Saturday, September 14th, in a stunning display of athleticism and determination, Delilah Helenhouse, a senior at Benet Academy, set a new school record at the First to the Finish Cross Country Invitational, finishing with an impressive time of 17 minutes and 16 seconds.

The race, held on a hot morning at Detweiller Park in Peoria, drew teams from dozens of schools in Illinois and beyond, all eager to claim victory. Delilah, known for her relentless work ethic and fierce competitiveness, dominated the 3-mile course from the start.

“To be honest,” says Delilah when asked if this was her goal, “I didn’t think or know that I broke the record until someone told me a little later.”

Delilah’s record-breaking performance surpassed the previous school record set by Abby Higgins by 5 seconds, a record which previously stood for nearly two decades. Her achievement has ignited excitement among her teammates and the school’s athletic community.

With a record now under her belt, Delilah Helenhouse is not just a great cross-country athlete but a symbol of hard work and perseverance, inspiring her peers and future runners at Benet Academy.