St. Joseph-Ogden Girls Claim Victory at Chrisman Cow Chip XC Invite

Grace Bressner and Abby Bello shine as St. Joseph-Ogden wins the Cow Chip XC Invite.


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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St. Joseph-Ogden Sports | Unity Sports | Uni-High Sports

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

  1. Isabella Keller, St. Anthony — 16:24.89
  2. Aubrey Denning, St. Anthony — 17:38.28
  3. Madeleine Fox, Marshall — 18:42.85
  4. Molly Farrell, Marshall — 18:49.97
  5. Mackenzie Pound, Unity High School — 18:51.43
  6. Grace Bressner, St. Joseph-Ogden — 18:57.45
  7. Abby Bello, St. Joseph-Ogden — 20:02.52
  8. Taylor Mabry, Monticello — 19:06.14
  9. Macie Owen, Monticello — 19:30.80
  10. Grace Thompson, Marshall — 19:48.97

Team Results (Top Four)

  1. St. Joseph-Ogden — 85
  2. Urbana University High — 98
  3. Unity — 108
  4. Monticello — 115

St. Joseph-Ogden Finishers

  1. Grace Bressner — 18:57.45
  2. Abby Bello — 20:02.52
  3. Taylor Vaughn — 21:16.28
  4. Allie Bott — 21:16.71
  5. Tessa Walker — 21:30.05
  6. Charlene Barbee — 22:02.85
  7. Sydney Steinbach — 23:14.68

Unity Finishers

  1. Mackenzie Pound — 18:51.43
  2. Brooklyn Mumm — 21:05.50
  3. Mia Reifsteck — 21:52.65
  4. Grace Wherley — 21:55.46
  5. Galina Fairbanks — 21:58.25
  6. Carolina Popovics — 22:11.82
  7. Giulietta Dibello — 25:04.00

Urbana University High Finishers

  1. Clara Knutson — 20:04.10
  2. Cadence Scheunemann — 20:38.27
  3. Janny Knutson — 20:47.41
  4. Shriya Nagarag — 21:32.65
  5. Sophia MacDonald — 21:55.05
  6. Ella Ylagan — 22:22.56
  7. Julia Smith — 24:50.12
St Joseph-Ogden cross country, Chrisman Cow Chip XC Invite, Illinois girls cross country, high school sports results, east-central Illinois running
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Illini men finish 2nd, women 3rd in sunny season opener in Savoy

A warm, sunny day set the stage for Illinois XC as the Illini opened their season with top-3 team finishes.


SAVOY - It was a beautiful, picturesque day at the Orange & Blue Golf Course in Savoy, just minutes from the University of Illinois campus in Urbana-Champaign. With only a few clouds in the sky and comfortable temperatures just under 80 degrees, runners navigated the course with ease as the Illinois men’s and women’s cross country teams opened the 2025 season at the Fighting Illini Invitational. The Illini men placed second overall with 61 points, while the women finished third with 74.

Women’s Division
Fighting Illini Sports
Freshman Nora Wollen led the Illinois women with a runner-up finish in the 4K, clocking 13:18.90. Teammate Avril Andre followed in third place at 13:26.50, giving Illinois two of the top three finishers in the race.

Freshman Nicole Poglitsch scored in 23rd (14:20.70), graduate student Lina Maatouk finished 24th (14:25.90), and sophomore Mabry Bruhn added a 29th-place effort (14:33.90). Stella Davis (30th, 14:35.00) and Audrey Ginsberg (36th, 14:47.10) rounded out Illinois’ scoring depth.

Illinois placed third as a team behind champion Bradley (28 points) and runner-up Indiana State (61).

Women’s top five finishers:

1. Kaitlyn Sheppard, Bradley – 13:08.00
2. Nora Wollen, Illinois – 13:18.90
3. Avril Andre, Illinois – 13:26.50
4. Nadia Potgieter, Bradley – 13:31.30
5. Abigail Hancock, Bradley – 13:35.10

Men’s Division
Graduate student Joshua Daggett paced the Illinois men with a fifth-place finish in the 6K, running a personal-best 17:41.90. Sophomores Trey Sato (7th, 17:49.10) and Adam Patel (8th, 17:49.90) added strong scoring performances.

Senior Brady Masters placed 16th (18:16.70), and sophomore Jackson Barrett crossed in 26th (18:30.50) to round out the team’s scoring five.

Illinois finished second behind Bradley (22 points), edging UIC (74) for the runner-up spot.

