Lick Creek standout Jadyn Gerardi second at state cross country meet

The Lick Creek School cross country team competed in the SIJHSAA Class S cross country meet at Foundation Park in Centralia on Saturday. 

Lick Creek standout runner Jadyn Gerardi ran the fastest race of her career, covering the course in a time of 11:05, which was good enough for a second place finish. 

Gerardi is only in the 5th grade, which makes her accomplishment even more impressive, coach Matt Denny said. 

She was one of the top runners in Southern Illinois all year, losing to Ahry Comer from Pope County, who finished in second place herself last year. Gerardi has a very bright career ahead of her. 

Also running for Lick Creek was fellow 5th grader Kylee Myers, who came in 72nd place with a time of 13:27. 

Next for the Lady Eagles was Meranda Wright in 90th with a time of 13:41. 

Wright was followed by 3rd grade standout Lilliah Hoehner, who covered the course in 13:50 which was good enough, for 107th place. 

Kenzie Stover came in at 140 with a time of 14:27. 

Mya Clutts came in at 155 for the Lady Eagles in 14:40. 

Leah Buchheit finished in 17:31, which was good enough for 219. 

There were 235 runners in the girls race. Lick Creek is very young, the future looks very bright for the Lady Eagles, the team’s coach said.

On the boys’ side, Lick Creek 3rd graders Kaleb Stover and Luke Schlenker came in 220 and 241, respectively. 

Stover covered the course in 14:27. Schlenker came in at 15:21. There were 270 runners in the boys’ race.