Cottage Hills, IL — Competing on a hastily redesigned course at the Bethalto Sports Complex, both the boy’s and girl’s varsity cross-country teams advanced to next week’s IHSA 2A Sectional Championships via their top-6 team performances at today’s IHSA 2A (#1A) Regional Championships. Despite a miscue involving a wrong turn at the front of the race, the girl’s team turned in solid performances throughout the lineup to claim runner-up honors. The lady lions placed three runners in the top ten, with Lyla Seaman, Lane Sambursky, and Claire Samples finishing in 6th, 9th, and 10th respectively. Landry Crain and Liesel Balmforth rounded out the team scoring with Alissa Ruiz continuing to improve in her return to form, and Rose Balmforth maintaining her solid consistency. Additionally, both Landry Crain and Claire Samples finished within one second of their personal bests despite the slow footing, and looked poised for breakout races as the postseason continues. The boy’s varsity team also advanced to the Sectional Championship with a 5th-place finish, taking down sectional rivals Mascoutah and Highland, and finishing within 6 points of hosts Bethalto, despite still missing junior Jack Robertson due to injury. In his absence, multiple members of the squad stepped up, with Alex DeRuntz getting off the starting line fast and holding a steady pace for an 11th-place finish. Freshman Ethan Swartz and junior Nick Wilhelm moved up throughout the race, with both finishing in the top 25. They were backed up by Reece Scott, who continues to improve in his return from injury, as well as another stellar race from Jake Wilhelm, and gritty efforts from Mason Webb and Nicolas Hyson, who entered as a last-minute substitution for Robertson. Full results can be found at: https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/285896/info The lions will be back on the course this coming Saturday at the IHSA Sectional (1) Championships hosted by Carbondale High School on the campus of Southern Illinois University. Come out and support Carterville XC as they take their next step towards the IHSA Illinois State Championships!