TUSCOLA - The Unity girls' cross country team secured yet another triumph on Saturday, winning the Tuscola Cross Country Regional at Wimple Park. The Rockets, defending three-time Class 1A state champions, extended their dominance with a first-place finish, posting a team score of 40 points, well ahead of second-place St. Joseph-Ogden’s 70. Paxton-Buckley-Loda rounded out the top three with 94 points.
Unity’s success was built on a balanced performance from its top runners, as five Rockets finished in the top 15, showcasing the depth and strength of the team. Senior Emily Decker led the charge for Unity, finishing second overall with a time of 17:11.44, just over a minute behind Tuscola’s Kate Foltz, who claimed first place in 16:02.82. Decker’s commanding performance set the tone for Unity's steady climb toward another potential state championship.
Following Decker, Unity’s junior standout Mackenzie Pound crossed the line in third place, clocking in at 17:51.90. Pound’s continued improvement this season has made her a key asset for the Rockets as they gear up for another postseason run.
Unity’s depth shone through with senior Josie Cler finishing 10th (19:21.96) and fellow seniors Ashlyn Denney (19:49.92) and Camryn Reedy (19:50.54) closely following in 13th and 15th places, respectively. Rounding out Unity’s top seven were Molly Baxley (20:20.06) in 20th and Grace Wherley (20:29.00) in 22nd, further solidifying the Rockets’ dominance in the regional field.
With clear blue skies and a crisp 40-degree temperature, the fall weather created ideal conditions for the athletes at Wimple Park. Unity capitalized on the fast course, maintaining strong positioning throughout the race. Decker’s aggressive start, coupled with Pound’s steady pace in the middle stages, helped Unity quickly take control.
While Unity's runners were focused on team success, Foltz of Tuscola delivered an individual performance for the record books, finishing nearly a minute faster than any other competitor with a time of 16:02.82. Her dominance gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for, even as Tuscola finished seventh overall.
St. Joseph-Ogden, paced by Savanna Franzen’s fourth-place finish (18:11.90) and Grace Bressner in sixth (18:29.91), tried to keep pace with Unity but ultimately couldn’t match the Rockets’ depth. Paxton-Buckley-Loda’s Audrey McCoy (19:16.19) and Urbana University’s Clara Knutson (19:33.73) also finished strong, earning spots in the top 20.
Unity’s team-oriented approach, coupled with standout performances from its top runners, has put the Rockets in prime position for another state title. Having finished first or second in six of the last eight seasons, Unity is once again reloaded to make a deep postseason run.
The state meet is just weeks away, and Unity’s continued dominance at the regional level serves notice the Class 1A programs across the state.
Keywords: Unity girls cross country, Tuscola regional results, Illinois high school cross country, Class 1A state champions, Unity Rockets cross country, 2024 cross country
Franzen was supported by two standout freshmen, Grace Bressner and Tessa Walker, who both ran career-best times. Bressner finished sixth with a time of 18:29.91, while Walker placed eighth, clocking in at 19:09.89. Their impressive performances highlight the team's youthful depth, which has bolstered St. Joseph-Ogden’s success this season.
Sophomore Abigail Bello also set a personal record, finishing 19th with a time of 20:19.70, further helping the Spartans secure their second-place team finish. Senior Sydney Steinbach rounded out the team’s scoring, placing 42nd with a time of 22:22.94.
Unity High School claimed the team title with 40 points, led by individual champion Kate Foltz, who dominated the race with a time of 16:02.82. Unity’s Emily Decker and Mackenzie Pound finished second and third, respectively, helping secure the top spot. St. Joseph-Ogden followed in second with 70 points, while Paxton-Buckley-Loda came in third with 94 points.
Franzen’s leadership, combined with the rapid development of Bressner and Walker, has provided St. Joseph-Ogden with a strong mix of experience and youth. Heading into the Cumberland Sectional next weekend, the Spartans will rely on this balance to compete for a state meet berth.
The competition at Lakeland College will be fierce, with Unity once again looking like the team to beat. However, if Franzen continues her strong season and the team’s younger runners build on their regional performances, St. Joseph-Ogden is well-positioned for success.
St. Joseph-Ogden will aim to extend their season at the sectional meet, with a potential return to Detweiller Park for the state championships.
