Clippers continue to make historry

OREGON - It’s been a season of firsts for the Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio cross country team. First it was winning its own prestigious Columbus Day Invite for first time in 48 years. Now, add a state berth in the IHSA 1A state meet.

With senior Brock Loftus taking individual honors at the Oregon sectional, the Clippers finished third overall with 100 points, behind Rockford Christian and Riverdale. Sterling Newman and Erie-Prophetstown will also be sending teams to Detweiller Park in Peoria next Saturday.

Loftus made up a 15-meter deficit and outkicked Tommy Murray of Riverdale for a 16:19 to 16:22 win.

The first mile it was shoulder to shoulder, with Loftus hoping to upend Murray for the first time in five tries this season.

“It was my best race, especially coming on at the end to win,” Loftus said. “I have a big goal to get top 10 at state.”

Joining Loftus in the top 10 at sectional were teammates Kyler McNinch (17:13) in seventh and Ian Eller (17:18) in ninth. Rounding out the scoring was Charlie Dickinson in 33rd and Wyatt Lundquist in 61st.

“We came in here as freshmen and wanted to build a program,” Loftus said. “I hope this lasts. We’ve got some good freshmen.”

That build started with senior state qualifier Tom Schmaberger and coach Bob Hallberg three years ago. Taking over was a Princeton High School football player turned distance coach Mike Robinson.

“These guys didn’t hold anything back,” Robinson said. “Two years ago, we missed by 15 points and last year we were third at sectional, but didn’t have a state meet (due to COVID). It’s going to be exciting to finally run at Detweiller.”

Qualifying as an individual was Elijah House (17:54) of Bureau Valley, who was the ninth individual qualifier, 25th overall.

The Storm finished 19th (439) as a team with contributions from Ben Roth (78, 19:16), Payton Walowski (122nd, 20:51), Evan Entas (135, 21:46), Rhiley Pinter (138th, 22:05), Landon Hulsing (148th, 23:28) and Cameron Stodghill (153rd, 25:46).

Princeton saw it first girls state qualifier since Haley Adams, who took 13th in the IHSA 1A state meet in 2010. Junior Lexi Bohms was 18th overall, but seventh among individuals not on one of the six state-qualifying teams. The top 10 girls qualify and Bohms had a comfortable cushion.

“I was really shocked,” said Bohms, who is the 10th PHS individual girl to qualify for state. “I didn’t feel too sure coming in, but once I heard the (starting) gun, I knew I’d be okay.”

Her time on the hilly 3-mile Park West course was 20:59. Grace Erb of Winnebago was the individual champ at 19:28.