Senf's Take: Recap of Locktoberfest

Boys Cross Country

Locktoberfest

09/30/17

On September 30th the Mustangs participated in the Locktoberfest Jamberry, a 5 kilometer race hosted by the Lockport Porters. The hosts and participating teams could not have asked for a better day to run as the sun was shining, skies were clear, and the temperature may have risen just a few degrees above 70.  The Invitational consisted of a competitive field of 20 teams from around the western Chicago suburbs.

A team of ten athletes consisting of Freshmen and Sophomores toed the line for the first race of the day. At the shot of the gun sophomores John Norris, Tyler Bleau, Canyon Stage, and Ben Skibbe placed themselves in the top pack of athletes and settled in for for a fight. Shortly after the Mile mark the Mustangs had established themselves as a team to reckon with as Norris moved into position behind the first place runner awaiting the perfect time to make a move while Bleau and Stage worked together in a pack of runners closely behind. With just under a mile left of the race Norris took the lead believing he was the man to beat. Creating a 20 meter gap Norris could almost taste the candy apple awaiting him at the award ceremony but the day was not won yet. With 200 meters to the finish runners  Aidan Pajeau of Lockport and Will Roth of Wheaton North began to run down the Red Stallion making for a dramatic finish. In the end Norris would taste his apple taking the win in a time of 17:01. Tyler Bleau and Canyon Stage continued their running friendship all the way to the finish line finishing in the 14th (17:36) and 15th (17:37) position and would also receive a tasty candy apple treat. Rounding out the top five was Ben Skibbe in 33rd place (18:05) and Freshmen Ben Tunney in 65th place (18:49). In the end the Mustangs finished 3rd place overall as a team. Special shout out to Freshmen Nolan Witt (68th, 18:52.5) and Colin Meyer (71st, 18:52.8). The close pack of freshmen give hope to a bright future for the Mustang nation.  

In the second race of the day a rag tag team of varsity athletes made their way onto the battlefield. In the first 400m Junior James Weigel lead the field without fear.The rest of the team could be found in the main pack of athletes fighting for position. As the race would unfold the Mustangs would find themselves strungout throughout the field individually battling their competitors. When all was said and done the Mustangs fought hard through the finish line. James Weigel finished first for the team with a time of 17:00. Closely behind was George Willer running with determination and finishing in 17:10. Max Wascher (17:35), Brock Royle (17:43), and Matt Peloso (18:04) came through the line next rounding out the top five scoring athletes.

In the final race of the day (open race) we saw a large pack of Mustangs mixing it up with a very large and dominating Neuqua Valley team. Scoring athletes include Ryan Gage (16th, 18:18), Ben Laurich (24th, 18:40), Jack Hudec (29th, 18:48), David Patel (43rd, 19:12), and Colin Dunn (47th, 19:16). Overall the Mustangs took 3rd in the open race.