ROCK ISLAND — The Byron High School varsity boys and girls cross country teams have each clinched bids to the IHSA 1A State Championship meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. It’s the fourth time in school history that both teams advanced to the state meet.
Byron’s girls took second out of 20 schools during the IHSA 1A Alleman Sectional at Saukie Golf Course on Nov. 2. Ashley Potter led the Lady Tigers in the 3-mile race, finishing 15th out of 148 runners with a time of 19:19.4. Gabriella Northrup finished 34th with a time of 20:31.6 and Grace Burnes took 38th with a time of 20:37.6. Emma Franchi and Elinor McHale landed in 39th and 40th with respective times of 20:41.9 and 20:44.3 to round out the top five scoring runners.
Byron’s boys took sixth out of 21 schools at the sectional race to punch their ticket to the state meet. Tim Starwalt led the Tigers at the event, finishing third out of 156 runners with a time of 15:37.2. Michael Muzzarelli finished 32nd with a time of 17:04.9 and Conner Welt finished 43rd with a time of 17:20.2. Braden Dietrich and Gavin Early took 59th and 76th with respective times of 17:49.7 and 18:18.2 to round out the top five scoring runners for the Tigers on Saturday.
Byron’s girls qualified for the sectional meet after finishing second out of nine schools during the IHSA 1A Oregon Regional at Oregon Park West on Saturday, Oct. 26. Ashley Potter led the Lady Tigers at the regional event, finishing 10th out of 63 runners with a time of 21:57.4 in the 5,000-meter race. Gabriella Northrup finished 19th with a time of 22:59.9 and Emma Franchi took 21st with a time of 23:03.9. Grace Burnes and Elinor McHale rounded out the top five scoring runners, placing 22nd and 24th with respective times of 23:04.79 and 23:11.2.
Byron’s boys finished fourth out of 10 schools during the regional on Oct. 26. Tim Starwalt led the Tigers, placing third out of 71 runners with a time of 16:14.0. Michael Muzzarelli and Conner Welt took 22nd and 23rd with respective times of 18:49.2 and 18:49.7. Braden Dietrich and River Wygant landed in 25th and 35th with respective times of 18:51.49 and 19:28.2.
