Boys cross country ready for historic state finals

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Senior Dan Schalk is one of seven Minooka boys to run at the IHSA state finals.

Tomorrow, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m., the boys cross country team is running in the IHSA state finals at Detweiller Park in Peoria. 

Recently the team ran at sectionals in Quincy. Sectionals was a tough day for the team, as the weather was not cooperative. The course was muddy  and overall was rough and uneven, said senior Daniel Schalk. 

Head coach Kevin Gummerson said the team’s third-place finish at sectionals was not for a lack of effort.

“The effort was there, the energy was there, the intensity was there, we just didn’t have the best day, and sometimes that happens,” Gummerson said. 

Gummerson said there is no defense in cross country, so you can’t really do anything about the other team, so the only team they’re focusing on at state is Minooka.  

“There’s a couple teams that we’ve beat in the past that beat us, so we’re looking for revenge this Saturday,” said senior Cole Kics.

Gummerson said although sectionals was not their best performance, it could benefit them for the state meet, because it could bring a desire upon them. It could bring a realization onto the boys, so they have the right mindset going into state. 

“Sometimes it’s good to go into the state meet a little mad,” said Gummerson, 

The boys and coach have team goals and personal goals, but the main goal seems to be trying to beat the best finish at state for Minooka in class 3A, which is 9th place. They believe it is possible with the right intentions and strategies.

“I’m 100 percent confident that these boys are going to go out there and they’re going to put together the best state meet performance that they can,” said Gummerson.

The bar is set very high for the boys cross country team this weekend, but the team seems more than ready to do whatever they can to achieve their goals. 

“We’re gonna run well,” said Gummerson.