Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | D | Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)

Unlucky Luciano Willowbrook senior Jesse Luciano would be one of the best runners in the state - if only he could avoid injuries.

Article Excerpt
Byline: Dennis Van Milligen Daily Herald Correspondent

You're 1 mile into the top-flight boys cross country race at Crete-Monee when you step into a pothole and injure your right ankle.

Almost sensing your pain, Palatine's Glenn Morris surges, forcing you to run faster than your swelling ankle should permit. Palatine coaches scream encouragement to Morris that you are fading.

This only motivates you more.

You surge at the 2-mile mark and begin pulling away. You follow what appears to be a marker, but it's not. A teammate screams to get your attention. You're 30 yards off course when you turn around and double back. Morris is nowhere to be seen, but you still sprint as fast as your tiring legs will allow.

Morris reappears and you begin to close the gap quickly. You slingshot past Morris down the final straightaway and pull away for the victory. Even with the injury and wrong turn, you'll set a course record, covering the 3.1-mile course in 15 minutes, 8.4 seconds. Teammates will later call this the greatest race they've ever seen you run, but it'll be a costly race.

One month later, that same ankle will essentially break and end your junior year of cross country unceremoniously. You will watch helplessly on crutches as York's Sean McNamara, the only runner to beat you all season, wins the state championship that was yours for the taking.

Welcome to the world of Jesse Luciano, one of the...

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!