Panther cross country teams looking bright for 2023 season

After a very successful cross country camp in early August, the outlook for Pekin’s 2023 season looks bright.

The girls’ team has qualified for the state meet 19 years in a row. The 2023 squad is looking to return again this fall.

Pekin has all but one runner back from last year, Brook Miller, who now runs for Indian Hills. Seniors Audrey Fariss and Lauren Steigleder have run in the last three state meets. Chloe Glosser, Renae Eubanks, Brook Sylvester, and Lexi Swearingen ran last year and are back to help the team make it to state for the 20th year in a row. This year, the Pekin girls have depth with several newcomers added to the roster.

Last year, the Pekin boys ran several meets unable to field five runners for a team score. The boys’ team did finish strong by placing fourth in the district meet. Pekin will be led this season by Brady McWhirter, who qualified for the state meet and finished sixteenth. JaeDon Wolver has been running strong in practice and should be near the top in all meets. This year, the Pekin boys have a strong supporting cast of several young runners. Watch out for the Pekin boys this fall.

High School Boys

Conor Cloyd 10, Mason Dahlstrom 9, Lane Fariss 9, Ben Guise 12, Clayton Harvey 9, Brady McWhirter 11, Hayden Miller 9, Cole Millikin 10, Brody Sobaski 9, Dylan Sobaski 11, JaeDon Wolver 12, Henry Eubanks (Manager) 10

High School Girls

Kadence Brisby 12, Callie Deutschle 9, Breanna Drish 9, Bree Earnest 9, Renae Eubanks 11, Audrey Fariss 12, Chloe Glosser 10, Abby Guise 10, Brinley Phillips 9, Lauren Steigleder 12, Lexi Swearingen 12, Teagan Swearingen 10, Alyssa Sylvester 9, Brooke Sylvester 11, Audra Steigleder (Manager) 10

Junior High Boys

Landon Fariss 7, Liam Guise 8, Sam Hall 8, Colton Harvey 7

Junior High Girls

Ashlyn Adrian 7, Zoey Denison 7, Mya Glick 7, Harper Guise 8, Zoe Heisdorffer 7, Reagan Wise 7, Ava Heisdorffer (Manager) 8