KICKAPOO STATE PARK — The Uni girls clinched a berth in Saturday's IHSA Class 1A sectionals in Decatur thanks to their fourth-place performance last weekend at the eight-team St. Joseph regional meet.

Senior Elizabeth Russell led Uni with a 10th-place finish, running the three-mile course in 20 minutes, 57 seconds. She was one of four Illineks who placed in the top 25, double the number from a year ago. The others were freshman Sarah Vaughen (16th, 21:30), junior Emma Coverdill (20th, 21:55), and sophomore Christina Harden (22nd, 21:58). For more detailed coverage of the meet, click here.

The Illineks' next challenge will come Saturday, when Uni takes on 19 other teams at the Decatur St. Teresa sectional. The meet will be held at the Hickory Point Golf Course, 727 Weaver Road (click here for directions). The top five teams will advance to the Nov. 7 state finals in Peoria, as will the top seven individuals not on a qualifying team. The girls race will begin at 9 a.m., with the boys to follow at 10.

In the meantime, check out this photo essay from the St. Joseph regional. Will Fernandez took all the photos, and Mohammad Jaber assisted with the captions.

2009 Class 1A St. Joseph Regional Girls Meet in Photos

Uni's varsity runners get ready for the start of the Class 1A St. Joseph regional, doing their best to stay warm in a cold Kickapoo State Park. Dressed in the team's distinctive orange uniforms are Sarah Vaughen (571), Emma Coverdill (behind Vaughen), Elizabeth Russell (569), Tanya Denisova (behind Russell), and Christina Harden (567). Gargoyle photos by Will Fernandez (click any photo to enlarge and to create your own slideshow)

And they're off. St. Joseph-Ogden would win the eight-team meet with 57 points, followed by St. Thomas More (67), Tuscola (82), Uni (94), and Hume Shiloh (131). Those top five teams advanced to Saturday's sectional meet in Decatur.

Senior Elizabeth Russell finished in 10th place, with a time of 20 minutes, 57 seconds
on the demanding three-mile course. She was the fastest Illinek at the meet.

Freshman Sarah Vaughen was the second Illinek to cross the finish line. She came in
16th, with a time of 21:30. An Illinois Elementary School Association all-stater as a
subbie, Vaughen has made a sensational transition to high school competition.

Junior Emma Coverdill placed 20th with a time of 21:55. She came in third among
the Illineks. A year ago, she swam for Uni. This is her first season in cross country.

Sophomore Christina Harden was the fourth Illinek to crack the top 25. She placed
22nd, just three seconds behind Coverdill. She, too, is a newcomer to the sport.

Sophomore Tanya Denisova took the final scoring spot for Uni, placing 36th with a
time of 23:32.

Senior Brittany Scheid covered the course in 24:02 and came in 39th.

Scheid's sister, freshman Brianna Hajek, took 45th place in 24:59.

Coverdill (564) and Harden pushed each other throughout the race.

Another view of Denisova, who has emerged as the team's No. 5 runner.

Russell has been Uni's top runner throughout her senior season. If the team doesn't qualify for state by placing in the top five at Saturday's sectional in Decatur, Russell can still advance by finishing among the top seven runners not on a qualifying team. The girls sectional will begin 9 a.m. at Decatur's Hickory Point Golf Course. The boy race will follow at 10.