2022 IHSA State XC Championships Preview - 3A Girls

 

By Michael Newman

 

Class 3A Individual Runners to Watch

Grace Schager, Glenbard North;  Anna Harden, Hersey; Bria Bennis, York; Scout Storms, Barrington; Hailey Erickson, Prospect; Juliet Frum, Glenbrook North; Evelyn Hett, Jones Prep; Catie McCabe, Hinsdale Central; Veronica Znajda, Prospect; Michaela Quinn, York; Catherine Sommerfeld, Lyons Township; Audra Soderlind, Oswego; Nikki Chopra, Whitney Young; Sarah Fischer, Hinsdale Central; Breanna Burak, Huntley; Abigail Jordan, Palatine; Katherine Klimek, York; Lily Ginsberg, Prospect; Liv Phillips, Naperville Central; Brooke Berger, York; Meg Peterson, Prospect; Louisa Diamond, Benet Academy; Julie Piot, Naperville North; Danielle Jensen, McHenry; Mia Pasha, Warren Township; Nicole Poglitsch, Wheaton-Warrenville South; Shania Tandon, Naperville North.

 

Class 3A Individuals Preview

Grace Schager has been this race’s favorite ever since she ran 16:00 at Lake Park in early September. She has been winning races by over a minute and I don’t think anyone will get close to her in this race. It could be hard to break the third Judy Pendergast course record this year considering the weather forecast that includes high winds on Saturday. The one runner I thought could push Schager would have been Brooke Johnston especially after her race last week at Busse Woods. Johnston has the flu and will not be able to race on Saturday. It could be a race for second with Anna Harden, Bria Bennis, Scout Storms, and Juliet Frum the likely people to finish in that spot.

 

IL XC Speed Ratings State Meet Projections

 

Class 3A Teams

 

Mt. Prospect (Prospect)

Sectional Runners – Veronica Znajda SO; Hailey Erickson SR; Meg Peterson FR; Lily Ginsberg JR; Samantha Patterson SR; Ireland Wildhart SO; Cameron Kalaway SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:13 ; 1/4 = :33; 2/4 = :16; 4/5 = :40

League Splits – 1/5 = :41; 1/4 = :21; 2/4 = :15; 4/5 =:20

Overview – The Knights had a good October starting with a convincing win at the beginning of the month at the Nike Twilight Invitational in Indiana, and ending with strong races in their league, regional, and sectional meets. They rested up in their regional meet holding out several of their top five runners. They looked extremely strong in winning their league and sectional meets with full lineups. Veronica Znajda has stepped up as the team’s top runner in their league and sectional races. She could be among the top 10 on Saturday afternoon. The Knights pack is solid behind their sophomore with Hailey Ericson, Meg Peterson, and Lily Ginsberg all within 33 seconds last Saturday. Something to watch for is the position of their fifth runner. Samantha Patterson was in that spot last week but was 40 seconds behind Ginsberg. Two weeks before at the Mid Suburban League Meet, Cameron Kalaway was the fifth runner was 20 seconds behind Peterson. The first meet that Prospect and York met at the Richard Spring Invitational in September, the Knights had the edge through the first four runners giving them a one point win. The race will be close again on Saturday. However, they cannot have a race where their fifth runner is 40 seconds behind the fourth runner even if Prospect has four all-state runners.

 

Elmhurst (York)

Sectional Runners – Bria Bennis SR; Michaela Quinn JR; Katherine Klimek JR; Maggie Quinn FR; Brooke Berger SR; Lilly Bianchi FR; Lily Beerhalter SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:10; 1/2 = :25; 2/4 = :34; 4/5 = :11

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:12; 1/2 = :42; 2/4 = :26; 4/5 = :04

Overview – The Dukes have run a similar path on their way to a state showdown easily winning their conference, regional, and sectional meets against some highly ranked teams. Bria Bennis has been York’s top runner all season and has been doing well winning her last three races including last week at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional. She should be among the top five runners in this state race. The one area of this team to keep an eye on is their second through fourth runners normally Michaela Quinn, Brooke Berger, and Katherine Klimek. Quinn and Klimek finished in the top five in their sectional race while Berger was the team’s fifth runner 40 seconds behind Klimek. Maggie Quinn stepped in as the team’s fifth runner in their regional race and fourth runner last week. That gap needs to be tight between those three runners in this race. Their team split was 70 seconds last week with a closer gap on Bennis and Berger farther back. A split of 64 seconds or under with Berger close to Quinn and Klimek could secure York back to back state championships.

