Prep Cross Country: Eagles, Wildcats shine at Class Meet

Eldorado's Brett Plunkett turned in a 14th place performance with a time of 19:23 to lead the Eagles at the Benton Class Meet Thursday.

Plunkett, a junior, received a medal for his performance, while sophomore Chris Acheson was 20th with a time of 23:07 and Brandon Burnett (freshman) finished 30th with a time of 23:14.

On the girls side, Emilie Farmer was 73rd with a time of 27:35, while Grace Pena was 85th with a time of 29:22. Rounding out the finishes and times for Eldorado were, Kim Acheson (93rd, 30:37 and Jessica Miller (102, 32:04).

Competing at Benton were the host Rangers, Carmi-White County, Carrier Mills-Stonefort, Carterville, Carbondale, Dongola, Fairfield, Goreville, Herrin, Marion, Massac County, Meridian, Norris City-Omaha-Enfield, Pinckneyville, Pope County, Webber Township and West Frankfort.

Eldorado will compete at West Frankfort, starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Loren Whiting turned in a sixth place performance for the Carrier Mill-Stonefort cross country team Thursday at Benton, while fellow classmate and senior Gabe Motsinger finished 34th with a time of 22:26.

In the freshmen race, Billy Lewis was 24th with a time of 22:23.

"I thought Billy ran well today," CMSF head coach Mike Eisenhauer said. " It was his best time of the year and e continues to improve. Loren ran well also. He demonstrated today that he is one of the best senior runners in southern Illinois regardless of class. I am proud of all three runners, they give me their best effort every meet."