Submitted by Tayloran Atwell
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On Saturday, four members of the Geneseo High School Maple Leafs cross country team traveled to Detweiler Park in Peoria to compete in the IHSA Class 2A State Finals. They were joined by their teammates, who made the trip as the team's Hype Squad to cheer them on and show their support!
The IHSA Class 2A State Finals bring together the top 28 qualifying teams and the top 40 individual runners who are not members of a qualifying team from each sectional. After earning their individual state qualifying spots at the sectional meet the previous weekend, Brooklyn Smith, Evy DeBaene, Henley Bourne, and Greyson Claerhout were ready to represent Geneseo on the biggest stage of the season.
The Varsity Girls took to the course first, with the Class 2A race beginning at 11:00 a.m. Brooklyn Smith and Evy DeBaene represented the Lady Leafs after their strong sectional performances.
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Brooklyn was the first Geneseo runner to cross the finish line, placing 33rd overall with an impressive time of 18:19.3. Her performance capped off an outstanding high school cross country career as a Geneseo Maple Leaf. Evy DeBaene finished 150th overall with a time of 19:48.9. Since Geneseo did not have a full girls team competing at State, the Lady Leafs did not receive a team score.
The Varsity Boys followed at noon with Henley Bourne and Greyson Claerhout taking on the state's top Class 2A runners.
Henley delivered an outstanding performance, crossing the finish line in 14:16.2 to earn All-State honors with a 21st-place finish! Greyson Claerhout finished 121st overall with a time of 15:43.4. Like the girls, the boys competed as individual qualifiers rather than a full team, so Geneseo did not receive a team score.
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The IHSA State Finals mark the conclusion of another cross country season and the end of the high school cross country careers for seven Geneseo seniors: Brooklyn Smith, Ayla Schultz, Lucy Wachtel, Keely Henry, Tiffany Helton, Connor Runty, and Jacob Berry.
To each of these seniors, thank you for the time, commitment, hard work, and dedication you have given to the Geneseo cross country program. Each of you has been an important part of this team, and we are grateful for the memories and contributions you leave behind. We wish you nothing but the best as you begin the next chapter of your journeys!
Congratulations to all four state qualifiers on an incredible accomplishment, and a special congratulations to Henley Bourne on earning All-State honors!
IHSA State Final Results
Lady Leafs:
Brooklyn Smith - 33rd - 18:19.3
Evy DeBaene - 150th - 19:48.9
Leafs:
Henley Bourne - 21st - 14:16.2 - All State Medalist
Greyson Claerhout - 121st - 15:43.4
