ILXCTF Cross Country Season Previews

Photo: Last year's top two finishers Katelynne Hart and Lindsey Payne return for 2017 (Laura Duffy Photo)

 

By Michael Newman

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Here is a look at some of the top 3A Girls runners that will compete this fall in the Illinois Cross Country season.

The top three finishers of Katelynne Hart, Lindsey Payne, and Emily Shelton are all back. The three will race against each other this fall twice before state. The first is at Hinsdale on September 2. The second is at Naperville Twilight on October 4.

 

Top 10

 

1 Katelynne Hart – SO – Glen Ellyn Glenbard West

2016 3A State Finish – 1^st

Notes – Freshmen are not supposed to have years like Katelynne Hart did during the 2016-2017 season. Then again, Hart is not your typical freshman. She ended her school year with three state championships and one All-American honor. She finished third in her first cross-country race of the year at Hinsdale. She was undefeated the rest of the season against Illinois competition including winning the 3A State championship and six days later the NXR Midwest Regional in 17:05 missing Judy Pendergast’s course record by five seconds. Look at Pendergast’s resume. That is saying a lot.

What drove Hart to what she did during the track season was at the Nike Cross Nationals when she finished 18^th earning All-American honors. While most runners would be happy, this then freshman was somewhat disappointed. Great runners find ways to motivate themselves to do the impossible. That is what Hart did. She was a double winner at the IHSA State Meet winning the 3200 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run. She also ran the 3200 Meter Relay with a 2:12 split on the final 800-meters to bring Glenbard West to fourth helping her team win the 3A State Championship. Her bests on the track included running 10:11.51 for 3200-meters and 4:46.54 for the 1 Mile Run (4:44.92) at Magis Miles in June.

Coach Paul Hass said:

Last season in track we saw how Katelynne Hart began her spring, running amazing times from the outset; her performances were in no small part related to her confidence on the track because she knew exactly what to expect due to past experience with high level track meets in middle school.  By contrast, last fall she went into the cross-country season not knowing what to expect, having never run a top-level cross country meet against high quality competition; in some respects, this showed at her first invitational at Hornet-Red Devil and even at Nike Nationals.  That will not be the case for Katelynne this fall.  Her motivation and confidence this season is readily apparent in how she performs every run and drill. 

Although she gets along very well with everyone on the team, her teammates say that they cannot run easy-paced runs with Katelynne because her “easy pace” is just too fast for them.  After Brooks PR Katelynne continued to build mileage until the 4th of July, after which she took time off before joining many of her Brooks PR competitors (& Brooke Chody) at Rocky Mountain Camp in Colorado for altitude training.  Based upon what I have seen this summer and knowing Katelynne’s tireless work ethic, I have no doubt that Katelynne will be prepared and rearing to make a “statement” by the September invitational season.

 

2 Lindsey Payne – SR – Glen Ellyn Glenbard West

2016 3A State Finish – 2^nd

Notes – Payne could be the heart of this Glenbard West team. She did not have a great cross-country season as she struggled from chronic respiratory problems that did not die down until just before the state meet. She ran a great state race side-by-side with Katelynne Hart finishing second three seconds behind her teammate. She did not have a great race at the NXR Midwest Regional placing 26^th. She rebounded by first finishing eighth at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional and then 17^th at the Foot Locker National Championships.

Payne was one of the reasons why Glenbard West won the 3A team championships finishing second in the 3200 Meter Run and seventh in the 1600 Meter Run. She ran seasonal bests of 4:59.29 for 1600-meters and 10:37.38 for 3200-meters. With Hart, they form the best one-two combo not only in the state but also the nation.

Coach Paul Hass said:

What many people did not realize about Lindsey last fall was that she suffered from chronic respiratory problems throughout much of the season.  It was not until sectionals and state when, with the help of her doctor, she finally received a diagnosis and treatment to alleviate her symptoms.  Though she may have endured bouts of self-doubt about her ability to regain her sophomore season form during the 2016 invitational campaign, being tied for the lead with her teammate Katelynne Hart with 200 meters to go at the state meet did wonders to assuage any concerns she might have entertained.  Lindsey would go on to run incredibly smart tactical races at both Footlocker Regionals and Nationals where she placed 17th, only a second away from All-American status. 

