Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
PEORIA — Teams from the entire southern Illinois region have won only five trophies in the 46 years of the Girls State Cross Country championships. The Anna-Jonesboro Lady Wildcats own two of those five, following last year’s runner-up trophy with a third place finish this year.
The Lady Wildcats came up just short of their bid for a state championship, finishing behind Williamsville and three-time defending champion Tolono Unity. Just six points separated the top three teams.
Individually, Tuscola’s Kate Foltz set a new 1A girls state meet record with a time of 15:59.40 to edge defending champion Isabella Keller from Effingham St. Anthony. Murphysboro senior Miah Gilmore (16th place) and Anna-Jonesboro sophomore Jadyn Gerardi (24th place) were the area’s only individual medalists.
In addition to Anna-Jonesboro, Murphysboro finished 15th, Pinckneyville 25th, and Fairfield 28th as teams.
In the boys 1A race, Benton seniors Gabe McLain and Cole Buchanan closed out their high school cross country careers with top six finishes. McLain had the lead but strong finishing kicks by Gillespie’s Chaz Oberkfell and Winnebago’s Nicolai Martino left McLain in third. Buchanan wound up sixth, with Pinckneyville’s Landen Boman also medaling with a 15th place finish.
Boman and the Panthers finished 15th as a team, a spot better than Benton. Murphysboro was 24th.
Carterville senior Molly Robertson was the lone area medalist in the 2A girls race. Robertson finished 24th, helping the Lady Lions to a 15th place team finish.
In the boys 2A race, Marion sophomore twins Raphael (16th place) and Gabriel Greer (17th place) each medaled. The defending state champs wound up 14th as a team. Mt. Vernon finished 19th and Herrin 27th.
Complete race results are here 1A, 2A, 3A .
