By Michael Newman

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There is moment in every cross-country race where one runner defines that race making it his own. In 2018, the one Illinois runner to achieve that was Josh Methner of Hersey.

The one time he failed to do that was in his first race of the season at Fenton when Glenbard West’s Rory Cavan made the move to win the race while Methner had to settle for second. That did not happen for the rest of the season for this junior. Methner went on to make moves at different times of the race to win big races at Peoria and Palatine. He made his move just after two miles to run 14:11 to win the 3A State title. He did more in the post-season, but you will just have to read about that in the Runner of the Year Article.

Tommy Brady of Maine South was also considered in this category. Brady picked up wins at Minooka, the CSL Championships, and his regional race. He finished second at the Palatine Invitational and the 3A State Meet behind Methner, second at the Peoria Invitational where he finished behind Thomas Shilgalis, and second at his sectional race behind Ethan Kern.

York’s Ethan Kern had a breakout junior year especially in the post season. Kern finished second behind Methner at the Richard Spring Invitational, third at the Palatine Invitational, and won the WSC-Silver Championship and the Niles West Sectional.

Both Methner and Kern return in 2019. I cannot wait to see what both runners have in store for us.

Congratulations to Josh Methner of Hersey High School in Arlington Heights as the ILXCTF.com 3A Boys XC Runner of the Year.

Photo Credit: ©2018 Laura Duffy