Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
BENTON — Having to battle not only the rest of the field but the elements as well, area teams and runners competed for spots in the 1A State Cross Country meets at soggy Benton City Park.
Rain started just minutes before the girls race and developed into a downpour during the race, making for miserable conditions.
Father McGivney’s Elena Rybak edged Pope County’s Ahry Comer and Anna-Jonesboro’s Jadyn Gerardi for medalist honors. Gerardi and the Lady Wildcats put five in the top 13 and had all 7 runners finish in the top 18 to run away with the team title.
Father McGivney, Pinckneyville, Althoff, Du Quoin, and Breese Mater Dei all qualified as teams.
Comer, Okawville’s Caroline Tepe and Lydia Luechtefeld, Murphysboro’s Miah Gilmore, Christ Our Rock Lutheran’s Sarah McKowen, Roxana’s Gianna Stassi and Raelee Kimbro, Goreville’s Molly Merrill and Nashville’s Adi Wilson all qualified as individuals.
The rain subsided during the boys race, but the course was slick and treacherous. Benton’s Gavin Genisio earned medalist honors with a time of 14:03 in the final race on his home course, beating Pinckneyville’s Isaac Teel by 13 seconds. The Rangers alternated spots to put five in the top nine and cruise to the team title.
Pinckneyville, Althoff, Murphysboro, Roxana, and Du Quoin all qualified as teams.
Steeleville’s Cayton Cratch, New Athens’ Cole Dachsteiner, Pope County’s Eason Comer, Christ Our Rock Lutheran’s Elijah Gregory, Massac County’s Jaydon Miller, Nashville’s Evan Eberhart, Gallatin County’s Braiden Respondek, Breese Mater Dei’s Nolan Goebel, Anna-Jonesboro’s Lucas Hoehner, and Valmeyer’s Oscar Hoerr all qualifield as individuals.
For complete Benton 1A Sectional results, click here.
In 2A, Marion’s Dylon Nalley continued his amazing senior season, winning medalist honors at the Jacksonville Sectional with a time of 13:37, which shattered the course record by 31 seconds. Nalley’s Wildcats finished second as a team to Normal U. High with Civic Memorial, Mt. Zion, Mt. Vernon, Taylorville, and Mascoutah all advancing as teams.
Triad’s Drew Twyman, Highland’s Christian Knobloch and Dallas Mancinas, Waterloo’s Austin Corey and Kyle Kern, as well as Carbondale’s Zion Wilkins all qualified as individuals.
Carterville’s Molly Robertson and Marion’s Kara Odum were the only two area runners to qualify in the girls race.
For complete Jacksonville 2A Sectional results, click here.
The State Championships will be Saturday at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
