Young Blue Devils compete at Tuscola Cross Country Invitational

By Fred Kroner

The Villa Grove Blue Devils were led by freshman Kurt Zimmerman in the 44^th annual Tuscola Cross-Country Invitational on Saturday (Sept. 18) at Wimple Park.

Zimmerman toured the 3-mile layout in 18 minutes, 12.7 seconds. He finished 28^th in a field of 152 competitors.

Four of the six Villa Grove competitors were freshmen, including the team’s No. 2 runner, Chase White. White’s time was 19:57.10 and he finished 73^rd.

The school’s other participants were Caleb Wiessing (112^th in 22:13.68), Blake Davis (140^th in 25:01.44), Austin Zoch (144^th in 26:07.99) and Andrew Fonner (145^th in 26:10.79).

The team crown was earned by Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond with 44 points. Shelbyville was second with 86 points. Villa Grove ended 16^th with 393 points.

In a four-school meet at Tuscola on Tuesday (Sept. 14), Zimmerman was the Blue Devils’ leader, entering the chute in 20:41.57 and placing 11^th in a field of 34 runners.

Teammates following him were White (19^th in 21:52.4), Wiessing (27^th in 25:18.8), Fonner (30^th in 28:09.09), Zoch (31^st in 28:17.97) and Davis (32^nd in 29:30.68).

In the team chase, Tuscola edged Heritage, 29-34. Villa Grove was fourth with a score of 97.

Villa Grove returns to action on Tuesday (Sept. 21) at Urbana Uni High.