Still running out front: Unity collects sectional title, SJO qualifies for XC state

MATTOON - The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A Sectional Cross Country Meet at Lake Land College in Mattoon saw area powerhouse Unity advance to the state meet for the fourth consecutive year, finishing in first place with a score of 79 points. This year’s event, held on Saturday, November 2, took place under cloudy skies and cool conditions, with crip temperatures in the upper-50s at race time.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Ashlyn Denney runs a steady pace on her second lap around Detweiller Park at the 2023 IHSA Girls' Cross Country State Finals. Denny and Rockets will make the trip to Peoria on Saturday looking to bring home more state hardware.

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The Rockets have dominated Illinois Class 1A cross country in recent years, winning the state title in 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023. A fourth consecutive title would solidify their standing as one of the state’s most successful programs, with five state championships in the past decade. The Rockets, who hold five state titles overall, are currently tied with Yorkville for the fourth-most titles in IHSA history, behind only Winnebago’s 12 titles.

Emily Decker led Unity with an impressive fifth-place finish on the Lake Land College course, crossing the line in 17:41.5. She, along with the incredible depth of talent on this year's squad, has made Unity a formidable force heading into this Saturday's state meet at Detweiller Park to defend their title.

Decker was supported by standout junior Mackenzie Pound, who took ninth in 18:23.3, and senior Ashlyn Denney, who finished 14th with a time of 19:22.4. Other key contributors for Unity included Josie Cler (22nd, 19:58.4) and Grace Wherley (34th, 20:30.3), securing enough points to comfortably claim first place.

St. Joseph-Ogden also delivered a strong performance, placing third with 137 points to secure their place at the state meet. Senior Savanna Franzen was the top runner for the Spartans, finishing seventh in 18:01.0. Freshman Grace Bressner followed closely in 10th place with a time of 18:27.0, showing promise for the team’s future. Freshman Tessa Walker rounded out the top three for the Spartans with a 15th-place finish in 19:26.8, emphasizing the team’s mix of experienced and up-and-coming athletes.

The Illineks from Urbana University High School, led by freshman Clara Knutson, came close to advancing but fell short in the team standings. Knutson, however, secured an individual qualifying spot for state with her 17th-place finish in 19:34.7. Junior Ella Ylagan also delivered a strong performance, finishing 25th with a personal record of 20:03.3, and sophomore Cadence Scheunemann placed 46th at 20:50.7.

Top individual honors went to Isabella Keller of Effingham St. Anthony, who won the race in 16:35.0, followed closely by Kate Foltz of Tuscola with a time of 16:36.7. Shelbyville’s Tessa Bowers claimed third place in 17:21.4, leading her team to a second-place finish and a state meet berth with a score of 126 points.

Other notable local finishers included St. Thomas More’s Alex Anderson, who finished 39th in 20:43.1, and Oakwood’s Callie Richardson, who placed 13th with a time of 19:09.5. Both schools demonstrated strong individual performances but did not advance as teams.

Six advancing teams from the sectional will now prepare this week for the season finale at IHSA Class 1A State Championship meet in Peoria, where once again east central Illinois harriers are poised to make a strong showing on the state’s biggest stage.

In addition the Rockets and Spartans, the other four teams advancing out of the sectional included Shelbyville (2nd, 126), St. Anthony's (4th, 161), Fairfield (5, 176), and Paxton-Buckley-Loda, another Illini Praire Conference program, finished 6th also with 176 points.

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Keywords: Unity Rockets cross country, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans cross country, Urbana University Illineks cross country, Illinois sectional cross country results

Guest Commentary | Seasons come and go, your perspective colors them all

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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We are entering into a different season in America. It’s not a season everyone likes or voted for but the season is changing. For some it’s better, for some it’s worse. For some it’s good news, for some it’s bad news.

Your perspective colors your season. For example, if you love Autumn then you have enjoyed the current season in much of America. You haven’t enjoyed it if you’ve been in the path of a hurricane but you’ve enjoyed it if you live in most any other place in America, We’ve had a dry

Fall season but it has been beautiful. Many dread the winter months, while some welcome cool weather over the long months of dry hot weather. If you live in Southern Arizona, you are ready for some cooler weather.

Political seasons are hard on our nation. We’ve been immersed in political advertisements for months. The Presidential campaign has gone on forever. We are so ready to move forward. For many in America this doesn’t feel good while others think it’s great.

Seasons come and seasons go. No season lasts forever. There is always a new season around the corner. It’s best for all of us if we can make the best of whatever the season of life is at the time. Winter or Summer, make the most of the season. Youth or old age, they pass by so enjoy your season. Small children or adult children, love them and roll with the seasons. Young parents or old parents, roll with the seasons. Making great money or making less money, roll with the seasons.

Try to make the best of your current season in life. It’s not always easy. We don’t like the seasons of life when we are sick or even dying. Some seasons are difficult and even harsh and cruel but they come to us all if we live long enough. So, enjoy the good seasons, tread water or make the best of what seems to be a bad season because in time in some way the season will change.

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Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Unity, SJO, and Uni-High boys advance to IHSA State Cross Country State Finals

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Jack Fisher runs in the main pack at the 2023 IHSA Cross Country State Finals. Fisher and the Spartans earned another trip to state after placing second at Saturday's sectional meet in Mattoon.

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MATTOON - Notre Dame de La Salette captured the team title at the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Sectional Cross Country Meet on Saturday at Lake Land College, finishing with 97 points to secure the top spot. St. Joseph-Ogden and Urbana University placed second and third, respectively, each tallying 152 points, with Unity rounding out the top four teams at 194 points. Cumberland and Gillespie also qualified for the Class 1A state finals, finishing fifth and sixth.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Jack Fisher led the way among area runners, finishing sixth with a time of 15:42.6. The senior recorded his best time of the season last month at the Patriot XC Invite, clocking in at 15:31.7. Urbana University’s Ross Kimme and Kai Schwartz also delivered strong performances, placing 13th and 22nd respectively. Kimme crossed the finish line at 15:59.6, while Schwartz posted a time of 16:21.6, both contributing to Urbana University’s third-place finish and a ticket to state.

Unity’s top finishers included Camden Fairbanks and Eli Crowe, placing 16th and 21st. Fairbanks, a junior, completed the course in 16:03.0, just shy of his season-best of 15:33.1 set at the Illini Prairie Conference meet. Crowe, also a junior, recorded a time of 16:20.9 after setting a personal record of 15:19.7 at the Spartan Classic earlier this season. Their consistent efforts helped Unity secure the fourth-place position and continue their season at the state championship.

The meet’s top three individual runners turned exceptional performances. Gillespie’s Chaz Oberkfell earned first place with an impressive 15:11.8, leading from the start. Evan Cook of St. Teresa secured second, clocking 15:20.6, while Will Fuson from Cerro Gordo-Bement took third at 15:22.0. These athletes set the tone for a competitive field and will enter the state meet with momentum.

Additional area runners making notable appearances included Collin Graven, Ryan Akers, and Alex Mowrer from Unity, finishing 55th, 59th, and 74th, respectively. Urbana University’s Bruce Tang placed 37th with a time of 16:43.5, further bolstering the Illineks' third-place finish.

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Keywords: IHSA Class 1A Cross Country, Lake Land College, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans, Urbana University Illineks, Unity Rockets, Illinois high school sports