Knudsen joins father as state champion

PEORIA - Like father, like son.

On Saturday, history was made in the sport of boys cross country on the famed Detweiller Park course.

Minooka senior Soren Knudsen won the Class 3A individual title in a time of 14:02 over the three-mile loop on a picture-perfect day for running.

He not only becomes the Indians’ first individual champion, but he follows in the footsteps of his father, Jim, who captured the title for Lockport in 1981. It is the first father/son winning combination in the history of the sport in Illinois.

“I can’t put into words what this means right now,” Soren Knudsen said. “Illinois is one of the best cross country states in the country, we have incredible runners every year and to the champion in the big division is unbelievable.”

Knudsen did not take the lead until there was only about three-quarters of a mile to go. He defeated Lyons Township’s Danny Kilrea by six seconds (14:08).

“I had a few plans before the race, but I never used any of them,” Knudsen said. “The race went out moderately fast and I just stayed the the pack of about six or so and then the Lyons runner (Kilrea) made a move at just over 1400 meters left. I decided then, that if I want this I better go and go as hard as I could.

“This speaks volumes of our family and the passion my dad and I have for running. We are like magnets and butt heads from time to time, but this is unbelievable.”

The elder Knudsen was the proud dad on this day.

“Today, Soren ran as perfect of a race as you’ll ever see and I was just a fan and spectator like everyone else,” Jim Knudsen said. “We really haven’t talked about it much, runners tend to be superstitious. But today is all about him and I’m so proud. I’m in his shadow now, which is great.”

Minooka coach Kevin Gummerson was equally impressed by the performance.

“This has been Soren’s goal since he started running,” Gummerson said. “The road to get here has had its ups and downs. But he has worked as hard as anyone I have ever seen. The moment he and his dad celebrated was a special moment.”

Neuqua Valley won the team title with 86 points, with Downers Grove North (116) was second and Lake Zurich (186) captured the third-place trophy.

Lincoln-Way East was 20th with 437 points, as senior Noah Healy captured All-State accolades with his 24th-place finish (14:47). The top 25 in each race gain All-State honors.

Griffins freshman Brett Gardner placed 66th (15:11) and was the second-highest placing freshman in the race. Scott Platek (119th) and Mike Trost (144th) were next-best for East.

Minooka placed 22nd in the team race with 489 points. Following Knudsen were Mark Dames (120th), Matthew Mason (150th) and Jack Sullivan (156th).

Lincoln-Way West senior Evan Mitchell placed 16th (14:40) to earn his first 3A All-State honors, having placed 15th last year in Class 2A.

“Wow, what a race,” Mitchell said. “I’m so pleased with the day and how I raced. Knowing that it was my last cross country race, I wanted it to be a good one.”

Warrior teammates John Stiglic placed 87th and Ryan Taylor was 132nd.

Plainfield North was led by Ben Otstott (72nd), Omar Paramo (84th) and Ethan Prior (92nd) while Plainfield South Stephen Merriweather was 75th.

Seneca’s Christopher Collet placed 19th (15:28) in Class 1A to grab All-State honors.

“I didn’t want to go out too fast and get caught up in everything,” Collet said. “I kept hearing people yelling places during the race, so I knew where I was. This is a great feeling to be in the top 20.

Peotone placed 19th as a team with 471 points. The Blue Devils were led by senior Zach Crocker in 51st place (15:57) and Peyton Walker in 89th.