By Fred Kroner
The Bulldogs had two top-10 finishers on Monday (Sept. 28) and placed second in a three-school girls’ cross-country race at Mahomet’s 13 Acres Park.
Meet champion Tolono Unity ended with 22 points. Runner-up M-S had 49 points and Monticello wound up third with 53 points.
Avah Turner (sixth in 13:18.9) and Madalyn Marx (seventh in 13:19.1) were the Bulldog leaders on the 2-mile course.
Other M-S leaders were Taylor Mills (11th in 13:36), Hadley Grotelueschen (12th in 13:42.2), Chloe Bundren (13th in 13:42.4), Isabel Lietz (14th in 13:43), Ava Jansen (15th in 13:46.2), Reese Gallier (17th in 13:51), Phoebe Truax (18th in 13:57), Haley Reed (19th in 13:58), Hannah Martin (20th in 14:09), Emma Frazier (26th in 14:35), Gabby Reeves (28th in 14:37.3), Ayla Finfrock (31st in 14:47), Izzy Difanis (32nd in 15:00), Erika Johnson (34th in 15:14), Ella Ylagan (36th in 15:18), Ainsley Smith (37th in 15:19), Cameron Nelson (38th in 15:19.1), Cora Tandy (39th in 15:20), Ella Walk (40th in 15:31), Emmaline Culp (41st in 15:36) and McKenzie Hissong (42nd in 15:39).
M-S coach Lisa Martin was pleased by what she saw from her competitors.
“Our depth is something that is to be so proud of,” Martin said. “There is so much grit in the hearts of these runners that shines through when they step out onto the course and put that tenacity into their physical ability.
“All runners, regardless of place on our team, are running amazingly well right now. This is especially impressive considering we only practice with them two days a week. This shows that their hard work outside of practice time is paying off.
“Our varsity runners keep taking turns as to who finishes in what position for the team. This proves that they are encouraging each other to continue to improve and are reaching goals that will help them finish out the season with top performances as a team.”
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The Bulldogs produced seven of the top-10 placers on Thursday (Sept. 24) in a meet at home at 13 Acres Park against Tolono Unity and Monticello.
M-S was led by Cameron Nelson, whose 2-mile time was 15 minutes and 18 seconds. Nelson was second in the 40-runner field.
The next five Bulldogs crossed the finish line within 24 seconds of one another.
Zoey Wallace placed fourth individually in 15:30. Right behind her were Claire Waggoner (fifth in 15:32), Isabelle Difanis (sixth in 15:37), Addison Jessup (seventh in 15:51) and Olivia Cox (eighth in 15:54).
Other Bulldog participants were Emily Ramirez (10th in 16:18), Adella Bird (11th in 16:22), Emery Parker (15th in 16:34), Cassia Sperry (18th in 16:53), Peyton Shelmadie (22nd in 17:13), Grace Bednar (26th in 17:38), Gracyn Shotkoski (31st in 18:42), Allanah Smith (32nd in 18:42) and Addie Lagacy (33rd in 19:04).
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On Monday (Sept 21), Avah Turner’s season-best time of 12:59 enabled her to place third individually in a three-school meet at Mount Zion that also included Tolono Unity.
Teammates Taylor Mills and Chloe Bundren finished within a second of each other, in sixth- and seventh-place, respectively.
They posted their top times of the season as did the next two Bulldogs, Madeline Marx and Hannah Martin.
The M-S pack was strong thereafter.
Six squad members finished within 10 seconds of one another after Martin
Teammates Ava Jansen, Hadley Grotelueschen, Reese Gallier, Phoebe Truax, Haley Reed and Isabel Lietz all filed into the finish line as a solid group.
“Gabby Reeves hit a season record, finishing shortly behind this group with Emma Frazier finding her stride and finishing strong,” Lisa Martin added. “What a great group of competitive athletes this group is.
“The leadership provided by the veteran runners, combined with the energy and excitement of the new, young runners is making this a great season.
“I keep reminding these young runners to soak in all of the information they can right now because the leadership they are being exposed to as sixth-graders is top notch.”
In the open race, Ainsley Smith was the girls’ winner for the day with Ella Walk and Lindsey Gowler on her heels.
M-S returns to action on Thursday (Oct. 1) in a race against Decatur Our Lady of Lourdes and Urbana.
