Rundown: LF’s Chody wins regional race

Brett Chody stole the show.

The Lake Forest High School junior standout came up with a wire-to-wire first-place performance in the Class 3A Libertyville Regional at Adler Park on Oct. 21.

Chody cruised the three-mile layout in 18:05. 62, winning the race by an impressive 15 seconds.

It’s been that kind of season for Chody. Earlier this year, she won the Lake County Invite. A week ago, she took second to Libertyville’s Melissa Manetsch in a photo finish at the North Suburban Conference Meet at Adler Park.

“She came into this season ready to go,” said LF head coach Steve Clegg, noting that she took sixth in the 3200 meters at the 2016 state track meet. “She’s really confident now. She’s knows that she can run with the best.”

At the regional, Chody had a clear path to the title. Manetsch, a junior, didn’t run due to illness.

“It’s too bad that the Libertyville girl wasn’t here,” Clegg said.

Instead, Chody had to battle — and surpass — Stevenson’s Isabelle Sparreo (2nd, 18:20.58), Highland Park’s Kaitlyn Twadell (3rd, 18:51.13), Lake Forest’s Emma Milburn (4th, 18:51.46) and Highland Park’s Veronica Kriss (5th, 19:07.75).

“Even without Melissa in the race, I definitely knew I had some good competititon,” said Chody. “Isabelle and Kaitlyn pushed me.”

But Chody, who took 31st at the state meet a year ago after placing fifth at the Schaumburg Sectional, revved it up in the final third of the race.

“She made her move in between the [Des Plaines] River and Milwaukee [Road],” she Clegg. “That’s where she got her separation.”

The LF coach also cheered Milburn’s effort.

“This was her best race of the season,” said Clegg. “I’m proud of the way she ran today.”

With Chody and Milburn leading the way, the Scouts took runner-up honors (64) in the team standings behind Stevenson (37). The team also received strong showings from Courtney Schmidt (14th, 19:47), Haley Click (16th, 19:52) and Erika Marchant (29th, 20:46).

Led by the solid 1-2 punch of Twadell and Kriss, Highland Park finished fourth (118 points) behind Libertyville (118) to advance to the Waukegan Sectional at Waukegan Sports Park on Oct. 29 (10 a.m.). The other Giants figuring in the scoring were Robin Israel (33rd, 20:52), Morgan Nelis (36th, 20:54) and Jillian Butler (41st, 21:13).

Meanwhile, paced by Jonathan Rosenfeld, Jose Reyes and Nate Amster, Highland Park just missed winning the regional title in the boys race at Adler. The Giants scored 62 points to finish four points in back of Mundelein.

“We’re a pack team, and we didn’ get out quite as fast as we would’ve liked,” said HP head coach Steve Buti, who saw his team take first in the CSL North Meet on Oct. 14 at Glenbrook North. “We were chasing Mundelein from the start.

“We were able to move up as the race went along,” the coach added. “But Mundelein had built too much of a gap.”

Rosenfeld continues to run the lead position for the Giants. After placing second at the league meet, the senior showed off his kick to take eighth place in 15:58.6. The winner was Libertyville’s Alex Tam (15:28.13).

“This team follows Jon’s lead,” said Buti. “He sets the tone.”

Reyes was the team’s No. 2 man (10th, 16:00.21). Amster was 11th overall in 16:01.83.

HP’s other scorers were Alec Glazier (15th, 16:13) and Matthew Casey (18th, 16:20).

Lake Forest’s Etienne Najman has his best outing of the season. The senior came on strong down the stretch to place 14th in 16:08.64, earning a berth to next weekend’s sectional at Waukegan.

Team-wise, the Scouts finished eighth with 212 points. Others in LF’s top five included Elijah Fietsam (41st, 16:59), Cameron Redding (46th, 17:11), Kyle Levin (51st, 17:40) and Ben Rosa (60th, 18:10).

Niles West Invite: Paolo Tiongson continues to come up with elite performances.

The Loyola senior raced to a first-place finish in the White Division of the Pat Savage Invitational at Niles West on Oct. 1. On a rainy day, Tiongson won the race by nearly six seconds in 18:18.55. Young’s Keduse Worku was the runner-up.

