St. Anthony, Effingham, C'land Cross Country Runners At State

The State meets are held at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

The Bulldogs girls will compete as a team after advancing from the Decatur St. Teresa Sectional as one of the top six teams in fifth place. Members of the team include Aubrey Denning, Ava Faber Emma Helmink, Isabella Keller, Grace Niebrugge, Mollie Slifer, Gracie Slifer and Stacie Vonderheide.

Keller won the individual championship at the sectional with a time of 17:10.88.

Also advancing in Class 1A is Cumberland High School's Cameron Roedl. Roedl made it into the field, finishing as one of the top 10 runners not members of the teams advancing.

The Class 1A girls race is first on the agenda at 9 a.m. The boys will compete at 10 a.m.

In Class 2A, the Effingham High School girls team finished in the top seven and those top seven teams advanced to State. Members of the Hearts include Gracie Eaton, Lauren Etheridge, Kyra Hazelton, Haddie Hill, Jessica Larsen, Laney Myers, Morgan Springer, Baylee Summers, Audrey Wagoner and Drew Weis.

The Hearts are the first-ever cross country team in school history to advance to the State Meet.

The Class 2A girls race is scheduled for 11 a.m. with the boys race to begin at noon.