Mabry clocks top time for SJO boys’ cross-country during Spartan Classic victory

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ cross-country team has already run on a variety of courses during the first month of the season.

And proved why the Spartans are a top contender to take home a state trophy at the Class 1A state meet in Peoria in early November.

But winning their own meet by running through the streets of their hometown is easily one of the season’s highlights.

“Any time you can win your own meet it’s special,” Head Coach Jason Retz said. “I hope for these men it’s a confidence boost and a step in the direction they want to take this season.”

SJO cruised to a first-place finish in the 23-team field this past Saturday, compiling 65 points. St. Teresa was second with 104 points, followed by Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond (116), Monticello (180) and Tuscola (199) to round out the top five.

Charlie Mabry posted the top time for the Spartans by clocking in at 15 minutes, 47.60 seconds to place seventh. Teammate Luke Stegall wasn’t far behind with a time of 15:49.80 to place eighth. The steady pace established by the rest of the Spartans was clear to see, with Elijah Mock (16:00.32, 11th), Carson Maroon (16:13.45, 17th) and Peyton Wendell (16:19.52, 22nd) giving the Spartans five runners in the top 25.

“Each member of our team has a responsibility to help everyone else,” Retz said. “Strength of a team does not come from one or two people, instead from everyone helping contribute in a positive way to help each person be the best versions of themselves.”

Up next for SJO: a trip to Terre Haute, Ind., this Saturday for the Nike Twilight Meet on the campus of Rose-Human Institute of Technology before the Illini Prairie Conference Meet is set for next Tuesday in Stanford.

Sugg. Head: Mabry clocks top time for SJO boys’ cross-country during Spartan Classic victory

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ cross-country team has already run on a variety of courses during the first month of the season.

And proved why the Spartans are a top contender to take home a state trophy at the Class 1A state meet in Peoria in early November.

But winning their own meet by running through the streets of their hometown is easily one of the season’s highlights.

“Any time you can win your own meet it’s special,” Head Coach Jason Retz said. “I hope for these men it’s a confidence boost and a step in the direction they want to take this season.”

“Over the next several weeks we’ll find out how hungry they are for success,” Retz said. “I think it has given them the opportunity to find success when championship season arrives.”