New Trier’s Later takes Loyola invite

Updated: October 1, 2011 3:47PM

Leland Later finally got enough help from his teammates Saturday to propel New Trier to its first weekend invitational title of the season at Loyola University’s meet at Chicago’s Montrose Harbor.

The Trevians totaled 128 points to edge out Niles North, which is enjoying a successful season on grass. The Vikings finished with 151 points in the 40-team field.

Later earned his third invite win of the season in 15:20. The senior used a surge midway through the race to beat Beecher’s Grant Nykaza, who crossed the line in 15:23.

Loyola’s Todd Ford took third in 15:28, while Ramblers’ William Hague finished fifth in 15:30.

“This is a great for our team,” Later said. “We definitely have the talent to do it, but we hadn’t put it all together.”

Later was the best on a day that featured a damp track and stiff winds.

“The conditions weren’t ideal, probably the toughest all year for me,” he said. “It’s definitely good, though, to win in different conditions. It shows some versatility and helps me prepare for the state series.”

Chip Schaff and Ethan Kaplan stayed close together to finish 13-14 and contribute to New Trier’s win.

“We’ve had a lot of guys stepping up and covering other guys,” New Trier coach Dave Wisner said. “That’s what you need. You need guys that can replace other guys.”

Fremd won the girls’ race with 61 points as Vikings’ Kelly Breen was the low Illinois runner, taking second place in 18:33. Sammi Donovan from Wisconsin’s Waukesha North took first in 18:31.

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