Illinois Prep Harrier Cross Country Awards – Boys Runner of the Year
At the Palatine Invitational at the end of September, Jack Keelan leads Grant Nykaza by 10 meters with less than a half to go. The finish was much closer. (Photo by Steve Bugarin).
You’ve read the 3 articles honoring the 3 runners of the year in each class: Grant Nykaza of Beecher, John Wold of Glenbard South, and Jack Keelan of St. Ignatius. The two other runner that I considered as finalists was Alex Riba of O’Fallon and Quentin Shaffer of Prospect.
When I announced the finalists, I stated that the entire season including the post season would be considered, but the emphasis would be on races within the regular season.
Riba and Shaffer both had great post seasons. Riba ended up winning the Nike Midwest Regional with Shaffer finishing 4th. Shaffer had an excellent race at Nike Nationals finishing 12th. But it came down to the state meet and Keelan and the final word in that race.
John Wold had an abbreviated season due to an injury. Though he was undefeated in the 5 races that he ran, it was not enough to push him over the top.
So it came down to two runners that I considered: Nykaza and Keelan. They did race in the post season at the Midwest Footlocker Regional with Nykaza in fifth and Keelan back in the pack. I did not consider that race in my final consideration.
The race that made the difference was the Palatine Invitational. In my mind, it was one of the most amazing tactical races that I’ve had the pleasure to watch this season. On the curvy Deer Grove East course, every turn that the two made, one would surge only to have the other counter it. In the final 800 meters, Keelan made one final move that would break Nykaza…or so he thought. With 300 meters to go, Keelan had a ten meter lead. Nykaza unleashed a torrid kick that would catch the St. Ignatius senior about 10 meters before the line.
The margin of victory in this race was only six tenths of a second between the two with Nykaza getting the narrow win.
I cannot punish Nykaza for being in Class 1A. He did go out to run against top flight competition in Indiana and the following week after Palatine in Chicago where he dominated a not so tough field at Loyola. He ran 14:21 at state, but I am certain if he was in a fast race he would have been in the lead pack.
My determinant for Runner of the Year was not going to be who had the fastest time. We will save that for track. It came down to head to head competition and racing on the course. We will never know who would have won at the state meet since they were in different classes. But on the one day, a winner was determined.
With that…
I congratulate Jack Keelan on a great season. He set his goals and achieved them. Who could ask for anything else?
For the Illinois Prep Harrier Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, it will go to Grant Nykaza of Beecher. Congratulations on a great season.
Posted on December 11, 2012, in Seasonal Awards, Uncategorized and tagged Grant Nykaza, IHSA, Illinois, Illinois Prep Harrier, Jack Keelan, Runner of the year. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
Illinois Prep Harrier 
Mike…excellent job on your choices…I followed Illinois cross country closely this year (thanks in large part to your stories) and I really can’t find fault with any of your selections. It was obvious you put a lot of hard work and research into not only these season awards, but the entire fall campaign. I was disappointed in the post season coverage of NXN and foot locker by the Tribune and Sun Times. It’s funny we can get a day by day coverage of Simeon basketball, including the fact that Parker left practice early Sunday to attend church, but nary a mention of our teams and individuals competing in the only true prep National championship (the Sun times did have a small NXN mention several days after the meet). Such is the nature of our sport. You may want to submit some of your awards to those papers for their consideration. It also might be fun to add a most improved team to your list of awards next year…that would be a very subjective award, but no more so than most improved runner, which makes for fun reading and discussion. I also like your 5th runner award. Prep cross country is a team sport and that award reinforces that. Thanks again Mike for a solid season and for bringing some recognition to these fine student athletes….I look forward to an even better 2013…Jim Driscoll
Mike–
I was thinking through the team issue, too–as in what you could do. The individual awards have the problem of sort of following the results, and a team award might even be more of a problem that way. Most improved team seems like a good idea, because there is some room for analysis and wiggle room? Jones an obvious choice for a finalist this year? Also, Maine South, Lyons? And the 1A has several candidates? Improving enough to win would be a significant factor.
Best,
Ed
It would be a tough call between Jones and LT on the boys side…even though I’m a WSC guy, I think I would have to go with Jones…what they did this year nearly beating York at Palatine during the teachers strike and averaging under 15:00 for their state championship was extraordinary.
LT- Matusiak 15:18(2011)14:38(2012), Speir 26:40(2009)18:30(2010)15:46(2011)14:43(2012), Lupano 15:35(2011)14:58(2012), Accetura 17:19(2011)15:07(2012), Ryan 15:47(2011)15:10(2012), Hostettler played soccer(2011)15:14(2012), Riesterer 16:30(2011)15:24(2012), Delaney 16:45(2011)15:28(2012), McCarter 15:19(2011),injured 15:30(2012)
No question LT had a super year improving from a 15th place state finish in 2011 to 3rd in 2012 and cutting their average team time from 15:34 to 14:54. They also finished ranked 45th in the country (NHSCA XCNATION Top 50). Jones improved from 7th to state champion and cut their team time from 15:42 to 14:57. Also, kudos to state champion St Thomas More who improved from 4th in 2011, cut their team time from 16:03 to 15:30, and ranked 13th nationally in the XCNATION final poll for Division II schools. There may be other schools that improved even more, but I agree with Ed that improving to state champion should get extra credit, but by no means should that be the sole criteria, though qualifying for the state meet probably should be a prerequisite for most improved team.
Certainly Maine South, a non qualifier in 2011 to 5th in 2012, would also draw some consideration for most improved team on the boys side.