Nitz, Rahman start cross country as county champs
HUNTLEY — Huntley senior Tommy Nitz can cross one “to do” item off his list.
Nitz finished 21st at the IHSA Boys Class 3A State Meet last year, was fourth at sectional and won regional and conference. But he had not won the season opening McHenry County Meet, until he earned first place Aug. 31 at McHenry Township Park.
“I had finished second the last two years at county,” Nitz said. “It’s a hard course but a fun, good way to start the season.”
Nitz and HHS sophomore Haley Rahman paced their team’s efforts with individual championships on the three-mile course. Nitz’s time was 16:18.08 while Rahman ran a 20:02.74 time.
The Red Raiders girls won their team title with 24 points and the boys ended second to Crystal Lake Central, 60-73.
“That was Nitz’s goal, to win county,” Huntley cross country coach Matt Kaplan said.
Rahman, meanwhile, is coming off a strong freshman season. She won the regional meet, was 21st at sectional where HHS was third and 45th at state, where the team was 14th.
Kaplan was pleased with Rahman’s race on Saturday.
“She opened up the lead when she was ready and did not look back,” Kaplan said.
“It was a good start to the season. Our goal is to finish in the top 10 at the State Meet,” Rahman said.
Contributing to the girls’ team crown included four other top 10 finishers. Junior Cori Klivinger, fourth, 20:24.60; senior Isabella Ciesola, fifth, 20:24.93; junior Aspen Maldonado sixth, 20:23.47; and sophomore Morgan Sauber eighth, 20:46.36. Also, senior Mackenzie Billard, 11th, 21:21.02 and senior Abbie Williams, 12Th, in 21:59.63.
Concluding in the top 10 for boys also included junior Andrew Raistrick who was ninth, 17:27.92. Also winning top 30 medals were: Nate Sauber ended 20th, 18:06.16; senior Derek Spaid, 25th, 18:23.35; sophomore Brandon Thompson, 26th 18:33.31; and junior Logan Barreto, 27th, 18:45.31.
Huntley competes at the St. Charles East hosted meet Sept. 7.
Cravens finished fourth
The running community was tuned in to the thrilling finish of the Paralymics Para Triathlon which featured Algonquin native and HHS alum Owen Cravens.
According to Paralympics results, Cravens ended in fourth place, with a total time of 1:00.43. Cravens was edged for the bronze medal by Antoine Perel of France’s 1:00.25 time.
The event held about 2:30 a.m. CDT on Sept. 2 included a 750 m swim followed by a 20K cycle race and a 5K run ending at Point Alexandre.
Cravens, 21, who has a vision impairment, resides in Tempe, Arizona. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona. Prior to the Paralympics, he finished fourth in a para triathlon in Sprain last year. His national coach is Parker Spence.
