When senior Liam O’Connor was an alternate for the Oak Park and River Forest High School 2022 boys cross country state-qualifying team, he had potential. After then-senior Liam Newhart finished second in the Class 3A race, O’Connor envisioned unlimited possibilities.
“I think that kind of flipped a switch in my head that here’s a kid I see in school every day in the hallways and he’s running super-fast,” he said. “To see that a guy from my school could go really fast helped me realize that I could do it, too.”
On Saturday, O’Connor became just the fourth OPRF multiple top-25, all-stater as he finished ninth at Peoria’s Detweiller Park.
Besides achieving his goal of a top-10 finish, he covered the 3.0 miles in a personal-best 14:25.2 after taking 17th last year in 14:39.92.
“It’s really gratifying to know that I deserve to be up with those guys and that all of the hard work paid off,” O’Connor said.
The Huskies finished 18th (402 points), a first for the program, reaching state three consecutive seasons.
Seniors Andrew Harmon (116th, 15:18.6) and Finn Kelly (122nd, 15:20.4), juniors Yonny Rafter (127th, 15:22.9), David Schiff (174th, 15:42.3), and Julian St. Pierre (186th, 15:47.9), and sophomore Connor Harmon (193rd, 15:51.5) also competed.
Despite steady rain, basically everyone ran personal-best times.
“We beat teams who had beaten us all season. An awesome run, especially under these conditions. We put it together at the right time,” OPRF coach Chris Baldwin said.
“[O’Connor] beat some guys who beat him in the season. He does a really good job of putting it together at the right time.”
The Huskies graduated a strong senior class that helped them finish sixth (258) at state last year, including O’Connor’s brother, Lewis, and several close friends.
There were injuries to Andrew Harmon and Kelly and Harmon, also returnees from 2023 state. Baldwin said the junior trio logged more than 500 miles this summer to “catapult” them and the team to success.
“And it was not just our top seven, but our top 14, top 20. All really helped push the team,” Baldwin said.
O’Connor also praised them and teammates who withstood Saturday’s weather to support the Huskies, some with painted chests and carrying giant headshot cutouts.
“That was probably the highlight of the race, seeing them cheering us on,” O’Connor said.
Fenwick/Trinity
Trinity junior Molly McGreal and Fenwick sophomore Juliana Gamboa achieved Class 2A top-25, all-state honors again Saturday with some help from each other.
McGreal finished 18th (17:35.69) and Gamboa 21st (17:41.23) after working side-by-side through the middle portion of the 3.0 miles.
“My best running friend. I love her. She’s the best to run with,” McGreal said. “I look forward to it every year.”
Their special bond began during last year’s state meet, when McGreal was eighth (17:40.96) to become the Blazers’ first all-stater and Gamboa was 14th (17:47.33).
“She’s my running buddy. We kind of have a special connection,” Gamboa said. “We’re always able to find each other during the race. It’s always so nice to race with her.”
Both also were excited that they improved upon their previous-best times from 2023 state.
“I wasn’t improving as much [this season] so I was hoping I’d pull something out and I did,” McGreal said. “I feel like this race I really pushed through it and I was able to bring my second-mile time down.”
Fenwick’s third multiple all-stater, Gamboa also enjoyed seeing the Friars improve to 17th as a team (448 points) from 25th (591) in 2023.
Freshman Bridget Brunick was (30th, 18:03.34), followed by sophomores Lily Kotynek (119th, 19:20.81) and Allison Austin (193rd, 20:12.94), junior Romy Bergetz (205th, 20:35.49), freshman Victoria Alegra (213th, 20:43.19) and sophomore Isabelle Lefko (217th, 20:47.62).
“There’s a lot of really good girls this year. My goal was just to place and get all-state,” Gamboa said.
“This year, we weren’t the newbies. We have the talent and skills and determination to get there. Everyone was just really excited to show how hard we worked.”
Also back from 2023 state, Kotynek (202nd), Austin (206th) and Bergetz (217th) made significant gains. This time, the Friars began offseason training three weeks earlier.
“We have a young, hard-working team. Almost all of them [had personal records] today. What more can you ask for as a coach?” Fenwick’s Latoya Hill said. “We’re constantly moving in the right direction.”
The last individual qualifier at sectionals, Trinity senior Jade Morelli (159th, 19:51.22) bested her 2023 state race (165th, 20:10.19). This was the state debut of Erin Nelson as head coach after being assistant to Johann Gonzalez.
“To inherit such a team is awesome. [Gonzalez] built it up and just excited to see where we go from here,” Nelson said.