Sandburg captures sectional title

It wasn’t going to matter Saturday that none of the first four runners across the finish line was wearing a Sandburg uniform.

In a race against several of the top teams in Illinois, including defending Class 3A state champion Hinsdale Central, Sandburg maintained a close pack near the front and claimed five of the top 11 spots to run away with the title of the Class 3A Marist Sectional.

“We knew coming in here we really wanted to go win this thing,’’ junior Tom Brennan said.

And win it the Eagles did, scoring an impressive 39 points on the Midlothian Meadows course to win by 55 over the 2013 state champ. Sandburg, Hinsdale Central (94), Neuqua Valley (96), 2013 state runner-up Downers North (111) and Lyons (120) advanced from the 18-team sectional to the state meet.

“Pretty much all year we’ve been waiting to see how we stack up,’’ Brennan said. “So it was nice to get to face them at least once before state.’’

Three juniors—Brennan, Sean Torpy and twin brother, Chris—led the way for Sandburg. Brennan finished fifth (14:51.45), followed closely by Sean Torpy in sixth (14:54.82) and Chris Torpy in seventh (14:55.76).

Senior Greg Burzinski (10th, 14:57.27) and junior Brandon Lukas (11th, 15:00.99) also scored for Sandburg. Martin Skucas (14th, 15:04.31) and Max Lehnhardt (22nd, 15:11.97) reaffirmed the quality of the Eagles’ top seven.

“There was Greg on my shoulder, Sean and Chris on my shoulder,’’ Brennan said. “Martin and Max and Brandon were right there…You don’t really want to let up when you’ve got that many guys around you.’’

“It was definitely the idea of a stepping stone going into the state meet, kind of a dress rehearsal, the top teams in the state here,’’ Sean Torpy said. “We wanted to keep the split down from one to seven as low as possible.’’

Brennan, Burzinski and the Torpys returned from last year’s sectional team that scored 120 and placed fourth.

Sandburg’s 39-point total Saturday was the lowest among the winners of the five Class 3A sectionals. Those kind of numbers don’t surprise the Eagles or Sandburg coach John O’Malley.

“Great teams here, the best in the state,’’ O’Malley said. “We wanted to do what we’ve been doing all year, which is run fearless.’’

“It’s a lot of motivation for us,’’ Chris Torpy said. “We give each other little tips, stay together, and it’s hard for other teams to slip through.’’

Downers North senior Ryan Clevenger was the individual champion in 14:33.94. Clevenger was seventh at the 2013 state final.

Shepard sophomore Caleb Washington was the only Southland runner to qualify as an individual for the state final. Washington finished 23rd (15:12.51) to claim the fifth of seven individual state meet spots.

Oak Lawn (356) placed 12th, Shepard (399) was 13th and Brother Rice finished 15th (423). Oak Lawn senior Luis Garcia (43rd) led the Spartans.