First to the Finish Invitational (IL)
ON-SITE COVERAGE: Photos - Videos
Pendergast 16:19!!!! Fastest time ever this early for IL girl #FTTF15 pic.twitter.com/MLX48jYy5Z
-- IL Prepster (@ILPTT) September 12, 2015
Judy Pendergast clocked the nation's fastest time for three miles this season, 16:19. Her Naperville North is ranked No. 5 in the Saucony Flo50 National XC Rankings and did not race two of their top five scorers, as Yorkville won the team title with 69 points. Naperville was third with 119.
Her splits were 5:22, 10:47. The time marks a huge personal record for Pendergast, who set her previous three mile best at 17:06 at the state meet last year. She cut 84 seconds off her time from last year's First to the Finish, where she ran 17:43.
The boys race also produced a nation-leading time, as Kevin Salvano of Buffalo Grove ran 14:22.2 to outpace Blake Evertsen of Hinsdale Central (14:25.8). The senior has now won three races in a row and improved by 20 seconds from his race last year.
"It's the race of a lifetime up to this point, but it's a goal to be at my best in two months," Salvano said. "It's all about November, really."
Salvano 14:18 unofficial #FTTF15 pic.twitter.com/5KBF8NrEsU
-- IL Prepster (@ILPTT) September 12, 2015Evertsen 14:20 #FTTF15 pic.twitter.com/oyZRhHy1Pz
-- IL Prepster (@ILPTT) September 12, 2015
Saucony Flo50 National XC Rankings: