DGN at West Aurora's Blackhawk Stampede roundup

The Downers Grove North boys cross country team’s frosh-soph lineup united for the last time this season for complete domination at West Aurora’s Blackhawk Stampede Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Stewart Sports Complex.

And their off!  Drew Pyburn (so) leading the pack!

The Trojans put three runners in the top five, six in the top 10 and eight in the top 20 to win the team title with 23 points, 22 ahead of second-place Wheaton Warrenville South.

Freshman Jacob Ridderhoff (16:09.5 for 3.0 miles) and sophomore Tristan Jahn (16:11.2) finished second and third in personal-record times to St. Charles North freshman Bo Ruttens (16:06.5), who passed them down the final straightaway.

Jacob Ridderhoff (fr), Tristan Jahn (so), and Drew Pyburn (so) coming around the corner shortly after the mile leading the way!

Nick Chudzik (fr) and Donny Knapp (so) were not far behind.

Freshman Nick Chudzik was fourth (16:21.5), and sophomore Drew Pyburn (16:31.6), freshman Zach Goliszewski (16:40.4) and sophomore Don Knapp (16:42.6) were sixth, eighth and 10th. Freshman Ryan Birkmeier (16:59.3) and Reilly Britt (17:09.0) were 16th and 19th, freshman Ryan McCool (17:13.2) was 23rd and freshman Brendan Lockerby (17:31.6) was 35th.

All 10 Trojans received individual medals for finishing among the top 50. Sophomore Devin Johnson was 53rd (17:58.7), 2.3 seconds from 50th.

In the varsity race, senior Bruce Tam Lin was 18th in 15:51.7 and the Trojans’ lone medalwinners in the race.

The Trojans were 10th (265 points) as their varsity regulars did not compete. Junior Bradley Wilcoxen was 55th (16:46.9), 10.3 seconds from 50th place. Seniors Dillon Murphy (71st, 17:20.2) and Jack McGinnis (73rd, 17:23.8) and junior Ryan Cantlin (75th, 17:25.2) finished within five seconds of each other, followed by junior Rocco Manzo (82nd, 17:49.0), and seniors Pat Drabik (101st, 18:41.2) and Darius Daugvila (104th, 19:45.7).

Downers North did not compete in the open boys race, the first of the three boys races.

-- by Bill Stone

Its always great to see alumni at meets!  Jeremy Craven, Brad Ketchmark, Me, David Lyda, Jack Ronan, and Jared Spilky

Coach Blondell cheering on Collin Leger (so).

Brad Wilcoxen (jr) cruising in for the finish.

Jack McGinnis (sr) and Ryan Cantlin (jr) working hard at the end of the varsity race.

Zach Goliszewski (so) finishing strong in the F/S race.

Devin Johnson (so) about to pass three guys on his run into the finish!