 

Naperville (North)

Sectional Runners – Julie Piot JR; Shania Tandon FR; Logan Brennen SR; Rianna Tandon FR; Sennah Rashidian SO, Anika Lovisa SO, Lexi Pera JR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:28; 1/4 = :21; 4/5 = 1:07; 2/4 = :08

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :59; 1/4 = :46; 4/5 = :13; 2/4 = :41

Overview – The Huskies are peaking at the right time like they usually do at the end of the season. Naperville North is coming off a good race at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional where they finished second. In their previous meets they won both the DuPage Valley Conference and the Hinsdale Central Regional Meets. The Huskies ran a good race through their top four runners in the top 14 in the sectional race. The four runners, led by Julie Piot, finished within 21 seconds of each other. The runners with Piot were Shania and Rianna Tandon and Logan Brennen. Piot did not run her best in the regional race. When that happened, Brennen stepped up as the team’s top runner. Any area of concern from the sectional race was that here was a 67 second gap after that pack and their fifth runner. On this meet, it was sophomore Sennah Rashidian. Anika Lovisa and Lexi Pera are within nine seconds and could jump into that spot. It was a concern last week; it was not in the regional meet where the team had just a 59 second split on their scorers. Naperville North has the potential to have three all-state runners in this race. The Huskies in the sectional race put their three runners in after York had their three runners across. The gap between four and five like we said could be a concern in Saturday’s race. Their strength up front puts them ahead of 25 other teams heading into this weekend.

 

Naperville (Central)

Sectional Runners – Liv Phillips JR; Ava Hendren JR; Addison George SR; Kate Tueting JR; Lola Satre-Morales SO; Abby Moff JR; Becca Liaw JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:01; 1/2 = :25; 2/5 = :36; 2/4 = :12

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:21; 1/2 = :23; 2/4 = 1:30

Overview – The Redhawks have survived injuries as the season has progressed to get them back to the state meet finishing third at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional. Central finished second at the Hinsdale Central Regional without two of their top five runners Ava Hendren and Lola Satre-Morales. Injuries hit this team starting early in the year not having Ava Hendren in their lineup. Towards state series time, Kate Tueting came down with a minor foot injury forcing her out of their conference meet. Tueting was the top runner for the Redhawks most of the season. She was the fourth runner in the sectional race. This team has still persevered with Liv Phillips up front where the junior could finish among the state’s top 25. A tight pack developed behind Phillips last week with Hendren, Addison George, and Tueting separated by just 12 seconds. The thing to watch is moving that pack closer to Phillips in this race. Satre-Morales gives the team a strong fifth runner. The split between her and their sixth runner was 40 seconds. Naperville Central will contend with crosstown rival Naperville North for a trophy. They will just need to move their pack closer to the front to match that similar pack that Naperville North has.

 

Downers Grove (North)

Sectional Runners – Lily Eddington FR; Claire Pyne SR; Sydney Hnatiuk JR; Audrey Casten SO; Alayna Todnem SO; Karly Harkness JR; Ava Gilley SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :23; 1/2 = :15; 2/5 = :08

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :57; 1/2 = :03; 2/5 = :54; 3/5 = :23

Overview – The Trojans are quietly have a good season running in the shadows of a powerhouse like York in the WSC-Silver Conference. North finished fifth last week at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional but just two points behind Lyons Township and nine points behind Naperville Central in that meet. North also ran well the week before at the Lyons Township Regional finishing second behind York but finishing 15 seconds ahead of rival Lyons Township. This team thrives off a tight pack behind their top runners Lily Eddington and Claire Pyne. The top five split in their sectional race was just 23 seconds. Their split off Pyne with Sydney Hnatiuk, Audrey Casten, and Alayna Todnem was just eight seconds. The Trojans showed their depth with their sixth runner Karly Harkness just five seconds behind that pack. That kind of race will take them places as they stay close together on the Detweiller Park course. That pack was not as close the week before as their top five runners were separated by 57 seconds. Eddington is a possibility of running in one of the first 25 places as could Pyne. A tight pack off those two runners could put North in contention for a trophy.

