Boys Cross Country notes: Geneva's Ben Calusinski perseveres through plenty of adversity

Geneva's Ben Calusinski, a senior, could spend at least 10 minutes dwelling on injuries, sickness and other adversity he has persevered through in the past year.

Calusinski suffered tendinitis the summer before his junior season, which derailed his training regimen.

It didn't prevent a breakthrough.

In Calusinski's first race back – in Peoria at the state course – he ran a 15:07, blowing away his own expectations.

But physical ailments persisted.

Three weeks later, Calusinski came down with a double ear infection. Two weeks after that, he contracted bronchitis. A week after that diagnosis, he got the flu.

"My season ended up being shot," Calusinski said. "I made it a point to try and just keep running each day, even if it was 15-minute increments."

Calusinski missed the regional meet, but thankfully his Geneva teammates ensured he could return for sectionals by taking fourth at the regional meet. Calusinski took advantage of the opportunity by running a 16:04 at sectionals to qualify for the state meet in Peoria.

"Considering the circumstances of the season, I was super happy to be able to go to Peoria," Calusinski said. "Definitely not the season that I wanted, but [it's] never going to end up being perfect."

Calusinski is now adjusting to a different kind of adversity, a season restructured because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is still enjoying success amid the unique challenge. Calusinski took first in a Sept. 6 quad that also featured Wheaton Warrenville South with a time of 15:06.1.

Geneva, meanwhile, apparently is dealing with injuries among its top five runners.

"That was a pretty big bummer there," Calusinski said. "There's always going to be challenges, stuff you have to face more than others. So we're ready to face that challenge ... trying to make the most of it, running together everyday [and] always being positive toward each other."

No shoe, no problem for Kaneland's Dallal

Isaiah Dallal had a decision to make.

Midway through a recent race against Wheaton Academy, a Kaneland teammate inadvertently nicked the back of Dallal's shoe, jarring it loose.

Dallal opted to run the final parts of the race without the shoe.

He cruised to a first-place finish with a time under 16:40.

"When he finished, he came on like gangbusters at the finish," Kaneland coach Chad Clarey said. "He was throttle up and just sprinting in."

Dallal's first varsity win as a cross country runner was one to remember.

"I was just relieved that I did not have to run half-barefoot any longer," Dallal said. "But I am actually glad that this happened since it made the meet more exciting and interesting. "[It] felt great that I finally got the job done because the last couple meets I have not been feeling it. I definitely needed to get the win to bring back my confidence, which helps a lot."

Last season, Dallal was part of a historic Kaneland team. The Knights won the Class 2A state championship.

Kaneland graduated several standouts from last year's team, including Austin Adams, Daniel Occhipinti and Ethan Walker.

Postseason opportunities this season are uncertain.

"The season overall has definitely been more difficult compared to others, especially compared to last year," Dallal said. "I miss having my seniors with me in the front. I lost some motivation and confidence when they left, but I still got my coach and my team this season and that’s more than what I can ever ask for."