The Sentinel: Spartan Classic

Three area schools finish in top 5, Evan Cook shines at Spartan Classic

ST. JOSEPH — Evan Cook of St. Teresa High School captured the title at the Spartan Classic on September 28, 2024, posting a time of 14:54.97, the second-best in the state this season for the Class 1A division. The race, which featured 195 runners from 28 teams, took place under clear skies and mild temperatures in the upper 60s.

Cook's performance marked a significant milestone in his career, as he achieved a new personal record, surpassing his previous best times of 16:35.9 as a freshman, 15:22.9 as a sophomore, and 15:37.6 last year. His victory solidifies his status as one of the top competitors in Illinois cross country.

Eli Crowe running at state meet

Unity cross country standout Eli Crowe runs his first lap around Detweiller Park at last year's state cross country meet. Crowe recorded a career best 3-mile run at the Spartan Classic, finish the course 15:19.7 in fourth place. So far, he as turned in the 9th best time in Illinois in Class 1A this season. The Rockets finished fourth in the team standings St. Joseph-Ogden's annual cross country meet.

Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks

The Spartan Classic continues to be a highlight of downstate Illinois' high school cross country season, showcasing the talent and determination of harriers across the state.

Three other local runners finished in the top 15, showcasing the depth of talent in the region. Eli Crowe of Unity finished fourth with a time of 15:19.69, while Jack Fisher of St. Joseph-Ogden and Camden Fairbanks of Unity placed ninth and tenth, respectively.

Crowe's performance was particularly impressive, as he recorded his season-best time of 15:19.7 at the Spartan Classic, currently ranking him ninth in the state for Class 1A.

The team competition saw University High take the top spot with a score of 110, followed by Clinton with 133 points. St. Joseph-Ogden and Unity both finished with 174 points, but St. Joseph-Ogden secured third place based on tiebreakers. Pleasant Plains rounded out the top five with a score of 219.

Urbana U-High had several notable finishes, with Ross Kimme placing sixth at 15:34.75. Other top finishers for U-High included Pieter Duursma in 20th with a time of 16:00.31, Kai Schwartz in 24th at 16:03.36, Luke Fahnestock in 28th at 16:13.79, and Bruce Tang in 32nd at 16:18.76.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Jack Fisher runs to the finish line at the 2023 IHSA Cross Country State Finals last November. Fisher led the Spartans to the finish line at last month's Spartan Classic.

Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's top finishers included Jack Fisher in ninth place (15:43.97), followed by Lance Retz in 33rd (16:21.42), EJ Beckett in 37th (16:31.49), Colin Burnett in 44th (16:44.62), and Eli Franklin in 51st (16:58.06).

Unity's top finishers were Eli Crowe in fourth place, Camden Fairbanks in tenth (15:44.63), Collin Graven in 30th (16:15.82), Ryan Akers in 66th (17:18.14), and Alex Mowrer in 81st (17:37.29).

The top 15 finishers were as follows:

1. Evan Cook (12) - St. Teresa - 14:54.97
2. Elijah Teefey (11) - Pleasant Plains - 15:11.28
3. Johnathan Iacobazzi (11) - Sullivan - 15:14.02
4. Eli Crowe (11) - Tolono Unity - 15:19.69
5. Blake McLeese (11) - Tuscola - 15:33.40
6. Ross Kimme (12) - Urbana U-High - 15:34.75
7. Xander Neamtu (12) - Tuscola - 15:35.04
8. David Hornaday (12) - Tuscola - 15:43.44
9. Jack Fisher (12) - St. Joseph-Ogden - 15:43.97
10. Camden Fairbanks (11) - Tolono Unity - 15:44.63
11. Ryne Norton (12) - Maroa-Forsyth - 15:45.52
12. River Derby (12) - Monticello - 15:47.83
13. Julius Ramos (11) - Effingham - 15:50.29
14. Ryan Kuhn (12) - Deer Creek-Mackinaw - 15:51.39
15. Tim Sikorski (9) - Monticello - 15:52.79

Photo of the Day - October 22, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden's Alex Arteaga lands in the sand pit during a long jump attempt at the 2012 Spartan Classic. The senior finished his career as a state qualifier in both long and triple jump events. He also all-state honors in the 300 intermediate hurdles and was a member of the 1,600 relay crew that finished third at the IHSA state meet that year. The Washington University recruit went out a career best of 41-9.75 in the triple jump and sailed 20-10.25 down the runway in the long jump at O'Brien Stadium.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Photo of the Day - October 21, 2020

Debbie Prather and Megan Blair — Debbie Prather, Megan Blair and other timers have their fingers ready to go on their stopwatch buttons at the finish line during the 2012 Boys Spartan Classic. The group was waiting for the starters pistol to fire for next heat of the 110-yard high hurdles.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

#TBT: A stroll around the memory lane in 2007

The Sentinel, courtesy of PhotoNews Media, has more than 250,000 images from more than a decade and half of sport coverage at St. Joseph-Ogden High School at our fingertips. Each week, as space and time allows, we will publish great action photos, memorable moments and treasured images from the massive collection of images of Spartan athletes online and in your weekly paper.

This week's feature is from the 2007 Girls Spartan Classic featuring five of SJO's memorable athletes. The five runners never failed to impress with their competitive spirit and their dedication to their team's success in every sport they donned the Spartan uniform.

Two-sport St. Joseph-Ogden athlete Catherine Foreman heads to the finish line ahead of the field in the 4x100 Relay. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Senior Amy Schleef clears the bar in the pole vault

Senior Amy Schleef clears the bar while competing in the in the pole vault division. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Rachael Graham explodes out of the blocks at the Spartan Classic

Sprinter Rachael Graham explodes out of the blocks at start of a relay race. The three-sport athlete ran in several events for the Spartans at the Classic. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Brian Oslon competes in the long jump at the last home meet of the season.

Three-sport athlete Bria Olson sails through the air on a long jump attempt. The junior also competed as a high jumper. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Molly Cinker starts her run at the 2007 Spartan Classic

Molly Cinker starts her run next to a runner from Villa Grove and the East Central Coop in one of the two distance events held at the 2007 Spartan Classic. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Can't wait until next week for more photos from the archives? Search for your favorite athlete by name, sport or date of the event in the PhotoNews Media online photo archives.