ST. JOSEPH — The 40th Spartan Classic cross-country meet brought about a Showtime performance for Monticello's Steve Schroeder.

The senior ran away from the field, winning the 3-mile street race by 17.32 seconds, and led the state's top-ranked Class 1A boys' team to victory in the 35-school event.

Schroeder's time (14 minutes, 33.69 seconds) was more than the fourth best in the storied race's history.

"I had a personal goal to break 14:40," he said. "I had a bet with my dad. If I did, he'd buy Showtime so we can start the new season of 'Dexter' next week."

No need for the Schroeders to wait for the DVD release.

"He was in the lead after 200 meters," said Danville's Johnny Leverenz, who placed third for the second consecutive year.

It took more than the front-runner for coach Jeff Butler's Sages to hold off second-ranked Unity in the team chase.

"We had amazing performances from the top four," Schroeder said. "Everyone ran a PR today. Our guys never give in."

Monticello's followers — Luke Zocher (seventh), Andrew Hanselman (12th) and Tim Easton (13th) — were less than a minute behind Schroeder.

The Sages are showing no ill effects of being ranked as the state's team to beat.

"We have a saying, 'When the pressure is on, and the heat is on, what comes out are diamonds,' " said Schroeder, who wasn't ready to stop running.

"It's irritating to me that I feel so good with a half-mile to go. I keep pushing as hard as I can to the end, and I felt like I could have kept going for a 10K."

Danville's Leverenz was the race's top sophomore. Teammate Caleb Hummer (16th) was the fastest freshman.

"I love running here," Leverenz said. "It's one of my favorite courses."

Other area leaders were St. Joseph-Ogden's Zeke Elkins (fifth), St. Thomas More's Nick Hess (sixth), Schlarman's Jesse Hahne (ninth) and Unity's Scott Woodard (10th). Hahne was the quickest junior.

Runners didn't mind the overcast, drizzly morning.

"We rise to the challenge against Mother Nature," Schroeder said. "We love bad conditions. Our best workouts are when there's thunderstorms and blazing heat. For the Sages, the worse the conditions, the better we race. I wish it would have kept raining."

In the 199-runner girls' race, SJ-O's Chelsea Blaase was the runner-up to Bloomington Central Catholic's Alex VanHoof. Blaase ran the 1.98-mile course in 11:10.11.

For the senior, who helped her team place third, it was a so-so outing.

"I didn't do anything wrong, but I would liked to have done better," Blaase said, "but I have other races."

Top-ranked St. Teresa had four of the top nine runners and cruised to team honors over another Okaw Valley Conference team, Monticello.

Area runners who followed Blaase were Hoopeston Area's Lauren Houmes (fourth), St. Thomas More's Theresa Welle (seventh), Monticello's Hannah Houska (eighth), Monticello's Maggie Utgaard (10th) and SJ-O's Jolee Paden (14th).