The expectations were set high for the 2018 boys cross country team.

After just missing out on qualifying for state last season, the boys battled and found themselves at the state meet this year.

“This was a great season for this group of boys,” head coach Kevin Gummerson said.

Gummerson was pleased when asked how he felt the season had gone for the boys team.

“I know they were a little disappointed with how we ended up at the state meet; however, we did so many things right this season,” Gummerson said.

The boys had qualified for the state meet that had taken place last weekend down at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The boys had finally met their goal of competing at state.  They finished 22nd out of 25 teams.

Jordan Freese, senior, had missed a lot of time last season due to injury. This year at state, Freese led the Indians with his personal best in his final high school race.

“It felt great to PR (personal record); my goal was to run under 10:00 the first 2 miles,” Freese said.

He did just that, finishing the first 2 miles at 9:52.

But as there are always the veterans that lead the way, a couple of underclassmen really stepped up this season for the Indians.

“Dan Schalk,” Freese said. “Although he is only a freshman, he always put everyone first before himself, Dan was always there to bring us together.”

Schalk was the fourth Minooka runner to cross the finish line at the state meet.

Along with Schalk, there was Vincent Van Eck. Van Eck was near the top of the pack for the Indians all season long and proved to be pivotal in the Indians state run.

The boys won the Macnider Invite as well as the Normal West Invite. They finished 2nd at the SPC Championship before winning the Normal Regional.  At sectionals they placed 4th, earning them a state bid as a team.