DGS XCTF

Downers Grove South Boys Cross Country, Track, & now Bowling too!

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

Amazing job by these dudes this weekend!

School Record on Friday and 3rd place in state today in the 4x8!

Congrats Chris, Sam, Will, Conrad, and John!

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

These dudes put on a show today!

Moving on to finals with a NEW SCHOOL RECORD of 7:45.72!!!

John Clinton, Sam Axelson, Chris Janota, & Will Miller break the record from 1983

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

Taking advantage of another opportunity with today’s time trial.

Congrats to Dexter Jones on joining the Sub 5 club with his PR of 4:57.41!!!
#fastfrosh

[DGS Girls Distance @DGSCC]

Karen Boakye takes care of business and wins her first state title in the Triple Jump! She finished 6th as a freshman, 4th as a junior, and 1st as a senior! We are so proud of her! @DGSSports

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

Congrats to these dudes on qualifying for state in the 4x8. Chris Janota, Sam Axelson, John Clinton, and Conrad Saner make ot 5 straight years for DGS in that event.

This is the third straight year for John and Conrad!

[DGS Track & Field @DGSouthTF]

Champs.
Good team win!

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

What a night for our Conference!

Top 4 in 3200 all under previous Conference record.

4x8, 3200, and 1600 all went down tonight
#GOLD

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

Top 4 all under Conference record! Huge win for Conrad and big breakthrough for Clinton who dropped 8 seconds off his previous season best

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

What a team win!!!

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

What a night!!!
The 4x4 crew of distance guys closed out an improbably team win. Axelson, Janota, Miller, and Saner took home the win in the relay.

Also pictured was the 400m conference champion Andrew Erdal!

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

Congrats to Andrew, AJ, Sam, and Chris on the win and NEW CONFERENCE 4x800 RECORD!

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

A couple more dudes sub 5 for the first time!
Congrats to Loren Hirthe and Trevor Dreyer who both ran 4:54!

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

After finishing his final day of high school, Harris Kelliher ran his best race to go SUB 5 for the first time in the 1600

4:57.9 for Harris!

[Quinn Holler @QHollerVJA]

@BoltsTrack finishes 5th out of 15 quality teams at the 46th Annual Bill Jackson Invite at Lockport!

Shoutout to @LockportTrackXC Coach Razo on an amazing 36 year career coaching!

⚡️⚡️⚡️

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

The mid distance crew took all the 400 spots tonight!!!
AJ 52.4, Will 53.1, Andrew 53.3 in the open 400

4x4 ran big season best of 3:27.

Sam 52.6, Chris 51.5, John 52.4, Conrad 50.2

As my college teammate often said, “there’s always room for a 400!”

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

Some very strong 1600s. Typically an 800 guy, Sam Axelson goes up to the 1600 and wins his race with 4:27. His last 800 was under 2:07!

Jakub Kranz continues to race with more confidence and got himself a new PR of 4:34!

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

What a night for the distance crew!
Conrad Saner dropped a 1:53 800 for the win.
Chris Janota with PR of 1:57!
John Clinton won his heat with 1:58
Will Miller led off 4x8 with 1:58
AJ Handy split 2:00
Andrew Erdal ties PR with 2:02

Things are starting to come together!

[DGS Athletics @DGSSports]

🏆 HONORING A DGS LEGEND: COACH DOUG PLUNKETT 🏆

Last night was nothing short of magical as DGS hosted the West Suburban Conference Championships. Not only did our Mustangs compete fiercely, but Head Coach Doug Plunkett captured his 47th WSC title!

Following the meet, we took a special moment to honor a true Downers Grove South legend who will be retiring at the end of this school year alongside the Class of 2026. The atmosphere was incredible, with the stands filled with his family—including his mother who traveled in from out of state—along with returning alumni, All-State athletes, and even one of his former Olympic athletes!

After an incredible 37-year coaching career, including the last 25 years pouring his heart into the Mustangs, Coach Plunkett’s resume is quite simply staggering:
🥇 47 West Suburban Conference Titles
🥇 8 IHSA Sectional Titles
🥇 14 State Meet Appearances (Seven Top-5 finishes!)
🥇 62 All-State Athletes
🥇 5 IHSA State Champions
🥇 2 Olympians
But beyond the banners and the medals, Coach Plunkett is defined by the culture he built. He is revered for his ability to develop leaders, build lifelong relationships, and foster a true sense of pride and belonging. His athletes leave his programs not just as better runners, but as confident, resilient young women equipped for life. His peers recognize this too, naming him to the All-Century WSC Honor Roll and inducting him into the 2024 ITCCCA Hall of Fame.
When asked what he will miss most about DGS, Coach Plunkett didn't talk about the championships. He said, “The people.” He noted his love for the teachers, the support staff, his dedicated assistant coaches, and the way DGS coaches support one another. But most of all, his greatest joy has been working with the thousands of athletes who have come through his programs over the decades.
As we always say, it takes a village. We know the immense sacrifice it takes from a coach’s family to support the time and passion Coach Plunkett has given us. A massive thank you to his family, and a special shoutout to the Running Booster parents who went above and beyond behind the scenes to make sure Coach’s last race at home was unforgettable.
Last night, we presented Coach Plunkett with an award to commemorate his legacy. The inscription reads:
"Girls Cross Country & Girls Track & Field — Doug Plunkett — Dedication Beyond Measure: In Gratitude to a Teacher and Coach of 25 Remarkable Years. Your impact lasts a lifetime, shaping Minds, Forging Champions, and Inspiring Excellence. Your Legacy Lives on. Mustangs Forever!"
Drop your favorite memories and congratulations in the comments below to make some noise for a Hall of Famer, a mentor, and a forever Mustang... Coach Doug Plunkett! 👏👏🐎
@dgsgtf @DGSCC @DGS_CTE
#MustangPride #DGS_Mustangs #ThankYouCoach #DGSTrackAndField #DGSXC #Legend #MustangsForever

[DGS XCTF @DGSXC]

Lat night for the first time ever, DGS won the 4x800 relay at the Prospect Wanner Knights Invite.

Chris Janota, Sam Axelson, John Clinton, & Conrad Saner edged out some great competition to run 7:48.78

That time is currently IL #1 and the fastest DGS has ran since 1983

[DGS Athletics @DGSSports]

🐎 Congratulations to our 2026 Senior Athletes of the Year.
Gabby David & John Clinton -- Proud of your legacy!

The Downers Grove South Athletic Department is proud to present this year’s Senior Athlete of the Year awards. These honors, voted on by our entire coaching staff, celebrate the heart, dedication, and excellence of our student-athletes who embody our core values of Mustang pride, teamwork, and integrity. @DGSTennis @DGSXC @DGSouthTF #legacy #dgspride #youbelonghere