Those performances, combined with an exceptional state track meet in three different events, have propelled her summer training to a point where she remarked that she has “never felt this good.”  Lindsey’s work ethic is tremendous and an inspiration to others, while her dedication to the team and the sport is second to none.  Lindsey continues to prove herself as an extraordinary leader for our team, instructing and leading drills, encouraging her teammates, and organizing runs when the coaches are not present.  Needless to say, we are very optimistic and downright excited about what the 2017 season has in store for Lindsey Payne.

 

3 Emily Shelton – SR – Minooka

2016 3A State Finish – 3^rd

Notes – While running in the shadow of Hart/Payne and her teammates Mackenzie Callahan and Ashley Tutt, Emily Shelton emerged last year as one of the top runners in the state. Her improvement will just continue into her senior season. After her third-place finish at state, she followed that by first finishing 13^th at the NXR Midwest Regional and 36^th at the Nike Cross Nationals. Shelton qualified for both the 1600 and 3200 Meter Run at the IHSA 3A State Meet. She ran a seasonal best of 5:01.07 but failed to qualify for the 1600 Meter Run finals. She came back the next day to run 10:41.82 to finish fourth in the 3200 Meter Run. She achieved a personal best of 10:33.81 the week before at the Ottawa Sectional.

Coach Kevin Gummerson said:

Emily Shelton is coming off another great track season in which she knocked that 3200m time down to 10:33. Each season her confidence continues to grow. The challenge for her will be adjusting to training without Tutt and Callahan right next to her. She has handled that very well this summer and is in excellent shape heading into this season. 

 

4 Sarah Schmitt – SR – Naperville North

2016 3A State Finish – 6^th

Notes – An “underrated” runner that will be putting up some fast times this fall. Schmitt was tough to beat entering the state series winning her races at the DVC Conference Meet, the West Chicago Regional, and West Aurora Sectional before finishing sixth at state. She finished 11^th at the NXR Midwest Regional and 53^rd at the Nike Cross Nationals. She qualified for state this spring in the 3200 Meter Run where she finished third in the finals. Schmitt achieved personal bests of 1600-meters (4:58.00) and 3200-meters (10:31.74). She was one of the reasons why Naperville North won the 3A State Championships and qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals last fall. She will again be one of the reasons why they could defend their state crown and make another trip back to Portland.

Coach Dan Iverson said:

She has had a great summer, and I am really pleased with her progress. She is a leader on the team, and her effort will put her in position to take a step forward this year over where she was a year ago.

 

5 Madison Marasco – SR – Schaumburg

2016 3A State Finish – 8^th

Notes – Marasco finished in the top ten in every cross-country race that she competed in last fall including a third-place finish at the Waukegan Sectional and then her finish at the state meet. She was All-State during the track season finishing fifth in the 800 Meter Run Finals. She achieved personal bests of 2:13.85 for 800-meters and 5:03.51 for 1600-meters. She prolonged her track season another two months to compete in club meets. She made the finals of the USATF Junior Olympics where she finished second in the 1500 Meter Run with a 4:40.94 personal best. Hopefully the extra months of racing will not effect this cross-country season.

Coach Kristen Zillmer said:

Madison Marasco has blown us away this summer. She has put in a lot of hours running, lifting, and cross-training. Madison has been competing all summer so we did adjust her training a little. She has been completing a lot of medium-length runs and speed related workouts at camp and TNT practices. She is currently looking very strong. Next, we plan to increase her mileage a little more to continue to build her endurance for the cross-country season. She has very high goals for this season.

 

6 Jocelyn Long – SR – Barrington

2016 3A State Finish – 7^th

Notes – Coming into last year’s state meet, Jocelyn Long finished no lower than third in any of the races she competed in. That included wins at the Grant Regional and the Waukegan Sectional. She just missed making it to the Nike Cross Nationals finishing seventh at the NXR Midwest Regional. She had qualified of that meet her sophomore year. Long made the finals in both the 1600 Meter Run and 3200 Meter Run at the 3A State Meet. She finished 12^th in the 3200-meters and 10^th in the 1600-meters. Her season bests included a 4:57.97 for 1600-meters at the state meet prelims and 10:42.51 for 3200-meters.