Men’s top five finishers:

1. Jayde Rosslee, Bradley – 17:23.50
2. Caleb Lind, Bradley – 17:33.10
3. Daniel Chavez, UIC – 17:38.40
4. Travis Gaffney, Bradley – 17:40.50
5. Joshua Daggett, Illinois – 17:41.90
Meet Team Results
Women’s Team Scores (4K):

1. Bradley – 28
2. Indiana State – 61
3. Illinois – 74
4. Illinois State – 98
5. UIC – 134
6. Southern Illinois – 181
7. Northern Illinois – 183
8. Chicago State – 232
Men’s Team Scores (6K):

1. Bradley – 22
2. Illinois – 61
3. UIC – 74
4. Illinois State – 101
5. Indiana State – 129
6. Southern Illinois – 139
7. Chicago State – 195

Tagged: Illinois cross country Fighting Illini Invitational results, Illinois XC 2025 season opener Savoy Orange and Blue Golf Course cross country race, Nora Wollen Illinois women’s cross country, Illinois men’s cross country Daggett Sato Patel
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Iowa's Kumskis finishes in the Top 25 at Illinois Marathon

Greta Kumskis placed 23rd among women and 7th in her age group at the Illinois Marathon, capping a strong race day performance in Champaign-Urbana.

Greta Kumskis running in the Illinois Marathon
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Running down Logan Street in Champaign between the 14th and 15th mile, marathoner Greta Kumskis looks over at cheering spectators. She finished 7th in her age group in this year's race.

CHAMPAIGN - Greta Kumskis made her day at the Illinois Marathon count on a chilly Saturday morning in Champaign-Urbana. The 24-year-old from Iowa City, Iowa, powered through the 26.2-mile course to finish 7th in the women’s 20-24 division, clocking a 3:23:28. Kumskis placed 23rd among 268 female competitors and 170th out of 895 total marathon finishers, a strong showing in a field packed with experienced racers.

Kumskis started conservatively, covering her first mile in 8:05 before quickening her pace to a steady 7:41 per mile once the pack began to thin. She hit the 10K mark at 8:21 a.m. and crossed the halfway split at 1:41:24. Staying composed through the back half, she finished just behind Rachel Pfeifer (21st, 3:21:54) and Allison Kroeter (22nd, 3:22:28), while holding off Sarah Bass (24th, 3:24:11) and Paige Vanetten (25th, 3:24:35). Kumskis crossed the Memorial Stadium finish line at 10:56 a.m., averaging 7:46 per mile.

On a day that began with cool winds and ended under clearing skies, Kumskis and almost 900 other finishers proved they could handle whatever race day brought.

Tera Moody led the women’s field from start to finish, claiming the overall title with a 2:47:21 finish and a dominant performance in the 40-44 division. Moody was 20th overall among all marathoners, male or female.

Jessica Rockafellow of Palatine, Illinois, was the runner-up, posting a 2:50:11 to win the 30-34 age division and finish 27th overall. Rounding out the top three was Alicia Hudelson from Missoula, Montana, whose 2:58:48 effort secured second in the women’s 40-44 division and 50th place overall.

Greta Kumskis running in the Illinois Marathon
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Kumskis eyes the course ahead after finishing the first four miles of her race on Saturday.
Marathon headlines
  • Moody leads women's Top Ten finishers at Illinois Marathon
  • Brian Martin’s steady stride leads to Top-10 finish at Illinois Marathon
  • Photo Gallery | Running around Urbana, faces and places from Illinois Marathon
  • Champaign’s Jaime Marcos carves out Illinois Marathon repeat victory
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    Struhar dominates 30-34 division, Marcos repeats at Illinois Marathon

    Jan Struhar crushed the 30-34 division and cracked the Top 10 overall at the Illinois Marathon, clocking 2:40:31. Meanwhile, Champaign’s own Jaime Marcos dominated the field with a repeat victory in 2:22:23.
    Jan Struhar running at the Illinois Marathon
    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    Jan Struhar runs at the front of a mini-pack with Champaign's Josh Hinds and Springfield's Jeremie Bokata after passing the four mile mark on the Illinois Marathon course. Hinds finished first in the men's 35-39 division, 26th overall at 2:48:47. Bokata went on to finish 63rd overall 18th in men's 20-24 division, crossing the finish at 3:02:18.

    CHAMPAIGN - Jan Struhar made sure his trip to Champaign was worth it. Racing under overcast skies and cool mid-50s temperatures, the DWRunning athlete took control of his race early and held strong to the finish, claiming first place in the Men's 30-34 age division at Saturday’s Illinois Marathon. Struhar’s time of 2:40:31 not only locked up the divisional win among 83 runners, but also earned him 10th place overall in the men’s division and 10th place across the entire marathon field.

