MADISON – For the first time in 12 years, the strengths of both the boys and the girls Cross Country Teams at Bob Jones High School has qualified them for State Championship Races.

The Patriots achieved these results at the AHSAA 7A Sectional Races at Palmer Park on Nov. 2.

“Our girls missed out by just 5 points last year and worked hard to get to where they are today,” Head Cross Country Coach Bill McIlwain said. At Bob Jones, McIlwain is the instructor for IT Fundamentals, Digital Video Game Development and Foundations of Information Security (Cybersecurity).

The boys team has qualified for state for five consecutive years and earned fourth place overall at sectionals.

Leaders were Jake Bryan and Eric Joy, both setting personal bests with 17:28 and 17:34, respectively; Owen Lang, 17:43; Luke Allen and Nick Lozano, 18:05; Caleb Johnson and Roman Hansen, 18:07; Gabe Joly, 18:16; Owen Johnston, 19:01; and Jackson Clemens, 19:03.

Bob Jones Girls Team placed third overall at sectionals. The team will advance to state for the first time in 10 years.

Leaders for the girls were Ami Marks, 19:0, sixth place overall; Molly Halter, personal record of 19:59, tenth overall; Jolissa Coe, personal best of 20:32, 16th overall; Sarah Allison, personal best of 20:33, 18th overall; Charlotte Droege, personal best of 21:01, 21st overall; Adeline McGuire, personal best of 21:03; Elise Marks, personal best of 21:44; Madyson Lambertson, personal best of 21:46; Kricket Johnston, 22:41; and Piper Larkin, 22:54.

“Our boys overcame some early season injuries and illnesses and laid it on the line on Nov. 2 and fought their way in,” McIlwain said. “As I told them, it’s not so much how you start as to how you finish. I have a great assistant in Coach Brandy Van Dam, and our parents have been super supportive.”

The Patriot teams will travel to Oakville, near Moulton, for State Championship Races on Nov. 11.