Boys and girls cross country has been training all year for this part of the season and running nearly every day to get this far. The SIRR Conference for cross country was held on Saturday, October 12th at Benton City park. Many teams were competing against Herrin such as West Frankfort, Harrisburg, Murphysboro, Massac, and Benton.

The Herrin girls won conference by two points making it their fourth consecutive conference win.

Kaelan Hall placed 3rd with a time of 18:51; Charli Elliott placed 6th with a time of 20:44; Alexis Hawes placed 7th with a personal record of 21:14; Katelynn Rutkowski placed 12th with a personal record of 22:22; Kelsey Herkert placed 26th with a time of 24:29; Tiffany Young placed 28th with a time of 25:14; and Cierra Kiesling placed 29th with a time of 25:30 for the girls varsity.

Kelsey and Charli both ran on fractured legs; Charli with a fractured hip and Kelsey with a fractured ankle. Both managed to run their best and win conference.

Mallow was very proud of the girls bravery and determination to win conference.

The Herrin boys all strived to do their best with many personal records on their side. Michael Oliver came in 1st place with an outstanding time of 15:51; Colton Towle placed 5th with a personal record of 16:15; Logan Pierce placed 10th with a time of 16:34; David Carlson placed 12th with a personal record of 17:13; Brice Williamson placed 18th with a personal record of 17:50; Damen Bordner placed 19th with a personal record of 17:51; and Anthony Bowling placed 30th with a time of 20:18 for the boys varsity.

All coaches were proud to see runners hit their best personal records.

The teams then advanced to regionals in Highland the following week with an even harder competition. Boys ran against Mascoutah, Waterloo, Triad, Carbondale, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Centralia, Highland, and East St.Louis. The girls raced the same opposing towns besides Mt. Vernon.

Although neither team won regionals, overall. Michael Oliver placed 19th with a time of 16:52 and Kaelan Hall took 8th with a time of 20:00. Both are advancing to sectionals in Decatur on October 28th with high hopes of advancing to State!

“Winning is Good” – Dusty Mallow