    Struhar’s splits showed early consistency, passing the 10K mark at 37:42 and reaching the halfway point (13.1 miles) at 1:19:47. Down the stretch, he fended off Samuel Fiedorek, who clocked 2:41:03 to finish 11th, and Haran Dunderdale, who came through in 2:42:03 for 12th. Struhar’s effort capped a strong day for Chicago’s DWRunning team, coached by longtime veteran Dave Walters, who’s been developing marathoners for decades.

    Jan Struhar running at Illinois Marathon
    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    Shedding Bokata somewhere after the 13th mile, Struhar runs solo uphill on Logan Street in Champaign near the 14-1/2 mile mark with Hinds (not pictured) still nearby.

    Up front, it was all Jaime Marcos. The 26-year-old from Champaign defended his crown in style, slicing over seven minutes off his 2024 winning time to cross first in 2:22:23, running a blistering 5:26-per-mile pace. Marcos separated early and never looked back, leading at halfway in 1:10:59 and putting daylight between himself and the rest of the field.

    Behind him, Martin O’Connell of Madison, Wisconsin, locked down second place in 2:26:04, four minutes adrift of Marcos. Just five seconds later, Caleb Kerr of Zionsville, Indiana, grabbed third with a 2:26:09 finish. The trio broke away from the pack early and never relinquished their medal positions, each benefiting from the flat, fast course winding through the three cities that make up the course.


    Marathon headlines
  • Moody leads women's Top Ten finishers at Illinois Marathon
  • Brian Martin’s steady stride leads to Top-10 finish at Illinois Marathon
  • Photo Gallery | Running around Urbana, faces and places from Illinois Marathon
  • Champaign’s Jaime Marcos carves out Illinois Marathon repeat victory

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    Champaign’s Jaime Marcos carves out Illinois Marathon repeat victory

    A strong early push propelled Jaime Marcos to his second straight Illinois Marathon victory, finishing over three minutes ahead of the field. Here's a look at the top ten finishers.
    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    Finishing the fourth mile, Martin O'Connell, Jonnathan Fernandez, Caleb Kerr, and Jaime Marcos run as the lead pack down Washington Street in Urbana. All five runners held on to finish in the top five at the 2025 Illinois Marathon.


    CHAMPAIGN - The morning started under heavy clouds, the air crisp with a northwest breeze sweeping across the University of Illinois campus. Runners gathered near the State Farm Center bundled against the chill, puddles from the overnight rain glistening under gray skies. For Jaime Marcos, though, there was little doubt about the task ahead.

    A year after claiming his first Illinois Marathon title, Marcos returned Saturday with a mission: defend the crown and leave no doubt. He delivered in dominant fashion, crossing the finish line inside Memorial Stadium in 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 23 seconds — more than seven minutes faster than his 2024 winning time.

    Jon Kang of Des Plaines

    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    Jon Kang runs up the gentle incline on Logan Street in Champaign on his way to a 2:37:31 finish. Hailing from Des Plaines, he finished eighth overall and third in his division.
    The Champaign resident of just a year, established his command of the race early, covering the halfway point in 1:10:59, a full two and a half minutes ahead of his pace last spring. By the time the sun finally broke through the clouds an hour into the race, bringing a welcome burst of warmth to the thousands of fans lining the streets of Champaign, Savoy, and Urbana, Marcos was firmly in control.

    Martin O’Connell of Madison, Wisconsin, finished second in 2:26:04, while Caleb Kerr of Zionsville, Indiana, secured third just five seconds later at 2:26:09. Both kept tight pace over the flat, fast course but were unable to close the early gap Marcos had built.

    Chicago’s Jonnathan Fernandez, 25, claimed fourth place at 2:30:34 — a near-repeat of his strong 2024 performance, where he finished third overall in 2:30:47.

    Bailey Roybal, a 21-year-old from Waverly, Iowa, clocked 2:33:04 to round out the top five.

    Among the notable returners, Trevor Giampa of Lisle, Illinois, improved on his 2024 finish. The 23-year-old finished sixth Saturday in 2:33:57, trimming nearly six minutes off last year’s 2:39:51 time when he placed seventh.

    Brian Martin of Wheaton (2:35:50), Jon Kang of Des Plaines (2:37:31), Lucas Lacambra of Urbana (2:40:30), and Jan Strubar of Chicago (2:40:31) completed the top ten, each navigating the slick early conditions before the course dried under the afternoon sun.


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    Brian Martin’s steady stride leads to Top-10 finish at Illinois Marathon

    CHAMPAIGN — The day began with a chill.

