Nitz set to leave mark at state
HUNTLEY — Huntley senior cross country runner Tommy Nitz knows the IHSA course at Detweiller Park in Peoria well.
He will compete there for the final time at the IHSA Class 3A State Cross Country Meet Nov. 9. He was the top boys’ team finisher at the Lake Park sectional in fourth place, with a time of 14:46.5 and had all-sectional honors Nov. 2.
The boys were 11th in team standings, with 306 points. After Nitz, junior Andrew Raistrick was next, 15:58.5, 53rd; junior Logan Barreto, 79th, 16:21.1 and frosh Mark Omoniyi, had a 16:30.5 clocking, 92nd.
Nitz finished 21st at last year’s IHSA Class 3A State Meet for all-state honors. He had finished 55th his sophomore year and 111th his freshman season.
“Nitz’s goal this year is to finish in the top 10 at state,” Huntley boys cross country coach Matt Kaplan said.
“It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling,” Nitz commented. “Going to state is always exciting but this time it is a little different being my last ever race for Huntley cross country. My goal is to finish in the top 10 and in the 14:30s. I’ve had my ups and downs on this course. The most challenging part is the triangle and the last 400 meters.”
Nitz, who also has qualified for IHSA State Track and Field meets, credits previous HHS cross country, Hudson Fisher, Zach Zuzzio and Luke Grubbs standouts as giving him encouragement.
“I’m going to miss it all,” Nitz said. “Cross country has been a big part of my life ever since middle school and knowing that I won’t be able to compete against the people have been running with for years now is going to be tough.”
This year’s sectional went smoothly for Nitz and his fourth place finish, unlike last season.
“I think getting clipped on the first 200 meters of sectional last year and running the race with half my shoe off,” Nitz said of the unusual occurrence.
