Storm lands four runners on all-BCR team
The Bureau Valley Storm captured their second straight top 10 finish at state this year, finishing eighth in Class 1A. They capped off a season that could be called “Keeping up with the Johnsons,” as three of the Storm’s top runners Derrick, Ryan, and Trent, all share the surname.
Individually at state, runner of the year Scott Janusick medaled with a 14th-place finish, and Storm standout Derrick Johnson picked up a 23rd-place medal.
Joining Janusick and the crew of Johnsons on this year’s all area team are Storm teammate Cody Taylor, Hall’s T.J. Mosbach, and Princeton’s Zach Kieffer.
Derrick Johnson, sophomore, Bureau Valley: Johnson wrapped up a successful sophomore campaign for the Storm with a state medal, coming through the 1A state chute 23rd at 15:51.
“He made some huge progress this year, and we feel he will be in the running for a top 10 finish (at state) next year,” said Storm coach Dale Donner.
Johnson was the Storm’s top runner throughout the year, leading the team with a ninth place 15:56 at sectionals, and sixth-place 16:47 at regionals. Johnson also earned Three Rivers All-Conference honors with a third-place 16:25 at the conference meet.
Ryan Johnson, sophomore, Bureau Valley: A second-team Trac-8 All-Conference selection by virtue of his 10th place (17:31) finish at the conference meet, Johnson was a crucial cog in the Storm’s running machine this season.
“Ryan has continued to improve both of the last two years,” said Donner. “If he gets a good off season of running in, he will be very tough in track this spring and cross country next year.”
Johnson finished third for the Storm with a 34th place (16:44) finish at the Aurora Christian Sectional and duplicated that third-place finish for BV at state, again finishing 67th at 16:44.
Trent Johnson, senior, Bureau Valley: Johnson ended his cross-country career at Bureau Valley in style, snagging TRAC-8 first-team honors with his sixth-place finish (17:08) at the conference meet.
“Trent has made some great improvements for us over his four-year career,” said Donner. “We are very proud of the work he has put in and the success he has had.”
Johnson was the Storm’s second runner through the chute at the state race, finishing 52nd at 16:24, and was third for his squad at regionals (13th, 17:22).
T.J. Mosbach, senior, Hall: Mosbach and runner of the year Scott Janusick provided Hall with a potent 1-2 punch all season long. The duo finished first and second at the NCIC conference meet for a second straight year with Mosbach coming through the chute at Woodlawn Academy in Sterling at 16:31.
Mosbach finished fourth (16:38) at the Rock Falls regional, and realized his long-time goal of qualifying for state with a seventh-place finish (15:53) at the Aurora Christian Sectional.
“It was a great site to see him coming through the homestretch at the sectional meet in Aurora and reaching his goal of making it to state,” said Hall coach Tom Keegan. “No one handed him that privilege; he earned it.”
Mosbach also came in eighth at the prestigious Amboy Columbus Day Invite (15:05) and finished 49th at the state race, crossing the finish line at16:23.
“T.J. had a great senior year for us, and we will miss him like crazy next year,” Keegan said.
Cody Taylor, junior, Bureau Valley: Taylor came up big for the Storm all season long and continued that consistency into the postseason, having one of his best performances at the Rock Falls Regional, where he finished seventh at 16:48.
“Cody was our most consistent runner this fall,” said Donner. “He is a very hard worker, and will only get better next year.”
Taylor finished second for the Storm at the sectionals, coming in 28th at 16:38, and earned TRAC 8 All-Conference second-team honors with his eighth-place finish at 17:15.
Zach Kieffer, junior, Princeton: Kieffer was the Tigers’ lone sectional qualifier, advancing out of the Rock Falls regional with a 23rd place finish at 17:50.
PHS coach Pat Hodge said Kieffer “kept after it” while coming back from injuries this season, which the junior proved by finishing as the leader of the Tigers’ pack nine occasions this season.
Hodge said if Kieffer can stay healthy, he should post big gains as a senior.
“I believe that we can look for some significant improvements next year,” Hodge said.
• Honorable Mention
Bureau Valley — Kenny Catton, Jeremy Culver, Nate DeVenney.
Hall — Austin Pelszynski.
Princeton — Jacob Mead, Greg Musselman.
St. Bede — Szymon Ligas.
Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.
