Cross Country:  Harkness Qualifies for State Finals

The SHS Girls’ and Boys’ raced in Belvidere on Saturday at the IHSA 2A Sectional Meet.

On the boys side, senior Dylan Harkness (15:51) placed 15 out of 160 runners, earning him the seventh and final individual state qualifying position. “Dylan ran an excellent, tough race outpacing pacing two opponents in the last 200 meters to secure his place at state,” said SHS Coach Nancy Gehrke. "This caps off what has been a great senior season for Dylan."

Harkness will run at state for the Golden Warriors Saturday (11/5) at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

The boys team placed 16 out of 21 teams.  Following Harkness for the Warriors were: Josh Landis (71) 16:50, Ethan Rocha (98) 17:16, Keaton Dir (118) 17:38, Zach Alston (122) 17:48, Matt Dirks (124) 17:53, Dakota Trancoso (155) 19:18.

The girls placed 18 out of 21 teams.

“Mercedes Sanchez (a freshman) ran an incredible race,” said Gehrke. “She competed with every ounce of energy she could recruit and ended up placing 24th out of 157 racers. This position left her as one person out of qualifying for state. She ran her fastest time of the season (19:00) on a slower course. She out ran many of the athletes who had beat her in races this year.”

Following Sanchez for the Warriors were: Carrie McPherson (122) 21:19, Emily Crossley (123) 21:22, Alayna Wolfe (127) 21:29 (her fastest ever race), Yessenia Cano (140) 22:13, Mary Francque (149) 22:46, Liz Welch (153) 23:33.