Submitted by Tayloran Atwell
Submitted Photo
On Saturday, the Geneseo Leafs traveled to Sterling to compete in the Rock River Run. The meet brought some of the best cross country weather of the season so far, with temperatures in the low 60s. This was a welcome change from last weekend’s Geneseo Invite, where runners battled rainfall and muddy course conditions.
Saturday’s races were run at 5,000 meters (5K), compared to the 3-mile distance the Leafs typically race. The meet featured Varsity Girls, Varsity Boys, Open Girls, and Freshman/Sophomore Boys races.
In the Varsity Girls race, Brooklyn Smith was the first finisher for the Lady Leafs, placing third with a time of 19:03.1. Evy DeBaene also earned a medal, finishing 12th in 19:58.8. Seniors Ayla Schultz (22:05.4) and Lucy Wachtel (22:43.7) also competed for the Lady Leafs.
In the Varsity Boys race, Henley Bourne led the Leafs with a fifth-place finish in 16:12.0. Greyson Claerhout followed closely behind, finishing 14th in 16:37.0. Other Geneseo runners included Kael McCord (17:47.4), Fritz Bolme (19:04.8), Rylan Carlson (19:06.9), Jacob Berry (21:35.4), Connor Runty (21:51.3), and Cole Henson (22:47.9).
In the Open Girls race, Zania Sefton was the first finisher for the Lady Leafs. After leading the race through the first mile, Sefton finished fifth with a time of 22:15.4. Stella Allison placed 10th in 23:39.5. Sofia Encabo-Alonso also earned a medal, finishing 13th in 24:28.9, followed closely by Hanna Pirog in 14th with a time of 24:31.5. Also competing were Baylen Poffenberger (31:04.4) and Tiffany Helton (35:23.7).
In the Freshman/Sophomore Boys race, Will Ehlert captured the overall victory, finishing first with a time of 17:10.9. Henry Woodward followed with a fourth-place finish in 17:48.0, while Ephraim Mueller placed eighth in 18:21.2. Also competing for the Leafs were Kellan Courtright, Hunter Olson, Ian McCord, Adler VanOpdorp, and Phoenix Sottos.
The Leafs will be back in action next Saturday at two different locations. The Leafs and JV Lady Leafs will compete at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, while the Varsity Lady Leafs will compete at the Peoria High School Invite at Detweiller Park.
Lady Leaf Results:
Varsity:
Brooklyn Smith - 19:03.1 - 3rd - Medalist
Evy DeBaene - 19:58.8 - 12th - Medalist
Ayla Schultz - 22:05.4 - 55th
Lucy Wachtel - 22:43.7 - 63rd
Open:
Zania Sefton - 22:15.4 - 5th - Medalist
Stella Allison - 23:39.5 - 10th - Medalist
Sofia Encabo-Alonso - 24:28.9 - 13th - Medalist
Hanna Pirog - 24:31.5 - 14th - Medalist
Baylen Poffenberger - 31:04.4 - 36th
Tiffany Helton - 35:23.7 - 42nd
Leaf Results:
Varsity:
Henley Bourne - 16:12.0 - 5th - Medalist
Greyson Claerhout - 16:37.0 - 14th - Medalist
Kael McCord - 17:47.4 - 54th
Fritz Bolme - 19:04.8 - 97th
Rylan Carlson - 19:06.9 - 99th
Jacob Berry - 21:35.4 - 157th
Connor Runty - 21:51.3 - 163rd
Cole Henson - 22:47.9 - 173rd
Freshman/Sophomore:
Will Ehlert - 17:10.9 - 1st - Medalist
Henry Woodward - 17:48.0 - 4th - Medalist
Ephraim Mueller - 18:21.2 - 8th - Medalist
Kellan Courtright - 20:04.1 - 31st
Hunter Olson - 22:21.5 - 60th
Ian McCord - 23:41.7 - 67th
Adler VanOpdorp - 24:08.9 - 72nd
Phoenix Sottos - 25:01.7 - 78th