By Michael Newman

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When Mathias Powell of Mahomet-Seymour decided to make his move in most of his races this fall, it was time for the other runners in the race to decide who would finish second.

He was untouchable against fellow 2A runners in the seven races he was in. In most cases, he would win by more than ten seconds. Powell was with the front pack in the state race when he decided to make his move just before entering the triangle at Detweiller Park.  Powell ended up 14:31 to win by 17 seconds. Powell’s only blemish on his record was when he finished third in September at the Richard Spring Invitational. The only two runners to beat him in that race were Josh Methner and Ethan Kern.

Powell earned All-Midwest Regional honors at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional finishing 22^nd. He also finished 22^nd at the NXR Midwest Regional.

Nathan Schmitt of Lake Forest had a standout junior season winning six of the nine races he ran in. His state meet race was his best of the season running a personal best of 14:48 to finish second behind Powell. Schmitt finished 23^rd at the NXR Midwest Regional and 26^th at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional. He would have been the top returning 2A runner next fall, but his school Lake Forest was moved up to 3A. Nevertheless, he should still be a force in 2019.

Congratulations to Mathias Powell of Mahomet-Seymour High School in Mahomet as the 2018 ILXCTF 2A Boys XC Runner of the Year.

Photo Credit: ©2018 Laura Duffy