Article and Photos By Steven Hendrixson, MHS Student Writer
On Saturday, the Lions traveled to Peoria to compete in the 48th Annual Patriot Invitational. This meet is unique in that it is run at Detweiller, a park famous for being one of the fastest cross country courses in Illinois. It is known for its fairly flat grassy fields. It is crucial for runners to have a little faster start with the race starting in a wide, open field going downhill, this way you can use the course to your advantage to get a PR. With Detweiller hosting the IHSA state meet later in the season since 1970, runners will have an opportunity to get a feel for the course prior to state.
Madeleine Fox led the way for the Lady Lions, as she placed 8th in a field of 236 runners with a time of 18:03.9. Teammates Grace Thompson and Addie Nave also shined on the big stage, with Thompson finishing 22nd in 18:42.7 and Nave placing 39th in 19:35.8. The girls unfortunately did not have enough runners to compete in the team standings.
The Lions performed particularly well also. Senior Steven Hendrixson led the team with a time of 16:49.8 to finish 75th in a field of 299 runners. Senior Thomas Weber placed 112 with a time of 17:26.9. It was a battle down to the finish between Jacob Weber and Henry Arthur that ultimately ended in Weber finishing 172nd in 18:38.1 and Arthur finishing 174th in 18:38.2. Teammate Charlie Fox finished just ten seconds behind the pair to finish 186th in 18:48.2.
The boys finished with a score of 655 points, finishing 27th out of 39 teams.
The Lions will travel to Lakeland, Mattoon next Saturday for their Regional.
Grace Thompson
MHS Boys team runs with the pack
Addie Nave
Thomas Weber
Henry Arthur
Grace Thompson, Madeleine Fox, and Addie Nave L-R
