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Right before one of the biggest races of his life, Bradley junior Matt Aho suddenly became distracted for a few seconds.
The Grayslake Central graduate was preparing for the men’s 5,000-meter run at the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships on May 14. As he was stretching, Matt Aho noticed his sister Elizabeth was nearing the finish line in the women’s 5K.
Elizabeth Aho, a senior at Drake, won the women’s race with a time of 17 minutes, 11.99 seconds. Matt Aho then placed eighth in the men’s 5K in 15:00.67.
“It was really great, especially when I was getting ready for my 5K and watching Elizabeth win her 5K,” Matt Aho said. “It was incredible to watch. That was a huge boost for me. I fed off that momentum.”
Elizabeth Aho’s memorable weekend also included fourth place in the women’s 10K. Her 36:18.83 was the fifth-best time in program history.
Matt Aho added to the family’s legacy with a third-place time of 29:56.77 in the men’s 10K, recording the fifth-fastest time in program history.
“I was not aware of the time right away,” he said. “I just tried to compete and went out with the leaders. Then I got dropped from the lead group and ran alone until the end. I wasn’t expecting to close that hard, but I just competed to try to get third.
“It was a very special moment, especially after my 5K. It was a celebration of Elizabeth winning. It was a special weekend for us and the family.”
The Aho triplets — Matt, Elizabeth and Jack — are considered among the best runners from Lake County.
Competing in the Big Ten Outdoor Championships that same weekend, Michigan senior Jack Aho finished in 25th place in the men’s 5K with a time of 15:02.81.
He said injuries kept him from competing throughout the indoor and outdoor seasons, but he trained for more than a month to run his lone race. He said hearing the news that his siblings performed so well helped wipe away some of the disappointment.
“Even if my season wasn’t what I wanted it to be, it was great to see Elizabeth and Matt have a great season,” Jack Aho said. “That was awesome to see them do so well.”
He said he plans to run a few races this summer with the goal of competing in all three seasons in 2021-22 for the first time since 2019.
“I’m looking forward to cross country and just getting back into the season,” Jack Aho said.
Britton finishes full season: Warren graduate Caitlyn Britton cherished the opportunity to play the sport she loved again.
The Central Michigan sophomore pitched in just two games and played in the field in just six games during her shortened freshman season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But Britton pitched in 10 games this season, going 2-1 with 14 strikeouts in 24 ? innings, and hit .325 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs in 83 at-bats.
“We were all so excited to play the game again, especially playing in the conference,” Britton said. “My first full season was super fun, and I was just super excited to play a full season.”
Britton, a three-time News-Sun Softball Player of the Year, said her highlights included a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning against Buffalo on April 23. She drilled a solo home run to give the Chippewas a sweep of a doubleheader.
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Britton said playing 48 games took a toll on her. The Chippewas (20-28) closed out the season by winning three straight May 15-16.
“It was an adjustment just keeping up on homework and sleep,” she said. “But I wouldn’t change it for the world. COVID-19 took a lot away, just not being able to go out and play a full season with my teammates.
“I plan on practicing a lot and playing some games this summer. I’m just trying to get stronger and faster.”
Lynch sees action: Carmel graduate Sean Lynch Jr. started 14 games for the Eastern Illinois baseball team. The redshirt freshman had seven hits, including a home run, in 50 at-bats. Libertyville graduate Dylan Drumke is a freshman outfielder for the Panthers.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.