Coach Debbie Revolta said:

Jocelyn has had a good summer of running and seems to be back to her old self. She has a great work ethic and I think the other girls see this and want to work hard too.

 

7 Sarah Barcelona – JR – LaGrange Lyons Township

2016 3A State Finish – 11^th

Notes – Barcelona headed into the sectional meet in track with personal bests of 4:59.92 for 1600-meters and 10:43.80 winning the 3200 Meter Run at Distance Night in Palatine. She was forced to drop out of her sectional race due to a hip injury that she has since fully recovered from. She is dealing with shin splints now. Expect her to start out slow and build as the season progresses like she did last year. Before her state race, she finished third at the WSC-Silver Championships and winning the Hinsdale Central Regional and Marist Sectional.

Coach Alex Lyons said:

Sarah had a thigh/knee injury that's resolved now, but she's currently dealing with a shin issue.  We're taking it one day at a time and seeing how she's feeling.

 

8 Isabelle Christiansen – JR – Oswego

2016 3A Finish – 9^th

Notes – A runner to watch at the end of the year. Christiansen ran the last month of the track season with a stress fracture in which she is recovering from now. Running with the injury, she was part of Oswego’s team that finished tenth at state in the 3200 Meter Relay. She came back in all-state fashion running 5:00.60 to finish sixth. She ran a personal best of 4:59.45 at Distance Night in Palatine in April. Highlights during the cross-country season included winning the race at the Batavia Regional and finishing second at the West Aurora Sectional before her state finish. This junior has the talent to finish in the top five in Peoria this November.

Coach Eric Simon said:

It turns out Isabelle finished the track season with a stress reaction that was diagnosed after our post season 2-week break.  She had some soreness in her left foot after Palatine.  We had to back off a few workouts, but nothing major.  The bigger issue was pushing off the foot.  She had about 7 weeks of no running.  The beginning of July she started running every 3rd day, 1/2 mile at time and slowly progressing up.  We are currently at 4 miles every other day.  Foot seems good.  We are just being extremely cautious hoping to get completely healed and move on.  We have obviously adjusted goals.  We will go a week at time and keep building slowly.  She will race, just not sure at all yet where we'll open the season.  She may not reach her top end goal, but she will certainly help our team and I am quite confident run very well in November. She's a tough kid.

 

9 Olivia Niziolek – SR – Park Ridge Maine South

2016 3A Finish – 12^th

Notes – A good junior season puts Niziolek in position to be one of the top runners in Illinois. She had success in the 1600 Meter Run this spring starting with her win in the 1600 Meter Run at Distance Night in Palatine (4:54.85). She followed that up at state by running 4:55.95 to finish third. She ran 17:03 for her 12^th place finish at state. That time was a personal best.

Coach Jeff Downing said:

Obviously, we are led by and expecting great things from Olivia Niziolek this season.  She has had a good summer of training and looks primed for a great season.  Finishing in 12th last year at Detweiller and then coupling that with a 3rd place in the 1600 m in Charleston, she has a great deal of confidence entering the season.  I believe she will set her goals very high in the fall, and wants to put herself well into the top 10 this year.  She certainly has the drive and the leg speed to do just that.

 

10 Nicole Greyer – JR – Yorkville

2016 3A State Finish – 11^th

Notes – Will start out slow this year as she is recovering from a stress fracture. She did not run at Detweiller at Dark but is expected to race at First to the Finish in September. She had a breakout season last fall as Yorkville’s top runner including a sixth-place finish at Palatine, winning the NIB-12 Conference Championships, and a fifth-place finish at the Edwardsville Sectional. Greyer qualified for state in the 1600 Meter Run but did not make the finals. She did run 5:06.03 for a personal best in the prelims.

Coach Chris Muth said:

This past track season was cut short for Nicole because of a stress fracture that was unfortunately misdiagnosed for two months, not allowing her to compete during the outdoor track season and stunting her summer base training.  She has outstanding upside and natural talent, while behind on training, once she is completely cleared, she will be as competitive as always.   

