By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
There were almost twin champions at the two Class 3A Marist Regional cross country meets.
Literally.
Sandburg senior Grant Giblin won the boys race on Oct. 21 in 15:16.53 on the 2.98-mile course at Midlothian Meadows, finishing more than eight seconds ahead of the next competitor. Giblin’s championship effort helped the Eagles win the team title with 26 points – 65 points ahead of runner-up Jones.
In the girls race, Giblin’s twin sister, Ava, finished in second place with an 18:46.96. Giblin was runner-up to teammate Katie Roche (18:33.50).
Sandburg won the team title with 34 points despite being without its top runner, sophomore Lindsey Gerhardstein.
Mother McAuley took second with 59 points.
MORE CROSS COUNTRY
Class 2A St. Ignatius Regional
Evergreen Park senior Rocco Cipolla, who earlier in the week made a verbal commitment to Roosevelt University, won in 15:47.30 at Midlothian Meadows.
The Mustangs finished third behind St. Ignatius and University High (Chicago).
Class 1A Bishop McNamara Regional
The Chicago Christian girls team finished first with 37 points, followed by Herscher with 45. Knights senior Grace Mullin burned through the 3-mile course in 19:01.88 for the girls individual championship. Teammate Kaylee O’Sullivan was second in 19:35.59.
Chicago Christian senior Noah Luke won the boys race in 16:42.00.
The Knights boys finished third behind Herscher and Tri-Point (Cullom).
Sectionals are scheduled at various sites on Oct. 28. The state meets take place Nov. 4 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
Soccer teams advance
There were seven area boys soccer regional champions crowned over the weekend.
Stagg won the Class 3A Lockport Regional with a 3-1 win over the host Porters. Kacper Dzuibek, Sebastion Kornak and Maciej Ostrega scored goals for the Chargers.
Lyons won its own regional with a 5-1 triumph over Downers Grove North.
Morton won its own regional with a 1-0 victory over Riverside-Brookfield.
In Class 2A, Brother Rice claimed the St. Rita Regional with a 4-2 win over Bremen. Cristian Morales had two goals for the Crusaders.
De La Salle won its own regional with a 2-1 win over Back of the Yards. It was the first regional title in program history.
Solorio won the Noble-Maneuto Regional with a 6-1 victory over the hosts.
St. Laurence won its own regional with a 7-1 win over Latin.
Sports bits
• Sandburg’s Scott Friederecks was named Division 3 Assistant Athletic Director of the Year by the Illinois Athletic Directors Association.
• Saint Xavier men’s soccer player Andres Zamora has been named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Defender of the Week three times this season.
• Sandburg flag football players Nola Oben, Taylor Bulhuis, Ariel Johnson, Shayma Shuaibi and Rahaf Hamad were named to the All-South Suburban Conference team.
• Moraine Valley Community College runner Jack Kajmowicz was named Skyway Conference runner of the year for taking first in the conference meet. Cross country coach Dimitri Dimizas was named Coach of the Year.
• Marist’s girls volleyball teams were undefeated in the East Suburban Catholic Conference on all levels this season.