Mahomet-Seymour girls’ cross country captures win at first meet of 2020
By FRED KRONER
The location, date and time were all different, but the Mahomet-Seymour girls’ cross-country team opened its COVID-19-delayed 2020 season on Friday at Mount Zion.
The revamped schedule originally called for the Bulldogs to open on Saturday in St. Thomas More’s Saber Corn Classic, but the host school had to drop teams from its invitational in order to stay within the participation limits that have been imposed.
“Mount Zion was gracious to let us join their already scheduled meet,” first-year M-S head coach Jama Grotelueschen said. “With being limited to regions or conference schools this year, we are lucky to race Mount Zion, as they are a very formidable opponent for us.”
In Grotelueschen’s debut, M-S started with a victory in a four-school meet.
“I am so grateful that our girls actually had the opportunity to run a race in 2020,” Grotelueschen said. “There has been so much speculation and back-and-forth as to whether or not our season would take place.
“It felt very surreal to be at a meet and to hear the horn go off.”
No spectators were permitted at the first race and the format was altered from years past.
“The girls’ varsity race was started in waves to help with social distancing at the start,” Grotelueschen said. “The No. 1-3 runners started first, 15 seconds later the No. 4-6 runners, and then 15 seconds after that the No. 7-9 runners.
“There was an open race that followed both varsity races. The meet host did a fantastic job structuring the race.”
Bulldog junior Elizabeth Sims was the girls’ winner of the 3-mile event. Her time was 20 minutes, 29 seconds.
She was one of three M-S athletes to place among the top six in the varsity competition.
“Delaney King, who is looking very strong early this year, placed fifth (in 21:41),” Grotelueschen said. “Freshman Ava Boyd, in her first 3-mile race, placed sixth (in 21:43).”
As a team, M-S edged Mount Zion 31-33. Champaign Central and Taylorville were among the other team participants.
M-S and Mount Zion staged a supreme battle last fall for supremacy in the Apollo Conference. The Bulldogs prevailed in that race by a single point to claim the Apollo title.
In Friday’s first race, a trait which has been a staple of the Bulldog program in recent years, was again in existence.
“Our team is known for its pack running,” Grotelueschen said. “The depth of our team helps us out often. If one girl has an off day, there is another one there to take her place.
“Our No. 3-5 finishers, Ella Scott (ninth in 22:26), Klein Powell (10th in 22:28) and Grace Lietz (11th in 22:33) were within seven seconds of each other, followed closely by Emily Bednar (14th in 22:50) and Shaelin Ruzich (15th in 22:51).”
Teammate Olivia Bunting placed 25th in 23:51.
“Our girls showed a solid effort on a challenging course with very warm conditions,” Grotelueschen said.
In all, 21 Bulldogs competed at Mount Zion. In the girls’ open race, M-S had six of the first seven finishers, which Grotelueschen said, “is a testament to just how deep our team is.”
The M-S leaders in the open race were Callie Jansen (23:09), Chloe Allen (23:20), Ella Wolters (23:29), Alyssa Christiansen (24:28), Lauren Bednar (24:52), Cece Abramson (25:26), Hannah Hofbauer (26:45) and Gretchen Scheele (26:54).
M-S returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 5) at Eastern Illinois University. It is a meet that will allow spectators.
