Leaves Oregon, running to do "what I was best at"In a moment of triumph, Lukas Verzbicas began to have doubts about his decision to abandon triathlon and become a runner at the University of Oregon.

Prep track star had planned to give up triathlon for runningLukas Verzbicas, one of the most highly touted high school runners in the country last year, has left the University of Oregon after less than two months to concentrate on triathlon.

The Illinois High School Association announced Monday that the St. Charles East girls cross-country team will received a third-place team trophy for its performance at the state meet Saturday at Peoria's Detweiller Park.

PEORIA — The motivational phrases inked in pen on Ali Hester's forearms were beginning to fade. The words helped the Yorkville senior obtain something more permanent.

PEORIA — Beecher junior Grant Nykaza gleaned a clear lesson from his run to second place at the Class 1A state meet Saturday at Detweiller Park.

PEORIA — Amanda Fox could see the two seconds click away on the digital clock as she crossed the finish line, but she was unbothered by her near-miss of the state-meet record.

PEORIA — Detweiller Park was beginning to empty Saturday by the time the cries rang out, signaling the end of Palatine's decades-long quest for a boys cross-country state title.

Lake Park's Kaylee Flanagan makes a phone call to Seattle nearly every other day.

Before the Class 2A state cross-country race Saturday in Peoria, Crystal Lake Central's Sami Staples will be hopping around and talking to everyone in sight.

Pac-12 meet next for prep phenom turned Oregon freshmanIn the final two races of his prep track career last June, Lukas Verzbicas quickly stood the running world on its ear with a sub-four mile and a high school record in the two mile.