After earning a fifth-place Class 2A state finish in 2015, the Fenwick High School boys cross country team has to work even harder this season.
The Friars are now in 3A and will have to overcome six state-ranked teams for starters to get a top-five state-qualifying finish at the Niles West Sectional Oct. 29.
Fenwick competes at the Chicago Catholic League Championships Saturday, Oct. 15 at Lewis University.
Five underclassmen competed at 2015 state for the Friars — seniors Jack Darrow (37th) and Alex Marks (38th) and junior Emmett McEnery (57th) – their top three finishers — senior Patrick Barnett (136th) and sophomore Joe Wermes (144th).
In their return to Peoria’s Detweiller Park for the Peoria High School Invite Oct. 1, Marks was 30th (15 minutes, 21.9 seconds) – seconds faster than his 2015 state time – and Wermes 40th (15:27.0). Fenwick finished 16th.
Marks was third at the Fenton Invite Sept. 3 (15:42.6), 5.5 seconds from first. Marks and Joe Wermes finished 2-3 at the Riverside-Brookfield Invite Sept. 17 and Marks was 24th at the Palatine Invite Sept. 24 (15:12.0).
Other contributors have included sophomores Jared Wermes and Owen Filbin, seniors Brendan Copp, Jack Gihl, Sean McGee and James Brosnan and junior Thomas McHugh.
On Oct. 8, Marks (15:43.6 for 3.0 miles) and Darrow (16:04.0) were 10th and 17th at the Sterling Invitational. Joe Wermes won the frosh-soph race in 15:54.9.
The Niles West Sectional field includes ranked Whitney Young, York, Maine South, Wheaton Warrenville South, New Trier and Jones. The top seven individuals not among the five advancing teams also qualify.
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