By Devin Prasad

Sports Editor

The boys’ and girls’ cross country teams competed this Saturday, Nov. 2, at what boys coach Mike Stokes calls the toughest sectional in the state of Illinois.  The event was held at Busse Woods and the girls were first to run.

The girls ran well but placed sixth overall, only one position out of qualifying for state.

“Our goal was to make it to state and we did not accomplish that goal,” said coach David Wurster. “I am proud of the girls and a lot of the things they have done.”

The girls did, however, have one state qualifier, Hannah Gretchmen.  Hannah looks to train hard this week in order to prepare herself for this weekend’s state meet in Peoria.  Hannah will not be running with her team for the first time this year.

“It will be a little sad, but I think it will be okay,” Gretchman said.  “Hopefully I can bring a few of them with me,” Gretchmen said.

The boys team will all be running together Saturday, Nov. 9, after the entire team was able to qualify for the state meet.  When it was announced that the boys had taken fifth, they went crazy yelling and hugging one another. Stokes could not be more happy with the way his team had performed.

“That’s about as good as we could do,” Stokes said.  “When [a team] can actualize their potential, it’s exciting.”