PEORIA – Kaneland senior boys cross country runner Matt Richtman was barely edged for the Class 2A Kaneland Sectional title by Sterling senior Jacob Gebhardt.

That nearly happened again Saturday at Detweiller Park with the state championship on the line.

This time, though, Richtman came out on top.

“I saw him out of the corner of my eye and last week he took that one step ahead,” Richtman said. “This meet I saw him out of the corner of my eye again and made sure I gave it everything I had.”

By less than a second, Richtman became the first boys cross country state champion in Kaneland history by covering the 3 miles in 14:23. And he may even keep the medal to prove it.

After last year’s then program-best fourth-place finish in 14:36, Richtman presented his all-state medal to Kaneland coach Chad Clarey as a token of appreciation.

“He’s done so much for us everyone that’s run here. He treats us so well. He really deserved it more than I did,” said Richtman, who may keep this medal. “I haven’t decided yet. Most likely.”

The Sycamore boys earned their second top-three state trophy by taking third in (151 points) with senior all-stater Stephen Poorten (7th, 14:56) leading the way with his second all-state performance. Kaneland was sixth (234), three points from fifth.

Kaneland sophomore Rachel Richtman also earned an all-state medal for the second year in a row by taking 12th (17:35) in the 2A girls race to lead the Knights to eighth (265).

Matt Richtman and third-place Crystal Lake South senior Jack Becker (3rd, 14:31) will compete at Bradley. Richtman and the Indiana-bound Gebhardt have competed together since eighth grade.

“It’s exciting to see how we’ve both grown together and here we are,” Richtman said. “He won [state] in middle school so I guess it was my turn.”

Clarey knows first-hand about Kaneland cross country success. Thirty years ago, he was part of the Knights’ lone team state championship team.

“[Richtman] said, [this] year I want to get a different color medal of my own,” Clarey said. “He came here with a mission. I know in his heart what he wanted. For Matt to come out on top [was great] with the character he has, for what he gives to his program, his community and how selfless he is.”

Rachel Richtman improved upon taking 18th in 2016 (17:34).

“This year I had a better sense [of the race],” Rachel Richtman said. “I just gave it my all basically. I just try to pass as many girls as I can. Nothing really was going through my mind other than this is the state meet. This is just so much fun.”