Thomas Shilgalis’ final cross country meet of the season ended in bitter disappointment last November.
Shilgalis labored to finish in the Class 3A state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. He settled for 92nd place.
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“I was pretty banged up, and it was unfortunate I didn’t make it through at the ability I was at midseason,” said Shilgalis, now a senior at Naperville Central.
But redemption comes in various forms, and Shilgalis rebounded in the spring with a breakthrough track season that culminated at the 3A state meet with a third-place finish in the 1,600 meters.
“(Track) is how I wound up to where I am now,” Shilgalis said.
“The (state cross country) performance gave him some clarity,” Naperville Central coach Dave Ashton said. “He learned some lessons that helped him have a very productive track season.”
Shilgalis has been indispensable for Naperville Central, ranked No. 9 in the Illinois Track/Cross Country Coaches Association 3A poll.
Opening the season at the Downers Grove South Invitational, Shilgalis dusted the field with the third-fastest time — 15 minutes, 1 second —ever clocked at O’Brien Field in Downers Grove.
“I was coasting for the first two miles,” Shilgalis said.
Shilgalis headlines four returning starters for the Redhawks, who placed 15th last year at state.
Seeking a fourth straight appearance at state, Shilgalis is ranked as the fourth-best runner in 3A by ilxctf.com.
Shilgalis is not necessarily sure he is deserving of such an honor.
“Rankings?” Shilgalis said. “I don’t really look at them. I kind of go out and run. I don’t think No. 4 is quite the right place.”
But Ashton said Shilgalis’ emotional and physical maturation could have statewide repercussions.
“Thomas is a different athlete,” Ashton said. “He is stubborn. It is good and bad, but mostly good. I am excited to see all the tools he has built up in his tool box.
“I think you’re going to see a very competitive and very bold Thomas Shilgalis this fall.”
Team success in cross country is invariably linked to posting single-digit results at major competitions by the schools’ respective lead runners.
Shilgalis is almost certain to fill that role for Naperville Central.
“It’s huge at those big invites,” said senior Seth Klein-Collins. “I know there are a lot of teams that are talented (from Nos.) 2 through 7. It really helps to have that frontrunner drop off all those points.”
Shilgalis could very well be the face of the local cross country scene.
Neuqua Valley, who finished runner-up last season after winning the state championship in 2016, lost superstar Zach Kinne when his family relocated this summer to Pennsylvania.
Shilgalis’ central aim is to be injury-free.
“The main goal is to get stronger and try to maintain my ability for state,” Shilgalis said.
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Ashton is overflowing with optimism.
“I think you’re going to see a very powerful Naperville Central team this year,” he said.
Kevin McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.