By Michael Newman

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There were four runners in this classification that were worthy in this category.

We did not see this coming from Max Hartmann of Edwardsville. He only had a 9:59 personal best for 3200 meters during the track season this past spring and finished 126^th in the 2017 State Meet. He came on like gangbusters first running 14:54 to finish 18^th at the Peoria Invitational. He had the same place at the state meet but ran nine seconds faster crossing the line in 14:45.

Morton Township’s Guillermo Ibarra did not get the opportunity to run at the state meet in 2017 finishing 33^rd in his sectional race as a sophomore. He stepped up to the state stage this fall winning three races including his regional race. Ibarra qualified for state by finishing third in his sectional. He ran 14:50 to finish 25^th in the 3A State Race.

Ethan Kern of York made it through his junior season without injuries that plagued him his first two years of high school. He finished 34^th as a freshman and 87^th as a sophomore. He won the WSC-Silver title and his sectional race on his way to finishing ninth at the state meet.

Eddie Lennon of Rolling Meadows was on the verge of great things in his junior season in 2017 when he finished ninth at the MSL Championships before ending his season by finishing 41^st in his sectional race. Lennon showed he was ready for the next step by running 9:33 for 3200 meters to end last track season. His senior year put him on the state stage finishing sixth at the Peoria Invitational running a personal best 14:33. Lennon finished second at MSL, third in his regional race, and second in his sectional race. He earned all-state honors by finishing 11^th at Detweiller Park.

It was a close choice between the four.

The state race was close with Kern and Lennon separated by only two spots. What did not decide this category was the following week at the NXR Midwest Regional when Kern finished fifth while Lennon placed 81^st.

Kern was slowed down by injuries in his two track seasons which included running 4:24 as a freshman. It was not that much of a surprise to see Kern where he was at the end of the year moving himself on the national spotlight with two national races. Lennon was not expected to finish where he did this year. That is where it made the choice that much easier.

Congratulations to Eddie Lennon of Rolling Meadows as the 2018 ILXCTF.com 3A Boys XC Most Improved Runner of the Year.

Photo Credit: © 2018 Laura Duffy