Nitz, Rahman rule races, win titles at regional
HUNTLEY — The Class 3A Regional Cross Country meet at Hampshire’s course proved to be a successful one in multiple areas for Huntley.
The Red Raiders returned with two individual champions, freshman Haley Rahman won the girls race and junior Tommy Nitz took first in the boys’ three-mile course. The girls won the team championship, with 34 points while the boys earned a top six finish (qualify for sectional) at third with 92 points. The IHSA Class 3A Sectional Meet Oct. 28 at Lake Park in Roselle.
Rahman beat out Kieyl Sampson of Hampshire, with a time of 18:56.9 to 19:04.9.
Nitz, a junior, clocked a 15:28.2 to best Cole Tuper of Elgin’s 15:36.1.
Red Raiders head coach Matt Kaplan described the approaches of the two champions.
“Both Nitz and Rahman ran similar plans of how we talk about the race unfolding,” Kaplan said. “We talk about getting into the position and closing races which they both did. They both have great instincts and don’t stress out over the early stages of their races. They both understand they have time to let races happen and they never quit fighting.”
The winners also talked about their accomplishments.
“I took the lead just past the two-mile mark and ran and pushed as hard as I could until I could not push anymore,” Rahman said.
She credits senior Ava Allison, the lone senior on the girls’ squad, who ran sixth in 19:15.1, with great assistance. “She is a great runner, a great leader and a great person to lead our young team.”
“I felt the leader (Cole Tupper of Elgin) ran off to a fast start, but I just did my thing. I have a lot of confidence; it was never in doubt. I know Jacob Barraza (third place, from DeKalb) but he said he injured an ankle but he’ll be back next week.”
HHS girls took home the regional plaque by a comfortable margin over Hampshire, 34-58.
“In the girls race, when you’re the favorite coming in you have pressure to perform,” Kaplan said. “Our girls did a great job executing our plan. This team just runs for one another and you can see it in how each meet our top seven can mix it up and the same positive result will come through. Today we put all seven in the top 18 which was impressive. The most impressive part of today was our top five split was around 60 seconds, that’s a strong team effort.”
The Red Raiders girls’ times included sophomore Kori Klivinger, seventh in 19:26.1 and freshman Morgan Sauber, ninth in 19:50.8. Mackenzie Billard was 15th, 20:42.9 and Ava Berardi 18th in 20:56.1.
Nitz’s individual title effort was followed by senior Zach Zuzzio’s seventh place, 16:19.9 time; senior Luke Grubbs, 27th, 17:16.0; soph Andrew Raistrick, 28Th, 17:16.6; soph Nate Sauber, 29th, 17:23.7 and 40th, soph Logan Barreto, 17:43.1.
“In the boys race, we talked about coming in and racing for the top three and that’s what they got,” Kaplan said. “Zuzzio did a great job finishing seventh overall. He was 10th through the two-mile so his ability to gain three more spots really speaks to how hard he was running for his team. Grubbs, Raistrick and Sauber all came into the chute together, which was fun to see.”
Now it is time to prepare for the Class 3A Sectional at Lake Park where the HHS teams have competed earlier this season. Team and individual qualifiers advance to the IHSA State Cross Country Meet, Nov. 4 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
“Heading into the sectional, the goal is to handle the pressure of the big stage,” Kaplan said. “Our teams need to attack the entire race and don’t quit fighting until they cross the finish line.”
