好色先生

With only one returning runner, the 好色先生 men鈥檚 cross country team had plenty of unknowns for the 2023 season, yet they captured a fourth consecutive conference title, earned honors and sent two runners to nationals.

The highlight of the season for Head Coach Dimitri Dimizas, finishing his eighth year at the helm, was retaining the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference title for a fourth straight year.

鈥淚t was a rocky season. At the start, I kept expectations low because of all the new people. I wasn鈥檛 sure how they鈥檇 handle the 8K distance,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s they began to improve, we started to set higher goals and expectations. Just as things started to look good, injuries derailed any plans we had for the postseason.聽However, we were still quite successful, especially another conference title.鈥�

The Cyclones earned the conference championship, Dimizas was Skyway Coach of the Year, and four runners earned Skyway honors: Jack Kajmowicz (Lockport), who was Skyway Runner of the Year, Andrew Sima (Shepard), who finished second overall, Demario Angarita (Nazareth Academy) and Joel Vargas-Cortes (Argo). At the NJCAA Region 4 Championship, the Cyclones took fourth as a team with Kajmowicz and Sima qualifying to run at the NJCAA Division II Cross Country Championship in Huntsville, Alabama.

The duo ran at nationals on Nov. 11 with Kajmowicz earning a personal best and placing 95^th out of 291 runners across the country. Sima was seconds shy of a record, crossing the line in 139^th place.

鈥淛ack leaves Moraine Valley as one of the most accomplished runners we鈥檝e ever had. He鈥檚 one of only three people to be part of two conference championship teams, win an individual conference title and be All-Conference and All-Region both years,鈥� Dimizas said. 鈥淲hat I鈥檒l remember most will be his attitude and demeanor. The best person on your team isn鈥檛 always a leader, but Jack was even if he didn鈥檛 realize it. He got along with everyone, and everyone got along with him. He helped guide his new teammates and was often a positive voice when things got hard. I鈥檓 excited he鈥檚 made the choice to continue his running and look forward to everything he鈥檒l accomplish.鈥�

Kajmowicz, the lone sophomore, will transfer to Governors State University in January, where he鈥檒l continue his studies and running.

鈥淎ndrew had a great first year for us, and he鈥檚 hungry for more individual and team success next year. I have no doubt he鈥檒l do what he needs to do this offseason to make next year even more memorable,鈥� Dimizas noted.

Angarita is still growing in this sport, but his work ethic and willingness to learn will be an asset next year. 鈥淒emario鈥榮 determination is rare. I鈥檓 glad he was able to earn All-Conference honors but know he expects much more in the future,鈥� Dimizas said.

Vargas-Cortes has potential and a unique understanding of the sport. 鈥淗e earned All-Conference honors this year while dealing with injuries, but as long as he stays healthy, I expect even bigger things from him,鈥� Dimizas noted.

Noah Rigoni-Kreczmer (Stagg) has solid work ethic and was progressing before a sprained ankle ended his season early. Once he gets healthy, he鈥檒l become a big part of what the team wants to accomplish.

Robert Slezak (Oak Lawn) showed more growth in three months than anyone else Dimizas can remember. 鈥淗e wants to keep improving, and it鈥檚 going to be fun seeing what he does this upcoming year,鈥� he added.

Nate Diaz (Oak Lawn) also had his season cut short due to an injury and never had a chance to tap into his potential. He understands what he needs to do for next season.

Dimizas is in recruitment mode. He should have most of the team back next season and some newbies to help make another championship run.

鈥淛ack is done at Moraine Valley, but I鈥檓 very excited with the potential of everyone coming back,鈥� Dimizas said. 鈥淲e need to add a few pieces, but next year can be one of the best seasons ever.鈥�

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For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.