The Ramblers, who finished third (128 points) in the team standings behind Young (70) and St. Ignatius (84), also received solid work from junior Connor Hoag (7th, 15:41.44), Matthew Kadus (28th, 16:19), Jack Lynch (35th, 16:25) and Miles Purcell (55th, 16:45).

Peoria Invite: Glenbrook South finished 10th in the 37-team Peoria Invite at Detweiller Park on Oct. 1.

Senior Jack Whetstone wound up 32nd in 15:23.10, while fellow senior Alec Sanchez was right behind him (33rd, 15:23.20). The No. 3 runner for the Titans was junior Matt Jortberg (65th, 15:45).

Glenbrook North placed 23rd as a team.

St. Charles North Invite: Paced by junior Patrick Norrick (13th, 15:34.40) and senior Matthew Roge (22nd, 15:52.80), New Trier took sixth in the 22-team St. Charles North Invitational on Oct. 1 with 155 points.

Marmion Academy won the meet with 85 points.

NT’s other scorers were juniors Ryan Struckman (38th, 16:10), Owen Eskandari (51st, 16:24) and John Izzo (77th, 16:47).

Antioch Invite: Junior Cameron Redding was Lake Forest’s top runner at the Antioch Invite on Oct. 1. He finished 28th (17:52.63) in a field of 86 runners.

Teammate Blake Hinch was 43rd in 18:23.

The Scouts finished ninth in the team standings (251 points). Crystal Lake South won the meet with 45 points.

New Trier’s Warren Blood races to a 10th-place finish at the Palatine Invite. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

New Trier’s Warren Blood put it all on the line. And so did Loyola’s Paolo Tiongson.

The two standouts picked up medals at the prestigious 32-team Palatine Invite on Sept. 24 at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve. Blood helped his team to a ninth-place finish (329 points) by coming in 10th overall in 14:55.9. Tiongson finished 19th in 15:06.2.

York’s Charlie Kern won the three-mile race in 14:36.0, just nipping Lake Zurich’s Brian Griffith (14:36.2). Lake Zurich won the team title with 124 points.

New Trier’s second runner was senior Cooper Woolford (43rd, 15:36). The other scorers were Matt Burke (78th, 15:49), Patrick Norrick (87th, 15:57) and Matthew Roge (111th, 16:07).

The Ramblers finished 13th with 396 points. Andrew Niewiarowski (57th, 15:42), Connor Hoag (63rd, 15:44), Matthew Kadus (123rd, 16:15) and Jack Lynch (134th, 16:19) rounded out LA’s top five.

James Taylor Invite: Lake Forest senior Etienne Najman turned in a solid race at the James Taylor Invite, which was host by Grant High School on Sept. 24.

Najman placed 13th overall in 16:48.42.

The Scouts finished ninth on the leader board with 215 points. LF’s other scorers were Cameron Redding (30th, 17:58), Blake Hinch (43rd, 18:24), Kyle Levin (73rd, 19:21) and William Sanford (78th, 19:32.)

Zion-Benton took first with 60 points.

Libertyville Invite: Alec Glazier, Charlie Skurie and Nate Amster led the way as Highland Park claimed runner-up honors in the Libertyville Invite at Adler Park on Sept. 17.

The Giants tallied 68 points. Prospect took the team title with 31 points. New Trier ended up fifth (127 points), while Lake Forest finished 11th (312 points).

Glazier cruised the three-mile layout in 16:27.59 for seventh place. Skurie placed 10th overall (16:35.43), while Amster came in 12th in 16:39.68.

Fitz Laurie (17th, 16:48.68) and Matthew Casey (22nd, 16:56.23) also were instrumental for the Giants.

New Trier was paced by Matthew Roge (14th, 16:40.36), John Izzo (20th, 16:52.77), Ryan Struckman (26th, 17:05), Owen Eskandari (31st) and Ben Parkhill (36th, 17:21).

LF’s top runner, Etienne Najman, finished 23rd in 16:56.50.

