Freshman Staples leads CL Central

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ELBURN – As a freshman, Crystal Lake Central’s Sami Staples had no idea what to expect at the 2A Kaneland Cross Country Regional at Elburn Woods.

After placing second for the Tigers, Staples now knows what to expect in a week at sectionals in Belvidere.

“I was really nervous coming in,” Staples said. “There’s so much great competition here. When it comes to sectionals, I know what to expect.”

Staples was sandwiched in between experienced runners, placing behind DeKalb’s Kelsey Schrader, who finished in 38th place at state in 3A, and in front of Yorkville’s Ali Hester, who took 10th in 2A state last season.

Staples said she started the race too fast, and felt her pace slow toward the final stretch, finishing in 18:25.5, 11 seconds behind Schrader.

As a team, the Tigers took second place to advance as a team to sectionals. Yorkville, the top-ranked team by Illinois Prep Top Times, took first with 39 points to the Tigers’ 49.

Tigers coach Shannon Schroeder said she liked seeing the top-level competition early, as it prepares her team for further down the state series. 

“Seeing [Yorkville], we know where they’re going to be,” Schroeder said. “It gives us a look at what we need to work on.”

Schroeder was particularly pleased by Rachel Kautz, who filled in for Kelly McNeely. Kautz finished in 17th place in 19:44.8.

Hampshire’s Cassie Kruse qualified for sectionals as an individual, earning fourth place in 18:53.8 as the Whip-Purs finished eighth as a team. Woodstock North’s Kailey Riverburgh also qualified as an individual, making the cut in 41st place in 21:16.3.

Crystal Lake Central’s boys cross country team also advanced to sectionals, with 71 points to first-place Yorkville’s 36. Alex Baker led the Tigers, taking first in 15:47, and Chris Alverez took third in 16:03.

After finishing 13th in last year’s regional, Baker said he just wanted to stay with the competition and give it his all.

“How far the team and I have come, it’s pretty amazing,” Baker said. “All the hard work we’ve put into it, it’s just awesome to see that it pays off.”

Woodstock’s Liem De-Wane and Tim Semmen each advanced to sectionals as individuals, with DeWane taking 25th in 17:10.3 and Semmen placing 32nd at 17:23.9, as the Blue Streaks took eighth place.

Woodstock North’s Cullen Anderson also qualified as an individual, finishing in 17:34.2.