Mahomet-Seymour Boys’ Cross Country Claims East Peoria Invitational Title with Seven Medalists

By Fred Kroner

With seven runners earning medals for top-20 performances, the Mahomet-Seymour boys’ cross-country team won the championship on Saturday (Sept. 28) at the 12-school East Peoria Invitational held at Illinois Central College.

The Bulldogs had a team composite of 35 points and edged runner-up Morton (36 points). Third-place Normal University High followed with 92 points.

M-S last won the East Peoria Invitational in 2017. The seven medalists at the event tied a school record at that race held jointly by the 2015 and 2016 teams.

The Bulldogs were led by junior Auggie Gaudio (second in 15:44.90), junior Henry McMurry (fifth in 16:10.30), senior Lukas Nykaza (seventh in 16:29.30), senior Kaleb Kasper (10^th in 16:43.50), sophomore Tate Bode (11^th in 16:48.10), freshman Adam Smigielski (13^th in 16:50.40) and senior Zach Wilcoski (16^th in 16:58.70).

Four freshmen besides Smigielski secured berths in the top 30 in the 115-runner field: Tayten Gergen (24^th in 17:22.40), Kiptyn Fan (25^th in 17:32.10), Liam Burwell (26^th in 17:35.50) and Henry Welch (28^th in 17:37.40).

Running their lifetime bests for a 3-mile course were Smigielski, Fan and Welch.

M-S returns to action on Saturday (Oct. 12) in the Gene Jones Runnin’ Red Invitational at Metamora.