Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
BENTON — Behind three IHSA state team trophies along with 11 individual medals including four state championships, Benton High School claimed the inaugural First Southern Bank Cup, awarded to the school in the region for top overall athletic excellence in the 2023-24 school year.
As the winners, Benton received the Cup as well as a $5000 donation to the athletic department from First Southern Bank.
Benton put together an amazing athletic year, earning state trophies by finishing second in boys cross country, second in boys basketball, and third in boys track and field. Boys golf just missed a fourth trophy, finishing fourth by two strokes. In addition to the IHSA success, the Rangler Girls dance team finished second at the IDTA State Finals in the AA Hip Hop division.
Benton won four conference titles (boys cross country, boys golf, boys basketball, and boys track and field), four regional titles (boys cross country, boys golf, boys wrestling, boys basketball), three sectional titles (boys cross country, boys golf, boys basketball), and boys basketball won a supersectional. The Rangers qualified for the football playoffs as well.
Individually, Gavin Genisio won state titles in cross country as well as the 2A 1600 meters in track and field. Mason Tieffel won the 1A 138 pound state championship in wrestling, and Andrew Kinsman won the 2A Shot Put in track and field.
Seven others won individual state medals. Gabe McLain finished fourth in cross country and 3rd in the 1600 meters, Cole Buchanan was 13th in cross country, River Stilley sixth in golf, Cohen Sweely sixth in wrestling, Gemma Kinkade fifth in the Long Jump in girls track and field, and the boys 4×800 relay team was fourth.
Benton finished with 71 points in First Southern Bank Cup standings. Marion finished second with 55 points. Nashville (42), Carbondale (41), and Fairfield (36) rounded out the top five. The complete final standings, as well as the scoring criteria, is here.
