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Kotynski runs away with regionalBy Alan MaceyThornwood senior Cara Kotynski’s victory in Saturday’s Class AA Bremen Regional girls cross country finals at Midlothian Meadows had a special meaning.“This victory was for my grandfather, who died last Sunday,” said Kotynski, who lived in Connecticut last year. “I’ve already accomplished more than I expected. It’ll be an honor to run at the (Lincoln-Way) sectional next week.”Kotynski, who scored an 18-second victory (14:02 winning time) over Homewood-Flossmoor’s Rachel Saak (14:20) on the 2.25-mile layout, andher Thornwood teammates earned their sectional trip by finishing second to champion H-F (38 points). TF South (75), Thornton (101) andMarian Catholic (106) also advanced♦complete teams.On the boys’ side, H-F totaled 46 points to win the team crown, being joined by Thornwood (78), Thornton (81), Oak Forest (117) and TF South (132).Individually, H-F’s Chris Hudson finally got past rival Justin Smolinski, scoring a 16:20 to 16:40 victory on the three-mile course.H-F’s girls’ team earned high praisefrom Coach John Crissey.“The girls decided to run as a pack and our seniors gave us great leadership,” said Crissey, whose club was led by Saak, Julie Stiles (fourth, 14:34), Peace Iyamah (seventh, 14:47), Mary Hiebert (10th, 14:53) and Cheryl Kane (15th, 15:06).“We’ve had some ups and downs this season, but there have been more ups late in the season.“We’ve got to run even better next week at the sectional.” The last time H-F qualified for state as a team wasin 1991.TF* South settled for second place, but Coach Rich Dust wasn’t discouraged.“The girls are proud of themselves,” said Dust. “We knew we’d have a tough battle against H-F. They ran a great race.”Completing the top 10 were TF South’s Katie Bachman (third, 14:30, Marian’s Meaghan Hanifin (fifth, 14:38), Crete-Monee’s Kim Brown (sixth, 14:40), Marian’s Jori Jacobeit (eighth, 14:49) and Thornton’s Theresa Bosan (ninth, 14:52).Also moving to the sectional on nonqualifying teams are Crete-Monee’s Latricia Williams, TF North’s Lorena Martin, Oak Forest’s Marilyn Cesaroand Bremen’s Catherine Halpin.For H-F’s Hudson, it was a day to take charge.“It’s all about pride,” said Hudson, a state qualifier last year and the leader of a Viking regional five thatincluded Keith Durkin (third, 16:43), Mike Opalinski (10th, 17:07), Geoff Dauskas (14th, 17:22) and Ryan Poortinga (18th, 17:35).“I’ve been cutting down the time I’ve been behind Justin — from one minute to 40 seconds to 20 seconds.“Today, I had control and was in control. We’re good friends and we talk on the phone, but I had the glory this week. I pushed the pace and beat him for the first time this season.“But, most importantly, it was great to win the team title. Now we’ve got toget ready for the sectional.”Completing the top 10 were TF North’s Rafael Calzonzi (fourth, 16:46), Thornton’s Julian LaGunas (fifth, 16:47), Oak Forest’s Kevin Walker (sixth, 16:52), Thornridge’s Chris Ramirez (seventh, 16:54), Thornton’s Mario Burton (eighth, 17:01) and Bloom Township’s Cory Vallow (ninth, 17:03). TF North’s Derek Hopson and Bloom Township’s Phil Tomaszewski also move on to sectional action.
Newspaper Details
South Holland Star
South Holland, Illinois, US
Sun, Oct 26, 1997
Page 39
Full Page
Clipped by
Lake C.
IN, USA 26 Nov 2020
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