Peoria Invite: Paolo Tiongson came up with a top-20 finish in the Peoria Notre Dame-hosted Richard Spring Invite on Sept. 17.

Running at Detweiller Park, the Loyola senior finished the three-mile layout in 15:14.60. Andrew Niewiarowski placed 56th (15:44.60), while Connor Hoag was 65th (15:51.40).

The Ramblers finished 13th in the team standings with 401 points.

First to Finish Invite: New Trier senior Warren Blood continues to be a runner to watch. He battled to a ninth-place finish (15:28.0) in the Class 3A race at the First to Finish Invite on the three-mile layout at Detweiler Park in Peoria on Sept. 10.

The Trevians just missed a top-top finish (11^th, 394 points), while Highland Park raced to a seventh-place finish in the 47-team meet.

The Giants received solid showings from Jonathan Rosenberg (44^th, 16:06.7), Jose Reyes (64^th, 16:15.7), Fitz Laurie (65^th, 16:16.2), Alec Glazier (68^th, 16:17.4), Charlie Skurie (124^th, 16:40), Nate Amser (135^th, 16:43) and Matthew Casey (142^nd, 16:45).

NT’s other scorers were Matt Burke (76^th, 16:21), Cooper Woolford (85^th, 16:24), Kiran Baakkonen (101^st, 16:33) and Ryan Struckman (149^th, 16:49).

DePaul Invite: Led by Connor Hoag, Loyola earned runner-up honors in the DePaul Invite on Sept. 10. The junior claimed runner-up honors (15:57.1) behind Francis Parker’s Jack McNabola (15:41.7).

The Ramblers scored 63 points to finish second in the team standings behind Prospect (22). Others in LA’s top five included Aidan Sullivan (9^th, 16:43), Owen Baker (16^th, 17:10), Marc Daly (19^th, 17:14) and Conner Mocny (22^nd, 17:19).

Wauconda Invite: Senior Alec Sanchez was the first Glenbrook South runner to cross the finish line at the Wauconda Invite on Sept. 10. He placed 28^th in 16:20.9. Teammate Matt Jortberg was 34^th in 16:33. Jack Whetstone was 44^th (16:44). And Jordan Theriault was 48^th (16:49).

GBS finished 11^th in the 24-team field with 230 points.

Lake Forest took 20^th in the meet with 518 points. Etienne Najman came in 42^nd (16:39.9).

Lake Park Invite: Mike Lee ran No. 1 for Glenbrook North in the Lake Park Invite on Sept. 10. He placed 30^th overall in 16:22.0.

Michael Ocasek came in 40^th (16:40) as the Spartans placed 11^th in the 14-team race with 254 points. St. Charles East won with 36 points.

Hinsdale Hornet Red Devil Invite: New Trier and Highland Park finished fourth and fifth respectively in the Hinsdale Hornet Red Devil Invite at Katherine Legge Park on Sept. 3.

New Trier (137 points) was led by Warren Blood (10^th, 15:27.2) and Patrick Norrick (18^th, 15:42.9). The other scorers were Matt Burke (25^th, 15:53), Cooper Woolford (38^th, 16:05) and Ryan Struckman (52^nd, 16:26).

HP (173 points) had six runners in the top 43: Fitz Laurie (29^th, 16:00.3), Alec Glazier (34^th, 16:04.2), Jonathan Rosenfeld (35^th, 16:04.6), Joe Reyes (40^th, 16:09.8), Charlie Skurie (41^st, 16:14.3) and Matt Casey (43^rd, 16:14.6).

Neuqua Valley took top honors in the team standings (36 points). Hinsdale Central’s Blake Evertsen was the top finisher (14:48.6).

Crystal Lake South Invite: Glenbrook South turned in a solid third-place performance at the Crystal Lake South Invite on Sept. 3. A win was within reach for the Titans, who finished with 74 points. Fremd edged Cary-Grove 63-66 to take the team title.

GBS had two entries finish in the top eight: Alec Sanchez (7^th, 17:20.5) and Matt Jortberg (8^th, 17:21.8). Two other runners placed in the top 17: Jordan Theriault (14^th, 17:36) and Jack Whetstone (17^th, 17:38). Matt Runtz came in 32^nd (18:26).