    Brian Martin running in the Illinois Marathon
    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    Brian Martin runs with a leading pack during the first four miles of his race at the 2025 Illinois Marathon. The forty-six year-old runner from Wheaton finished first in his age division in this year's race.

    Heavy clouds loomed low over the University of Illinois campus Saturday morning, holding onto the remnants of an overnight rain that left puddles scattered along the streets of Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy. A northwest breeze swept across the starting line near the State Farm Center, where runners gathered in the cold gray light, adjusting their race bibs and glancing nervously at the wet pavement underfoot.

    For Brian Martin, none of it mattered.

    At 46, the Wheaton native was no stranger to the unpredictable moods of Midwest springtime. Experience taught him that the weather would shift — and so would the race. All that mattered was finding a rhythm and holding onto it.

    By the time the starting horn sounded, Martin had already settled into the mental space that would carry him through 26.2 miles. Patiently, he carved his way through the early packs, mindful of the slick spots left behind by the rain, attentive to the gusts sweeping off the open stretches of campus.

    It took him 1:16:34 to reach the halfway point — a strong, measured split — and as the morning wore on, something changed overhead. Almost an hour into the race, the gray ceiling finally cracked, and golden light poured down on the course. The puddles began to dry. The cheers along the sidelines grew louder, as spectators shed jackets and raised signs higher.

    Martin, locked into a 5:57 mile pace, found another gear.

    Brian Martin running the 2025 Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon
    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    Martin smiles as he approaches a group of cheering race volunteers during his run.
    Through the winding neighborhoods, past the familiar landmarks of campus, and out into the edges of Savoy, he kept his focus forward. Every stride brought him closer not just to the finish line but to a quietly outstanding achievement.

    At 2:35:50, Martin crossed onto the 50-yard line inside Memorial Stadium, arms raised slightly in quiet triumph. His performance wasn’t just strong; it was among the very best of the day. Seventh overall out of 894 runners. Seventh among 624 male athletes. First — emphatically — in the men's 45-49 age division, a race within the race.

    There were no fireworks at the finish, no extravagant celebrations. Just the satisfaction of a job well done, earned mile after mile, step after step, in a race that tested every runner’s patience early and rewarded resilience late.

    The Illinois Marathon has built its reputation on moments like these — not just the victories, but the steady triumphs along the way. Flat, fast, friendly. Scenic where it counts. Midwest hospitality with a runner’s edge. On Saturday, Brian Martin became part of that tradition, conquering cold, wind, and miles to deliver one of the most impressive performances on a course built for those willing to embrace the journey.


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    Moody leads women's Top Ten finishers at Illinois Marathon

    Tera Moody rises to the top out of a field of 268 women long distance specialist at the Illinois Marathon with a remarkable finish. Here's a look at the top ten female finishers and their performances.
    Illinois Marathon photo
    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    Hannah Aguirre, Alicia Hudelson, and Stephanie Runyon-Thomas emerge from the underpass on Logan Street in Champaign after running the first 14-1/2 miles of the Illinois Marathon.


    CHAMPAIGN – Tera Moody of Bargersville, IN, led the way in the women’s race at today’s Illinois Marathon, crossing the finish line in 02:47:21. With an impressive pace of 06:23 per mile, Moody not only claimed the overall women’s title but also won the women’s 40-44 age group. Her dominant performance placed her 20th overall out of 894 runners, further establishing her as a top-tier marathoner.

    Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    Tera Moody focuses on the road ahead as she run down Washington Street in Urbana on her was to the 2025 Women's title.
    The Illinois Marathon, known for its flat and fast course, offers a scenic route through Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy, with runners finishing inside the iconic Memorial Stadium. The marathon has grown in prominence since its debut in 2008, becoming a favorite for runners seeking a Boston qualifier or simply a fun, fast race.

    The race began in the low 50s with a chilly northwest breeze, and scattered puddles from overnight rain lined parts of the course. However, after the first hour, the sun broke through the clouds, warming spectators and providing much-needed relief for runners.

    Jessica Rockafellow from Palatine, IL, finished second in 02:50:11, maintaining an average pace of 06:29 per mile. Rockafellow claimed the top spot in the women’s 30-34 age group and placed 27th overall, showing her continued strength as one of the race’s top competitors.

    Alicia Hudelson of Missoula, MT, secured third place in 02:58:48, with an average pace of 06:50 per mile. Hudelson, who also finished second in the women’s 40-44 age group, has continued to impress in marathons across the country.

