Central Illinois runners qualify for Junior Olympics cross country race         

[NOV. 27, 2006]  MASON CITY -- On Nov. 18, four students from central Illinois qualified to run in the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. These students ran in the qualifying race in Elgin. Skye Mibbs, from Havana, placed seventh; Alex LeSuer, from San Jose, placed 19th; Kyle Sims, from Mason City, placed 15th; and Austin Williams, from Athens, placed fifth. Each runner ran within his or her age group. These four runners will represent central Illinois at the national Junior Olympic race.

The other runners from Mason City who participated in the competition were Ryan Blankenship, David Paap, Riley Means, Derrick Rabbe, Meg Smith, Haley Hilton, Grace Garrison, Emily Martin, Dalton Knazavich, Andrew Williams, Steven Ingersoll and Mitchell List.

The national final will be in Spokane, Wash., on Dec. 9.

All four runners and their families are very excited to get this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and would love be able to go. Costs for this trip, including race entry, transportation and accommodations, add up quickly. The participants are asking for your help by sponsoring the team. Any area people, businesses or other organizations interested in helping out these young runners should contact Jim Newell at 309-562-7469. Every little bit counts and will certainly be used for a good cause.

[Provided by James Newell]

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