 

Runners to Watch

(In Alphabetical Order)

 

Teagan Beckley – JR – Arlington Heights Hersey

2016 3A State Finish – 49^th

Notes – Hersey surprised some last fall and one of the reasons why was because the way this junior ran. She was the third runner for her team most of last year for Hersey which culminated with a personal best (17:43) at Detweiller Park. Beckley ran personal bests of 5:14.45 for 1600-meters and 11:15.86 for 3200-meters during the track season.

Coach Danielle Freeman said:

Teagan is excited about her upcoming junior cross-country season.  Being our oldest returning member of our 2016 squad, she finds herself in new territory feeling like all eyes are on her as far as our team leader.  As a natural in this department, I know she will do an excellent job with this new challenge!  She has her eyes on a top 25 finish at Detweiller in November! 

 

Eva Cardy – JR – Fox Lake Grant

2016 3A State Finish – 26^th

Notes – Cardy just missed all-state honors finishing 26^th at Detweiller. Along with teammate Danille Osmon, the two could finish in the top 25 this season. She finished strong at the end of the cross-country season winning the North Lake County Conference Championship and finishing 10^th at the Waukegan Sectional before her state race. She ran a personal best of 11:05.60 for 3200-meters during the track season.

Coach Jeff Durlak said:

Eva has improved tremendously over the last two seasons.  Eva just missed out on All-State (26th Place) last season but still ran a personal best of 17:23 at the State Meet.  Eva just missed qualifying in the 3200m for track so between these two setbacks she has a lot of motivation for a solid season.  Eva has displayed a knack the last two seasons of going out conservatively and moving up throughout the race.  At the State Meet, Eva was in 96th Place at the 1 Mile but moved up 70 places in the final 2 Miles to just miss out on All-State honors.  The irony is that the week leading up to the State Meet, she did not really have the goal or even thought she would be in that mix even though I thought she was fully capable of it.  But once she found out that she was 26th, you could see the disappointment on her face.  That is only going to make Eva stronger in the long term and she is starting to realize what she is capable of. 

 

Brenna Cohoon – SO – Downers Grove South

2016 3A State Finish – 38^th

Notes – Cohoon is just discovering how good she could be. She was the second fastest freshman at last year’s state meet running a personal best of 17:36. She was the top runner for Downers Grove South in that race and should be again this season. Cohoon did qualify for the 3200 Meter Run at state placing 16^th in the finals. She ran a personal best of 10:55.16 for that distance as well as 5:15.73 for 1600-meters.

Coach Doug Plunkett said:

Brenna has worked hard this summer, but is still learning what she is capable of. Last year, she was our #3 or #4 runner most of the season and then came on strong at the end. She will be our #1 runner right away this year, and hopefully more confidence to begin with. While she is nowhere near Hart/Payne's kind of league, I can see Brenna making a push at the end of the season towards a top 15-25 place.

 

Alyssa Edwards – SR – Yorkville

2016 3A State Finish – 31^st

Notes – Edwards had somewhat of a breakout season last fall. The senior will be one of the top runners for a strong Yorkville team. Her state meet time of 17:27 is her fastest time on the Detweiller Park course. She ran 17:38 to finish fourth this July at Detweiller at Dark. That performance is an indication of what kind of shape she is in right now. Edwards ran a personal best of 10:56.10 for 3200-meters. She qualified for state at that distance where she placed 11^th in the finals.

Coach Chris Muth said:

Alyssa is still a young runner in her experience and finally this summer, has developed confidence to go along with her talent.  She is very consistent and always runs smart progressive races.  Alyssa has had an outstanding summer of training and will consistently lead our team this season on and off the course. 

 

Audrey Ernst – SR – St. Charles North

2016 3A State Finish – 68^th

Notes – Ernst will not be running this fall. A stress fracture will sideline her for most of the season. Ernst is a national caliber athlete in the triathlon. She won the National High School Triathlon championship this spring. She did compete last fall in the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final where she finished 34^th. She did run a seasonal best for 3-miles early last season at Lake Park (17:01.1). Ernst did win the Upstate Eight Conference title and fourth at the West Aurora Sectional. She did not have her best race at state where she finished 68^th. Ernst finished 14^th in the 3200 Meter Run at the 3A State Meet. She achieved a 11:06.29 seasonal best in that race.

