The Sentinel: State Cross Country |Central’s Mathias finishes 18th in state cross country meet, Mahomet-Seymour places in top ten

State Cross Country |
Central’s Mathias finishes 18th in state cross country meet, Mahomet-Seymour places in top ten

PEORIA - Mahomet-Seymour’s boys cross country team capped their season with a sixth-place finish at the IHSA Boys Class 2A Cross Country State Finals on Saturday at Detweiller Park, earning 279 points to secure a top-ten team placement. Competing in a strong field, Mahomet-Seymour showcased depth and tenacity.

Leading the way for Mahomet-Seymour, junior Henry McMurry claimed 26th with a time of 14:55.00, setting a fast pace in the early stages of the race to finish under the 15-minute mark. Senior Kaleb Kasper crossed next for Mahomet-Seymour, taking 40th place in 15:15.10, followed by sophomore Tate Bode at 107th, who completed the 3-mile course in 15:51.10. Rounding out the top five for Mahomet-Seymour, freshman Adam Smigielski and senior Lukas Nykaza secured 161st and 163rd place with respective times of 16:14.50 and 16:16.60, adding critical points for the Bulldogs.

Central junior Caleb Mathias made a notable individual appearance, finishing in 18th place with a time of 14:50.90, the best individual result for the Champaign-Urbana area in Class 2A. Mathias’ performance marked a strong showing, establishing him as a key competitor among the state’s top runners with All-State recognition earned on Saturday.

The meet’s top finisher, senior Finn Richards, won with a time of 14:21.10, leading Payton to first place in the team standings with 113 points. Morton and Latin finished in second and third with 191 and 195 points, respectively, rounding out the podium as Kaneland (222 points) and Dixon (196 points) followed closely.