, 19:30.9), Brosnan (136th, 20:17.3), Spatzek (145th, 20:53.3) and Glennie (147th, 20:54.7).
With more mileage behind them this season, Lombardo and Spatzek hope to break 3.0-mile barriers 17:50 and 19:00, respectively.
“I think what would make this season very successful for the team is to build a sense of community, especially with the new freshmen,” Spatzek said. “We bring everybody together and build those connections as well as everybody improves. I think that’s the most important thing about cross country.”
LTHS boys cross country
Juniors Brennan Monohan and Evan Ruse was among the rough breaks the Lions suffered during what should have been a promising 2025. By mid-September, both experienced pain while running. A couple of weeks later, both were lost for the rest of the season with stress fractures. The Lions’ streak of consecutive IHSA state meet team berths dating back to 2008 with longtime coach Mike Danner also came to an end.
“I was very happy with track season because I kept grinding and kept showing up,” Monohan said. “I think making it to the state meet is super huge (for us) and that’s what all of the guys want. It’s definitely a work in progress but I think we can do it.”
The Lions finished sixth at their annual Mike Kuharic Invite, Saturday (180 points), with a healthy Monohan (5th, 15:41.9 for 5,000 meters) and Ruse (29th, 16:38.3) as their top two finishers. Also running varsity were junior Henry James (39th, 16:46.1), seniors Colin Shea (48th, 17:03.1) and Juan Contreras (59th, 17:16.6), junior Ben Radtke (66th, 17:22.2) and senior Lucien Sullivan (71st, 17:29.7). Sophomore Luke Borling was sixth in the frosh-soph race (11:51.6 for 3,600 meters).
At last year’s 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, Radtke (51st), Shea (64th) and James (97th), were the Lions’ No. 2, 3 and 7 team finishers. The 12th-place Lions (299 points) were five places and 129 points from the last qualifying spot.
Lyons’ Brennan Monohan races to the finish line during the Mike Kuharic Invitational at Lyons Township Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 in Western Springs, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons’ Henry James during the Mike Kuharic Invitational at Lyons Township Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 in Western Springs, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“The sectional was loaded. You could not afford an off day or be dealing with injury problems. It just didn’t work out,” Danner said. “All of the kids (returning) had a good track season. I believe we will be the sectional host so hopefully there’s a lot of motivation there, running well on our home course.”
The Lions not only want to qualify for state but compete for a top-10 finish. Monohan’s performance Saturday shows he can compete for top-25 all-state honors. During track in May, Monohan was the lone non-senior on the state-qualifying 4×800-meter relay (21st) and just missed qualifying in the 1,600 at sectionals (4:24.28). At Magis Miles June 6, Monohan achieved personal bests for the 1,600 (4:16.84) and mile (4:18.36).
“I’d love to be all-state (for cross country). I’d love to just try my best and see what I can do and not hold back.” Monohan said. “I always raced (graduated Tyler Gantt). Even though he was a teammate, I always wanted to beat him. Now I’m all alone with workouts so it’s a lot harder. You have to gauge only by how much better you’re doing.”
