The Southeast Lancers Cross Country team traveled to Mound City and took advantage of the best weather they’ve seen all season. Each runner finished the race with something to be proud of.

        “We had ten athletes run personal bests, two ran season bests, four medaled, and two broke records. Absolutely I’m proud of every single one of them, but more than that, I’m just so happy for them to see all their hard work pay off and to see them celebrate each others’ successes,” Coach Julie Jones said.

       Kendyl Renn, back after a week hiatus, ran her way to a personal best of 21:16 and a medal for 15th place.

       “I have been aiming for this all season. With all the hills, I am glad I surged up them. I was ranked 22nd going into the race, and instead, I finished 15th. I’m proud of how hard I fought today,” Renn said. The senior improved her time from her Regional race last season.

       Journee Rimmer finished 23rd in 22:12. The junior has been improving her time at every meet, but this is a personal best by 45 seconds.

        “Journee looked stronger today than I’ve maybe ever seen her. She came through the mile fast, and the look on her face told me she meant business today,” Jones said.

       Fellow junior Jackie Robinson finished 30th in 22:47, another personal best. Addy Ulepich, freshman, finished 41st in 25:56, a personal best by over two minutes.

       On the boys side, Ryan Sossman started things off strong with a season best of 22:57, finishing 15th. After missing three weeks due to injury, the senior came back and ran only 17 seconds off his best time.

       “It felt great to get back out there. I heard my coaches yelling at me to stride down the hills and surge up them, and Lyla was at the mile mark telling me my spit,” Sossman said.

       And the success kept coming. 

       Zayne Gabern finished 4th in 16:25. The senior not only ran a personal best but also broke the school record, which was 16:51.

       “It’s all about the team. We gotta change our mindsets. It’s not an individual sport anymore. We have a chance to go to State and we have to capitalize on that,” the senior said. “And of course, Tucker [Sutton] can’t hold that one second over me anymore.”

        Tucker Sutton, a sophomore, finished 6th in 16:49. He also broke the school record, which is an impressive feat for any team – two record breakers in one meet. His personal best puts him second on the Southeast 5K All-Time list.

        “It feels invigorating because I did it as a sophomore. I’ve got a couple of years left. I’m coming for that record,” Sutton said.

       Hudson Locke followed in 11th place with a personal best of 17:20. Chris Archey was 14th in 17:31, also a personal best. The two also found themselves in the top five of the Southeast 5K All-Time list, with Locke fourth and Archey fifth.

       Kayden Utley finished 51st in 20:52 with a personal best; Henry Burns finished 55th in 21:25 and a personal best; and Michael Smith finished 57th in 22:40, a season best. These seven runners helped propel their team to a runner-up finish in the competitive meet. Girard won with 58, Southeast was second with 65, and Colgan was third with 71.

        With the regular season finished, the team now turns their eyes to League next week and Regionals on Oct. 25.