Boyd places fifth at Gene Jones Runnin’ Red Invitational

By Fred Kroner

Senior Ava Boyd set the pace for Mahomet-Seymour’s girls’ cross-country team on Saturday (Oct. 7), running fifth in the 232-runner Gene Jones Runnin’ Red Invitational at Black Patridge Park, in Metamora.

On a course laid out at 2.94 miles, Boyd crossed the finish line in 17 minutes, 50.10 seconds.

Nine Bulldogs finished among the top 100.

Trailing Boyd were Taylor Mills (28^th in 18:55.90), Jaci Kellenberger (43^rd in 19:29.10), Chloe Bundren (52^nd in 19:44.20), Zoey Wallace (71^st in 20:20.20), Hadley Grotelueschen (77^th in 20:36.80), Ava Jansen (79^th in 20:38.40), Emma Frazier (90^th in 21:01.80) and Jinan Abdo (100^th in 21:15.60).

Twelve other M-S athletes participated in the 20-school event.

Emmaline Culp placed 102^nd in 21:21.80 and was followed by teammates Morgan Waisath (107^th in 21:31.30), Caroline Allen (127^th in 22:06.20), Emily Ramirez (136^th in 22:19.90), Blaire Gabel (159^th in 23:18.50), Selma Tilton (162^nd in 23:23.80), Camryn Nelson (163^rd in 23:25.80), Alyssa Gray (166^th in 23:33.10), Lauren Bednar (180^th in 24:08.70), Meg Turner (184^th in 24:14.20), Mollie Schifo (194^th in 24:39.90) and Grace Bednar (205^th in 25:24.30).

Among the Bulldogs who established new career-best 3-mile times were Abdo, Culp, Waisath, Gray and Schifo.

Washington emerged as the team champion with a cumulative score of 66 points. Tolono Unity (73 points) was second, followed by Dunlap (107 points). M-S’ composite score was 176 points.

M-S recognized its three seniors at the meet: Lauren Bednar, Ava Boyd and Meg Turner.

“They have given so much to our program over the last four years,” M-S coach Jama Grotelueschen said. “Their speeches were beautiful, and embodied what this sport truly means to so many of us.”

The Bulldogs return to action on Tuesday (Oct. 10) in the Apollo Conference Meet at Taylorville. The race will be their final tuneup before regionals.