There are several intriguing story lines surrounding the Neuqua Valley boys cross country team this fall.
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But senior Jake McEneaney echoed the sentiments of several of his returning teammates.
“As a group, I think we want to create our own legacy,” McEneaney said. “We don’t want to be known as the 2007 Chris Derrick legacy.”
At the inaugural Class 3A state meet nine years ago, Derrick covered the Detweiller Park course in Peoria in 13:52 to not only win the 2007 individual title, but also lead the Wildcats to the first of two team titles during a three-year span.
The Wildcats, who open their season at Saturday’s Red Devil-Hornet Invitational, arguably have never had such expectations in the preseason.
Neuqua Valley, which defeated York on a sixth-runner tiebreaker to earn third place last season at the Class 3A finals, is ranked in the top three in national polls.
“It’s more of a burden on the coach than the athletes,” said Paul Vandersteen, the only coach in program history. “(National rankings) really mean nothing. We have a national championship (in cross country). Last year, six of the top 20 ranked teams didn’t even make it to Nike (national meet) in Portland (Ore.).”
The Wildcats have a talented senior core to power a potential 16th consecutive team berth to the state finals in November.
Seniors Scott Anderson and McEneaney are the top state returnees for Neuqua Valley, with classmates Matt Milostan and Jackson Jett also expected to contribute.
“I think you’re going to see some interchangeable parts,” Vandersteen said. “There isn’t a pecking order. We don’t care who is No. 1 to No. 8.”
“I’m really excited for the season,” Anderson said. “We are a really tight-knit group of friends. It’s going to be a great year for depth, individuals and the team.”
Sophomore Zach Kinne is the fifth returning member of the Wildcats’ state contingent.
The quintet of state veterans will be augmented by Ryan Kennedy, Josh Mollway, Danny Winek and Jeremy Hayhurst.
Vandersteen expects McEneaney to break through in his final campaign after nagging injuries derailed his underclass postseason years.
“He does the little things to be a champion,” Vandersteen said. “He brings that dedication dynamic to the team.
“You can’t run all the time, otherwise, you will get hurt. But I have a hard time coaching practices at times.”
“The final result is what we’re looking for,” Anderson said of the Wildcats’ state goals superseding any national reputation.
“The culture is such that they know what to do,” Vandersteen said. “There is a method to our madness that we are ready to go Nov. 5.”
Among the other five local Class 3A programs, senior Tommy Chavez anchors the Naperville Central effort for another state bid.
Emerson King (Naperville North), Ralph Papa (Metea Valley), Christian Freitag (Waubonsie Valley) and William Engels (Benet) are athletes to watch.
Kevin McGavin is a freelance writer for The Naperville Sun.
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