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

Spread the love

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

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cook County, Chicago declare flood disaster Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have issued respective disaster...
Doudna Logo

Doudna Fine Arts Center 2025/2026 Season Announcement

The 2025/2026 season kicks off at the end of the month! Check out everything we have in store for you. You can find the link below to buy tickets. Doudna...
Screenshot

Search for New Casey Utility Superintendent Narrows to Five Candidates

The search for Casey’s next utility superintendent is moving into its final stages, with the city narrowing a pool of 25 applicants down to five finalists. The candidates are vying...
Casey Rotary Logo.2

Daughhetee, Winnett inducted into Casey Rotary Club

Casey’s Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee (left) was inducted into the Casey Rotary Club by visiting District Assistant Governor Bill Malone at the July 29 regular...
WATCH: IL Republican pushes for TX quorum rules that Pritzker hails as ‘hero’ move

WATCH: IL Republican pushes for TX quorum rules that Pritzker hails as ‘hero’ move

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Gov. J.B. Pritzker jokes on national TV that Illinois’ congressional maps were drawn by kindergartners, a...
Screenshot

Casey Cracks Down on Blighted Properties, Considers Parental Responsibility Ordinance

The City of Casey is intensifying its efforts to combat blight, taking formal action against a dilapidated property on East Madison Avenue and considering new measures to hold parents accountable...
Lake Land College.6

Lake Land College Invests Over $63,000 in Grammarly AI Tool to Boost Student and Staff Writing Skills

Lake Land College is making a significant investment in artificial intelligence to support academic success, with the Board of Trustees approving a two-year, $63,750 contract for a campus-wide license for...
Screenshot

Casey Faces Utility Rate Hikes Amidst Inflation and Shrinking Customer Base

Casey residents can expect to see their utility bills rise in the near future as the city grapples with the dual pressures of inflation and a declining population. During a...
Casey illinois library.1.logo graphic

What’s Happening at the Library in August?

Tuesdays, August 5, 12, 19, & 26 - 1pm is BINGO with Renee! It is FREE and no registration is required. ALL are welcome. Thursday, August 7 - At 11am...
Casey Council Meeting.2

Casey Council Approves $33.27 Million Appropriation Plan for FY 2026

The Casey City Council on Monday gave its final approval to a $33.27 million appropriation ordinance for the 2026 fiscal year. The spending plan, which sets the legal limit for...
Cecile Stephens

Cecile Stephens

May 19, 1939 - August 2, 2025 Cecile Stephens, 86, of Belton, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on August 2, 2025, after a brief illness. She was...
lake land college.3

Lake Land College Board Approves 3% Pay Raises, New Salary Structure for Staff

Many full-time and part-time employees at Lake Land College will see a 3% salary increase starting July 1, following a vote by the Board of Trustees to approve base salary...
lake land college.1

Lake Land College Backs 12-Year Extension for Mattoon’s Midtown TIF District

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has thrown its support behind a 12-year extension for the City of Mattoon's Midtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment Project Area, a move...
Lake Land Effingham Tech Center.1

Lake Land College Celebrates Grand Opening of New Effingham Technology Center

Lake Land College officially opened the doors to its new Effingham Technology Center on Wednesday evening, welcoming hundreds of community members to explore the 100,000-square-foot facility that represents a major...
Eastern_Illinois_Panthers_logo.svg

EIU Leads OVC With 48 Academic Medal Of Honor Winners

On Friday it was announced that 349 Ohio Valley Conference student-athletes have earned the OVC Academic Medal of Honor for the 2024-25 academic year. It marks the second-highest total in...