Gaudio, Peterka lead MSJHS at Dunlap Invitational
By Fred Kroner
Two Mahomet-Seymour runners secured top-10 finishes on Friday (Sept. 24) in the 274-runner Dunlap boys’ junior high cross-country invitational at Detweiller Park, in Peoria.
Auggie Gaudio and Ethan Peterka led the way for M-S.
Gaudio ended fourth with a time of 11:36.6. Peterka was ninth in 11:50.3.
“These two looked strong in this race, holding their posture strong, breezing through the 2.1-mile course,” M-S coach Lisa Martin said.
Rounding out the team’s top five were Justus Vrona (57th in 12:53.4), Parker Wilkins (58th in 12:54.5) and Emmett Kearns (61st in 12:55.9).
The Bulldogs’ other varsity entrants were making their varsity debuts and Martin said, “showed some real strength.”
Camden Wood was 115th in 13:30.6 and Jamison Griffen was 141st in 13:42.8.
In the team standings, the Bulldogs ended fifth. Thirty-nine schools entered full teams.
Taking top honors was Tolono Unity (154 points), followed by Dunlap (170), Morton (174), Edwardsville Liberty (183) and M-S (189).
In an open race that attracted 466 participants, M-S’ Tate Bode placed ninth in 13:22.5.
Eight of his teammates finished among the top 100.
They were: Jonathan Franklin (26th in 13:52.4), Jack VanHoorn (28th in 13:54.5), Henry Carpenter (32nd in 14:03.3), Landon Dowers (44th in 14:14.9), Jackson Davis (54th in 14:24.0), Camden Snodsmith (59th in 14:26.1), Jack Meyer (92nd in 14:40.7) and Evan Shuff (100th in 14:45.8.
Winning the team crown in the open race was Chatham Glenwood (97 points). Other schools in the top five were Brimfield (98), Edwardsville Liberty (102), Morton (107) and M-S (123).
“The meet was loaded with talent and showcased the state’s best junior high cross-country runners,” Martin said.
“It was an exciting day that will be a guide for us as we navigate the stress of postseason prep.
“Coaches look forward to seeing what this team will do in the postseason.”
On Thursday (Sept. 23), M-S took a group of runners who weren’t competing on Friday to a three-school non-scored meet at Monticello. Clinton was the third school with participants.
Ten of the first 20 finishers in the boys’ race were wearing M-S jerseys, including meet champion Henry McMurry.
He completed the 2-mile course in 11 minutes and 43 seconds.
“Henry McMurry faced a tough opponent, was able to hold him off and cross the uphill finish line first,” Martin said. “The most exciting aspect of this race group was that it was made up of a lot of young runners, runners that will be leading the pack next year as we graduate some very talented eighth-graders.”
Three other Bulldogs placed among the top 10.
Tucker Loven was fourth (12:59), Corban McMinn was seventh (13:29) and Liam Noonan was 10th (13:51).
Teammates among the top 20 were: Dominic Gaudio (13th in 13:56), Gideon Hayter (14th in 13:57), Liam Burwell (15th in 14:14), Adam Varga (16th in 14:16), Dominic Bruns (19th in 14:22) and Jackson Koontz (20th in 14:23).
“The course at Lodge Park is always a favorite because of the scenery, however it is easy to get turned around out in the woods, which was the case for a couple of our athletes,” Martin said. “Despite facing a little adversity, all of the athletes made a quick turn into the uphill finish line and finished confidently.”
The Bulldogs will return to action on Saturday (Oct. 2) at Monticello’s Lodge Park.
“We are anxious to return there on Saturday to reach some newly set goals,” Martin added.
