Runners aim to keep momentum in ’22
HUNTLEY – Following successful 2021 seasons, highlighted by a 19th-place finish at the IHSA State Girls Cross-Country Meet, the Red Raiders girls and boys teams are ready for another memorable year.
The girls squad won the regional meet, finished sixth at the sectional after ending fourth at the Fox Valley Conference championships. The boys were fourth at the FVC meet, third at regional and eighth at the sectional meet.
“The goals are for both the girls and boys teams to finish in the top three in the conference and qualify for the IHSA State Meet,” HHS head cross-country coach Matt Kaplan, who leads both squads, said.
“Both boys and girls’ squads return many runners from last year so our teams have a lot of experience,” Kaplan said. “This will help our teams know what to expect as they move through the season. We had 50 kids total for our summer camp. Overall we’ve had our top group of girls and boys together for the majority of the summer weeks.”
HHS had its annual time trials at Deicke Park Aug. 13 ahead of the season’s first meet,, the McHenry County Invitational, at 8 a.m. Aug. 27 at Emricksen Park in Woodstock.
“The first week (of practice) has been good,” Kaplan said. “The kids are really excited to get this season of competitions started. I’ve been very pleased with the kids’ daily positive attitudes and efforts supporting each other.”
Top returner
Senior Molly Allen ran a 33rd place at the IHSA Girls State Cross-Country Meet last fall.
“My goal is to medal this year,” Allen said. “I missed that by two seconds last season.”
Allen got an early start in running due to family ties to the sport. “I started running when I was three-years old, competitively in sixth grade. My mon Kara and dad Chris both have run marathons. I usually run with my dad in the mornings.”
Molly’s older sister Grace also ran at HHS.
Boys’ squad
Returning boys include: sophomore Tommy Nitz, who earned all-FVC, all-regional and finished 111th at state; junior Luke Grubbs, all-FVC; junior Ty Rasmussen and senior Hudson Fisher.
Boys’ newcomers who could make their mark are: freshmen Andrew Raistrick; also freshman Logan Barreto and Dominic Scarpelli. “All of them had solid summer weeks and could have the potential to be in our team’s top 10 by the end of the season,” Kaplan said.
Upperclassmen also include junior Ryan Anderson; junior Andrew McVeen and junior Zach Donlea; senior Danny Fitte; junior Luke Grubbs; junior Jaden Gutierrez. Sophomores are Collin Cronin; Matthew Kolozsy; Dennis Krueger; Derek Spaid; while ninth graders are Logan Barreto; Eddie Kai and Matt Keaty also will add depth.
Girls’ squad
Seniors Breanna Burak, who earned all-FVC, all-region and all-sectional honors; twin sister senior Brittney Burak, all-FVC, all-regional; senior Molly Allen (33rd at state), all-FVC, all-regional and junior Aya Allison return. Madelyn Stein, who was on the state track-and-field qualifying team, is in her first cross-country season.
Also looking to contribute are: seniors Lindsey Donlea and Brooke Garcia; sophomore Emily Byers, McKenna Corso, Emily Fritz, Alexanderia Kinney and Abbie Williams. Freshmen Sam Charalambous, Gimenez Canet, Cory Kiluinger and Josie Townie.
Kaplan is in his 15th year coaching the boys Red Raiders cross-country this season. Assistant coaches are Jason Monson, Brandy Swanson and Jim Jestus.
