M-SJHS Cross Country wins Champaign Edison Invitational
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By Fred Kroner
For the second consecutive meet, both the boys’ and girls’ cross-country squads from Mahomet-Seymour Junior High captured team honors on Saturday (Aug. 27) in the Champaign Edison Invitational.
Anniston Huff led a 1-2 Bulldog finish in the girls’ 2-mile race. Huff covered the course in 12 minutes and 49 seconds.
Taylor Mills was second (12:58). Following her were Ava Watkins (seventh in 13:27); Kennedy Ashby (19th in 14:24); Cecily Smith (24th in 14:36); Jaci Kellenberger (25th in 14:36) and Emma Busch (26th in 14:38).
There were 89 runners in the race.
In the boys’ race, Bulldog runners secured three of the top six finishes.
Leading the way were Tate Bode (second in 11:41); Cody Moen (fourth in 11:53) and Noah Crane (sixth in 12:13).
Rounding out the M-S lineup were Jack Van Hoorn (12th in 12:43); Adam Smigielski (14th in 13:01); Liam Noonan (29th in 13:36) and Dominic Gaudio (37th in 13:53).
There were 99 runners in the race.
The open races were not scored, but if they had been, M-S would have captured team honors.
The first 12 girls’ finishers (in a field of 176) were from M-S.
Claire Waggoner set the pace, finishing the 2-mile race in 14:43.
Two teammates crossed the finish line in less than 15 minutes: Hannah Martin (second in 14:57) and Finley Smith (third in 14:58).
Other Bulldog leaders were Phoebe Graham (fourth in 15:06); Ayla Finfrock (fifth in 15:07); Erika Johnson (sixth in 15:09); Evie Hillard (seventh in 15:10); Zoey Wallace (eighth in 15:25); Alyssa Gray (ninth in 15:29); Emily Ramirez (10th in 15:31); Norelle Eilts (11th in 15:33) and Emma Dewitt (12th in 15:36).
Graham was the first sixth-grade finisher.
The top five runners in the boys’ open race (out of 174 competitors) were wearing a Bulldog jersey.
Setting the pace was champion Tayten Gergen (13:19).
Also in the lead pack were Grant Morphew (second in 13:39); Carter Alderks (third in 14:03); Jackson Koontz (fourth in 14:06) and Caleb Zulauf (fifth in 14:07).
Morphew was the first sixth-grade placer.
Six teammates also ran among the top 15.
They were Liam Burwell (eighth in 14:23); Jamison Griffin (10th in 14:28); Izaiah Brotherton (11th in 14:34); Elliott Smith (12th in 14:37); Caleb Atteberry (13th in 14:38) and Dominic Bruns (14th in 14:40).
Bulldog head coach Lisa Martin was most pleased at the consistency within the four M-S teams.
“The fact that we can be the leaders in all four races demonstrates the depth that we have once again this year,” Martin said. “It was even more exciting to see our sixth-graders take to the course to compete in their first 2-mile event.
“Wow, they looked good.”
Each fall, a new crop of enthusiastic runners helps to fill the void left by those who have entered high school.
“Every year, we lose some amazing talent to athletes moving up to high school, and every year new athletes work hard to fill those spots,” Martin said. “Excited to see numerous athletes reaching goals already.
“It has also been a rewarding experience to talk with other runners about the goals they have set in an effort to help them identify ways on how to reach those goals.”
M-S returns to action on Friday (Sept. 2) at the Chrisman Cowchip Classic.
Martin believes her squads are learning more than what it takes to be competitive runners.
“Junior high sports provide so many opportunities for athletes to learn sportsmanship, teamwork, individual and team goal setting, grit and accountability and commitment,” she said. “Cross-country provides the opportunity to see all of these characteristics and many more. Our team is proof of what can happen when individuals come together to support each other as a team.”
