Submitted by Tayloran Atwell

On Saturday, the cross country team split up for two different meets. The Varsity Lady Leafs traveled to the Peoria High School Invite, held at Detweiller Park, which is the course used for the IHSA State Finals. The JV Lady Leafs and the Leafs traveled to Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island for the Brisman-Lundeen Invite, hosted by Riverdale High School and Augustana College.

The Varsity Lady Leafs were the first to hit the course, with a 9:00 a.m. start at Detweiller Park. Detweiller is the site of the IHSA State Finals, which is the ultimate goal for many high school cross country runners in Illinois during the first weekend of November. The course consists of three loops and is primarily flat, with only a slight incline leading toward the finish line. The fast, flat course allows runners to post some very quick times.

Brooklyn Smith was the first Lady Leaf to cross the finish line, earning 8th place with a time of 18:10.8 and medalist honors. Evy DeBaene also earned medalist honors, finishing 17th in 18:40.7. Rounding out the top five for Geneseo were Ayla Schultz in 104th place with a time of 20:47.9, Charlize Wachtel in 114th with a time of 20:57.3, and Zania Sefton in 143rd with a time of 21:44.4.

Meanwhile, the JV Lady Leafs and Leafs enjoyed a later bus departure and began racing at Saukie Golf Course at 10:00 a.m. for the girls and 10:45 a.m. for the boys. The course was still slightly soggy from rain earlier in the week but remained in good shape and was another course suited for fast times.

For the JV Lady Leafs, Stella Allison was the first Geneseo finisher, placing 44th with a time of 22:56.6. Genevieve Talley followed in 57th place with a time of 23:58.1, while Sofia Encabo-Alonso finished 60th in 24:09.2 and Hanna Pirog finished 61st in 24:25.8. Also competing for Geneseo were Baylen Poffenberger, who finished 96th in 31:26.9; Keely Henry, returning to competition after a previous injury, who finished 97th in 31:27.2; and Tiffany Helton, who finished 99th in 33:03.6.

For the Leafs, Henley Bourne was the lone Geneseo runner to earn a T-shirt award, finishing 4th in 15:46.7. Greyson Claerhout followed closely behind in 12th place with a time of 16:05.7. Will Ehlert finished 21st in 16:26.9, followed by Kael McCord in 33rd with a time of 16:58.1 and Henry Woodward in 46th with a time of 17:22.1. Rounding out the top seven were Ephraim Mueller in 68th with a time of 17:51.0 and Fritz Bolme in 80th with a time of 18:10.0. Also competing for the Leafs were Rylan Carlson, Kellan Courtright, Ian McCord, Cole Henson, Adler VanOpdorp, and Phoenix Sottos.

The Leafs will be back in action next weekend at Black Partridge Park in Metamora. The course will be especially meaningful as it will also host the IHSA Sectional meet on October 31.

Peoria High School Invite (Detweiler Park)

Varsity Lady Leafs:

Brooklyn Smith - 8th - 18:10.8 - Medalist
Evy DeBaene - 17th - 18:40.7 - Medalist
Ayla Schultz - 104th - 20:47.9
Charlize Wachtel - 114h - 20:57.3
Zania Sefton - 143rd - 21:44.4

Brisman-Lundeen Invite (Saukie Golf Course)

JV Lady Leafs:

Stella Allison - 44th - 22:56.6
Genevieve Talley - 57th - 23:58.1
Sofia Encabo-Alonso - 60th - 24:09.2
Hanna Pirog - 61st - 24:25.8
Baylen Poffenberger - 96th - 31:26.9
Keely Henry - 97th - 31:27.2
Tiffany Helton - 99th - 33:03.6

Varsity Leafs:

Henley Bourne - 4th - 15:46.7 - Award Winner
Greyson Claerhout - 12th - 16:05.7
Will Ehlert - 21st - 16:26.9
Kael McCord - 33rd - 16:58.1
Henry Woodward - 46th - 17:22.1
Ephraim Mueller - 68th - 17:51.0
Fritz Bolme - 80th - 18:10.0
Rylan Carlson - 89th - 18:28.1
Kellan Courtright - 162nd - 20:34.0
Ian McCord - 198th - 22:34.1
Cole Henson - 207th - 23:05.6
Adler VanOpdorp - 211th - 23:29.9
Phoenix Sottos - 219th - 23:56.5