 

Minooka

Sectional Runners – Maya Ledesma SO; Gabriella McCollom SR; Gabrielle Kics SR; Taya Gummerson SO; Caprice Rodely FR; Cassie Brushaber SO; Kyle Myers JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:02; 1/2 =:23; 2/5 = :39; 3/4 = :28

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:31; 1/2 = :14; 2/5 = 1:17; 1/3 = :27; 3/5 = 1:04

Overview – Minooka is a team to watch out for in this meet after strong races in which they won the Southwest Prairie Conference and their own regional fairly easily. The Indians showed that they are ready for the state meet scoring 63 points to win the sectional title at Normal’s Maxwell Park almost doubling the score on second-place Oswego East. Maya Ledesma was the teams third runner for the first half of the season but has come on strong in the state series meets becoming the team’s top runner. Gabriella McCollom and Gabrielle Kics give the Indians a strong second and third runners that compliment Ledesma in the front. The three runners were separated by 27 seconds at Normal. McCollom and Kics were separated by just four seconds in that race. What could hurt this team from getting into the top five is the 28 second gap that they have between their top three runners and the pack behind them with Taya Gummerson and Caprice Rodely part of the next pack. The good thing was that there was only seven seconds that separated Gummerson and Rodely. Gummerson and Carrie Brushaber were 23 seconds apart with the gap on the first three runners on 43 seconds. Minooka could finish anywhere from third to tenth in this meet. Ledesma and/or McCollom could finish in the top 25. It will come down for this team to have a top five split near 60 seconds with the two packs closer than farther away in this race.

 

LaGrange (Lyons Township)

Sectional Runners – Catherine Sommerfeld SR; Charlotte Lange SR; Julianne Melby JR; Shannon Cranny JR; Scarlett Lestina SR; Anna Bylsma JR; Kristina Findley JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:28; 1/2 = :48; 2/3 = :28; 2/5 = :40; 3/5 = :12

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:24; ½ = 1:01; 2/5 = :23

Overview – Lyons Township picked up their pace this season since their top runner Catherine Sommerfeld stepped back into their top seven. The combination of a runner near the front and strong pack running have helped this team in the state series. The Lions made it back to the state meet after missing it in 2021 by finishing fourth at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional just seven points behind third-place Naperville Central. The Lions will have Catherine Sommerfeld as their top runner who should be among the top 10 finishers in this race. Then comes their pack that will determine if this team finishes from sixth to tenth or places in the top five. Lyons Township ran aggressively early in their regional and that hurt in the end as a 60 second gap developed from Sommerfeld. It was only a 23 second pack with Shannon Cranny, Julianne Melby, Charlotte Lange, and Scarlett Lestina. The pack though was behind the pack of rival Downers Grove North as LT finished third. The sectional race was different as Lange was 48 seconds behind Sommerfeld. The next three runners were 28 seconds behind Lange but with only 12 seconds separating them. They will need a balance of both pack concepts to have success in Saturday’s race. Sommerfeld with a good race finishes n the top 10. The pack behind her with a good race keeps their pack within 26 seconds of each other and 45 seconds behind their top runner to move into the top five.

