Gillespie High School started cross country again with the Miner athletes competing very well despite being new to the sport.
The girls’ team of seven athletes has achieved success by placing 3rd in the Carlinville opener competing against 14 teams. The next two weeks they placed 1st and 3rd in two smaller meets. Leading the Miner pack has been sophomore Erika Gill who placed first in the competition at Southwestern on Tuesday evening.
Most recently on Saturday, the team competed in an eight-team meet at North Mac. The girls won with four girls placing in the top ten edging out a tough St. Theresa team. Sophomore Erika Gill led the team taking second followed by seniors Brynn Baker placing fourth and Katie Polo eighth. Freshman Mia Brawner placed tenth and sophomores Ryleigh Phillips and Lily Brown followed up with personal best’s to secure the win.
The boys team was short on numbers but not determination with seniors Luke and Levi Hatlee. Both placed in the middle of the pack and achieved their best times for the three-mile race. Saturday was the fourth meet for Gillespie and the girls’ team is starting the season strong with two firsts and two third-place finishes.
Three other strong runners for the girls’ team are seniors Brynn Baker, Katie Polo and Autumn Smith. The team’s three young runners have also done well with freshman Mia Brawner and sophomores Ryleigh Phillips and Lily Brown. The boys’ team are led by the Hatlee brothers Levi and Luke. Leo Page and Ean Davis are also key runners on the team. The team is coached by Jack Burns and assisted by Jay Weber.