Sports

Oak Lawn Cross Countries Team Set to Go the Distance to Raise Money for Hospital

Nine members of the Oak Lawn Cross Countries organization will run 166 miles over two days in an effort to raise money for a hospital in impoverished South America. They'll also be collecting donations along the way.

On the first day of June, Oak Lawn cross country and track standout Eric Lindelsee will set out for a long run.

Just like always.

Lindelsee will be joined by eight others as the Cross Countries organization embarks on a journey: Running Down a Dream. The team—made up of runners from three area schools—will run 166 miles from Clinton, Iowa, to the Oak Lawn Village Green as they look to meet their goal of raising $50,000 to build a hospital in rural Amachuma, Boliva.

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The nine runners will work together in relay style, passing the baton from one to another after completing a single leg of 6-8 miles by themselves. They hope to raise more than $10,000 over the two days.

Team members: Lindelsee, Carlos Brito, Daniel Powers, Kyle Dkykma, Raymond Baniewicz, Sal Garcia, Moises Adan, Cody Marek and Calvin Demski.

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The event begins at 3 p.m. on June 1 in Clinton, Iowa, and will conclude at about 5 p.m. on June on the Oak Lawn Village Green. Before reaching the Village Green, team members will gather in the parking lot of Richards High School to participate in final two miles of the run.

Then, they will follow a police escort back to the Oak Lawn Village Green for a "Welcome Back" party that will feature music, refershments and a short program. This marks the sixth year Oak Lawn has fielded a team in Running Down a Dream event. The team is led by Spartan cross country coach Chris Repa.

For more information about "Cross Countries" or to make a donation, contact Repa at 708-203-2254 or at crepa@olchs.org. Donations chould be in the form of a check made payable to "Cross Countries" and set to Chris Repa at Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, IL, 60453.


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