Vikings Sports Roundup: Cross-Country Captures Biggest Win

Boys Cross-Country: Before each race, Niles North cross-country coach Dan Horyn draws up a best-case and a worst-case scenario for his team. He doesn’t share it with his runners or use it to motivate them; it’s just something he does.

With his team running at the competitive Woodruff Invitational held at the state cross-country course, Horyn once again wrote out the possibilities.

But for the first time in his career, Niles North exceeded his best-case scenario, winning the 29-team invitational that included some of the top-ranked teams in Illinois.

“Probably could not script the season better than it has gone thus far,” Horyn said. “We’re running incredibly well, we’re really fit right now, we’ve been remarkably healthy, motivated and we are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year.”

Horyn knew from summer training that he had a talented group of runners, led by senior Aron Sebhat, who placed fifth at Woodruff. They increased their weekly mileage by 15 percent, and it has resulted in significant personal records for everyone on the varsity squad..

Faster times from some of Niles North’s more unheralded runners, including Daniel Noboa, Micah Beller and Carlitos Rangel, have given Horyn some unexpected depth. He expected the Vikings to have four or five very strong runners through the season, but now they are strong throughout the entire lineup.

“We’re six or seven deep which allows us to run consistently as a team even if a specific individual struggles in a meet,” Horyn said.

Niles North is just beginning some of its speed work, but won’t start to reduce the mileage until what Horyn calls the “championship phase” in late October. He hopes that his runners see another big reduction in times once they zero-in on speed training.

With that in mind, the coach is already rethinking his best-case scenario for the state championships.

“Our goals have slightly altered, we have upped the ante a bit,” Horyn said. “We really feel like we can run with anybody. We have the potential to be a top-five team in the state if everything goes well.”

Girls Volleyball: Niles North split a pair of Central Suburban League (CSL) North matches, falling 17-25, 25-27 to Glenbrook North on Sept. 12, but rallying to beat Maine East 25-17, 25-18. Taylor Louis continued to be the Vikings’ offensive leader. The sophomore had 11 kills against Glenbrook North and tallied 10 more in the victory over Maine East. Marissa Matesi also added four kills, an ace and a block in the win.

SCOREBOARD

Boys Soccer:

Sept. 8 - Warren 5, Niles North 0

Sept. 13 – Niles North 0, Glenbrook North 0

Sept. 14 - Highland Park 3, Niles North 0

Boys Golf:

Sept. 8 - Highland Park 158, Niles North 185

Sept. 12 - Notre Dame 162, Niles North 181

Sept. 13 – Maine East 182, Niles North 185