Lake County Invite: The trio of Jonathan Rosenfeld (14^th, 15:51.8), Charlie Skurie (17^th, 15:57.2) and Alec Glazier (18^th, 15:58.5) led Highland Park to a fourth-place finish (125 points) in the Lake County Invite on Aug. 31 at the Waukegan Sports Complex.

Mundelein took the team title with 65 points. The Mustangs were followed in by Grayslake Central (91) and Libertyville (107). Lake Forest wound up 12^th (339 points).

Senior Etienne Najman was the first LF runner to finish (23^rd, 16:13). He was followed in by Eli Fietsam (49^th, 16:58), Blake Hinch (78^th, 17:44), Cameron Redding (94^th, 18:29) and Will Sanford (95^th, 18:36).

Highland Park’s other scorers were Ben Bloom (32^nd, 16:35) and Juan Estela (44^th, 16:52).

Grayslake Central’s Jack Aho won the race in 14:35.6. Libertyville’s Alex Tam was second (15:13.2).

Girls Cross Country

Peoria Invite: Two Glenbrook South runners — sophomore Lauren Hayes and junior Kayleigh Pittermann — performed admirably at the Peoria Invite.

Hayes cruised the Detweiller Park course on Oct. 1 in 17:42.40 to place sixth overall in a field of 224 runners. Pittermann finished 12th in 17:53.0.

Freshman Kate Jortberg also helped the GBS cause, placing 32nd in 18:45. The Titans ended up eighth (255 points) in the 33-team invite.

GBN took 15th (472 points) in the team standings. Freshman Maya Epstein finished 42nd (18:55). Fellow freshman Cholie Macmilli came in 66th (19:17).

Palatine Invite: New Trier’s Caroline Fix earned a medal in the rugged Palatine Invite on Sept. 24. The senior came in 23rd with a three-mile clocking of 18:07.1 on the Deer Grove East Forest Preserve course.

Teammate Savannah Noethlich just missed claiming a medal (top 30) by taking 32nd in 18:26.8.

The Trevians finished 12th in the 28-team field with 299 points. The other scorers were Caroline Trukenbrod (46th, 18:45), Cara Keleher (102nd, 19:37) and Marguerite Solberg (108th, 19:41).

Loyola finished one spot behind New Trier with 336 points. Sophomore Raegan Robertson led the Ramblers, placing 59th in 18:57. She was followed in by Emily Plodzien (65th, 19:04), Payton Hoag (71st, 19:09), Margot Dooley (76th, 19:12) and Annie E. Foley (77th, 19:13).

James Taylor Invite: Emma Milburn paced Lake Forest in the Grant High School-hosted James Taylor Invite at Camp Henry Horner on Sept. 24. The junior completed the three-mile course in 19:23.53 to place fourth overall.

The Scouts took fourth place (104 points) in the team standings behind Grant (40), Woodstock (77) and Marian Central (103).

LF’s top seven also included Courtney Schmidt (13th, 20:14), Haley Click (21st, 20:44), Erika Marchant (36th, 21:35), Grace Duggan (53rd, 22:09), Sophia Noble (58th, 22:14) and Grace Scheidler (59th, 22:18).

Libertyville Invite: New Trier took fifth (152 points), while Highland Park placed 11th in the Libertyville Invite at Adler Park on Sept. 17.

NT was led by Meagan Rittmanic (18th, 20:12), Molly Gallagher (24th, 20:22), Marguerite Solberg (32nd, 20:41), Katelyn Cody (40th, 20:54), Eliza Tilson (41st, 20:56) and Natalie Marsh (42nd, 21:01).

HP’s top five were Morgan Nelis (52nd, 21:22), Amanda Hsu (63rd, 21:44), Allison Antman (87th, 23:38), Allison Pine (107th) and Sage Thomas (109th).

First to Finish Invite: She wasn’t the first to the finish line. But, she was right up there.

Lake Forest’s Brett Chody took fourth place in the Class 3A race at the super tough First to Finish Invite at Peoria’s Detweiler Park on Sept. 10. The junior cruised the three-mile course in 17:54.4.

