STORY: DGN at Plainfield South Regoinal

As the return of Central Standard Time approaches this weekend, the Downers Grove North girls cross country team sure wouldn’t mind falling back to repeating the past at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, Saturday, Oct. 31.
Particularly the year 2013 -- the last time the Trojans were a sectional underdog.
“Two years ago, we beat (Lyons Township at the Hinsdale Central Sectional) to make it to state. Honestly, everyone just ran their best race that they possibly could and we just had a really good team race,” Downers North senior Kaitlyn Bonfield said.
“It’s possible this year, too. We’re in the same position so we just have to take it away from somebody.”
The Trojans confront basically the exact scenario after they finished fourth at the Plainfield South Regional Saturday, Oct. 24, at Hammel Woods Forest Preserve.
Junior Emma Moravec (18:42.8) and senior Grace Maletich (18:43.6) were ninth and 10th on the 3.0-mile course after working together throughout the race.
Bonfield (19:09.9), juniors Zoe Covey (19:11.3) were 19th and 20th, followed by junior Gina Kowalewicz (29th, 19:45.9), sophomore Claire Kovarik (36th, 20:25.8) and senior Angela Budach (42nd, 20:59.5).
“I feel like there were a lot of high points and there were also some low points,” Maletich said. “I feel like a lot of people stepped up when we needed to and I feel like overall we got out pretty good, but really just everybody has to have a perfect day this weekend.”
Only needing a top-six finish, Downers North (87 points) placed behind Lockport (37), Benet Academy (66) and Downers Grove South (78).
Now the stakes, and what’s needed, are much higher.
Only the top five teams at sectionals advance.
Conference rivals Hinsdale Central and Lyons Township join the field and were consistently ranked among the top 20 by DyeStatIL in 3A throughout the season. Downers South (No. 14) and Lockport (No. 17) also were ranked in its final regular-season poll Oct. 20.
Based on rankings, that essentially leaves the Trojans and Benet fighting for the last spot with Fenwick, Sandburg and Plainfield South, fifth at the regional and 17 points behind the Trojans.
Based on rankings, the Trojans also were not expected to advance in 2013 and finished fifth. 
“The girls know they have to have their best team race of the year in order to qualify,” Downers North coach Tim McDonald said. “We believe in them and hopefully they believe in themselves.”
If Trojans do not advance as a team, they still should be represented at the state meet Saturday, Nov. 7 in Peoria. The top seven sectional finishers not among the five advancing teams also qualify.
“This is our last opportunity (as seniors) and I know that we all want it really badly,” Maletich said. “It’s about the same situation as sophomore year. I know if everybody does what we’re capable of doing, then we’ll get there. We have a pretty solid top six now. We’re all working together.”
The Trojans have faced plenty of adversity after entering the season with six returnees from their 2014 state lineup – Moravec, Maletich, Bonfield, Covey, Budach and senior Ashley Johnson.
Johnson, who joined the team as a junior, was injured from the pre-season and had limited competition. On Saturday, Budach tried to come back from injury and an iron deficiency after not competing since the Palatine Invite Sept. 26. McDonald said Budach is not expected to compete at the sectional.
“I think it’s definitely hard for (Budach), especially being her senior year,” said Bonfield, who sat out earlier meets to protect her shin splints.
“It sucks to get injured at a time like this, too. We’ll all run for her and hopefully she’ll help us, cheering us on.”
Even with that misfortune, the Trojans appeared early on to have enough depth, but other injuries depleted that, too.
The Trojans’ alternates are senior Fiona Kelly, juniors Meghan Kelly and Mary Laffey and sophomore Emma Panico. Laffey competed for the varsity at the conference meet instead of Budach.
One huge and consistent varsity addition has been Kovarik, who has improved significantly from her freshman season. She cites her freshman track season as the primary factor.
“I wasn’t going to do it and then I did. That’s pretty much been how I’ve gotten to where I am now,” Kovarik said.
“It’s been really cool this season because last season I didn’t get to run varsity at all. It’s just been a really cool experience, getting to run with everyone at practice, getting to train with varsity. I have noticed as we’re into postseason, the races are faster and more competition.”
Being reasonably close to second place at regionals certainly gives the Trojans optimism.
Benet’s top-five finishers were 2-4-14-21-25. Downers South’s were 1-8-22-23-24. Their low numbers up front will be greatly affected by the addition of LT and Hinsdale Central runners.
Ultimately, the Trojans still determine their fate. Perhaps having the sectional again at KLM is meant to be.
“(Assistant coach Matt Maletich) always says we run well (at KLM) so that’s going to be a good thing for sectionals,” Bonfield said.
“I feel pretty good. At regionals, I didn’t run the best race that I can, but I’m hoping to rebound from that. We obviously have to run the best race that we can just to get down there. I think we’re all ready to perform.”