For the Southern

PEORIA - She was the favorite coming in, and Mount Vernon's Margo Richardson lived up to her pre-race billing Saturday at Peoria's Detweiler Park.

Taking the lead with just under a mile to go, Richardson capped an already amazing season by claiming the ultimate prize: The Class 2A title for girls at the IHSA State Cross Country Meet.

Third at state last year, Richardson posted a winning time of 17 minutes, 41 seconds. Peoria Notre Dame's Jessie Wynn, thought to be Richardson's biggest challenge, was second in 17:43 while Richmond-Burton's Lindsey Wilkins was third in 17:49. It was Wilkins who Richardson passed with about 1,200 meters remaining in the race to take the lead for good.

Mount Vernon also got a strong showing in the boys race as well, as senior Campbell Walters closed out his career by taking 21st place in the 2A boys race to earn a spot on the All-State Team. While her physical talent has been well documented, it was Richardson's tactical plan Saturday which might have served her best.

With temperatures in the upper 30s and a strong wind swirling throughout Detweiler, Richardson opted to lay just off the pace of the lead pack before making her move. That was a far cry from her wins at the regional and sectional, where in each case Richardson led from start to finish.

"I tried not to take off too fast," Richardson said. "I tried to draft off people in front of me. I drafted and then when I felt like I could take off and keep the lead for good, that's what I did.

"It (winning) hasn't hit me yet. I just can't believe it. For the weather, my time was pretty good." Outside of the runner and her family, perhaps no one in the mass of humanity at Detweiler was any happier to see a Richardson victory than longtime Lady Rams head coach Connie Harre-Blair. While she has coached a number of standout runners in her 30-year coaching career, none had been able to pull off what Richardson accomplished on Saturday. "It's a very wonderful experience," said Harre-Blair. "She really ran a great race. She just stayed with the pack and I told her to stay as relaxed as she could. Hopefully, everything would turn out just right and it did. "She's worked hard for this. She has done everything I have asked of her."

Carbondale senior Lucas Cherry, a sectional winner last week at Centralia, flirted with the top 25 for much of the race but wound up 49th in a time of 15:56.

In the Class A boys race, Sparta's Wade Reeves was 50th and as a team, the Bulldogs took 18th place.

Meanwhile, the Sparta girls were expected to be in the hunt for a trophy, but finished a disappointing 13th place. Melyssa Bradshaw paced the Lady Bulldogs with an overall finish of 46th place.

Nashville's Hornettes were 20th in the team standings and were led by Brandi Malick, who was the 103rd finisher. Running as individuals were Carmi-White County's Crystal Wells (39th), Webber Township's Breanna Bergbower (61st), Alexis Stevens of Massac County (87th) and Kelci Thomas from Hamilton County. Thomas was 97th.