Kaitlyn McKinney runs for the Lady Warriors at the regional meet. McKinney’s time of 23:33.0 was a key part of the team's seventh-place finish, which secured a berth in the Sectional. —photo by Terri Cox

Lady Warriors XC Team Advances to Sectional; Richardson Qualifies for Warriors

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Featured photo caption: Kaitlyn McKinney runs for the Lady Warriors at the regional meet. McKinney’s time of 23:33.0 was a key part of the team’s seventh-place finish, which secured a berth in the Sectional. —photo by Terri Cox


By Terri Cox | Sports Reporter

MATTOON – The Casey-Westfield cross country teams competed in the IHSA 1A Regional meet at Lake Land College on Saturday, with the Lady Warriors making school history by advancing as a team and Eli Richardson qualifying individually for the Warriors.

For only the second time in program history, the Lady Warriors team has advanced to the IHSA 1A Sectional. The team secured their spot with a seventh-place overall finish at the regional meet. Kayla Clark led the way, cracking the Top 10 with an impressive time of 20:17.2. Following Clark were Kaitlyn McKinney (23:33.0), Amelia Washburn (24:34.3), Olivia Henderson (25:44.7), and Savannah Lyman (29:29.0).

For the Warriors, Eli Richardson punched his ticket to the Sectional meet as an individual qualifier. Richardson earned a Top 25 finish with a time of 17:45.5. Also competing for the boys’ team were Rylie Large (18:18.6), Wade Winnett (18:46.1), Kaleb Perie (20:26.7), Brayden Clark (20:35.8), and Alex Hancock (22:44.2).

Wade Winnett navigates the course at Lake Land College during Saturday’s regional meet. Winnett finished with a time of 18:46.1 for the Warriors. —photo by Terri Cox

Savannah Lyman rounds out the course for the Lady Warriors. Lyman completed the race in 29:29.0, helping her team clinch its spot in the Sectional meet. —photo by Terri Cox

Rylie Large competes for the Casey-Westfield Warriors at the regional meet. Large finished the race with a time of 18:18.6. —photo by Terri Cox

Olivia Henderson races for Casey-Westfield on Saturday morning. Henderson contributed to the Lady Warriors’ team advancement with a final time of 25:44.7. —photo by Terri Cox

Kayla Clark had a standout performance for the Lady Warriors, finishing in the Top 10 with a time of 20:17.2. Her high placement led the team to its historic Sectional qualification. —photo by Terri Cox

Eli Richardson leads the way for the Warriors at the IHSA 1A Regional. Richardson earned a Top 25 finish with a time of 17:45.5, qualifying individually for the upcoming Sectional meet. —photo by Terri Cox

Kaleb Perie pushes through the regional course on Saturday. Perie finished the race with a time of 20:26.7 for the Warriors. —photo by Terri Cox

Brayden Clark runs the course at the regional cross country meet in Mattoon. Clark posted a time of 20:35.8 for the Casey-Westfield Warriors. —photo by Terri Cox

Amelia Washburn competes for the Lady Warriors at Lake Land College. Washburn finished with a time of 24:34.3, helping her team advance to the Sectional meet for only the second time in school history. —photo by Terri Cox

Alex Hancock strides toward the finish line during the IHSA 1A Regional meet on Saturday. Hancock completed the course for the Warriors in a time of 22:44.2. —photo by Terri Cox

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