Coach Shari Hayes said:

Audrey has stress fracture and will be in a boot for 6-8 weeks. She plans to cross training this season on swim team but hope to be ready to go for Footlocker and Nike Nationals.  Her goal is to be ready to run full strength by track season.

 

Lauren Hayes – JR – Glenview Glenbrook South

2016 3A State Finish – 29^th

Notes – Hayes had a breakout sophomore season last fall culminating with her 17:25 at state. She focused on 800-meters during the track season running a 2:15.52 personal best at Distance Night in Palatine. She did qualify for the state meet but did not advance to the finals placing 16^th in the prelims.

Coach Meaghan Fastert said:

Lauren Hayes is a returning junior and has one of the greatest work ethics as an athlete. She is constantly pushing herself and willing to take in everything that has to do with the running world.

 

Emily Henkel – JR – LaGrange Lyons Township

2016 3A State Finish – 16^th

Notes – Henkel tends to get overshadowed by her teammate Sarah Barcelona. The two form a strong 1-2 punch that could get Lyons Township as one of the top teams in the state. Henkel had a strong cross-country season finishing fourth at the WSC-Silver Championships and then second behind Barcelona in the Hinsdale Central Regional and Marist Sectional. She ran 17:10 at state which she should eclipse this season. She had a great track season which included a 10:48.31 personal best to finish third at Distance Night in Palatine. Henkel did qualify for the state meet where she finished ninth in the state finals.

Coach Alex Lyons said:

Emily has been training well this summer.  She's coming off a good track season and is looking to run her best at the end of the year.

 

Katie Hohe – JR – Glen Ellyn Glenbard West

2016 3A State Finish – DNR

Notes – Hohe will be one of the keys to why Glenbard West could contend for a state title. Her cross-country season came to an end after the WSC-Silver Championships when she was diagnosed with mononucleosis. Before that, she had been running within 30 to 35 seconds of Katelynne Hart and Lindsey Payne. She came on strong at the end of track season helping Glenbard West finish fourth in the 3A State 3200 Meter Relay. Hohe ran seasonal bests of 2:20.40 for 800-meters, 5:18.67 for 1600-meters, and 11:09.74 for 3200-meters.

Coach Paul Hass said:

2016 was not the year Katie had hoped it would be as she contracted mononucleosis, consequently ending her season after the conference meet.  But, as we often say, everything happens for a reason; so, in addition to allowing other athletes a chance to compete in the state series last year with her absence, Katie has used the experience as motivation.  Katie has already put in more mileage than in either of her first two seasons, and what is most encouraging is her willingness to accept the challenge of running and staying with Lindsey Payne in both long runs and workouts.  Katie is driven by the idea of achieving a level of success that warrants consideration as an elite runner in the state – a status that she was on the cusp of achieving prior to her illness.  With that type of mindset, half of the battle is won and all that remains is the fortitude to withstand the hard work that lies ahead.  Based upon the determination that Katie has already displayed this summer, I am extremely encouraged to see Katie perform this fall and anticipate nothing but positive results that such effort usually rewards.

 

Sarah May – JR – Elmhurst York

2016 3A State Finish – 21^st

Notes – May followed up her strong finish to her sophomore year in track with great races during the cross-country season ending with an all-state finish at Detweiller Park. She recorded top ten finishes last fall at the Richard Spring Invitational, WSC-Silver Championships, and the Niles West Sectional. She had a rocky track season which some illnesses were among the things that slowed her down. She helped York qualify for the state meet in the 3200 Meter Relay where the team qualified for the finals. May ran a seasonal best of 2:17.34 for 800-meters. Watch for some strong races this fall from this junior.

Coach Lauren DeAngelis said:

Sarah has had a very strong summer of training and she is ready to go for the fall.  Sarah is extremely fit and has increased her mileage for her junior season to help achieve her team and individual goals.  Sarah has some very specific goals and I think she is ready to lead this team in various ways.

