PERU – The Mendota boys’ cross country team advanced to the Oregon Sectional after its sixth-place finish in the St. Bede Class 1A Regional on Oct. 23.

Freshman Anthony Kelson led a group of five Trojan runners with a ninth-place overall finish in a time of 16:30. Next in for Mendota was Alex Hermosillo in 22nd place at 17:28. Andrew Stamberger (34th, 18:17), Dagen Setchell (35th, 18:19) and Travis Mumm (75th, 21:48) also competed for the Trojans.

Amboy had the top two runners in the race and three of the top four. Brock Loftus was the overall individual champion with a clocking of 15:07, while Clipper teammate Kyler McNinch finished second in 15:44. Wyatt Miller of Sandwich occupied the third spot in 15:45, while Ian Eller of Amboy took fourth in 15:52. Bureau Valley’s Elijah House (15:59) completed the top five runners.

Amboy captured the team title with 34 points and will advance to the sectional along with Sandwich (44), Seneca (115), Bureau Valley (151), Henry-Senachwine (154), Mendota (156) and Kewanee (164).

The girls’ race was won by Seneca freshman Evelyn O’Connor in a time of 18:19. The next four runners were Kennady Anderson of Kewanee Wethersfield (18:44), Ashley Alsvig of Seneca (19:06), Joanna Rivera of Sandwich (19:11) and Maggie Jewett of Ottawa Marquette (19:12).

Mendota’s lone entrant, Aliza Salinas-Cervantes, finished 41st in 23:08.

Advancing teams were regional champion Seneca (38), Sandwich (78), Amboy (130), Stark County (136), Princeton (143), Henry-Senachwine (143) and Oneida ROWVA (153).

The Oregon Sectional will be held at Oregon Park West on Saturday, Oct. 30. The girls will race at 10 a.m. followed by the boys at 11 a.m.