Mahomet-Seymour Junior High Intrasquad competes in “Spectacular” at 13 Acres
By FRED KRONER
More than six dozen Mahomet-Seymour junior high cross-country runners participated in the season-ending Intrasquad Spectacular on Tuesday (Oct. 6) at 13 Acres Park.
It was a necessary event for a squad that featured more than 140 participants this season between the boy’ and girls’ programs.
“Early in the season, the coaches realized our team would be really large – that turned out to be an understatement – and in order to provide more opportunities for racing in the team-issued uniform and to reduce risk for many of our athletes who preferred not to ride on the big yellow limo (school bus), the coaches offered an option for athletes to participate as intra-squad only athletes,” M-S head coach Lisa Martin said. “This turned out to be something many of us would benefit from and enjoy.
“It opened the door for several athletes that wanted to learn cross-country but, yet unsure of the competition portion, extended a safer way to participate in a meet and allowed for athletes to still see growth.”
The Oct. 6 meet included more than the intrasquad-only competitors.
“We opened it up to anyone not on the sectional squad,” Martin said. “Many runners took the opportunity to get one more race in for the season. The coaches enjoyed watching the athletes one last time on their home race course.
“Not knowing if we would even have a season just two months ago, this meet set the stage for a very emotional and enjoyable experience for us and our athletes. It was such a wonderful opportunity to see the families celebrate their children and enjoy the true nature of cross-country, an inclusive sport that presents both physical and mental challenges that create an atmosphere of learning and team spirit.”
In the 44-runner girls’ race, the first 11 M-S athletes crossed the finish line within one minute of each other.
Setting the pace was Ella Walk, who completed the 2-mile course in 15 minutes and six seconds. Runner-up Emma Busch finished in 15:09.
The next two squad members had identical times of 15:10 – Claire Waggoner and Erika Johnson.
Others in the first pack were Camryn Nelson (fifth in 15:15), Emily Ramirez (sixth in 15:24), Morgan Waisath (seventh in 15:32), Olivia Cox (eighth in 15:46), Caroline Mercer (ninth in 15:57), Ella Ylagan (10th in 16:03) and Adella Bird (11th in 16:06).
Six other Bulldogs finished in less than 17 minutes. They were: Emery Parker (12th in 16:24), Lainey Howard (13th in 16:42), Poppy Smith (14th also in 16:42), Evie Hillard (15th in 16:44), Jaycee Fancher (16th in 16:50) and Zoey Wallace (17th in 16:51).
The next group of six M-S competitors finished within 35 seconds of one another, starting with Cassia Sperry (18th in 17:18).
Following her were: Allanah Smith (19th in 17:37), Peyton Shelmadine (20th in 17:42), Cora Ummel (21st in 17:43), Caroline Allen (22nd in 17:44) and Grace Bednar (23rd in 17:53).
Seven M-S participants posted times in the 18-minute range, led by Ellie Zimmerman (24th in 18:12).
Trailing her were: Brooke Rhodes (25th in 18:17), Addie Lagacy (26th in 18:26), Gracyn Shotkoski (27th in 18:31), Lydia Risser (28th in 18:32), Megan Smith (29th in 18:47) and Makenzi Haskett (30th in 18:55).
The school’s other participants were: Aubrey Hollwedel (31st in 19:33), Kenna Collins (32nd in 19:44), Madi Koester (33rd in 19:48), Aubrey Watson (34th in 20:09), Kaylee Guth (35th in 20:48), Madisyn Gones (36th in 20:56), Aubrey Meints (37th in 21:19), Emerson Mahannah (38th in 21:32), Mollie Schifo (39th in 21:42), Delia Stout (40th in 22:20), Julianne Risser (41st in 23:15), Taya Barton (42nd in 25:06), Abigail Soza (43rd in 25:11) and Samantha Beasley (44th in 31:14).
“The coaches are thankful for the opportunities we were given this year,” Martin added. “Thank you all for your support of our athletes. In a time of uncertainty in these young lives, your words of encouragement to them and us have been appreciated.”
The boys’ race featured 32 runners, including one who broke the 14-minute barrier and seven others who ran the 2-mile layout in under 15 minutes.
Setting the pace was Corban McMinn (13 minutes and 56 seconds).
Other team leaders included Hawke O’Malley (second in 14:13), Ben Ohms (third in 14:18), Mason Turngren (fourth in 14:26), Camden Snodsmith (fifth in 14:32), Jamison Griffen (sixth in 14:35), Jack Meyer (seventh in 14:40) and Pearce Slocum (eighth in 14:58).
Others in the top 20 were: Landon McConkey (ninth in 15:00), Aidan Bergman (10th in 15:33), Corbin Phillips (11th in 15:43), Ryan Pruitt (12th in 15:49), Jackson Koontz (13th in 16:01), Colton Arbogast (14th in 16:03), Nolan Maples (15th in 16:27), Alexander Shanks (16th in 16:30), Seth Christensen (17th in 16:59), Isaac Biegler (18th in 17:04), Josh Craig (19th also in 17:04) and Kolby Dietz (20th in 17:05).
Completing the Bulldogs’ lineup were: Cash Bryan (21st in 17:08), Jesiah Hall-Harpst (22nd in 17:11), Izaiah Brotherton (23rd in 17:34), Max Peters (24th in 18:09), Alex DeAtley (25th in 19:09), Trey Reeves (26th in 19:30), Brayden Lamb (27th in 19:41), Austo Li (28th in 20:46), Eli Dyer (29th in 20:56), Elliott Smith (30th in 21:05), Liam Jessup (31st in 22:46) and Owen Smysor (32nd in 22:59).
The M-S varsity units for both the boys and the girls return to action on Thursday (Oct. 15) in an IESA regional at 13 Acres Park.