 

Sophia McDonnell – JR – Geneva

2016 3A State Finish – 46^th

Notes – McDonnell should again be one of the top runners for Geneva this fall. She was the team’s #2 runner at the state meet behind teammate Emily Eberhardt. She finished second at the Upstate Eight Conference Championships and 12^th at the West Aurora Sectional. McDonnell ran a personal best 11:02.03 to finish 13^th in the 3200 Meter Run at the IHSA 3A State Meet. She followed that up two weeks later when she ran 5:04.31 for the 1 Mile Run (5:02.53 for 1600-meters) at Magis Miles. McDonnell did not run her best race at Detweiller last November. She does have the talent to finish among the top 20 this time around.

Coach Bob Thomson said:

Sophia was rolling along nicely through most of the summer.  Only recently has she been complaining a bit with IT band issues.  We'll see.  We won't be rushing her into competition early until we know that she can handle the competitions with training.  We will be cautious!

 

Emma Milburn – SR – Lake Forest

2016 3A State Finish – 55^th

Notes – Milburn did not run her best race last November at state. She was all-state her freshman and sophomore seasons. She ran a personal best of 2:14.40 for 800-meters at Distance Night in Palatine last April. Milburn qualified for state at that distance where she did not advance to the finals. She bounced back at Magis Miles two weeks later where she ran 5:04.57 for the 1 Mile Run (5:02.86 for 1600-meters) to finish fourth.

Coach Steve Clegg said:

Looking forward to an improved season from last year as she was dealing with a health issue for much of the XC season.  Despite her setbacks last year, making it as an individual out of the sectional was a huge accomplishment and a testament to the resolve that she has.  

 

Alex Morris – JR – Naperville North

2016 3A State Finish – 19^th

Notes – The dramatic improvement that we saw from Morris should continue in her junior season. It started with her finish at the state meet where she was the third runner for Naperville North just behind teammate Hannah Ricci. Morris ran under 10:50 six times during the track season. Her best 3200 was when she ran 10:35.34 to finish second at the Ottawa Sectional. She finished fifth the following week at the IHSA State Finals. Her best time at 1600-meters was a personal best of 5:02.17.

Coach Dan Iverson said:

She absolutely loves this sport, and it has shown through her dedication. She has been a leader for us with her training almost since junior high, and that has not changed this summer. Together with her teammates, they have had the benefit of a tight and powerful training group.

 

Danielle Osmon – JR – Fox Lake Grant

2016 3A State Finish – 14^th

Notes – One of the runners in this group that does not get the attention she deserves. Osmon did have a good track season achieving a personal best of 5:04.26 for 1600-meters at the Anticoh Sectional qualifying for state. She also qualified for state in the 3200 Meter Run. Osmon achieved a personal best of 10:45.78 at that distance at Distance Night in Palatine. She finished in the top ten in every race during the cross-country season except her state race. The 17:05 that she ran at Detweiller Park was a personal best.

Coach Jeff Durlak said:

Danielle had an excellent sophomore season resulting in a 14th Place All-State finish.  One of the biggest improvements Danielle made last season was asserting herself early in races and going out much more aggressively.  As the season went on, her confidence just grew because she could see the results.  Her breakthrough race of the season was her 4th Place finish at Richard Spring.  After that race, Danielle really could see the results of her more assertive starts and trusted in her training to believe she could run with the very best in the state.  Danielle has had by far her best summer of training in terms of her consistency and mileage.  Danielle is way ahead of where she was at this point last season and am excited to see what this season has in store for her and where she stacks up against the state's best.  To her credit, Danielle is solely just focused on improving and being able to run faster than her best time of last season (17:05). 

 

Kayleigh Pitterman – SR – Glenview Glenbrook South

2016 3A State Finish – 32^nd

Notes – Ran with teammate Lauren Hayes in last year’s state meet finishing three places behind her teammate. Injuries slowed down Pitterman during the track season as she ran her first race of the season at the end of April. Her seasonal best for 3200-meters was 11:46.52. She ran a personal best of 11:10.58 at the end of her sophomore season. If full healthy, Pitterman does have the talent to challenge for an all-state finish this November.

