Girls runners race to sectional first
HUNTLEY – Paced by three top seniors in 15, led by third-place Breanna Burak and ninth-place Brittney Burak and Molly Allen’s 13th, the Red Raiders girls cross country team made school history at the Class 3A sectional Oct. 29. The Buraks won all-sectional honors.
The champion Red Raiders concluded the three-mile course at Lake Park East Campus in Roselle with 111 points to runner-up St. Charles East’s 134. Three boys runners, Tommy Nitz, Ty Rasmussen and Zach Zuzzio, qualified as individuals for the IHSA Class 3A state meet Nov. 5 in Peoria.
“The girls’ goal was to qualify as a team and they proved to themselves just how well they can do when focused on team goals,” HHS coach Matt Kaplan said. “I’m so proud of the girls. Can’t say enough about the three seniors up front, the Burak sisters and Molly Allen got out great and put themselves in positions from the start.”
Breanna Fisher timed a 17:20 for the three-mile course; Brittney Fisher, 17:54.1 and Allen, 19:03.6. The team’s effort followed Fox Valley Conference and regional championships.
Kaplan said the goal is a top 10 finish as a team.
“The girls were so successful because we planned to go out aggressive,” Kaplan said. “At sectional there is no room for error so you have to get in a good position because you can’t make up ground.”
Runners discussed their sectional success.
“A goal of mine going in was being all-sectional,” HHS senior Brittney Burak said. “I was a little upset I did not get the top eight but we were all excited when it was announced we had won. We all train together in the summer, up to 8.5 miles at a time, set up by coach Kaplan.”
“I feel like I’ve made consistent progress all season,” Allen said. “I passed two girls up with a mile left to go heading to the track. The sectional championship was amazing.”
Allen just missed a medal at state last season by eight spots so that is a personal goal for the three-mile course at Detweiller Park. “I was pretty happy with the way it went and our overall effort,” Breanna Burak said. “I was pretty excited for it. I think a team goal would be to finish in the top five.”
Huntley’s girls results were Breanna Burak’s 17:20.0, fourth; Brittney Burak clocked a 17:54.2 for ninth and Molly Allen finished 13th in 18:22.3. Also, Guillermina-Gimenez Cunat broke 20 minutes with a 19:33.6 for 44th; followed by junior Ava Allison’s 19:41.3 for 53rd and frosh Gabby Sweeney ended with a time of 20:06.8 for 74th.
Boys trio advances to state
Nitz turned in the best finish at fourth individually, 15:17.5 while Rasmussen clocked a 15:47.2 in 22nd; Zuzzio, 37th in 16:01. Zuzzio secured the second-to-last individual qualifying spot in the top 10.
“It was pretty close, the last 800 meters was the difference,” Zuzzio said. “This past Friday we worked on the last 800 meters. I was esthetic when I made it.”
Zuzzio has been the Red Raiders third runner behind Nitz and Rasmussen this season.
“I started out in running with my family doing 5Ks,” Zuzzio said.
HHS made the upper half finish as a team with 194 points for eighth. In addition to the three qualifiers, also for HHS: senior Hudson Fisher, 16:19.20, 56; Luke Grubbs was 90thm 16:49.6; junior Jaden Gutierrez, 17:01.0 and frosh Andrew Raistrick, 17:40.2, 122nd.
College choices announced
Breanna Burak and Brittney Burak announced at a practice they have selected their college choices for cross country and track-and-field next year. Breanna Burak will compete at Illinois State University in Normal. Brittney selected Indiana State University in Terra Haute, Ind. Fall signing day for high school seniors selecting D-I schools is Nov. 9.
“They’ll be a lot of training because the college races are longer distances,” Brittney noted. “I plan on majoring in physical education to be an elementary PE teacher.”
“I like the conference they run in (Missouri Valley Conference) and enjoyed the official visit and it’s close to home,” Breanna said.
Fisher has opted for Judson College in Elgin.
