With four runners finishing in the top five and all five finishing in the top 10, the Sparta boys cross country team dominated the Chester 1A Regional Saturday for the team title, their fourth consecutive.
“It was a good day for our runners,” said Sparta coach Matt Blair. “We stressed to them that they all could finish in the top 10 and that is what they did. With our three seniors leading the way, what else can you ask for.”
Senior Jon Hill ran the three-mile course in 16:16 to win the individual overall title. Hill was second at last year’s regional behind teammate Wade Reeves and took third as a sophomore.
“Jon struggled early on in the season but he has been running real well the last four weeks,” said Blair. “He is starting to feel confident and I look forward to seeing what he and Wes (Bradshaw) can do at the state course.”
“I kept on telling myself pain is temporary, glory is forever and I wanted to go out with a bang my senior year and win this regional,” said Hill. “Early in the year, my mind was not in the right place. I woke up this morning and I told myself, I have to go out and win this race. As a team we can accomplish a lot this year. We can win sectionals and compete for a trophy at state.”
Behind Hill’s first place showing, Sparta also had runners finish second, third, fifth and eighth to run away with the team title with 19 points followed by Herrin (86), Chester (95), Nashville (118), Carterville (119), Pinckneyville (125), Red Bud (202), Marissa-Coulterville (217), Murphysboro (224), North Clay (270), Okawville (317) and Du Quoin (333). The top seven teams qualify for sectionals along with the top five individuals not on a qualifying team.
Bradshaw took second for Sparta with a time of 16:51 followed by Trevor Morgan (third, 17:05), Kenny Heaton (fifth, 17:23) and Dylan Huether (eighth, 17:47).
Chester junior Devin Valleroy took fourth overall and led his team to a third place finish.
Also for Chester, Link Cushman (10th, 18:01), Kyle Landon (23rd, 18:54), Verne White (28th, 19:19) and Zach Sternberg (30th, 19:26).
Pinckneyville took sixth with 125 points. The Panthers were paced by Zach Hall (16th, 18:30), Hunter Queen (20th, 18:41), Luke Miller (21st, 18:44), Brian Taylor (32nd, 19:33) and Tyler Wildermuth (36th, 19:40).
Red Bud claimed the final team spot with 202 points and a seventh place showing.
Leading the way for the Musketeers were Ethan DuClos (13th, 18:14), Justin Deterding (41st, 19:56), James Ostlund (45th, 20:04), Keenan Turnure (50th, 20:24) and Garrett Salger (53rd, 20:29).
Marissa-Coulterville juniors Chazz Phelps and Austin Place, who finished sixth and 25th respectively, qualified for the sectional meet as individuals. As a team, the Meteors took eighth and missed the final team spot by 15 points.
On the girls side of the regional, Carterville finished with 33 points to win the regional crown ahead of Red Bud (55), Chester (80), Nashville (101), Pinckneyville (114), Herrin (143), Marissa-Coulterville (144) and North Clay (226).
The Lady Musketeers had three runners place in the top 10 to take second as a team. Red Bud was led by Brittany Burmester (second, 20:54), Deanna Deterding (fifth, 21:47), Amber Birke (ninth, 23:02), Jillianne Ostlund (17th, 24:26), and Kimberly Byrnes (22nd, 24:54).
Chester finished 25 points behind Red Bud for third place. The Lady Jackets were paced by Taylor Yankey (seventh, 22:16), Emily Reid (11th, 23:23), Sarah Bindel (13th, 23:26), Maribeth Lawrence (24th, 25:09) and McKenzi Rucker (25th, 25:12).
Pinckneyville finished with 114 points good enough for fifth overall. Leading the way for the Lady Panthers were Alyssa Hirsch (eighth, 22:49), Olivia Ashbrook (18th, 24:28), Kiera DeFord (19th, 24:31), Shersty Stanton (23rd, 24:55) and Raven Lawhorn (46th, 29:56).
Marissa-Coulterville finished with 144 points and claimed the final qualifying team spot in seventh place. The Lady Meteors were led by Justis Jones (16th, 24:18), Melanie Johnson (20th, 24:40), Ashley Lehman (32nd, 25:52), Katie Seiber (37th, 27:11) and Carleigh Baker (39th, 27:57).
The sectional will be held October 29 in Edwardsville.