CROSS COUNTRY: PCHS boys 16th, Keith 45th at State Final Meet

Improving by nine positions since a year ago with mostly the same team, the Pinckneyville Panthers returned home with a 16th place showing in the team standings at the IHSA Class A Cross Country State Final Meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

Just one year after finishing at the tail end of the 25-team field, the Panthers improved by leaps and bounds, knocking over two minutes off of their team total time.

Garrett Johnson was PCHS's top finisher, crossing the line in 75th place (48th among team runners) in the field of 209. Cale Jausel (90th), Grant Batteau (116th), Caleb Logan (138th) and Hayden Carter (163rd) completed the Panthers' top five. Dustin Bartnicki was 174th, Brady Louis 180th.

Lady Panther Sophie Keith competed in the girls' race in Peoria and placed 45th out of 208 competitors, finishing in PCHS school-record time (18:52).