Deerfield Boys Quad
DEERFIELD BEATS HIGHLAND PARK AND MUNDELEIN, FALLS TO BARRINGTON IN SUPER COMPETITIVE HOME QUAD MEET
During this Covid cross country season where travel is restricted, it is challenging to find top-notch competition. But Deerfield welcomed one of the best teams in the state to their course in Barrington on Saturday. Also lining up with Deerfield and Barrington were Highland Park and Mundelein. This was a highly anticipated meet with media members on site.
As soon as the race began, senior Josh Puyear jumped to the front running with 2019 All-State runner Jason Polydoris from Highland Park. Trailing those two was a pack containing junior Cole Bernstein and four Barrington runners. By the second mile, junior Ryan Bernstein had joined the pack too. As the race went on, Polydoris took the lead as expected, but Puyear held on tight, and kept Polydoris much closer than anyone thought. Puyear crossed the line in a new PR of 15:06, just five seconds behind Polydoris. Cole Bernstein finished in the thick of the Barrington pack narrowly losing to their first three runners while narrowly beating their fourth. He ran a new PR of 15:23. Ryan Bernstein fell off the pack, but was the next finisher in a new PR of 15:39. This was the second time this season that Deerfield had three runners under 15:40 in a single race, a feat that hadn’t happened since 2012 prior to this year.
Despite the great race by Deerfield, Barrington proved too much. But the margin between Deerfield and Barrington was smaller than the margin to third place Highland Park. And Mundelein finished fourth.
The frosh/soph race was the closest race of the day coming down to just three points. Sophomore Lucas Goldenberg cruised to the win in a stellar time of 16:41, and Jon Wool broke the 17-minute barrier for the first time coming in third in 16:54. And while Deerfield won the race up front, Barrington had the depth to take the team win with five of the top ten finishers.
The Junior Varsity and Open races were dominated by Barrington making a strong statement about the quality of their entire program. In the JV race, senior Zack Greco had a strong showing reeling in several Barrington runners in the third mile to finish 8th in a season best 17:11
Despite being somewhat overshadowed by Barrington’s dominance, Deerfield had a fantastic day. 38 different Deerfield runners set new personal bests. It seems that great competition fuels great competition. And running against such a powerhouse program is humbling and motivating. Additionally, Deerfield beat Highland Park and Mundelein on every level.
Up next is a CSL North battle against Vernon Hills as Deerfield continues its quest for a second consecutive CSL North title.
