Hononegah's Kylie Simpson finishes first at NIC-10 Conference Meet

FREEPORT, Ill. — Hononegah’s Kylie Simpson warmed her legs up during the season as she raced in mega invitationals like the First to Finish, Midwest and Naperville Twilight.

When it came time to race against her NIC-10 foes, the junior runner blew by the competition.

Simpson took first place at the NIC-10 Conference Championship hosted at Highland Community College with a dominant time of 18:01.62, over 30 seconds ahead of second-place Reese Kohnle (18:32.72) from Boylan Catholic.

It was a return to the top of the conference for Simpson, who won the meet her freshman season before placing second to Kohnle her sophomore year.

Keila Borges Aragon placed eighth in 19:37.42 for the Indians, which finished second as a team with 51 points.

The Titans won with five runners in the top ten and a score of 23. Harlem was third with 77.

Sophia Frommer placed 11th for Hononegah (20:07.20) while Averi Bronnimann was 14th (20:42.11) and Salem Rauh was 17th (21:10.19). Gia Fraley was 29th (22:15.54).

The Indians’ boys finished third and were led by Landon Samuelson’s second-place finish. The junior finished in 15:40.36 as Belvidere North’s Jesse Kramer won in 15:22.94.

Freshman Jack McLarty continued his stellar debut season by placing eighth (16:16.78). Caleb Greving was 22nd (17:00.75), Sam Castelli was 26th (17:10.81), Isiah Mohnacky was 30th (17:28.99) and Benjamin Toole was 49th (19:45.76).

The Blue Thunder edged out Harlem 52-58 to take first as a team. Hononegah had 88 points.