Berlinghof Wraps Season in Peoria, Eagles Eighth Place in Tough Hinsdale Sectional

Sophomore Sam Berlinghof finished off his impressive season this past weekend at the IHSA State Cross Country Finals at Detweiller Park in Peoria, Ill., officially ending what is now the second most successful sophomore campaign in program history behind only seven time All-Stater Jamison Dale ('13).

Berlinghof crossed the line for the final time with a sixty-seventh place finish in the Class 3A race, earning the second fastest time of his career in 15:18.7 and placing as the seventh fastest sophomore in the race.  

The sophomore's season consisted of numerous highlights, which included individual medalist finishes at all regular season invitationals he raced in, as well as a runner-up finish at the 2021 Chicago Public League Championships.  

While not earning a team berth this fall, the Eagles did finish with one of their best collective performances of the year, falling just short of the final team qualifying spot in the bruising Hinsdale Central Sectional.  With thirteen 'top-25' ranked teams in the field, the Eagles finished in the eighth spot, beating out numerous higher ranked teams and finishing just behind a Neuqua Valley team that would go on to finish tenth at the IHSA State Finals.  

Finishing in the number two spot for Jones, senior captain Alan Menninger fell just short of the final individual qualifying place, while sophomore Alex Leonard and junior Sam Mortensen put together big races to help lead the Eagles in the third and fourth slots.  Senior Alexander Papadopoulos also once again finished as a scoring runner to round things out, with junior Daniel Leonard and Mattthew DeSantis capping off the top-seven in the race.  

The Eagles officially conclude their season as the four-time defending Chicago Public League Champions, as well as a 'top-25' ranked team again, according to multiple publications.