By FRED KRONER
St. Joseph runners placed in four individual events and one relay on Saturday (May 15) in a Class 3A IESA eighth-grade girls’ sectional track and field meet at Maroa-Forsyth.
Savanna Franzen was the runner-up in two races, including a school record-setting time of 5 minutes, 28.98 seconds in the 1,600 meters. She was also second in the 800 meters, finishing in 2:32.84.
Also in the 800 meters, teammate Madison Clampitt was sixth in 2:52.40. Clampitt secured a sixth-place finish in the 400 meters (1:10.33) and placed ninth in the long jump (12 feet, 2 ½ inches).
The school’s 1,600-meter relay unit of Kiah Riesel, Franzen, Clampitt and Lilly Ahart ended in fourth place with a combined time of 4:53.28.
Eleven schools participated in the eighth-grade girls’ division. Tolono Unity was the team champion with 90 points. Clinton was second with 58 points. St. Joseph finished in a tie for eighth place with Heyworth. Each had 22 points.
In the IESA girls’ seventh-grade sectional meet at Maroa-Forsyth, St. Joseph placed 11th with 12 points.
Jaci Kellenberger finished among the leaders in two events. She was fifth in the 800 meters (2 minutes, 56.28 seconds) and ended seventh in the 1,600 meters (6:22.75).
In two events, St. Joseph had two top-10 placers.
In the pole vault, Lilly Ahart was fourth (6 feet) and Sophia Schmitz was fifth (5 feet, 6 inches).
In the 400 meters, Abigail Crider was fourth (1:10.22) and teammate Kiah Riesel was ninth (1:16.00).
Seventh-grade team honors at the sectional were captured by Tolono Unity with 154 points. Arthur was the runner-up with 52 points.