The winner was Barrington’s Jocelyn Long. She ran the three miles in very impressive fashion: 17:19.3.

Team-wise, New Trier came up with a quality outing. Highlighted by Caroline Fix (14^th, 18:38.6) and Grace Fagan (16^th, 18:38.6), the Trevians placed fourth in the 38-team meet with 168 points.

NT also received solid work from Savannah Noethlich (34^th, 19:07.3), Caroline Trukenbrod (43^rd, 19:19), Rachel Weix (66^th, 19:44), Elizabeth Finnigan (67^th, 19:45) and Cara Keleher (81^st, 19:50).

LF ended up 17^th in the team standings with 498 points. Emma Milburn placed 38^th in 19:12.1

Highland Park finished 18^th (510 points) as a team. The Giants were led by Veronica Kriss (22^nd, 18:43.4). Teammate Kaitlyn Twadell was 79^th (19:49).

Naperville North was the champion (81 points).

DePaul Invite: Loyola totally dominated the DePaul Invite on Sept. 10. The Ramblers scored a perfect 15 to win the meet going away. Taft took second with 81 points.

The meet’s top six finishers were LA runners: Emily Plodzeen (1^st, 19:11), Payton Hoag (2^nd, 19:23), Raegan Robertson (3^rd, 19:25), Katie Carroll (4^th, 19:30), Annie Foley (5^th, 19:37) and Louisa Edwards (6^th, 19:38). Ellie Slattery was ninth (20:26).

Wauconda Invite: Paced by junior Kayleigh Pitterman’s sixth-place finish (18:57.2), Glenbrook South ran to a third-place finish (113 points) in the Wauconda Invite on Sept. 10.

Geneva outran Stevenson 36-77 to win the team championship.

Sophomore Lauren Hayes ran No. 2 for GBS, finishing in 19:32.0 for 14^th place. The other scorers for the Titans were freshman Kate Jortberg (27^th, 20:02), sophomore Claire Williams (37^th, 20:29) and senior Quincy Theriault (42^nd, 20:47).

Hinsdale Hornet Red Devil Invite: Senior Caroline Fix ran in the lead position as New Trier place fifth in the Hinsdale Hornet Red Devil Invite on Sept. 3 with 132 points. Glenbard West took first with 43 points.

New Trier received strong showings from Grace Fagan (25^th, 19:10.7), Cara Keleher (27^th, 19:13.1), Savannah Noethlich (30^th, 19:15.4) and Caroline Trukenbrod (36^th, 19:27.2).

Highland Park also competed in the 18-team meet and placed 10^th (292 points). Senior Veronica Kriss paced the Giants with a 15^th-place effort (18:42.3). Kaitlyn Twadell was 45^th (19:42).

Lake County Invite: And your 2016 Lake County Invite champ is … Brett Chody.

The Lake Forest junior cruised the three-mile layout at Waukegan Sports Complex in 17:44.8 on Aug. 31.

Teammate Emma Milburn also had a top-notch performance, finishing third in 17:57.3. Stevenson’s Isabelle Sparreo took second in 17:54.1.

That 1-2 punch placed Lake Forest sixth in the team standings with 169 points. Vernon Hills (72 points) edged Stevenson (74) for the team title. Grant (99), Grayslake Central (100) and Lakes (162) rounded out the top five, while Highland Park came in 10^th with 231 points.

Lake Forest, which placed eighth in the IHSA Class 3A state meet last fall, lost some key personnel from the 2015 squad. Sophomore Lauren Garriques didn’t come out for the team, while Katie Condon graduated.

LF’s other scorers were Courtney Schmidt (48^th, 20:47), Reilly Kenehan (58^th, 21:17) and Haley Click (59^th, 21:17).

Highland Park was led by junior Kaitlyn Twadell, who placed 10^th in 19:04.1. Others in the top five included Stephanie Kriss (49^th, 20:55), Jillian Butler (52^nd, 21:04), Morgan Nelis (56^th, 21:10) and Robin Israel (64^th, 21:29).