Boys Cross Country, Heidenrich Advance to State Finals

Waubonsie Valley boys cross country reacts to the announcement that they are advancing to IHSA state finals. (photo credit / Patrick McGuire @pemcguire)

ST. CHARLES – Waubonsie Valley’s cross country programs had a successful weekend at Leroy Oaks Forest Preserve on Saturday, sending the boys team and a girls individual to the IHSA state finals.

The boys team is headed to the state finals for the first time in over a decade, when they placed fourth in 2007.

Zach Benziger led the way, finishing 15th in :16:00.9. Wes Beitler finished 22nd (:16:08.1), Jackson Bukala finished 36th (:16:23.9) and Robert Szivak finished 37th (:16:27.1).

On the girls side, Ashley Heidenrich finished second individually with an :18:02.0. Katelyn Mullinax finished 32nd overall with a :19:18.2 and missed the cut. Heidenrich is the first female Warrior representative at state finals since Ashley Bruner in 2011.

State finals for both boys and girls cross country is Saturday, November 9 at Detweiler Park in Peoria.