Coach Meaghan Fastert said:

Kayleigh Pitterman is a returning senior who also qualified for state.  She is one of our toughest competitors and loves the world of running. She works extremely hard every day and I am excited to see what she will do this season.

 

Reilly Revord – SR – Hinsdale Central

2016 3A State Finish – 30^th

Notes – The Hinsdale Central senior did not have her best race at state placing 30^th. Revord was all-state her sophomore year placing 6^th overall. She had top ten finishes at Naperville Twilight, WSC-Silver Championships, Hinsdale Central Regional, and the Marist Sectional. Revord was part of Hinsdale Central’s quartet that finished second in the finals of the 3200 Meter Relay at the IHSA State Meet. She did make the finals of the 1600 Meter Run where she finished 11^th. Revord ran a personal best 4:57.99 in the prelims. She also ran a personal best 2:14.04 for 800-meters.

Coach Mark McCabe said:

Reilly and Grace (McCabe) are two of the most accomplished distance runners ever at Hinsdale Central and that is saying a lot. Both will move on to compete at the Division I Level in college and are excited to be fit and healthy and ready for a great senior cross-country season. Neither was happy with the way their 2016 season ended and are ready for their best seasons ever.

 

Hannah Ricci – SR – Naperville North

2016 3A State Finish – 18^th

Notes – The transfer from Pennsylvania adapted to Illinois cross-country running nicely last fall earning all-state honors and the second runner on Naperville North’s state championship team. She helped Naperville North finish third in the 3200 Meter Relay this spring at the IHSA State Meet. Ricci earned all-state honors also in the 1600 Meter Run placing eighth. She ran a personal best of 4:55.66 during the season for the distance along with 10:46.98 for 3200-meters.

Coach Dan Iverson said:

She has also had a nice summer, as she has taken her training to a new level over where she was a summer ago. As a person, she has really emerged as a leader on the team as well. I am very excited for what she can do this year.

 

Isabelle Sparreo – SR – Lincolnshire Stevenson

2016 3A State Finish – 41^st

Notes – The finish at state was not indicative of what kind of season Sparreo had last fall. Her best race of the season was at Palatine where she ran 17:08 to finish fourth. Injuries hit her this spring forcing her to miss most of outdoor season. She did run 5:03.26 indoors for 1600-meters to finish fourth at the Illinois Top Times Championships.

 

Juliana Stogsdill – JR – Plainfield North

2016 3A State Finals – 47^th

Notes – Stogsdill was under the weather during the state series and was diagnosed with mononucleosis after the state meet. She did run 17:22 for third place at the beginning of October at the Peoria Invitational. Stogsdill qualified for state at the Ottawa Sectional with a 11:04.44 time. She finished 17^th in the State Finals.

Coach Tammy Gummerson said:

Juliana is coming off a great track season.  She qualified in the 3200 again this year.  She had a season PR in both the 3200 and the 1600.  She also set a new indoor school record in the 800.

 

Vivian Van Eck – JR – Minooka

2016 3A State Finals – 23^rd

Notes – This junior was one of the big surprises during the cross-country season that culminated in Peoria with a 23^rd place finish. She also finished in the top 50 at the NXR Midwest Regionals. Van Eck ran a personal best of 11:17.87 for 3200-meters during the track season. She could finish in the top 15 this fall.

Coach Kevin Gummerson said:

Vivian Van Eck is coming off a track season where she couldn’t seem to shake a few nagging injuries, and we really couldn’t string together a bunch of quality weeks of training.  However, that is behind us and she has put together a very nice summer and is ready for the season.  She is a good runner that continues to improve throughout each season and you can always count on her to run her best in the biggest meets.

 

Brooke Witzel – SR – O’Fallon

2016 3A State Finals – 33^rd

Notes – Could be one of the best runners in Southern Illinois that could finish in the top 25 this fall. Witzel won the Southwest Conference Championship as well as the Quincy Regional. She finished 12^th at the Edwardsville Regional. She achieved personal bests of 5:23.6 for 1600-meters and 11:31.63 for 3200-meters.

Coach Neil James said:

Brooke is looking forward to her senior year and would like to move up into the top 25.  She has been so close the last couple of years and has really picked up her training this summer.  I am looking forward to a great season from her.