After several days of seemingly endless cold and rain, the skies opened up and the sun blessed the IHSA Class 2A Morris cross country regional with its presence. Though the hosting Redskins weren’t exactly basking in the sun, it was a solid showing with both the boys and girls advancing to next week’s sectional at Illinois Central College in East Peoria.

Morris finished fourth out of nine teams competing in the girl’s race with juniors Sara Burns and Valerie Pfaff leading the way for the Redskins with 10th and 14th places, respectively. Bridget Gile, Sydney Corrigan and Maddie Davy rounded out Morris’ qualifiers with 25th, 27th and 40th place finishes.

“The course itself was muddy and sloppy in some areas, so I don’t think times were as quick as they could have been but the weather definitely cooperated,” Morris head coach Joe Blumberg said. “We try to preach mental toughness to our girls and guys, and the weather can certainly influence your mental outlook, but great weather, great atmosphere and great competition.”