Cru's Hoffman breaks through, wins XC regional crown

RURAL MARSEILLES — The first two years of Lucas Hoffman's cross country career at Marquette Academy has been a successful learning experience one he crafted somewhat in the shadow of 2019 Seneca graduate and 2018 Class 1A state champion Christopher Collet.

But with Collet now running for Wartburg College in Iowa, it was Hoffman's chance to take the winning mantel and make it his own.

Hoffman did just that posting a time of 17 minutes, 10.72 seconds that easily outdistanced Brock Loftus of Amboy (17:24.88) to capture the Seneca Class 1A Regional title Saturday morning at the Seneca Agricultural Farm here in rural Marseilles.

The junior standout was a model of steady composure leading from start to finish posting his best regional time since his fourth-place finish behind Collet's third regional championship run last year.

Hoffman now advances individually to the Oregon sectional next Saturday at 11 a.m. where he'll hope to improve on last season's 12th place state qualifying finish on the same course.

Marquette had only two other runners compete but neither advanced to sectionals as Angelo Bayno-Weyer (19:51.50) placed 34th while Ben Weyer (27:49.03) finished 76th, but it was Hoffman's day to take the reigns from one of his biggest rivals of the past.

"I knew it was my chance to make my mark in regionals without Chris (Collet) around anymore and I really thought I did a great job today," Hoffman said. "I felt good and wanted to get a lead, keep it, and stay out in front. It feels amazing personally to win a regional championship. I can't wait until next week at Oregon. I want a top-three finish there and hope to make it to state again with a solid chance to medal."

The Seneca boys qualified for the Oregon sectional as a team placing third overall with 79 points behind eventual regional champion Aurora Central Catholic (30) and second place Amboy (77).

Junior Spencer DeGraaf earned a top-five medal for the Irish with a time of 18:01.04 finishing fifth just ahead of junior teammate Eli Eltrevoog (6th, 18:02.08). Junior Jon Wright (25th, 19:12.75), senior Trevor Till (27th, 19:32.34), and sophomore Brady Danek (36th, 19:59,15) rounded out the scoring for the Irish.

"We knew our course would be challenging today and they went out and did exactly what I wanted them to do," said SHS coach Kim Foster. "Third place is great and I believe we'll be even better next week. The Oregon sectional is one of the toughest in the state but I'm confident moving ahead."

Seneca girls also place third, advance to sectionals.

The Lady Irish harriers preceded their male counterparts with a third-place team finish moving them into Saturday's Oregon sectional as well.

Seneca tallied 87 points behind meet champion Aurora Rosary (22) and second place Aurora Central Catholic (56).

Sophomore Audrey Jenkins led the way with a 10th-place timing of 21:39.12 — well behind the amazing meet record setting mark of Rosary sophomore Lianna Surtz, who blistered the field with a remarkable time of 18:04.65 almost two minutes better than Indian Creek freshman Jolee Larson who placed second at 19:56.15.

"I know the Rosary runners are very good and I ran against Lianna in middle school so I've seen what great times she can produce," Jenkins said. "Going into the last mile I just wanted to pick up as many people as I could and get a top finish. I love the Oregon course and I can't wait to compete at sectionals next week."

Junior Amber Vroman was next in line for the Lady Irish placing 14th with a clocking of 21:56.17.

"Last week I had a very bad meet so I wanted to make up for it today," Vroman said. "I was much more focused running on our home course and I think that focus really paid off. My goal going into Oregon is for us to make state as a team and for me personally to run a state qualifying time."

Junior Marie Cheshareck (22nd, 22:27.95), freshman Ashley Alsvig (26th, 22:47.65), and senior Savanah Bland (37th, 24:32.97) also contributed to the team scoring mix.

The Marquette girls had only one entry as senior Kathryn Sienna placed 49th with a time of 26:31.10.