    Stephanie Runyon-Thomas of Carmel, IN, finished fourth in 03:00:01, with a pace of 06:52 per mile. Runyon-Thomas also took second in the women’s 30-34 age group and placed 51st overall, adding to her list of top finishes at marathons around the region.

    Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

    LEFT: Becky Nussbaum runs along Washington St. in Urbana, finishing the first four miles of her race. Nussbaum averaged a 6:56 minute per mile pace. MIDDLE: Terry Moody drafts Jessica Rockafellow while running a gentle incline on their way to the turn from Logan to Neil Street. RIGHT: Mahomet's Alexis Dorsey keeps a steady stride staying focused on her race. She finished 5th in the women's division and 19th overall.

    Alexis Dorsey of Mahomet, IL, finished fifth in 03:00:38, taking first place in the women’s 25-29 age group. Dorsey won the Illinois Marathon in 2024, and today’s performance secured her 53rd overall, proving her continued dominance in the local running scene.

    Becky Nussbaum of Lakeville, OH, claimed sixth place in 03:01:41, continuing her strong history at the Illinois Marathon. Nussbaum finished third in the women’s division last year and placed 34th overall in 2024, solidifying her reputation as a consistent marathoner.

    The top ten was rounded out by Hannah Aguirre of Champaign, IL, in seventh place with 03:04:32, Andrea Taylor from Owensboro, KY, who finished eighth in 03:09:17, Dana Mehalek from Hendersonville, TN, who claimed ninth in 03:11:47, and Ella Chambers of Chicago, IL, in tenth with a time of 03:12:01.

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    State Cross Country |
    Mahomet-Seymour, Centennial compete at IHSA cross country state finals

    PEORIA - In a showcase of endurance and determination, 15 local athletes competed in the Illinois High School Association's Class 2A Girls' Cross Country State Finals at Detweiller Park on Saturday. Among 243 runners, representatives from Mahomet-Seymour and Centennial made their way around the three-mile course on the heels and hip-to-hip with the top harriers from all corners of Illinois. Also with them was Marley Yau, representing Urbana in the season finale.

    Centennial and Mahomet-Seymour battle through competitive field
    The Bulldogs finished the season ranked 20th overall in the team standings at this year's meet, while the Chargers finished 29th. For both teams, reaching the state finals was a significant accomplishment after advancing from the sectional meet at Olney Central College on November 2, where Mahomet-Seymour was fourth, and Centennial clinched the sixth and final qualifying spot.

    The Chargers' top runners hurried along the course at competitive paces. Sophomore Farah Scott led the Chargers with an 18:42.28 finish, placing 65th. Sophomore Brenna Hooper followed, clocking in at 19:52.89 and finishing 160th.

    Junior Molly Pate trailed close behind in 162nd with a time of 19:53.85. Senior Kaylee Sweikar rounded out notable performances, finishing in 188th at 20:08.38. Lauren Kleber rounded out the top five scoring runners in 234th place at 21:27.94.

    Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were led by junior Emily Anand, who posted the best time for Mahomet-Seymour, finishing in 18:12.46 to secure 45th place. Freshman Cecily Smith ended her race in 79th place, clocking in at 18:51.97.

    Sophomore Taylor Mills notched 104th place with a time of 19:07.02. Kennedy Ashby was not far behind, crossing over at 19:59.86. Seniors Chloe Bundren and Morgan Waisath rounded out the team's state run, finishing 185th and 240th, respectively, with Finley Smith wedged between them, coming in 212th at 20:40.89.

    Urbana’s Yau returns to state
    Sophomore Marley Yau finished the season strong for Urbana with a second trip to state. The lone Tiger to qualify from Urbana, Yau finished 136th with a time of 19:28.17, capping her journey after a strong sectional performance where she set a personal record at 19:18.7, ten seconds under her best time from the 2023 state meet.

    Top Contenders and Final Standings
    In a field of fierce competition, St. Ignatius College Prep emerged victorious with a team score of 76, securing first place. DePaul College Prep took second with 177 points, followed by Glenwood in third with 217 points. These teams demonstrated exceptional depth, with St. Ignatius' Annika Swan finishing second individually and contributing to her team's victory.

    The top three individual finishers established a remarkable standard for Illinois high school cross country. Sundara Weber from Sandwich High School won the race with an impressive time of 16:11.27. Following her was Swan from St. Ignatius, who finished with a time of 16:27.80. Zoe Carter from Normal University secured third place, crossing the finish line at 16:49.50.

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    KEYWORDS: State cross country, IHSA girls state finals, Mahomet-Seymour cross country, Centennial cross country, Urbana state cross country qualifiers
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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.
    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
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