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

Casey Westfield School Board.2

School Board Approves New Hires, Accepts Resignations and Retirement

Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield Board of Education approved several staffing changes Monday, including hiring a new elementary interventionist and filling two other roles. The board also accepted four resignations and...
Lake Land College.5

Lake Land College Board Approves $117.7 Million Operating Budget for FY 2026

Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $117.7 million operating budget for the 2026 fiscal year during its meeting on Monday. The budget was adopted...
Chromebooks

District Lands $98,950 Grant for New Student Chromebooks

Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield school district has been awarded a $98,950 state grant to purchase new Chromebooks for Monroe Elementary students. The funding, part of the SRTL program, will bolster...
wilford-hickox-1758119004

Wilford “Rex” Hickox, 98

Wilford "Rex" Hickox, 98, of Yale, Illinois, passed away at 6:40 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Simple Blessings, Casey, Illinois. Born on November 6, 1926, in Stevens County,...
richard-darr-1758118231

Richard Alan Darr, 50

Richard Alan Darr, fondly known as Rick, 50, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 14, 2025. Born on August 2, 1975, in Champaign, Illinois, Rick lived a life...
Illinois’ gun ban set for oral arguments in appeals court Monday

Illinois’ gun ban set for oral arguments in appeals court Monday

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The state of Illinois will be defending its gun and magazine ban Monday in front of the...
Law professor explains why Trump could win tariff case

Law professor explains why Trump could win tariff case

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could side with the Trump administration on a multi-billion dollar case over tariffs despite two lower courts saying the power of...
Casey Westfield Warriors.2

Resident Raises Concerns Over Sunday Youth Football Games

Article Summary: A local resident addressed the Casey-Westfield school board to discuss the scheduling of Junior Football League (JFL) games on Sundays, a practice he said is a problem for...
WATCH: Los Angeles schools superintendent renews contract

WATCH: Los Angeles schools superintendent renews contract

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The Los Angeles Board of Education unanimously voted this week to renew its four-year contract with Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, amid...
Southern California Edison works on paying Eaton Fire victims

Southern California Edison works on paying Eaton Fire victims

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Southern California Edison, which many blamed for starting the destructive Eaton Fire in the Pasadena/Altadena area, is developing a program to reimburse victims. The utility...
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly presents 'AI for America' roadmap

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly presents ‘AI for America’ roadmap

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Nearly two dozen public figures have come out in support of U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s artificial intelligence plan. Known as "AI for America," the plan...
WATCH: Education department launches America 250 effort

WATCH: Education department launches America 250 effort

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education, along with private organizations, launched this week the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, in an effort to revive civic education...
Trump: Chicago needs 'big, strong soldiers'

Trump: Chicago needs ‘big, strong soldiers’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says Chicago needs big, strong soldiers to get the city into shape. The president...
WATCH: Gov. Gavin Newsom signs climate and energy bills

WATCH: Gov. Gavin Newsom signs climate and energy bills

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday morning promised up to $60 billion in tax rebates on electricity fees just before signing climate and energy bills. The...
Large Wisconsin data center tax breaks make benefits unclear

Large Wisconsin data center tax breaks make benefits unclear

By Jon StyfThe Center Square When Microsoft announced plans for an additional $4 billion data center in Kenosha County on Thursday morning, it came with comments from Wisconsin Gov. Tony...