Yorkville, Kaneland race to state

Updated: October 29, 2011 9:00PM

The Class 2A Belvidere cross country sectional is so deep that in the past it has served as almost a mini-state meet. It was a little like that again on a sunny, cool Saturday as runners competed for spots in next week’s championship race at Detweiler Park in Peoria.

Yorkville will send both its squads for the fourth straight year as the girls won the team title and the boys team finished second behind two-time defending state champion Belvidere North. Likewise, Kaneland will send both teams, with the girls making the trip for the first time in 19 years.

With Casey Kramer (18:07) and Ali Hester (18:10) finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, in the three-mile race, the Foxes posted 67 points to squeak past Crystal Lake Central, which finished with 70 points. Yorkville also won the Kaneland Regional last week, so it heads to state with momentum.

“I think this has played out really well,” Kramer said. “We have been working hard all season, it’s amazing that we are doing this well and are all here at the same time.”

Kaneland, which finished sixth (five teams advance) here the last two seasons, was fourth with 130 points, with freshman Victoria Clinton leading the way with a ninth-place finish in 18:28.

“They ran with so much poise,” Kaneland coach Doug Ecker said. “They didn’t take it out too fast and I’m happy for them because they are such a young team.”

Also moving on to state is Aurora Central junior Jenna Koerner, who finished 19th to earn the last of the seven individual spots.

On the boys side, Belvidere North posted three runners in the top 10 to score 60 points and outdistance Yorkville (89 points), Crystal Lake Central (130) and Kaneland (206). Aurora Central finished 12th with 295 points.

Zak Arcara led Yorkville with a 10th-place finish in 15:39, but the strength of the Foxes lies in their pack, which saw the five scoring runners separated by just 31 seconds.

“We are hoping next week is our week to put it all together,” Yorkville coach Chris Muth said. “The kids are motivated and doing their best, and that’s all I can hope for.”

Kaneland was led by sophomore Kyle Carter, who was 19th in 15:59.

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