By Michael Newman

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Anna-Sophia Keller – Effingham St. Anthony HS

It is hard to argue against this sophomore from Effingham. Keller again had a remarkable season. She is undefeated against Illinois runners in IHSA in-season races. Her 16:27 time that she ran to win this year’s 1A state meet is the fastest time ever run by a sophomore on the Detweiller Park course. She is tied for 7^th as the fastest Girls’ runner ever at the IHSA State Meet.

The 2 time 1A cross country state champion qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals for the second time by finishing 3^rd at the NXN Midwest Regionals. Keller finished 72^nd in Portland.

A 1A runner to recognize as well is Daly Galloway (Gardner-South Wilmington HS). Keller the past two seasons has been by herself by the first mile. In this year’s state meet, Galloway was right on Keller’s side as they entered the triangle before Keller pulled away in the second half of the race. She finished in second running 16:52. She had the 5^th fastest time on that course on that day. Galloway had some big wins this season including the Amboy Invitational ahead of Petersburg PORTA’s Maria Brauer.

Congratulations to Anna-Sophia Keller as the 2014 DyeStat Illinois 1A Girls XC Runner of the Year.