IHSA Sectionals 2023
THE STREAK IS OVER! DEERFIELD QUALIFIES FOR 3A STATE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1982!
In November 2022, after a young Deerfield team placed 11th in 2A at the State Finals, they were excited to contend for a spot on the 2A podium in 2023. One month later, when the news hit that Deerfield would be bumped up to 3A, the Warriors felt robbed of a special opportunity. Little did they know what an incredible opportunity to make history lay before them.
3A cross country in Illinois is a blood bath. That’s why Deerfield hadn’t qualified for State in that class since 1982. Deerfield had State-level success in the six seasons they spent in 2A, but the last 34 seasons in 3A ended at the Regional or Sectional meets.
Deerfield had a strong team going into this season, but they were long shots to end that streak simply because other 3A teams in the area are so strong. However, a late-season hot streak opened many eyes and had Deerfield teetering on the precipice of qualifying. The common belief in cross country circles was that Deerfield was one of five teams at the Hoffman Estates Sectional contending for the final two qualifying spots, and it figured to be a very close competition. Several of the contending teams had deep, rich cross country histories, such as Palatine and Prospect. Plus, the Mid Suburban League teams had a course familiarity advantage since the course at Busse Woods also hosts the MSL championships every year.
But it all comes down to how everyone performs on race day. Deerfield got off to a strong start hitting the first hill in good position and just ahead of Prospect’s pack. Dylan Cohen, Jamie Chandler, Dane Brown, Eric Hogenkamp, and Jon Wool were packed up as tightly as they could be given the dense crowds. They were in state-qualifying position if they could just hold for three miles.
After the first mile, Wool started to fall off the pack. With the sixth and seventh runners further back, Deerfield could not afford a poor performance from any of their top five runners, so Wool’s separation was initially alarming.
The front four pressed on with great team racing. They battled through the tough turns and soft dirt. As the separation started in the final mile, it was Cohen who crossed the finish first for Deerfield in 28th place. He was followed soon after by Chandler in 33rd, and Brown in 36th, and Hogenkamp in 43rd. All eyes were now on Wool. He was the one struggling. How far back would he fall?
Answer: Not far at all. Teams almost never get their entire top five to have a good day on the same day, and oftentimes, the most important results are decided by how the strugglers respond to their struggle. Wool put his teammates first and minimized the damage. He faded, but he limited the magnitude of the fading. In fact, he passed six or seven runners with his last drops of gas in the final 50 meters to finish in 56th place. Ryan Jones was sixth for the Warriors in 91st place and Ben Freedman was seventh in 97th place.
The waiting period for final results was tense, but when the results were released, Deerfield was listed as 6th place! The streak was over! Deerfield had qualified for State! Dozens of boys in red jumped and screamed and celebrated. And if you listened very closely you could hear Deerfield alumni from across the country celebrating too.
The kitchen is staying open late this season. Detweiller Park is next.
