Freeburg Boys and Girls Reign Supreme in Metro East Sectional Sweep

Mia McClain's intense facial expression says everything about winning her first sectional title (Tracy Burmester photo)

MEET PAGE

It was a busy but exciting day out on the SIU-Edwardsville cross country course Saturday, which hosted both two sectionals 1A/3A.  Getting the day started were the Girls' and Boys' 1A races.

The girls' race experienced little change in the front runners throughout the span of the race.  Benton freshman Mia McLain took the early lead from the start of the gun, working to distance herself from the other runners. Sophomore Elyse Faust of Breese (Mater Dei) followed behind McLain, with Freeburg freshman Breanna Chandler keeping them both in sight. 

Two miles into the race, Chandler had surpassed Faust and was running second to McLain who held her lead to the very end to win with a time of 19:48.17.  Chandler finished second with a time of 20:03.91, followed by Faust who was being pushed by Alton Marquette freshman Riley Vickrey.  The two finished within the same second with Faust at 20:09.38 and Vickrey at 20:09.75.  It was an impressive field with the top ten finishers being mostly freshman.

Advancing as individuals to the state meet behind McLain was Vickrey, Megan Adams of Carterville, Payton Dixon of Carmi, Tiffani Siekmann of Belleville (Althoff Catholic), Sarozjani Hunter of Belleveille (Governor French Academy), and Abby Richmann of Okawville.


top 10 GIRLS 5,000 METER RUN finishers
PLACEATHLETETEAMRESULTPOINTS
1Amelia Mclain9Benton High School19:48.17--
2Breanna Chandler9Freeburg High School20:03.911
3Elyse Faust10Breese Mater Dei High School20:09.382
4Riley Vickrey9Marquette High School20:09.75--
5Gabrielle Alongi9DuQuoin High School20:18.953
6Megan Adams12Carterville High School20:41.944
7Payton Dixon9Carmi-White County High School20:44.405
8Ashley Gilmore12Freeburg High School20:44.786
9Tiffany Siekmann10Althoff High School20:49.577
10Kayla Whitworth11Freeburg High School20:52.958


Mia McClain's post-race reaction-



The Freeburg girls also took home the sectional title with 52 points.  Coming in second with 67 points was Breese (Mater Dei).  Placing third through fifth and also advancing to state was Nashville, DuQuoin, and Chester.

top 5  state qualifiers 
PLACETEAMPOINTSSCORERSTIMES
1Freeburg High School521+6+8+15+22 (28+33)1:57 1-5 Split | 21:02 Avg
2Breese Mater Dei High School672+12+14+18+21 (31+64)1:47 1-5 Split | 21:19 Avg
3Nashville High School14310+16+17+39+61 (101+102)3:03 1-5 Split | 22:18 Avg
4DuQuoin High School1903+23+37+56+71 (72+74)4:33 1-5 Split | 22:45 Avg
5Chester High School2129+13+53+68+69 (118+119)3:28 1-5 Split | 23:02 Avg