Joliet XC's Grit on Full Display at Hardin Invitational

It was another brutally hot day for a cross country meet, but middle school and high school J-Hawks showed their strength and resolve, digging into that well of courage and finishing strong in Hardin on Friday.

Sophomore Addy Bania eyeing the finish line.

Sophomore Addy Bania led the girls, in her debut varsity race, with a 25:43.32, a new Personal Record and over three minutes faster than the previous week. That time also earned her a 10th place Class B finish. She was followed by Sophomore teammates Sophia Schellig, 13th Class B, and Justyce Bickel, 14th place Class B.

Varsity Boys were led by Senior Jack Cline, 19:57.86, which gave him a 2nd place Class B finish and a new season record. Senior Adin Matthes was 7th in Class B with a 20:33.85, followed by Senior Grady Nardinger, in 9th, Junior Brandon Williams in 13th, Senior Gavin Evertz, 17th, and Sophomore Carter Williams in 21st.

Senior Keith Frank staying positive as he faces the unrelenting hills and heat.

Varsity Boys finished 6th overall, tied with Fergus, and 3rd in Class B. Top runner, Junior Auston Schellig, sat this meet, recovering from an illness.

JV Boys took 6th overall and 3rd in Class B as well, led by Senior Thorlan Finley. He finished 7th in Class B, with a 23:55.08. Senior Keith Frank crossed the line 11th in Class B, followed by Junior Rueben Miller in 13th, in his debut cross country race. Freshmen Tristan Vasquez, 16th, and Evan Dye, 19th, completed the JV boys team.

Joliet Middle Schoolers also had a great first race of the season. The girls team was led by 7th grader, Aria Matthes. She finished in 15th place overall, out of 170 runners, earning her a placing ribbon. Fellow 7th grade teammate, Brynn Clark, finished right behind her, in 20th place.

8th grader, Cole Miller, took 15th place, out of 195 runners. He was followed by 8th grade teammate Bob Engelke (27th). In their debut cross country races, both 8th grader, Weston Blain (30th) and 7th grader, Paxton Killion (31st) put in noteworthy performances, as well.

Aria Matthes leading the middle school girls team.

J-Hawks Results:

Varsity Girls:

Addison Bania, 39th Overall, 10th Class B, 25:43.32PR

Sophia Schellig, 46th Overall, 13th Class B, 26:34.39

Justyce Bickel, 47th Overall, 14th Class B, 26:34.44

Varsity Boys:

Jack Cline, 19th Overall, 2nd Class B, 19:57.86

Adin Matthes, 31st Overall, 7th Class B, 20:33.85

Grady Nardinger, 34th Overall, 9th Class B, 20:40.43

Brandon Williams, 41st Overall, 13th Class B, 21:12.01

Gavin Evertz, 50th Overall, 17th Class B, 21:31.61

Carter Williams, 68th Overall, 21st Class B, 22:48.55

Cole Miller holding strong heading to the finish.

JV Boys:

Thorlan Finley, 36th Overall, 12th Class B, 23:55.08

Keith Frank, 53rd Overall, 19th Class B, 26:17.78

Rueben Miller, 61st Overall, 21st Class B, 27:38.38PR

Tristan Vasquez, 71st Overall, 25th Class B, 30:26.39

Evan Dye, 76th Overall, 29th Class B, 38:36.55

Middle School Girls:

Aria Matthes, 15th, 13:23.43

Brynhild Clark, 20th, 13:37.98

Kailee Finley, 65th, 15:22.19

Delaney Atkins, 100th, 16:49.81

Reagan Long, 146th, 19:37.63

Middle School Boys:

Cole Miller, 15th, 11:37.82

Bob Engelke, 27th, 12:18.69

Weston Blain, 30th, 12:27.54PR

Paxton Killion, 31st, 12:27.68PR

Thomas Cline, 115th, 15:30.70

Declan Cox, 119th, 15:41.64PR

Samuel Lewis, 145th, 16:29.14

Michael Dewell, 154th, 16:55.91PR

Click here for complete results.