Brett Davidson Qualifies For The IHSA 3A State Cross Country Meet!

The 2015 HPHS Boys Cross Country Team had a goal this season to qualify for the IHSA 3A State Meet.  It was a goal that many might have thought was too lofty of a goal for what the team had returning this season.   What those same people may not have realized was what work the team was willing to put in over the summer and how much heart the runners on this team have.   This team continued to show improvement each meet throughout the season.   Not only did their success as a team grow, but they also became very close as teammates and friends.  

The final few meets of the season saw the Giants take 2nd place at the Wheeling Invite, win the CSL North in dominating fashion (including the freshmen and JV levels), win their first IHSA 3A Regional Championship since 2004, and go into the IHSA 3A Schaumburg Sectional as a team with a strong chance to qualify to the IHSA 3A State Meet.  The entire team worked together as a unit this season in training and supported each other to be the best runners they could be.  The varsity developed a tight pack to follow the strength of an outstanding frontrunner.    Everything seemed to be falling into place for the team.   

The course at Busse Woods was a complete mud bath and the 3A competition was strong as always at the Schaumburg Sectional.  HP had the same race plan they have had throughout the season….get out well and then the pack needed to race together.   Senior Brett Davidson got out in great position and was with the leaders.   The pack struggled to get out like they needed to and were not able to race together as a group.   Davidson battled tough with the leaders but was not able to stay with them in the final half mile.  He still had a strong race and took 6th place, but when he finished, all covered in mud, he turned around to find that the team was not able to have their best race on this day.    The team ended up taking 9th place.   

Despite the disappointment of the team race, the coaching staff was very proud of how far the team came this season and of the success that was accomplished by this team of fine young men.   

With Davidson’s 6th place finish, he qualified as an individual for the 3A State Meet.   This is the 6th year in a row that Highland Park has had an individual or team qualify for the 3A State Meet.  Brett has been such a tremendous example to his teammates for what it takes to be an elite distance runner in Illinois.  This is a wonderful accomplishment!  All of his coaches, teammates, friends, and family are so proud of him.  He is ready and focused to run his best race of the season at Detweiller Park!  

Everyone is also very proud of what each of the runners that earned a top 7 spot accomplished this season.   Each one of them worked extremely hard to get to where they were this season.   It started in the summer and the drastic improvement many of them made is a testament to their commitment to the program.   

Sophomore Nate Amster - had a big summer of training which allowed him to have the success he earned this season.  He was All-Conference and was our number two finisher at Sectionals.   The coaches are looking for Amster to continue working hard and to also step up more as a leader and role model on this team.

Freshmen Jose Reyes - what a season!   He is the fastest freshmen cross country runner HPHS has ever had.   He showed tremendous toughness all season.  He earned All-Conference and was able to run in the mid 15’s for 3 miles.    Look for even bigger things from Reyes as he continues to work hard, progress his training, and build his confidence.  

Junior Charlie Skurie - after putting in a great summer of training, he became one of our most consistent top runners on the team.   The improvement from last year to this year was huge.  Seeing him get All-Conference was so exciting as it proves that training does beat talent over time.  Charlie will continue to work hard and take even more of a role as a leader on this team.   This will set him up for another season of big improvement.

Sophomore Alec Glazier - another team member that put in a fantastic summer of training.   Not many people would have predicted that he would be in the top 7 this season and be an All-Conference runner.   This is another fantastic example of training beating talent over time.  His continued dedication will take him very far in the sport and he is becoming one of the leaders of the program.

Junior Jonathan Rosenfeld - one of the most committed and hard-working team members this program has seen.   Despite not having the overall success he was hoping for, Jonathan had much to be proud of this season.   He was All-Conference and was a strong leader at meets and in practices.   He not only has very high expectations for himself, but also for his teammates.   He demands that his teammates make the commitment necessary to be successful.  Also, even when he is not having his best race or workout, he always is willing to support his teammates and push them to success.   Jonathan’s leadership and character makes our program better.   Look for an incredibly successful senior cross country season from him next year.

Junior Matthew Casey - earned a top seven spot for Sectionals at the Regional time trial.   He was also the CSL North JV Conference Champion.   Matthew was somewhat inconsistent this season, but when he was on, he was one of the toughest racers.   With a commitment to put in big work over the next year, he could be a difference maker for this team.   He will continue to grow as a racer and will build more confidence in his own abilities through continued hard work.  We are excited to see what he can do by next season!   

The Giants return 6 of the top 7 next season and several other runners in the top 12 return as well.   Also, we have team members that want to be in that top 7 that can do so by working as hard as guys like Skurie and Glazier did to get to a new level of success.   All of this leads to great possibilities for next season if the team puts in the work and does that work together!    

The coaches are very proud of each member of the team and what they contributed this season!  They are also very proud of what this program represents...character, commitment, and success.   

Now the focus is on supporting Brett Davidson as he tries to earn All-State honors at the IHSA 3A State Cross Country Meet!   GOOD LUCK BRETT!