Fall's Finest 2010: Verzbicas Runs to Head of his Class

Sandburg cross country standout named Orland Park's top fall high school athlete.

By Ron Kremer

Lukas Verzbicas, Sandburg, senior, cross country

Major accomplishments/awards

* Verzbicas won his second straight Class 3A boys state cross country championship in November. He was clocked in 13 minutes 54 seconds for 3 miles at Detweiller Park in Peoria. He came with 4 seconds of shattering Craig Virgin's 38-year-old state record time (13:50.6). Verzbicas led Sandburg to a 10th-place finish in the team chase.

* Earlier, he won conference and sectional titles.

* He won the Nike Cross Nationals 5K event in Portland, Ore., with a time of 15:59.2. For his performance, he was named USA's Track & Field Athlete of the Week.

* He won his second straight title at the Foot Locker Nationals on Dec. 11 in San Diego, Calif. He was clocked in 14:59 at the 5K event.