CROSS COUNTRY: Panthers, Lady Indians make it to Sectional

Posted October 27, 2014 11:00 pm

Doug Daniels

Du Quoin's girls and Pinckneyville boys cross country teams are headed to Sectionals after advancing from last Saturday's IHSA Class A Regional in Chester.

The Lady Indians finished in seventh place, edging out the Regional host Chester for the last advancing spot in the girls' event. Quinn Kirkpatrick was the top finisher for Du Quoin, coming in ninth place overall with a time of 20:50. Andrea Lopez wasn't far behind in twelfth, finishing at a time of 21:26. Kate Smith (38th), Grace Bailey (50th), Tarynn Mays (51st), Olivia Cravens (52nd) and Timbra Mansfield (79th) also competed for the DHS girls.

Pinckneyville's girls finished tenth without the services of their top runner, Sophie Keith, who suffered an illness and did not finish the race. Shania Opp came in 17th position (22:26) and will advance to the Sectional as an individual for PCHS. Hannah Porter (32nd), Megan Bagley (42nd), Madison Garavaglia (47th), Taylor Smith (70th) and Lindsey Taylor (73rd) also ran for the Lady Panthers at Chester.

Saturday's Girls Sectional will be held at SIU-Edwardsville.

In the boys' Regional at Chester, the Panthers came in fourth place as a team and will move on to Saturday's Sectional, also at SIU-E.

Layton McNew finished eighth overall (17:51) to lead Pinckneyville, followed by Garrett Johnson (25th), Caleb Logan (32nd), Grant Batteau (37th), Brady Louis (41st), Ryan Brueggemann (48th) and J.C. Moll (49th).

Du Quoin's team finished in thirteenth place. Indians running at the event included Caleb Davis (52nd), Isaiah Francis (84th), Nathan Manning (88th), Jacob Hill (90th) and Bailey Leonard (93rd).