Minooka sweeps regional cross country titles

The Minooka Community High School logo

MOLINE - Minooka claimed both IHSA regional titles on Saturday at the East Moline cross country meet on a picture perfect morning.

The top six teams and top five individuals, not on a qualifying team, advance to next Saturday’s sectional meet in Quincy.

Minooka won the girls title by three points over Yorkville, 28-31. Also qualifying were Plainfield North (78 points), Plainfield South (146) and Plainfield Central (158).

“I thought we really ran well,” Minooka coach Kevin Gummerson said. “It was better than last week at the conference meet and all seven of our girls gave it their best today. Gabriella McCollom really fought hard today and ran great.”

McCollom led the Indians with a second overall finish, running the three-mile course in 17:49. Anna Hunter from Yorkville was the individual champion (17:44). Minooka then placed fourth with Jocelyn Host (17:58), Gabrielle Kics placed fifth (18:10), with Audrey Boles in sixth (18:15). Kathryn Cichon rounded out the top five scorers with an 11th place finish.

Host, who is back to racing after a injury kept her out for a few weeks was happy with her performance.

“I’m back,” Host said with a big smile. “I felt really good today, was not that fatigued at the end and just have to get my groove back and this was big today, not only for me but also our team. I’ve been itching to really get back to racing and I’ve missed my teammates so much, the give me that drive everyday.”

One team that was very happy with their performance was the Cougars of Plainfield South. They were projected to be in a battle for that final qualifying spot, but finished fourth.

“We knew and so did this team that we were real close to that final qualifying spot coming in,” South coach Janeen Carlberg said. “But these girls really stepped up today and performed so well, it was really amazing to watch them race.”

Area individual qualifiers were Lily Anderson and Lilia McCormick from Plainfield East, Emma Schlismann from Joliet Central and Asia Kocheva from Joliet West.

On the boy’s side Minooka scored 40 points to beat Plainfield South with 44 points. Plainfield North finished third (56 points), Plainfield Central fourth (114), Yorkville fifth (147) and Joliet Central in sixth (169).

“We knew it would be close, just like last week’s conference meet and we ran well and did what was needed today,” Gummerson said. “Emerson Fayman is getting healthy and can be a very dangerous runner in the next couple of weeks.”

Zach Balzer led the Indians with a third place finish (14:45) and was followed by Daniel Schalk in fifth, Fayman in seventh, Cole Kics in 11th and Alex Forster finished 14th.

Marcellus Mines, the sophomore from Joliet West continued his hot racing as he was the individual champion in 14:40.

“I felt good today and wanted to go out hard and keep increasing my lead, but I think I went out just a little too hard, because I started feeling it at the end,” Mines said. “A race like this really helps me mentally for next week’s sectional meet on a little bit of a different course.”

Camyn Viger placed second overall for South (14:44) and Oliver Burns placed fourth (14:47 to lead North.

The Steelmen knew they would be in a battle for that final team qualifying spot and came through with flying colors.

“Our kids ran so well today and I’m so happy for them,” veteran Central coach Doug Cherry said. “We knew what we had to do today to advance as a team and this team went out and got it done, especially up front. This group has come so far from where they were last spring. The have worked extremely hard and that hard work showed today.”

No area individuals qualified for the sectionals.