The Regional meet is the first step in the state series each year. There are 24 Regionals throughout the state and the top five teams, as well the top five individuals not a part of those five teams, move on to the Sectional meet the following weekend. Four Regionals feed into each of the six sectional sites. At each Sectional meet, the top five teams, as well as the top seven individuals not a part of those five teams, advance to the State Championships on November 5.
We hosted the Regional meet this year at KLM and it was a great day to run. The rains held off and the weather and course conditions were just about perfect for the runners. The varsity girls placed 3rd with 85 points, behind Naperville North (42) and Lockport (67) and ahead of Benet Academy (115) and Neuqua Valley (121) in the 12 team field. One thing we pride ourselves on each year is the strength of our schedule as we feel that it best prepares us for the competitive meets at the end of the season. Our Regional was no different, as it featured 4 of the top 9 ranked teams in the state. When Sectionals and State roll around, we have faced all of the top teams and are ready to be at our best.
Lauren Zumbach and Roey Hines led the way for the Lady Devils, placing 5th and 8th respectively in outstanding times of 17:57 and 18:10 on our 3.0 mile course. Lauren and Roey now are the two fastest HC runners ever on our KLM home course. Ashley Soltwisch had yet another strong race, placing 16th overall in 18:38, making her our 4th fastest HC runner ever at KLM. Jenny Laser and Heather Stevens rounded out the Top 5, finishing 25th and 31st in great times of 19:02 and 19:11, both big PR’s at KLM. Six of our seven fastest HC runners ever at KLM on the 3 mile course are members of this year’s team! Jenny ran a great race while still battling the late stages of an illness, her best race of the year. She’ll be at full strength for Sectionals. Heather ran her first varsity race and stepped up in a big way to be our 5th scoring runner. She’ll be a key member of our lineup as we move on to Sectionals and State. Gina Kapusta and Megan Gleason placed 39th and 41st in 19:23 and 19:25, rounding out the Top 7. Gina was in the middle of a nasty illness and ran a very gutsy race to finish where she did. She’s feeling much better and will be at full strength this weekend. When Gina is feeling good, watch out! Megan also had a lifetime PR on Saturday in her final race at KLM. In fact, when comparing times from the Hornet Red Devil Invite to the Regional, the improvement of the girls was outstanding. Of the six girls who ran both races (Gina was sick at the Hornet Red Devil and did not run), the average improvement was 59 seconds per girl! That’s an average of about 20 seconds per mile. That is truly a tribute to our girls and to all of the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm that they put into their sport each and every day.
This week is the Sectional meet, which will take place at Midlothian Meadows Forest Preserve in Midlothian, across the street from Bremen High School. To get to the race, take 294 South and exit at Cicero. Take Cicero South to 147th Street. Go left about 1 mile to Pulaski. Go right about 3/4 mile, the entrance to the course is on the right and the school on the left. Go about 1/4 mile into the parking lot, the race start will be on the right side and the finish on the left. The girls race will go off at 9:30 am and the boys at 10:30. Come out and support the Lady Devils as we continue on the road to the State Meet.
