EHS Cross Country Dominates Peoria

Nara Markowitz, Staff Writer
September 15, 2016

This past Saturday EHS tigers faced the annual First to the Finish meet located in Peoria, Ill. As the first large-scale meet of the season, Peoria tends to be the race when things start getting serious for EHS runners.

The girls’ team had a successful turnout, placing 10th out of a competitive 38 teams. Varsity senior Julianna Determan was extremely happy with how the girls performed.

“Although our times weren’t as fast as I know we could be, we definitely had PR (personal record) effort,” Determan said, “I truly believe we can be the best girls team to come through Edwardsville.”

Freshman Abby Korak led the girls to victory with a time of 18:42.7, placing her 21^st out of 300 runners. Not only that, Korak was the second freshman to cross the finish line.

“It was a good day to race,” Korak said, “Although it was more challenging to run in the mud, that just made it more fun.”

Junior Melissa Spencer (19:22.9, 45^th), sophomore Abby Schrobilgen (19:44.8, 64^th), senior Julianna Determan (19:49.4, 78^th) and sophomore Jaycie Hudson (19:49.7, 80^th) rounded out the Tiger’s score of 279 points.

The boys’ team managed to place 24^th out of 48 teams with junior Franky Romano paving the way with a time of 16:17.2 and earning 67^th place.

Other Tiger scorers include sophomore Roland Prenzler (16:26.6, 89^th), sophomore Dan Powell (16:51.6, 154^th), freshman Jack Pifer (17:07.9, 195^th) and sophomore Max Hartmann (17:10.3, 204^th).

The team earned 649 points overall.

Varsity Senior Jacob Schoenthal views the Peoria meet as a learning experience for the boys.

“We all didn’t have the races we had hoped to have,” Schoenthal said, “But hopefully we can carry the lessons we’ve learned into the next race.”

Schoenthal finished 231^st overall with a time of 17:24.3. Although not his ideal time, Schoenthal is excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for him and the rest of the team.

This Saturday, the Tigers are pumped to go back to their home turf where they will compete in the 2016 Edwardsville Invitational.