Two for One: Saint Gilbert Cross Country Team Wins Two Championships

While our beloved Cubs were winning their first championship in 108 years, the Saint Gilbert Rebels Cross Country Team was winning two championships in the same season. How was that possible? Saint Gilbert had agreed to join the Northern Illinois Catholic Conference (NICC) last spring. However, by that time, the school was already committed to take part in their former conference, the Northwest Catholic Conference (NWCC). This meant Saint Gilbert had a lot of running to do in the fall.

But with anything, the extra work and extra meets only served to make them better. Led by Coaches Debra Day, Stacy Kryzwanos and Clare Mottola, their Varsity Boys Squad cruised to high finishes throughout the fall, which set them up for the conference matches.

First, the team was faced with the conference meet for their old conference, the NWCC, at Melas Park in Mount Prospect. There, their varsity core, composed of Jonathan B., Aidan D., Mario D., Kyle H., Caschu M., Jaxson R., and Connor S., had a spectacular finish to their affiliation with the NWCC, taking first. The JV boys took second in their final run in the NWCC.

Notwithstanding that win, the Rebels couldn’t rest on their laurels because they had to make an impression on their new conference, the NICC. And they did. The first conference meet for the NICC took place at Adler Park in Libertyville. Allowing some of their Junior Varsity boys to run with the Varsity big dogs as a reward for hard work, a larger Varsity squad won again, this time adding P.J. B., Jack C., Anthony F., Charlie M. and Tyler T. to take the first ever NICC Varsity Cross Country Championship. And the Rebels future looks bright. At the same meet, the Junior Varsity squad, even though it had contributed members to join the Varsity, took 1st whereas the JV girls took second. If that was not enough, the Saint Gilbert’s Varsity Boys took second at sectionals and qualified for State.

With spring upon us and the Track season beginning, coaches Kryzwanos and Mottola are excited to have their Cross County squad join with their Track teammates and continue their success in the new conference. The championship banners will be hung on April 28, 2017 at the school’s Athletic Awards Celebration.

Saturday, April 22

8:00 am

Lakes High School

Thursday, April 27

5:45 pm

Wauconda High School

Friday, April 28

5:00 pm

Libertyville High School

Tuesday, May 3

5:45 pm

Wauconda High School

Saturday, May 6

9:00 am

Antioch High School

Tuesday, May 9

5:00 pm

Libertyville High School

Thursday, May 11

5:45 pm

Wauconda High School

Friday, May 12

TBD

Eastside Center, East Peoria

Saturday, May 13

TBD

Eastside Center, East Peoria

Saturday, May 13

9:00 am

Carmel High School