State Bound!

In a race for the ages, the lady lions of Carterville claimed the last berth to the IHSA State Championships by edging Jacksonville 242-245 at the Mattoon Sectional Championships on Saturday. The drama-filled race had it all: a wildly fast start, another personal record by Claire Samples, and even a fall and scraped knees for Landry Crain, who leaped up to finish as the lions fifth runner and punch the ticket to state in literally the final meters. When the dust settled, CHS cross country was on its way to the state meet for the second consecutive year, and the third time in four years. Everyone is invited to cheer on your lady lions this coming Saturday at 11:00 AM at historic Detweiler Park in Peoria as they conclude their 2025 season.