The Mascoutah Kickoff essentially did what the title said as it was the season opener for the majority of the teams. Mascoutah Middle School was the site of a combination of junior high and high school boys and girls races. The temperatures seemed to rise by more than 15 degrees by the time of the varsity girl's race. There was no doubt with the high humidity, it felt like 85+ degrees when it was all over.
Girls-
The star of the race immediately put herself on display within the first minute of the race. Elena Rybak (So., Father McGivney) bolted ahead of the field in what seemed like two races in progress. After the first mile in 5:45, she was more than 20 seconds ahead of the field. She would hit the second mile in 12:18 and cruise home to victory in 18:14- more than a minute ahead of second place Eris Nelson (Sr., Althoff).
The team battle was pointed at Breese Mater Dei and the team position they maintained against the competition. The Knights were able to hold strong through the majority of the race as well despite a 2:10 scoring split. They put three girls in the top 10 and the fifth finisher was 17th for a score of 43 points.
Boys-
Isaac Teel (Jr., Pinckneyville) had the same status as Rybak in that he was the favorite coming in. However, his race tactic was different. "I was told by my coach to sit back for the first two miles," he said. Teel and Ethan Hogan (Jr., Columbia) were stride for stride through the first mile which was a shade over 5:00. Coming back into the main part of the course which was surrounded by cornfields and soybean fields, something was about to happen. As soon as both runners passed the second-mile mark sign in 10:18, Teel hit the turbo booster and departed from Hogan. It would be a race for second place from that point and Teel coasted home for the win in 15:10. Hogan maintained his poise and took second in 15:29.
The team race was a three way tie of 94 points among Mascoutah, Pinckneyville, and Alton. The host Indians would be announced the winner on the strength of the sixth man.
