PEORIA, Ill. • A change in race strategy proved to be the right move for O'Fallon cross country runner Alex Riba.
After listening to his coaches and alumni talk about different running styles Friday night, Riba decided to choose one, and it worked. He scored a school-best runner-up finish at the Class 3A state meet at Detweiler Park Leland Later of New Trier.
Later had a time of 14 minutes 17 seconds to Riba's 14:27. Malachy Schrobilgen of River Forest (14:28) finished third, and Garrett Sweatt of Edwardsville (14:29) was fourth.
It was the first time Riba had beaten Sweatt, who entered the race as one of the favorites.
Riba's finish also helped the Panthers earn the school's first cross country trophy. O'Fallon scored 120 points to finish a close second to Palatine (114), and Neuqua Valley was third (144).
"I just took one to heart and did it," Riba said of the strategy. "It's a mentality thing. I just took it and ran with it. I definitely thought I could do it. I was a little bit concerned. It's kind of surreal right now. It hasn't soaked in yet."
Later, Riba, Schrobilgen, Sweatt and Atchison were in the lead pack for most of the race. Later easily won, but Riba surprised the entire pack when he surged to second with the finish line in view.
"When I was hearing the guys cheering for (Riba) right behind me, I was like 'He doesn't usually hang on this long,'" Sweatt said. "Then when he passed me, I was like, 'Oh my God, he can get second place.' I'm really happy for him. He puts in a lot of hard work. It showed and it paid off for him today."
Sweatt, whose team ended 24th (604) was expected to compete for the top spot, and he did. He just didn't have the kick at the end.
"There's only so much you can do," he said. "Today wasn't my day. I'm just happy I went out there and gave it my all and went for it. I fell short. I gave my best effort. I can't give myself up for running as hard as I can."
As a team, O'Fallon runners were tickled to finish second.
"That was our goal this season," said senior Nicholai Sarpy, who finished 37th overall. "We're happy with that. We believed in our team the whole year. It's not something that just popped in our head today. It's been something we've been thinking about the whole season since last year when we got fifth."
O'Fallon's trophy was the only team hardware earned by a local team at the state meet that saw six races (boys and girls) run in Classes 1A, 2A and 3A.
In girls Class 1A, Freeburg senior Kristen Busch was unable to defend her 2010 championship, finishing fourth in 17:41. Her twin sister Caitlin ended 12th (18:09). Chelsea Blaase of St. Joseph-Ogden won the race (17:12) followed by Alex Van Hoof of Bloomington Central (17:18), McKayla Harder of Mount Zion (17:29), Busch and Ellen Deveraux of Decatur St. Teresa (17:46).
St. Teresa won the state championship (46), Westmont was second (174) and Monticello third (190). Freeburg was fifth (239) for the third straight year.
"I just didn't have my day," Kristen Busch said. "We ran into some really good runners. I guess we all didn't have our day today. It is frustrating, but I still feel like I ran a good race. I just wanted to finish strong and keep my spot."
Said Caitlin Busch: "I don't know what happened. It was just a bad race. Everyone has one. I ran my hardest. I just ... I don't know ... I just felt different this year. I don't know. ... I just didn't feel the best. Oh well, I'll just get past it."
In girls Class 2A, Mater Dei was sixth with 210 points. Yorkville won with 74 points, Crystal Lake Central (106) was second, and Montini (165) third.
Mater Dei sophomore Madeline Lager was the Knights' top finisher in 14th (17:45). Sami Staples of Crystal Lake Central (17:07) was the winner.
"I really wanted to get all-state, and I'm glad I did," Lager said. "I wasn't expecting top 20, but I'm glad I did it. I just took off and tried to stay with my pack."
In boys Class 2A, Mascoutah sophomore Murphy Affolder was an all-state finisher in 10th place (14:57). Michael Clevenger of Decatur MacArthur (14:26) won the event.
"I was pretty sound the whole race," Affolder said. "Mentally, I was in it. But my body just couldn't go. I got a good place, and I'm happy about that. That was always my major goal."
In boys Class 1A, Columbia senior Drew Spargo (15:25) made all-state with his finish. Steve Schroeder of Monticello (14:28) was the overall winner.
In girls 3A, the O'Fallon team was 15th with 387 points. New Trier won the event (82), Warrenville South was second (144) and Naperville North wound up third (183).
Sydney Neal (49th-17:56) was the best finisher for O'Fallon and the top finisher in the area.
