JERSEY — Amelia Jumper earned a spot in the IHSA state cross country meet Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, with a 16th-place finish at the Class 2A Carbondale Sectional, a week after a disputed ruling disqualified her best friend for holding hands with her at a regional finish line.
Jumper finished in 21 minutes, 59 seconds in a field of 138 runners to advance individually to state.
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The sectional finish followed a regional meet in which Brinley Kelly was disqualified after an official ruled she had received assistance from Jumper, according to the runners’ fathers, Kyle Kelly and Luke Jumper. Both fathers vehemently disputed that interpretation, describing the gesture as a celebration between friends rather than an effort to help Kelly finish.
Kyle Kelly said his daughter was about 15 yards from the regional finish line when Jumper caught up with her and took her hand. He said Brinley knew she was in position to qualify for sectionals and was not struggling to finish.
According to Kyle Kelly, the official said he saw a runner in distress who needed assistance. Kelly said he repeatedly reviewed video of the finish and saw no pulling or dragging. He said the next runner was about six seconds behind the pair and argued that holding hands did not affect the outcome.
Luke Jumper said the girls train together, participate in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and are close friends. He described the finish as a celebratory moment and said neither runner knew holding hands could lead to a disqualification.
Amelia Jumper was allowed to advance to sectionals, while Brinley Kelly was disqualified, according to the fathers.
Kyle Kelly said he contacted the IHSA to challenge the ruling with Luke Jumper. He said Jersey Principal Tommy Wesley supported the family, wrote to IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson and spoke with him by phone.
According to Kelly, Anderson agreed with the official’s decision, and the association declined to overturn the ruling. The account of the official’s reasoning and the IHSA’s response comes from the fathers.
Luke Jumper said the disqualification also ended the girls team’s opportunity to advance, affecting seven runners, including two seniors.
Both fathers described an emotional toll on their daughters. Kyle Kelly said Brinley had missed her sophomore cross country season because of an injury.
“My daughter is crushed,” he said.
Kelly said Brinley is looking forward to track and field, and he expects her to be ready for the 2026 season.
Thankfully, Jumper is moving on to the state cross-country finals this upcoming weekend, and her friend, Brinley, is still training with her this week.
