Community advanced to the IHSA Class 3A Normal Community Sectional after placing fifth at the IHSA Class 3A Belleville West Regional on Oct. 25. The Ironmen will host the sectional at Maxwell Park at 11 a.m. on Nov. 1.

Senior Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville commit A.J. Ince finished third overall in 14:31.90, breaking the program record.

The course posed an added challenge, coach Ms. Amy Scott said, with a variety of hills.

Ince said chasing the record has been a goal since the start of the season.

The previous school record, 14:55.00, was set by 2023 graduate Joey Yaros, who is now running at Valparaiso University.

Ince is the third male runner in Community history to record a sub-15-minute finish.

After Ince, Luke Eganhouse placed 16th in 15:28.30. Teammates Evan Kuhlman (25th, 15:49.30), Collin Heath (26th, 15:54.80) and Eric Schill (31st, 16:03.30) rounded out Community’s scoring five.

Community scored 101 points, one behind Champaign Central, to take fifth.

With regionals behind them, Ince said the Ironmen have set their sights on qualifying for state on Saturday. 

The Ironmen, Scott said, “have built up as much strength as they can,” focusing on tapering and speed work ahead of the sectional race.

“They should be rested and ready to fly,” Scott said. 

Community expects tough competition, including Plainfield South, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 3A. Plainfield South has won two sectional titles and posted a runner-up finish in the last three years.

The top seven teams at sectionals will punch their ticket to the IHSA State Finals at Detweiller Park in Peoria on Nov. 8, along with the first 10 individuals not on those teams.