CHRISMAN - A year after finishing outside the top six at the Chrisman Cow Chip XC Invite, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ cross country team returned with a vengeance, claiming the team title in front of bright skies and temperatures that made running three miles ideal.
The Cow Chip, a race first conceived in 1981 by Roger Beals, is known for its flighted competition and open-pasture course, dotted with the occasional pasture pie, adding a quirky twist to the classic cross country challenge. On Saturday, Mother Nature provided near-perfect conditions for east-central Illinois runners with sunny skies and a comfortable 74 degrees.
For St. Joseph-Ogden, the difference this year was clear. Sophomores Grace Bressner and Abby Bello emerged as stars, showing the results of a summer of dedicated training. For Bressner, Bello, and their teammates, the hard work over the summer paid off in measurable improvements and team success.
Bressner, who last year finished the race in 20:23.9, cut her time down to 18:57.45, placing sixth overall. Bello, improving more than a minute and a half from her previous 22:16 finish, crossed in 20:02.52 to claim seventh place. Their performances set the tone for the team, complemented by Taylor Vaughn (21:16.28), Allie Bott (21:16.71), and Tessa Walker (21:30.05), leading St. Joseph-Ogden to a winning team score of 85.
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Last year, Unity won the girls title thanks to seniors Emily Decker and Ashlyn Denney, who have since graduated. This season, the Rockets’ top performers were senior Mackenzie Pound and juniors Grace Wherley and Galina Fairbanks. Pound blazed a trail early and finished fifth overall in 18:51.43. Wherley and Fairbanks also made their mark, crossing in 21:55.46 and 21:58.25 respectively, helping Unity secure third place as a team with 108 points.
Urbana University High showcased depth and consistency, placing second as a team with 98 points. Clara Knutson led the way with a 20:04.10 finish, followed by Cadence Scheunemann in 20:38.27. Janny Knutson added an 8th-place finish in 20:47.41, solidifying Urbana’s position near the top.
The top five individual finishers reflected the competitive field across the area: Isabella Keller of St. Anthony dominated with a 16:24.89 finish, followed by teammate Aubrey Denning (17:38.28). Marshall High’s Madeleine Fox (18:42.85) and Molly Farrell (18:49.97) earned third and fourth, respectively, before Pound’s fifth-place effort.
Top Ten Individual Finishers — Chrisman Cow Chip XC Invite
- Isabella Keller, St. Anthony — 16:24.89
- Aubrey Denning, St. Anthony — 17:38.28
- Madeleine Fox, Marshall — 18:42.85
- Molly Farrell, Marshall — 18:49.97
- Mackenzie Pound, Unity High School — 18:51.43
- Grace Bressner, St. Joseph-Ogden — 18:57.45
- Abby Bello, St. Joseph-Ogden — 20:02.52
- Taylor Mabry, Monticello — 19:06.14
- Macie Owen, Monticello — 19:30.80
- Grace Thompson, Marshall — 19:48.97
Team Results (Top Four)
- St. Joseph-Ogden — 85
- Urbana University High — 98
- Unity — 108
- Monticello — 115
St. Joseph-Ogden Finishers
- Grace Bressner — 18:57.45
- Abby Bello — 20:02.52
- Taylor Vaughn — 21:16.28
- Allie Bott — 21:16.71
- Tessa Walker — 21:30.05
- Charlene Barbee — 22:02.85
- Sydney Steinbach — 23:14.68
Unity Finishers
- Mackenzie Pound — 18:51.43
- Brooklyn Mumm — 21:05.50
- Mia Reifsteck — 21:52.65
- Grace Wherley — 21:55.46
- Galina Fairbanks — 21:58.25
- Carolina Popovics — 22:11.82
- Giulietta Dibello — 25:04.00
Urbana University High Finishers
- Clara Knutson — 20:04.10
- Cadence Scheunemann — 20:38.27
- Janny Knutson — 20:47.41
- Shriya Nagarag — 21:32.65
- Sophia MacDonald — 21:55.05
- Ella Ylagan — 22:22.56
- Julia Smith — 24:50.12
