Submitted by Tayloran Atwell
Submitted Photo
On Saturday, the Geneseo Cross Country teams traveled to Black Partridge Park in Metamora for the 50th Annual Gene Jones Runnin Red Invite. Black Partridge Park will also serve as the host site for the IHSA Cross Country Sectional in just three weeks on October 31. The sectional will be a crucial opportunity for the Leafs as they look to qualify for the IHSA State Meet.
The Freshman/Sophomore Leafs kicked off the day on the 2.94-mile course. Henry Woodward led the way for Geneseo, finishing 18th in 16:56.6. Ephraim Mueller followed with a strong 38th-place finish in 17:45.5, cracking the top 50. Kellan Courtright crossed the line in 137th place with a time of 19:46.7. Ian McCord finished 204th in 22:22.0, followed by James Mackenzie in 226th place (23:24.9) and Phoenix Sottos in 234th place (24:23.8). With six runners competing, the Freshman/Sophomore Leafs fielded a complete team and finished 17th overall with a team score of 426.
Submitted Photo
The Lady Leafs were next to take on the course. Brooklyn Smith led Geneseo with an impressive 12th-place finish in 18:35.0, followed closely by Evy DeBaene in 18th place with a time of 19:01.0. Ayla Schultz was the third Leaf to cross the line, finishing 86th in 21:27.7. Genevieve Talley placed 140th in 23:07.5, while Zania Sefton rounded out the top five scorers with a 144th-place finish in 23:13.9. Also competing for the Lady Leafs were Sofia Encabo-Alonso (162nd, 23:48.9), Keely Henry (223rd, 30:28.2), Baylen Poffenberger (225th, 31:27.5), and Tiffany Helton (227th, 33:38.3). The Lady Leafs fielded a complete team and finished 12th overall with a team score of 315.
Submitted Photo
The Varsity Leafs closed out the day on the course. Henley Bourne led Geneseo with a 12th-place finish in 15:18.8. Greyson Claerhout followed in 57th place with a time of 16:16.2, while Kael McCord finished 106th in 17:07.0. Rylan Carlson rounded out the Varsity lineup, placing 152nd in 18:12.5. Due to multiple scheduling conflicts, the Varsity boys were without several key runners and did not have enough competitors to record a team score.
With the Gene Jones Runnin Red Invite marking the end of the regular season, the Leafs now turn their attention to the postseason. Conference, JV Last Chance, and the IHSA postseason series are all ahead as the teams look to build momentum and finish the season strong.
Next up, the Leafs will travel to Empire Park in Hampton for the Western Big Six Conference Championship, hosted by Moline.
Black Partridge Park - Metamora
Varsity Lady Leafs:
Brooklyn Smith - 12th - 18:35.0 - Medalist
Evy DeBaene - 18th - 19:01.0 - Medalist
Ayla Schultz - 86th - 21:27.7
Genevieve Talley - 140th - 23:07.5
Zania Sefton - 144th - 23:13.9
Sofia Encabo-Alonso - 162nd - 23:48.9
Keely Henry - 223rd - 30:28.2
Baylen Poffenberger - 225th - 31:27.5
Tiffany Helton - 227th - 33:38.3
Freshman-Sophomore Leafs:
Henry Woodward - 18th - 16:56.6 - Medalist
Ephraim Mueller - 38th - 17:45.5
Kellan Courtright - 137th - 19:46.8
Ian McCord - 204th - 22:22.0
James Mackenzie - 226th - 23:24.9
Phoenix Sottos - 234th - 24:23.8
Varsity Leafs:
Henley Bourne - 12th - 15:18.8 - Medalist
Greyson Claerhout - 57th - 16:16.2
Kael McCord - 106th - 17:07.0
Rylan Carlson - 152nd - 18:12.5
