LA’s Paolo Tiongson, seen here at the Palatine Invite earlier this fall, took third in the Class 3A Loyola Regional. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER
When it comes to distance running, Loyola Academy senior Paolo Tiongson has a lot of things going his way.
Including The Look.
“He’s a runner with beautiful form,” said LA boys cross country coach Dan Seeberg. “That’s the first thing you notice about him.
“He looks the way a distance runner should look,” the Ramblers coach added. “He’s very graceful. Very rhythmic.”
And he’s got this, too.
“The kid’s tough,” said Seeberg. “He doesn’t like to lose. And when he wins, he likes to win convincingly.”
Tiongson has put together a stellar senior season so far. A week after taking first in the Chicago Catholic Championships, Tiongson raced to a third-place finish in the Class 3A Loyola Regional on Oct. 22.
His three-mile time of 15:25.8 was good enough to beat everyone in the field except for Maine South’s Reese Jordan (15:14.3) and New Trier’s Warren Blood (15:16.2).
“My goal was to stick with them, and I was able to do that until they put on the burners in the last half mile,” said Tiongson.
In the meantime, Tiongson is excited about Saturday’s Niles West Sectional.
A Skokie resident, who lives only a few minutes from the school, Tiongson is extremely familiar with the Niles West course. Earlier this fall, he took first place in the tough Pat Savage Invite in 15:18.55.
“I’ve been running races there since grade school,” Tiongson said. “I love that course.”
Through the years, Tiongson has put together a sparkling resume.
He’s been one of the top cross country runners in the Chicago Catholic League for past three years, taking runner-up honors at the conference race in 2015 (14:54.30) and sixth place in 2014 (15:38.80). He also placed 11th in the prestigious Palatine Invite last fall (15:07.40).
In track, Tiongson is the reigning champ in the CCL in the 3200 meters (9:35.89), while he placed third in the 1600 (4:31.57). As a sophomore, he was the league’s runner-up in the 3200 meters (9:39.94) and 1600 meters. (4:41.70).
“Speed is one of his crucial weapons. It’s really improved over the past four years,” said Seeberg. “And he knows how to put it to good use.”
Having a personal trainer for a dad (Ron) also has been a huge benefit.
“My dad has helped me a ton,” Tiongson said. “He’s kept me in shape. He’s kept me healthy and fit.”
“I love how hard he trains,” said Seeberg. “He’s had some incredible workouts in the last three or four weeks. He’s going to have some really good times. I’m looking forward to it.”
His upside is pretty high. Thus, running in college is almost a given for Tiongson. He has narrowed his college list down to four schools: Marquette, Bradley, Butler and DePaul.
“Whomever gets him is going to be really pleased,” Seeberg said.
With Tiongson leading the way, the Ramblers placed third in the LA Regional with 89 points behind New Trier (38) and Glenbrook South (77).
Connor Hoag finished 10th(15:56.8) for the Ramblers.
The other scorers were Jack Lynch (20th, 16:20.1), Matthew Kadus (21st, 16:26.9) and Case Brennan (35th, 16:52.8).
Loyola Girls
Paced by sophomore Raegan Robertson, the Ramblers finished fifth in the team standings with 111 points behind Maine South (38), New Trier (82), Evanston (82) and Glenbrook South (89).
Robertson came in 15th in 19:23.0.
LA’s other scorers were Jenna Rekoske (19th, 19:28.6), Allie Zahn (24th, 19:40.6), Payton Hoag (26th, 20:04.1) and Margot Dooley (27th, 20:07.2).