The St. Francis de Sales Girls Varsity Cross Country team made history for the Lake Zurich Catholic school. The team won its first ever sectional championship for the school.

"It's really cool. It's a great group of girls," said Coach Bill Schaefer. "They accomplished what nobody has ever done before."

"Lauren Nelson finished second at the sectional; this is the first time she was second all year. In her five previous races, she was first in all five," Schaefer said. Molly (Machala) came in third, which is the best she has finished all season, he added.

Schaeffer said it's a young team with three eighth graders and five seventh graders.

The girls will now compete for the IESA ( Illinois Elementary School Association) state championship in Bloomington-Normal on Saturday, Oct. 13. 

Team members places and times from the Two Mile Sectional race held Oct. 6 at Melas Park in Mt. Prospect 

2.  Lauren Nelson 13:43

3.  Molly Machala  13:51

8.  Claire Queenan 14:07

36.  Jessie Houghton 15:40

40.  Olivia Miller 15:58

43.  Olivia Armagno 16:07

57.  Abby Hunt 17:21

Team Alternate:  Amanda Modelski

Editor's note: The wording was changed at 8:50 a.m. to reflect that Molly Machala's third place finish was the best she had done all season, but not the only time in the top 10.

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