Mahomet-Seymour boys’ cross country tops Unity and Monticello
By Fred Kroner
Mahomet-Seymour outdistanced the field on Monday (Sept. 28) in a three-school boys’ cross-country race at 13 Acres Field.
The Bulldogs finished with a team composite of 25 points. Runner-up Unity had 48 points and Monticello ended with 69 points.
M-S had seven consecutive placers, starting with Auggie Gaudio, who was third overall in 12 minutes and 1 second.
His next six teammates were within 24 seconds of Gaudio after the 2-mile race was concluded.
Other team leaders were: Blake Dillman (fourth in 12:06), Ty Clark (fifth in 12:14), Justus Vrona (sixth in 12:15), Ethan Peterka (seventh in 12:18), Lukas Nykaza (eighth in 12:21) and Henry McMurry (ninth in 12:25).
Other Bulldog participants were: Parker Wilkins (11th in 12:27), Sean Dady-Dreher (12th in 12:28), Kaden Jackson (14th in 12:30.2), Ethan Ramirez (16th in 12:45), Camden Wood (23rd in 13:28), Beau Back (24th in 13:30), Landon Busch (25th in 13:32), Jack VanHoorn (29th in 13:44), Tucker Loven (31st in 13:53), Landen Dowers (33rd in 14:03), Owen Mahannah (35th in 14:08), Bryton Perkins (37th in 14:13), Liam Noonan (38th in 14:17), Corban McMinn (39th in 14:21) and Tate Bode (42nd in 14:59).
“The conditions were nearly perfect for our athletes to run some great races,” M-S head coach Lisa Martin said. “With a slight wind, a drizzle during the boys’ race and cooler temperatures, many athletes found their racing legs to be on point and ready to break some personal records.
“This team is solid.”
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The Bulldogs secured seven of the top eight places on Thursday (Sept. 24) at home at 13 Acres Park in a junior varsity meet against Tolono Unity and Monticello.
Meet champion Corbin McMinn registered a 2-mile time of 13 minutes and 40 seconds. Two teammates finished within seven seconds of McMinn.
Runner-up Landon Dowers was timed in 13:46 and Camden Wood was a step behind at 13:47.
Other top-10 performers for M-S were: Beau Black (fifth in 14:02), Mason Turngren (sixth in 14:10), Will Slezak (seventh in 14:17) and Jack VanHoorn (eighth in 14:20).
Other Bulldog participants were Landen McKonkey (12th in 14:56), Kaleb Collins (13th in 14:58), Jack Meyer (16th in 15:30), Aden Bergman (17th in 15:38), Tate Kimball (18th in 15:41), Max Young (19th in 15:45) and Max Peters (23rd in 16:08).
“It was a great day to watch teammates push each other and learn what they are capable of,” Martin said. “With veteran leadership sprinkled throughout the lineups, this group of runners ran solid races, overcoming some of the mental and physical roadblocks that often challenge runners.
“Once again, the strength of this race squad proves that we are deep in talent this year. We have about four rotations of runners that find their way into meets and at each meet we go to, we are still leading the way.
“Coaches are proud of all of those who competed and will compete again soon.”
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On Monday (Sept. 21), M-S scored a narrow victory over Tolono Unity (36 to 37) in a three-school meet at Mount Zion. The host school was third with 57 points.
The top five Bulldogs were separated by just 17 seconds.
Justus Vrona was the team-leader, followed closely by Ty Clark. Also in the top pack were Blake Dillman, Lukas Nykaza, Ethan Peterka, Ethan Ramirez, Henry McMurry and Parker Wilkins.
“Sean Dady-Dreher and Auggie Gaudio weren’t far behind this group,” Martin said. “Once again, this was a solid group of runners that pushed each other to win the meet.
“Sean Dady-Dreher and Kaden Jackson both found their way back into the varsity lineup after facing some injuries, to round out this group’s top-notch talent.
“This group is really starting to find their stride.”
In the open race, Tucker Loven was the individual winner.
“Tucker led the race confidently and allowed for his teammates to have a solid leader that would take them to finishing the race with some great times,” Martin said.
M-S returns to action on Thursday (Oct. 1) in a meet at home against Decatur Our Lady of Lourdes and Urbana.
