On a picture perfect day for running, the Sparta boys cross country team had five of the top 11 runners to pull away for a Class 1A regional title Saturday at the Randolph County Lake outside of Chester.
“Considering everything that went on this week, I think the team ran really well,” said Sparta coach Mark North. “We didn’t have a perfect day, but Freeburg has really improved and Chester ran really w
ell too. Having our guys go one through third, you can’t be too disappointed.”
For the third year in a row, Sparta senior Wade Reeves won the individual regional title finishing with a time of 15:58.
“Each year it gets harder and harder,” said Reeves. “I was just focused and ran hard all the way through. The team really had a great performance and hopefully we can keep it going through sectionals and bring home a trophy at state.”
Behind Reeves, Sparta finished with 24 points followed by Freeburg (59), Chester (88), Marissa-Coulterville (116), Pinckneyville (148), Nashville (176), Red Bud (176), New Athens (191), Gibault (223) and Okawville (261).
Only the top five teams advance to the sectional along with the top five individuals not on an advancing team.
Sparta’s Jon Hill took second overall and Wes Bradshaw finished third to give the Bulldogs the top three spots in the boys race. Trevor Morgan, battling a knee injury, took seventh, while Adam White finished 11th overall.
Devon Link took fourth overall and Link Cushman came in sixth to lead Chester to a third place finish. Also for Chester, Kyle Landon (14th), Brent Knop (29th) and Zach Sternberg (35th).
Marissa-Coulterville was paced by Chazz Phelps (10th), Johnnie Coke (19th), Joey Martin (24th), Austin Place (31st) and Kenny Jenkins (32nd).
Pinckneyville claimed the final team spot with 148 points. The Panthers were led by Zach Hall (22nd), Will Timpner (23rd), Luke Miller (30th), Hunter Queen (36th) and Coleman Choate (37th).
Advancing to the sectional as individuals were Nathan Schmidt of Gibault, Zach Bickel and Zach Bogacki of New Athens and Dillon Salger and Zachary Blow
of Red Bud.
On the girls side, Freeburg ran away with the team regional title with 21 points as the team had four runners place in the top five and five in the top 10.
Kristen Busch from Freeburg was the overall 2010 Class 1A regional winner with a time of 18:28, which set a new course record at the Randolph County Lake site. Her twin sister Caitlin was the runner up placing second with her time of 19:56.
Placing behind Freeburg was Nashville (58), Pinckneyville (100), Sparta (119), Chester (123), Okawville (137), Gibault (154) and Marissa-Coulterville ( 204).
The Lady Panthers were led by Mo Ramsey (ninth), Kiera DeFord (15th), Paige Brocaille (23rd), Mallory Timpner (26th) and Sarah Loos (27th).
For Sparta, Kristina Wilson took seventh followed by Kelsi Wallace (eighth), Alexis Kohrs (21st), Meghan Gillison (41st) and Samantha Markley (42nd).
The Chester squad was paced by Jillian Yankey (sixth), Laura Liefer (13th), Emily Reid (20th), Hanna Knop (38th) and Rachel Sheely (46th).
Advancing to the sectional as individuals were Molly Works of New Athens, Amber Birk and Mary Ann Sondag of Red Bud, Ashley Johnson of Gibault and Jolyn Lake of Okawville.
The Metro-East Lutheran Sectional will be held Saturday October 30 in Edwardsville.
