HS cross country: GHS Miners “run for Marshall” and become Gillespie’s first state-qualifying team since 2000

Chaz Oberkfell wins sectional title

By JACKSON WILSON
Enquirer Democrat Reporter

Prior to sectionals, a tragedy happened involving one of the Gillespie High School cross country runners when assistant captain Marshall Garwood suffered a stroke during school hours and had to be airlifted to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In the face of adversity that took a toll emotionally and mentally, the Miners decided to pull together and do the unthinkable in his honor.

While Garwood was recovering, the boys ran “amazing, inspiring, and incredible” races to become Gillespie’s first state-qualifying cross country team since 2000 at Toledo Cumberland Nov. 2.

Chaz Oberkfell won the individual championship over 157 runners and the Miners secured the sixth and final ticket to Peoria despite being without their second best runner.

“The boys shouldn’t have had much of a chance, but that was not something they were willing to hear,” GHS coach Jay Weber said in a Facebook post. “They ran with heart, and they ran for Marshall, their teammate and friend.”

Carter Sies followed in 44th (16:56), Nolan Hostettler in 66th (17:33), Hank Fletcher in 68th (17:34), Luka Kapp in 82nd (17:46) and Matthew Plovich in 110th (18:20.5).

“Two years ago, our boys team had finished dead last at the SCC Conference Meet,” Weber said in another Facebook post. “At our ‘end of the year’ banquet, I had each runner take a leaf from a bag I had collected at Detweiler Park. It was a sacred leaf from the historic state course, and I told them that their job was to work hard, earn themselves a trip to State, and return the leaf back to Detweiler. It was an absolutely crazy challenge to give these guys; a group of guys running 20+ minutes, with no real experience, and not a ton of success to build on. Yet, here we are, two years later, and this most improbable State qualifying team I could imagine has risen to the challenge and earned that trip to Detweiler. This is an improbable group to come together and to achieve great things. But that is just what they have done. That this team is headed to State is as unlikely as it is amazing. It is a testament to what two years of commitment, dedication, and hard work can accomplish. None of these guys was a great distance runner, or even a good one, two years ago, yet here they are……they are great as a team now. It doesn’t matter where you start; it matters what you are willing to do. These guys started from nothing and were willing to do everything. This State qualifying achievement is a fitting reward.”

Both of the sectional-qualifying GHS squads (boys and girls) wore “Running for Marshall” T-shirts in support of Garwood and the entire team communicated with Garwood via video chat from the meet. Afterward, Coach Weber and the boys visited Garwood in his hospital room to celebrate their historic milestone.

Two days later, the Miners received “the most amazing” news that Garwood was being released without any restrictions. This meant that he was cleared to return to practice and thus able to run at state this Sat., Nov. 9 at Detweiler Park.

Lyla Drewel finished a standout freshman season leading the GHS girls with a 23:30 time for 94th place amongst 144 runners. Nevaeh Thomas finished 119th in 25:05. Mia Brawner capped off her cross country career with a 27:36 time in 135th. Madisyn Thomas, another freshman, came in 140th at 29:02. The Miners, unfortunately, didn’t have enough finishers to qualify for a team score.

However, optimism remains high.

“The returning girls are already excited to start winter training and are eager to build an incredible team culture,” said Weber. The future is incredibly bright for these girls in the seasons to come.”

The Carlinville girls also ran at the Cumberland sectional and placed 20th as a team.

Rhyse Rucker represented Staunton in the boys’ race and finished 83rd in 17:48.

In other action, Southwestern’s boys ran at the Elmwood sectional meet and concluded their season with a 20th place ranking.

 

For full results and more photos, see the November 7th edition of the Macoupin County Enquirer Democrat.