By Fred Kroner
Mahomet-Seymour’s girls’ cross-country team finished in 10th place on Saturday (Oct. 8) in the 24-school Metamora Runnin’ Red Invitational.
Team-leader Ava Boyd ended in 22nd place individually with a 2.94-mile time of 18 minutes and 35.20 seconds in a race with 230 competitors.
Boyd was one of eight Bulldogs who logged their personal-best time.
Chloe Bundren placed 54th with her top time of the season (19:29.80). Hadley Grotelueschen wound up in 70th place with a time of 19:59.30, a personal-best by 78 seconds.
Ava Jansen and Callie Jansen were the next two M-S runners, completing the course in 20:50.70 and 21:03.20, respectively. Ava Jansen placed 103rd and Callie Jansen was 109th.
“Ava Jansen had a gutsy race going out fast, which in turn helped her teammates,” M-S coach Jama Grotelueschen said. “She finished with a season’s best time.
“Callie Jansen, who is still not 100 percent, continues to show up every day and give it her all. She had her fastest race of the year.”
Of all Bulldog competitors, the biggest drop was by Emma Frazier, who improved her previous-best by 2:35. She was timed in 21:24.70.
The seventh M-S finisher was Jinan Abdo, whose career-best clocking was 21:40.60.
Other teammates who achieved their top career times – all by at least 41 seconds – were Camryn Nelson (143rd 22:09.00), McKenzie Hissong (152nd in 22:21.10), Grace Bednar (185th in 23:55.20) and Phoebe Truax (192nd in 24:02.80).
The meet also served as the team’s Senior Recognition event.
“While we only have two this year, we could not ask for a better duo,” Jama Grotelueschen said. “Callie Jansen and Hannah Hofbauer have been amazing role models and leaders for our younger athletes.
“I am often in awe of their selflessness and their compassion towards others. We are grateful they chose cross-country for all four years, as they have certainly left their mark on our program and in our hearts.”
Hofbauer was one of three other M-S athletes who registered their best time of the year. She was 189th in 24:00.20.
Teammates also running their fastest in 2022 were Emmaline Culp (147th in 22:16.20) and Meg Turner (196th in 24:26.60).
M-S returns to action on Tuesday (Oct. 11) in the Apollo Conference meet at Mattoon.
