Sullivan Middle School cross country teams finish strong at Class 2A state meet
•November 4, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Members of the Sullivan Middle School cross country program gather for a team photo following the IESA Class 2A sectional meet. The girls captured the sectional championship, while the boys finished third, qualifying both teams for the state meet.
The Sullivan Middle School cross country program capped off a successful 2026 season with both its boys’ and girls’ teams advancing to the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 2A state meet. The girls finished third in the state, while the boys placed ninth.
The program includes boys and girls in fifth through eighth grades who compete together in meets throughout the season. Head coach Tara Bates and assistant coach Drew Campbell led the teams through a schedule that included invitational championships, conference titles and strong postseason performances.
Both teams won the St. Anthony Invitational, themed “Who Let the Dawgs Out,” competing against 11 other teams. At the Shelbyville Invitational, the boys finished second and the girls placed third among 20 teams.
Sullivan Middle School eighth graders Avery Hess and Aubrey Fultz celebrate their All-State performances at the IESA Class 2A state cross country meet. Hess finished fourth individually, while Fultz placed ninth.
The teams continued their success at the Dunlap Invitational, which featured more than 45 teams from schools of varying sizes across Illinois. The boys finished eighth and the girls ninth.
Both teams captured Junior High Okaw Conference championships before advancing to the Class 2A sectional meet. The girls won the sectional championship, while the boys placed third, earning both teams a trip to state.