Mahomet-Seymour girls’ cross country headed to Jacksonville Sectional
By Fred Kroner
Mahomet-Seymour’s girls’ cross-country team ran fifth on Saturday (Oct. 21) in the nine-school Normal Class 2A Sectional at Maxwell Park.
The finish enabled the Bulldogs to extend their season. The top six schools qualified for the upcoming Jacksonville Sectional.
M-S was led by senior Ava Boyd, who ran the 3-mile course in 19 minutes, 7.40 seconds. She placed eighth in a field of 65 competitors.
Other Bulldog leaders were freshman Taylor Mills (14th in 19:25.30), freshman Jaci Kellenberger (23rd in 20:41.30), junior Chloe Bundren (27th in 21:19.40), junior Emma Frazier (32nd in 21:44.60), freshman Zoey Wallace (34th in 21:46.70) and junior Ava Jansen (35th in 21:49.60).
Wallace was a late addition to the lineup, filling in for an injured teammate and, according to Bulldog coach Jama Grotelueschen, “showing tremendous poise.”
In the team chase, Chatham Glenwood totaled 27 points and earned the regional championship. Runner-up Normal University High had 72 points and was followed by Mount Zion (75 points), Rochester (93 points), M-S (96 points) and Taylorville (183).
The top six teams advanced to the Jacksonville Sectional, which will be on Saturday (Oct. 28) at the Jacksonville Community Park. The girls’ race will start at 11 a.m.
At the sectional, the top seven teams will qualify for state. Also at stake next week are state berths for the top 10 individual runners who are not members of a qualifying team.
“Our young squad members (featuring three freshmen) gained invaluable postseason experience which will serve them well next weekend as we vie for a state berth,” Grotelueschen added.
The Bulldog coach is optimistic about the Bulldogs’ prospects.
“Our regional was by far the toughest regional in the sectional,” Grotelueschen said.
