September 22, 2000
BY TINA AKOURIS STAFF REPORTER
The first time Glenbard South senior Bob Albertson flew a plane, he almost saw his life flash before his eyes.
"When we were coming in, I had to go right over some power lines and that part was scary for me," Albertson said. "I was afraid of coming down too low, so my instructor took over the controls."
That trip occurred two years ago at the DuPage Airport when Albertson was 16. The flying bug had bit him courtesy of his uncle, Ray MacGown, a captain for American Airlines.
Albertson, 18, is working toward a pilot's license. He has only about five air hours of the required 40 to 60.
"I was kind of nervous about flying the first time and not being sure of what controls to use," Albertson said. "I'm just working now on getting hours, but there's a lot of money that comes into play with that."
Going to college at Southern Illinois is in Albertson's future, and after college Albertson would like to be a commercial pilot.
"I'm not sure how hard it would be to get a job right out of college," Albertson said. "But I've been thinking of maybe going into the Air Force [after college] to get more experience."
Different outlook
Maine West's Braulio Benitez burst on the cross-country scene last year at the Lake Park Invitational, winning the boys title, but he faded down the stretch. This year, the senior has a better outlook and training regimen.
Benitez is adding more mileage to his workouts during the season, but only ran 400 miles over the summer. He is looking ahead to the last three meets of the year--regionals, sectionals and state--instead of taking it week-by-week.
"I [was winning last year] and I thought I'd be all right for the rest of the season, but all the guys I beat earlier beat me later," Benitez said. "But this year is going to be totally different."
Blue Dukes
York coach Joe Newton had his first test in the post-Donald Sage era--a one-point dual meet loss to Downers Grove North. And the meet gave the Dukes a wake-up call.
"[Downers Grove North] ran well and they deserved to win, because they were up and well-prepared," Newton said. "Hopefully that'll be a wake-up call for us, and they better change how they're running."