The Switzerland County Pacer and Lady Pacer cross country teams each placed fourth at the Southwestern Sectional. The Switzerland County High School teams will advance to the Pekin Eastern Regional on Saturday.
The Switzerland County boys cross country team placed fourth out of 12 teams with 120 points on Tuesday, October 10th, at the sectional meet. Placing first was Silver Creek with a score of 37; Jeffersonville finished second with 66. Madison trailed behind Switzerland County in fourth place with 140 points; Henryville fifth, with a score of 165; Austin was sixth, with a score of 182; Southwestern, scored 182; Scottsburg, scored 216; Charleston finished with 252; New Washington, scored 284 and Shawe Memorial finished with a score of 336.
Top finishers for the Pacers were Corey McFarland who earned 10th with a score of 17:40; Clay Meyer earning 13th place with a time of 17:45; Josh Hon, 29th with a time of 18:39; Jim Abbott, 30th with a time of 18:40; Tray Meyer, 38th with a time of 19:08; Matt Johnson, 43rd with a time of 19:38 and Tanner Ross finishing 61st with a time of 20:37.
“The boys are peaking at the right time of the season. We continue to make huge strides when it counts. Every individual competed with heart tonight,” coach Mark Boggs said.
“I am extremely pleased with the All-Sectional performance of Corey McFarland and Clay Meyer. The two started out in 33rd and 34th place; however, by the end of the race they were in the upper tier. Tray Meyer was also very big tonight. His fifth place team finish solidified our solid scoring.”
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The Switzerland County Lady Pacers earned fourth place at Southwestern Sectionals also on Tuesday night, October 10th with a score of 99 points.
Finishing first with a score of 48 was Madison followed by Southwestern with 52 and Silver Creek with 98 points. Henryville followed behind the Lady Pacers in fifth, with 116; Austin was sixth, with a score of 124; Jeffersonville scored 134 and Scottsburg finished with 231. Charlestown, Shawe Memorial, New Washington, and Rising Sun were no scores.
Amanda Hon earned sixth place for the Lady Pacers with a time of 16:41. Amber Meli finished 11th with a time of 17:02; Courtney Ellegood finished 30th with a time of 18:50; Beth Abbott earned 31st, with a time 18:55; Chelsea Peters 32nd, with a time 18:57; Casey Sharp, 50th with a time of 20:49 and Shana Todd, 51st with a time of 21:01.
“This was a total team effort tonight. It all started with the outstanding performances of All-Sectional performers Amanda Hon and Amber Meli. The two individuals looked very strong the whole race. Amanda continues to make the strides we’ve expected, while Amber has established herself as a tough competitor for years to come. It is going to be fun watching her progress,” coach Mark Boggs said. “However, this team would not be advancing if it weren’t for our team’s third, fourth and fifth runners Courtney Ellegood, Beth Abbott and Chelsea Peters. They competed and left everything out on the course.”