BENTON — The Benton 1A Cross Country Sectionals had a little bit of everything Saturday, including a course record, school history, and of course earning spots at the State Meet in Peoria.

Just shy of 300 runners took to the 2.92 mile course at Benton City Park. That list included some of the best in the state, and they did not disappoint.

Pinckneyville’s Isaac Teel and Benton’s Gavin Genisio battled for the boys medalist. Genisio trailed Teel by approximately 20 meters with a lap to go, but was able to make up the ground and pass Teel on the stretch run, finishing with a course record time of 13:47. Teel also broke 14:00, finishing with a 13:54, which was 11 seconds better than the previous record.

In addition to Genisio, Gabe McLain (third) and Cole Buchanan (fifth) gave Benton three top-5 finishers. The Rangers wound up with five in the top 28 to win their third straight sectional title. Pinckneyville, Freeburg, Anna-Jonesboro, Father McGivney, and Metro East Lutheran also advance as teams.

Individually, Columbia’s Ethan Hogan was fourth. Okawville’s Grant Schleifer was sixth with Columbia’s Calvin Range, Pope County’s Eason Comer, Carmi-White County’s Tanner Spence, and Massac County’s Jaydon Miller rounding out the top 10.

In the girls race to start the day, Pope County junior Ahry Comer continued her stellar season, repeating her double from a year ago as regional and sectional medalist. Comer finished with a time of 16:56, 12 seconds faster than Father McGivney’s Kaitlyn Hatley.

Carterville’s Molly Robertson, Murphysboro’s Miah Gilmore, Anna-Jonesboro’s Brodie Denny, Althoff’s Eris Nelson, Pinckneyville’s Vanessa Teel, Okawville’s Caroline Tepe, Goreville’s Molly Merrill , and Mater Dei’s Isabella Hacker rounded out the top 10.

Denny’s fifth place finish led the way for five Lady Wildcats to finish in the top 25 to win the school’s first girls cross country sectional championship. Mater Dei, Carterville, Father McGivney, Pinckneyville, and Freeburg all qualify as teams for state.

For complete Benton Sectional results, click here.

The State Final Meet will be at Detweiller Park in Peoria Saturday.