State-ranked St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ cross country places third at Spartan Classic
By FRED KRONER
The state-ranked (Class 1A) Spartans’ boys’ cross-country team placed third on Saturday (Sept 2) in the condensed version of the Spartan Classic, a race which began in 1972.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a meet that annually has attracted nearly two dozen schools that participate was limited to four premier entries from Central Illinois.
Mahomet-Seymour (ranked 13th in 2A according to milesplit.com) was the meet champion with 36 points, followed by Monticello (ranked 11th in 1A) with 48 points, SJ-O (ranked eighth in 1A) with 54 points and Tolono Unity (ranked 10th in 1A) with 80 points.
The first five SJ-O runners finished among the top 16 in a field of 56 competitors and were separated by only 40 seconds.
Senior Brandon Mattsey and freshman Carson Maroon led the way over the 3-mile course at the St. Joseph Community Park.
Mattsey took fourth in 16 minutes and 14 seconds. Maroon was sixth in 16:27.
Close behind were teammates Charlie Mabry (13th in 16:42), Elijah Mock (15th in 16:48) and Logan Wolfersberger (16th in 16:54).
The next three Spartans crossed the finish line within 25 seconds of one another.
Luke Stegall was 19th in 17:12, Spencer Wilson was 22nd in 17:21 and Ethan Blackburn was 27th in 17:37.
Other squad members who ran in either the varsity or the open races were: Isiah Mock (35th in 18:09), Lukas Hutcherson (37th in 18:15), Aiden Armstrong (39th in 18:25), Zach Dahman (49th in 20:00) and Holden Jones (50th in 20:02).
The Spartans return to action at home on Saturday (Oct. 3) in a four-school meet that will also include Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Shelbyville and St. Teresa.
