Boys cross-country: Vernon Hills’ Whitney falls shy of bid to State

Updated: October 31, 2011 8:46PM

Kyle Whitney executed his race strategy to near-perfection during Saturday’s IHSA Class 2A Belvidere Sectional. But his dream of qualifying for State fell just short.

The Vernon Hills High School sophomore placed 23rd in 16:05. The final slot for State was snared by Sterling senior Dylan Harkness (15th, 15:51).

“Kyle had a game plan and he just stuck with it,” said Cougars coach Michael Roberts. “He got out fast and strong with the lead pack. He stayed with them as best he could; it just wasn’t meant to be this year.”

Whitney, who was the third-fastest sophomore in the sectional, figures to be heard from over the next two years. Ditto for Cougars sophomore Ben Mohrdieck, who placed 41st in 16:24.

“I thought Ben ran very well,” Roberts said.

The Cougars wound up 13th overall (334 points). Other VH scorers were sophomore Nick Webber (95th, 17:11), sophomore Rob Williams (97th, 17:11) and senior Kyle Schrems (99th, 17:16).

Roberts believes his team will be a player over the next two campaigns.

“It looks good for the future,” the coach said. “It’s always nice to have young kids who show promise. It’s one of the joys of coaching.”

The coach added that most of the Cougars will run all winter and then compete with the track team next spring.

VH girls

Samantha Hershman capped a strong freshman year in style.

The Cougars standout placed 49th in 19:30 during Saturday’s Belvidere Sectional.

Vernon Hills finished eighth overall with 238 points. The leader of the pack was senior Danielle Fiarito (36th, 19:13).

Other Cougars placers included junior Ali Marks (49th, 19:33), junior Kristen Whitney (57th, 19:41), sophomore Cassie Lira (60th, 19:43) and freshman Melanie Rogers (70th, 19:47).

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