Jane Addams Boys Qualify for Cross Country State Championships

Submitted by Valley View School District:

Jane Addams Middle School is sending its fifth team to the Illinois Elementary Association State Championships next weekend.

Addams edged Homer Junior High by 1 point to take the 3rd and final qualifying spot at the IESA Sectional meet Saturday at Bolingbrook Central Park using strong runs from 8th graders Nick Quintana, Gavin Villiger, and Jakob Gleason, 7th graders Joseph Balas, Justin Dmchowski and Kendall Scott, and 6th grader Matthew Balas to qualify. Quintana finished 4th overall with a time of 11:15 for 2 miles. Balas finished 3rd overall setting both the Jane Addams 7th grade and school records with a 10:55 for 2 miles.

Alternates Ithalo Mercado, Mitchell Frey, and Zach Sternberg will also head to next weekends class AAA State Championships in Normal.

On the girls side: Addams 6th grader Paula Hernandez led all the Valley View girls and set the girls 6th grade school record with a 13:11. Humphrey’s Tyler Cushing finished 26th overall with an 11:52.

PHOTO: Jane Addams boys celebrate after qualifying for the IESA State Championship. From Left to right- Matthew Balas, Mitchell Frey, Kendall Scott, Gavin Villiger, Joseph Balas, Jakob Gleason, Justin Dmchowski, Nick Quintana. Not Pictured: Ithalo Mercado, Zach Sternberg.