Sandburg Cross Country takes 4th in nation

The Sandburg High School Boys’ Cross Country Team completed a multi-year journey this season.

Runners Sean Torpy, Chris Torpy, Tom Brennan, Brandon Lukas, Max Lehnhardt, Martin Skucas and Dylan Jacobs competed at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon on December 5. They competed against the top 22 schools in the nation and placed 4th.

The event was hosted by Nike and the boys got to experience interacting with Nike Olympians and were treated like royalty throughout the experience.

“The 22 schools competing were truly the top 22 schools as they had to qualify in regional competition against fellow state champions and runner ups,” said coach John O’Malley. “Sandburg took to the lead early in the race and were in first place halfway through. They were caught in the last mile by three tough schools from California and Utah.”

The National competition followed the State Championship the team brought home in November. The Eagles overcame hardship after losing one of their best runners to injury the week before the State meet, but they persevered to dominate the State meet by 39 points.

They were led by a third place finish from senior Sean Torpy and All-State runners Max Lehnhardt (13th) and Chris Torpy (16th). Brandon Lukas, Tom Brennan, Martin Skucas and Dan Laskero completed the scoring for the Eagles as they brought home the first cross country State title in the school’s history.

They ran the third fastest time in the history of Illinois and followed that up by winning the Nike Midwest Regional on November 15 against the top ten teams from Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Missouri.

A reflection of the team’s success, Coach John O’Malley was named ITCCA (Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association) North Division Coach of the Year in Class 3A Boys Cross Country.