Mahomet-Seymour Cross Country competes at Saber Corn Classic
By FRED KRONER
The Saturday (Aug. 21) St. Thomas More Saber Corn Classic Cross-Country Invitational was an adventure for all of the junior high school runners, including the three bus loads of students representing Mahomet-Seymour.
A technology malfunction prevented race organizers from determining places for all of the competitors, but M-S coaches compiled times for their runners.
“Our team looked spectacular,” M-S coach Lisa Martin said. “Coaches are proud of the effort that was shown by all runners during their races.
“However, the coaching staff really noticed the poise that the runners exhibited as we adjusted our pre-race plan due to a technology malfunction.
“The runners stayed calm as they waited for the (delayed) start of the race and then charged through the 2-mile course.”
In the eighth-grade boys’ division, Ethan Peterka was the lone Bulldog to break the 12-minute barrier. He was timed in 11 minutes and 58 seconds.
Other M-S eighth-grade boys’ leaders were Auggie Gaudio (12:17), Henry McMurry (12:57), Justus Vrona (13:01), Preston Sriver (13:31), Emmett Kearns (13:34), Corbin McMinn (14:21), Landon Dowers (14:51), Camden Wood (14:58), Jackson Davis (15:08) and Camden Snodsmith (15:31).
Among M-S girls, the team’s top eighth-grade runners were Maddie Marx (14:16), Ella Walk (15:29) and Jinan Abdo (15:58).
In the boys’ seventh-grade race, setting the pace for the Bulldogs were Evan Shuff (13:51), Jack Van Horn (13:56), Tate Bode (14:41), Jamison Griffen (14:49), John Franklin (15:05), Jackson Koontz (15:20) and Liam Noonan (16:10).
Leading the way for the M-S seventh-grade girls were: Taylor Mills (14:10), Anniston Huff (14:25), Hannah Martin (14:27), Jaci Kellenberger (15:30), Claire Waggoner (15:45), Erika Johnson (16:26), Emma Busch (16:54), Zoey Wallace (17:13) and Emily Ramirez (17:16).
For the M-S sixth-graders, the meet was their first competitive 2-mile event.
The school’s boys’ leaders were Dominic Gaudio (14:59), Liam Burwell (15:05), Adam Varga (15:15), Kade Smith (16:03), Kiptyn Fan (16:13), Niko Truax (16:22), Adam Smigielski (16:23), Wyatt Bell (16:24), Carter Aldrecks (16:32) and Grady Ponder (16:55).
M-S’ top five in the girls’ sixth-grade race were: Marley Cloward (14:42), Kennedy Ashby (14:51), Abi King (15:12), Annaleise Ruzich (16:23) and Cecily Smith (16:25).
“Coaches saw some great things from this young group,” Martin said. “We are also excited for the strength and leadership of our veteran runners.”
The Bulldogs return to action on Thursday (Aug. 26) at Danville North Ridge.
