Chargers’ Manfrin makes up for last year’s miss

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ST. CHARLES – Dundee-Crown’s boys cross country team had visions of this weekend’s state meet in Peoria.

But the Chargers were forced to settle for two individual qualifiers, as they fell short of advancing from Saturday’s Class 3A St. Charles East Sectional at LeRoy Oakes.

Junior Anthony Manfrin finished second individually in 15:56.3 to advance to state after missing out last year. Nathan Prom also qualified by taking 12th overall in 16:36.9.

“Our whole goal this season was to make it to state,” Manfrin said. “We’ve kind of been under the radar. We came in and wanted everyone to run their race and see what happens. [Prom] came in huge.”

The Chargers were sixth in the team standings, and the top five advance to Detweiler Park Saturday. D-C’s 195 points put them well behind the final qualifying team, Geneva (137).

In sloppy, cold and windy conditions, Manfrin’s goal was to stick close to individual champion Tyler Jermann of Naperville North (15:50.5).

“We were next to each other for a while,” Manfrin said. “I pulled ahead a little bit, but when we got to the bottom of the hill, he went ahead for good. He’s obviously one of the best runners in the state. I just wanted to see how close I could get to him.

“It’s exciting. I just wanted to make it down this year. Last year was obviously a bad finish.”

Crystal Lake South finished 15th with 392 points, paced by David Lundine and Brian Keogh, who placed 65th and 66th, respectively. Behind a 55th-place finish from William Hennessy, Jacobs was 17th with 440 points and Huntley was 20th with 573.

In the girls’ meet, one local competitor reached the state meet, and it will be her first time. CL South junior Marianne Collard took 13th in 19:29.5 and was one of the final names announced at the award stand, ending a period of uncertainty as to whether she advanced.

“I’m so excited,” Collard said. “I wasn’t sure I made it, so I’m happy I did. ”

Despite the adverse conditions, Collard’s plan was to hang with the lead group as long as possible.

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be,” Collard said of the course.

The Gators took 13th overall behind Collard’s efforts. Kristina Aubert was second across the line for the Gators in 47th. Huntley junior Haley Loprieno was close to advancing, but fell just short in 24th place (19:56.5). D-C was 15th overall behind Katie Gross’ 54th-place effort.