The Parker Junior High School cross country team took first place in four categories – seventh grade girls, seventh grade boys, eighth grade girls and eighth grade boys – at last Fridays annual SSJHSA conference meet. Nine other teams competed in the meet at Apollo Park in Homewood.
The seventh grade girls took first in the first race. The Parker team was led by all-conference finishes from Jasmyn Hunter (second place), Jane Bachus (third), Alexia Pugh (sixth), Naje Chambers (ninth), and Karen Opara (10th).
The 7th grade boys placed first in the second race of the day and were led by all-conference finishes from Ian Barrow (second), Joe Sullivan (third), Jason Schmidt (fourth), Jeron Burns (fifth), Will Goldberg (sixth) and Estevan Valverde (seventh).
The 8th grade girls took first place and were led by all-conference finishes from Allison Faoro (second), Lizzie Lipscomb (third), Anna Thompson (sixth), Olivia Radosta (eighth) and Mia Pravdic (ninth).
Parker finished first in the final race of the day, for eighth grade boys. They were led by all-conference finishes from Xavier Frazier (second), Eric Gerecke (third), Devin Gorton (fourth), Jacob Goldberg (fifth), Jacob Hodges (sixth) and Keion Love (10th).
The team will participate in the IESA sectional meet on Saturday in Bolingbrook.
Parker’s cross country coaches are Tim Gemeraad and Mark Eichenlaub.