On October 19, the Girls and Boys Cross Country teams traveled to Busse Woods for the MSL (Mid Suburban League) Conference meet. Having the perfect racing weather (sunny and not too hot but not too cold), the teams had high hopes for the day. The boys were scheduled to run before the girls at 10:30, so they laced up and started warm-ups as early as they could.
They jogged around the course to memorize the turns and small divots in the grass, nervous for the run ahead.
Finally, the time was 10:20 and the boys were getting ready to race. Prospect lined up on the grass, surrounded by all the colors of the conference; red for Palatine and Barrignton, orange for Hersey and Buffalo Grove, green for Elk Grove, and so many more.
The spectators found their spots along the thick yellow rope lining the course. Some held cowbells, while others planned to use nothing but their voices to cheer for the varsity boys.
The whistle blew, signaling that there was only a minute left to prepare. Just like that, the gun went off and the race began.
Two-time varsity runner sophomore Landon Samp felt excited about this year’s run, seeking redemption from Conference last year. Being sick for the race last year, Samp wasn’t expecting to be put in the varsity line-up. But to his surprise, he ran with the upperclassmen as a freshman.
“This season I knew I was probably going to run varsity,” Samp said, “so I was just really excited to train with the team and get ready for the race.”
The last time the boys varsity team won Conference was 1994, so getting top three this year was a goal for not only the boys, but something that the whole cross country program hoped for.
“I really love the Busse course, so I was just super happy to be running there again and I was just really ready for the race,” Samp said.
Samp felt good during his first two miles, but experienced some back problems coming up to his third and last lap. From being 15th place and knowing that he would be a part of All-Conference, to finishing 27th with a 15:35, Samp was disappointed, but knew he did all he could.
Samp was not the only one with an eventful last mile. With 800 meters left to go in the race, the boys were in second place by one point.
Coming in first for Prospect, but seventh in the race was junior Luke Robinson with a time of 15:06. Freshman Bobby Wintermute and junior Brody Cushing came in together at 16th and 18th, finishing just 0.72 seconds apart. The boys finished fourth, just missing getting top three.
“We were obviously disappointed,” Samp said, “but overall we were just proud of each other for finishing and doing it together.”
The girls were up next, racing at 11. Freshman Sami Lobacz had the honor of running varsity with her teammates.
“I was so thrilled when I found out I was running varsity,” Lobacz said. “I love this team and I knew it was going to be hard, but I was so excited.”
The girls got ready to race, and were nervous for the course ahead, but ultimately ran the best that they could with each other. Senior Veronica Znajda came in second place for the three miles with a time of 16:42. Junior Meg Pterson came in fourth with a large gap separating her from Znajda at 17:18. Juniors Ireland Wildhart and Mary Laba came in top 25, making All-Conference.
Lobacz just missed All-Conference by two places, coming in at place 27 with a time of 18:59. Although the girls didn’t get first like they had hoped, they still made each other proud.
“Whether [the girls] were running varsity or not, I am so proud of every single person on this team and I’m so glad I could be a part of it this year,” Lobacz said.
