For the second consecutive year, the Fenwick High School girls cross country team is heading to the IHSA state meet. At the Class 2A Hinsdale South Sectional, Nov. 2, the Friars grabbed the final team qualifying spot with a seventh-place finish, totaling 176 points. The top seven schools along with the top 10 individuals from non-advancing schools qualified for the state final, which takes place Nov. 9 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
Fenwick has advanced downstate in each of head coach Latoya Zubowicz-Hill’s first two seasons, and she was quick to credit her student-athletes.
“It’s the result of so many girls buying into the culture that we set last year,” Zubowicz-Hill said. “When it was time to do work during the summer, everybody was there. The kids who are going to state are the ones who were there over the summer working hard.”
Fenwick’s top-three finishers at Hinsdale South all established new personal-best times. Sophomore Juliana Gamboa, who finished 14th at last year’s final and became the program’s fifth runner to merit All-State status, took seventh in a time of 17:33.18. Freshman Bridget Brunick also finished inside the top 20, coming in 19th at 18:25.12. And freshman Victoria Alegre took 40th in 19:33.68.
“It was a long time coming for Victoria and Bridget,” Zubowicz-Hill said. “Bridget is an Oak Park girl and she’s just been amazing. She’s a fighter, and so is Victoria. Victoria’s new to running altogether and the second half of the season, I’ve seen a shift in her; she’s been laser-focused.”
Sophomores Lily Kotynek (56th, 20:08.05), Isabelle Lefko (64th, 20:22.09), and Allison Austin (66th, 20:27.82), along with junior Romy Bergetz (69th, 20:34.18), completed the Friars’ lineup.
Another sophomore, Teresa Urso, will be Fenwick’s first alternate at the state meet. Although Urso has been hampered by injuries her first two seasons, Zubowicz-Hill says she has been a positive influence for her teammates.
“She’s shown that you don’t need to run to be a good leader,” she said. “She’s feisty and tenacious.
“Out of our top 14 runners, 10 are sophomores, and three are freshmen,” Zubowicz-Hill added. “And Romy has been a natural leader; she sets the tone and helps the girls put in the work.”
Zubowicz-Hill believes that Gamboa has been a model of consistency all year and is looking forward to seeing her challenge for All-State status again. She would also like for the Friars to enjoy the culmination of their strong season.
“I feel very lucky with this team,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Trinity sends 2 downstate
Also participating at Hinsdale South was Trinity High School. The Blazers placed 11th in the team standings with 296 points and did not advance to the state final. However, two runners will represent the program in Peoria. Junior Molly McGreal qualified for the third consecutive year, finishing eighth in a personal-best time of 17:34.06. Last fall, she finished eighth to become Trinity’s first All-Stater in the sport.
McGreal will be joined by senior Jade Morelli, who repeated her downstate advancement from last year. Morelli grabbed the last qualifying spot for runners from non-advancing schools, finishing 42nd in a personal-best 19:40.59.
“It’s really exciting for Jade to get that opportunity,” said Trinity coach Erin Nelson. “I know she’s excited to join Molly at state again. Her time from the regional was really quick, her best of the season, and the fact she was able to get out of the sectional is really exciting.”
The Blazers’ other sectional runners were juniors Alessandra Pineda (70th, 20:34.39) and Gabby Alongi (96th, 22:06.24); senior Vanessa Arreguin (99th, 22:36.91); and sophomore Mary Margaret Wynne (102nd, 23:12.91).
“It’s been a learning process,” said Nelson, who replaced Johann Gonzalez this season after serving as one of his assistants. “I’ve been able to use Johann as an excellent resource. He’s been at the meets cheering the girls on and I love having him as a mentor. I can’t wait to see how we continue to grow.”
Nelson says McGreal’s goal is to make the All-State team again.
“We talked about it at the beginning of the season,” she said. “This weekend was good against some of the girls she’ll see again. We’re going to see if she could move up a little more.”
Fenwick boys
Fenwick senior Benicio Carideo competed in the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, Nov. 2. He finished 135th with a time of 17:24.03.