With fire in their shoes, the Delavan Cross Country team ran a spectacular race at Clinton’s “Light It Up” annual meet—one of the largest and most competitive races on their schedule this season. Facing fierce competition under the lights, the Panthers showed both team spirit and resilience as they charged their way through the new course. 

This was the team’s first meet of the season, setting the promise of an amazing rest of the year. Junior and third-year runner, Olivia Nehmelman, had shared her thoughts on the experience: “We raced at the Light It Up Clinton meet, which is a night race under the lights, so it had a really fun and different atmosphere compared to a normal meet.” The combination of the large and boisterous crowd with the illuminated course created an unforgettable memory for the racers and audience alike.

The evening kicked off the Junior Varsity races at 7:00 p.m., marking the start to the team’s season. Freshman Sofia Cisneros, Bella Houston, and sophomore Belle Folkes made their high school debut and set a great precedent for the team. On the boys' side, the boys’ team earned 5th place. Sophomore Evan Lemme led the way in 9th place, followed by freshman Drew Tolland in 16th, freshman Jace Tolland in 26th, senior Nick Glisson in 43rd, and freshman Soyier Balsimo in 71st. The potential of the JV teams demonstrated a strong foundation for their future success.

The main event began at 7:40 p.m. with the highly anticipated Boys’ Varsity Race. Persevering through the electric energy, junior Coriell Green delivered an insane performance, which showcased his talent and dedication. Clocking an impressive time of 15:15, he was able to secure a 6th-place medal against top-tier competition.

On the other hand, the Girls’ Varsity Race kicked off at 8:15 p.m. Senior Annabelle LaFary provided the crowd—and all of Delavan—with another unforgettable performance. With an incredible time of 18:07, LaFary shattered the school record and earned herself a 6th-place medal. Similarly, sophomore Elyse Brinkmeyer rose to the occasion and placed 13th, with a time of 18:44, moving her into Delavan’s all-time top five list. The rest of the team brought impressive energy, with every runner earning a personal record on the course. Junior Khloe Stockham in 44th, senior Drew Robison in 56th, senior Alaina Karker in 83rd, and junior Olivia Nehmelman in 113th—crucial components in securing the team a 6th-place finish.

Overall, the night marked a thrilling and promising start to the beginning of the Delavan Cross Country team’s season. Both the boys' and girls’ teams exceeded expectations and set a tone for an amazing season. The energy they experienced at Clinton’s “Light It Up” meet was unlike any meet they will experience again—electric, loud, and full of potential. While the coaches and runners knew the team held promise, the endless stream of PRs, top finishes, and record-breaking finishes left everyone in awe as the night came to a close. If the team’s performance wasn’t exciting enough, the evening ended on a perfect note with Clinton’s annual fireworks show—topping off an already incredible day.