Sparta’s top five runners finished before the top runner of the second place team as the Bulldogs cruised to a cross country sectional title Saturday in Edwardsville.
Sparta finished with a low score of 36 points followed by Herrin (128), Metro-East Lutheran (131), Freeburg (133), Chester (159), Columbia (209), Pinckneyville (226), Althoff (267), Carmi-White County (267), Benton (273), Carterville (292) and Nashville (295).
“We had a really good day,” said Sparta coach Matt Blair. “We came in looking to score 50 points to make a statement and the guys go out and score a 36. Our fourth and fifth runners really stepped up and with them being a freshman and sophomore, that is just tremendous. The team ran out of their minds for a great showing.”
The Sparta seniors Jon Hill (16:25), Wes Bradshaw (16:30) and Trevor Morgan (17:07) took first, second and sixth respectfully to lead the way. Sophomore Kenny Heaton took 13th with a time of 17:40 and freshman Dylan Huether took 14th with a time of 17:41 to round out Sparta’s scoring.
Chester took fifth to clinch the final state team qualifying spot. The Yellow Jackets were paced by Devin Valleroy (seventh, 17:17), Link Cushman (15th, 17:45), Verne White (28th, 18:24), Kyle Landon (45th, 18:55) and Zach Sternberg (64th, 19:26).
Both Sparta and Chester along with Herrin, Metro-East Lutheran and Freeburg advance to the cross country 1A state finals Saturday at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
“If we can run like we have the past few weeks, we can compete for a trophy at state,” said Blair. “All the experts have Mt. Zion, Tolono Unity, Tremont, St. Thomas-Moore and Monticello as the top five teams. But I don’t see any reason why we can’t be right in the mix with any of those teams.”
On the girls side, Freeburg behind the running of senior twins Kristen and Caitlin Busch won the team sectional title with 44 points followed by Roxana (91), Carterville (107), Metro-East Lutheran (146), New Athens (155), Red Bud (176), Piasa Southwestern (222), Gibault (230), Chester (233), Althoff (288), Harrisburg (330) and West Frankfort (332).
The only local runner to advance to the state finals is Red Bud junior Brittany Burmester (15th, 21:16).