From the Glen-Ellyn Sun

From start to finish

Micah VanDenend ended his final season where he started it — in first place

STAFF WRITER

Micah VanDenend's senior cross country season wasn't about quantity. Not when a nagging stress fracture in his right fibula kept him out of most races this fall. But when VanDenend looks back on his final cross country season he will likely remember it as one of quality, record-setting quality to be precise.

VanDenend only ran five races all season for Glenbard South, but each one ended with him crossing the finish line before anyone else. No race was sweeter than the fifth and final one on Saturday in Peoria when VanDenend won the Class AA state title by completing the 3-mile course in 14 minutes, 19 seconds. VanDenend's finish propelled South to the team title, the first state championship in any sport for the school.

Running third at the 2-mile mark, VanDenend broke free from Lake Zurich's Sam Romanoski and Edwardsville's Stephen Pifer with 200 yards to go to claim the title by four seconds.

"Last year, my goal was to run in the end of the season," VanDenend said. "It didn't happen for me. My doctor was real supportive. My family, my coach and my teammates believed I could come back and achieve this today. They had a lot of faith, so I worked a lot harder to try to achieve it for myself."

South coach Andy Preuss missed VanDenend's surge, hanging back to monitor the Raiders' No. 2 through 5 runners. When he got the news that VanDenend had finally broken free from the pack to claim the title, Preuss couldn't contain his emotions.

"I know I let out a big yell because he's been through an awful lot missing last year except for the state track meet with that injury," Preuss said. "He never wavered. He never flinched. He never second-guessed. He focused on that goal. For him, I was extremely happy. He deserves it. He's been through a lot."

After winning the (Peoria) Notre Dame Invitational in September on the same course as the state meet, VanDenend delayed his return until the postseason when he swept the Suburban Prairie Red Conference, regional and sectional meets.

"I sat out a lot during the beginning of the year just waiting to get in shape," VanDenend said. "I knew I wouldn't run a race until I was ready to run hard. I knew once I came back for that Peoria race and for conference, I knew I would be in pretty good shape."

Now a state champion, the wait was worth it for VanDenend, who bested his previous top time, set in September, of 14:29 at Detweiller Park by 10 seconds. The previous mark of 14:29 was believed to be the top 3-mile time in the nation, according to a national high school running Web site.

Along with VanDenend, senior Kevin Kuhlman (23rd, 15:10) and sophomores Eric MacTaggart (24th, 15:12), John Mulrow (31st, 15:20) and Kyle Nugent (97th, 15:50) helped South to the state team title, topping runner-up Geneva by 80 points.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," Preuss said. "I think it's good for Glenbard South. I think it's good for anybody who has high aspirations and wants to work through adversity. Micah is a good example of that. I'm sure thoughts will filter into my head as I drive home today, when I have time to sit back and think. I know it's exciting. I know that. These guys are tremendous."

Contact John Roberts at (630) 416-5197 or jroberts@scn1.com.