 

Wilmette (Loyola Academy)

Sectional Runners – Jane Lynch SO; Ellie Grammas SR; Maeve Norman SR; Morgan Mackie JR; Ana Kimball SO; Elle Anderson SO; Erin Gibbons FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:12; 1/2 = :18; 1/3 = :25; 2/5 = :54; 3/5 = :47

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:40; 1/2 = :38; 1/3 = :45; 2/5 = 1:02; 3/5 = :55

Overview – The Ramblers were 101 points behind national powerhouse Prospect at last week’s Hoffman Estates Sectional. Loyola still had a good race last Saturday finishing second overall after building off their regional win the week before at Wheeling. Jane Lynch has been consistently the top runner for this team all season and could be around the top 25 in this race. Ellie Grammas and Maeve Norman make Loyola solid in the second and third spots. The return of Morgan Mackie will give this team a boost in this meet. Mackie missed most of the season due to an injury coming back as the team’s seventh runner in their conference meet. Mackie was the team’s fourth runner last week. Mackie in their top five decreased their split from 100 seconds at regionals to 72 seconds last week. Her return will keep the team in the top 10 and perhaps close to a finish near or in the top five.

 

Barrington

Sectional Runners – Scout Storms SO; Abby Lewis FR; Samantha Rowley SO; Sabrina Roach SO; Kaleigh Burns JR; Sydney Sukel JR; Claire Thome SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:15; 1/2 = 1:20; 2/5 = :55

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:05; 1/2 = 1:15; 2/5 = :40

Overview – The Fillies had a strong race last week at Busse Woods finishing third at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Barrington finished second the week before in the Palatine Regional. This team is young with underclass runners populating their top seven positions. Their youth masks the big meet experience they show while racing. Scout Storms is one of the elite runners in Class 3A and will be challenging for a top five finish on Saturday. There will be a gap between Storms and the pack. The top five split last week was over two minutes. The split on the pack led by Abby Lewis and Samantha Rowley was 55 seconds in the sectional race but 40 seconds the week before. Keeping that pack within 70 seconds of Storms and 45 seconds of each other could get the Fillies into the top 10 in this meet.

 

Arlington Heights (Hersey)

Sectional Runners – Anna Harden SR; Margaretha Grabske SO; Mackenzie Ginder SR; Madeline Bialko SO; Gabi Makowski SR; Elizabeth Waltz FR; Helena Vincent FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:13; 1/2 = 1:32; 2/5 = :41

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:34; 1/2 = 1:32; 2/5 = 1:02

Overview – Hersey makes it back to the state meet after finishing fifth last week at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. The Huskies finished second behind Loyola Academy the week before. Hersey is similar to how Barrington is with their top five. Anna Harden is the team’s top runner and will be among the top five runners in the race. A key is keeping their split from their second to fifth runner under 50 seconds. It was 41 seconds in the sectional race led by Margaretha Grabske and Mackenzie Ginder. The pack has been over 90 seconds behind Harden most of this season. A split between one and two at 1:20 or better could get the Huskies into the top 10 teams Saturday afternoon.

 

Huntley

Sectional Runners – Breanna Burak SR; Brittney Burak SR; Molly Allen SR; Guillermina Gimenez-Canet JR; Ava Allison JR; Gabrielle Sweeney FR; Aspen Maldonado FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:21; 1/3 = 1:02; 3/5 = 1:19; 4/5 = :08

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:03; 1/3 = :49; 3/5 = 1:14; 4/5 = :06

Overview – The Red Raiders have been running strong lately winning the Fox Valley Conference and then last week the sectional title at Lake Park. They also won the Harlem Regional title by nine points ahead of Hononegah the week before. Huntley has a possibility of two all-state runners with Breanna Burak finishing in the top 15 and her sister Brittney finishing in the top 25. Molly Allen has been between 25-30 seconds of Brittney Burak and could finish in the top 50. Their 4/5 pack has been under 10 seconds. The split of over 60 seconds could hurt Huntley from being one of the top 10 teams in this race.

 

McHenry

Sectional Runners – Danielle Jensen JR; Lynda Rotundo SR; Alyssa Moore SR; Skyler Balzer JR; Haley Oeffling SR; Lauren Blake SO; Jessie Pfannkuche SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 3:24; 1/2 = :04; 1/3 = :50; 3/5 = 2:34

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:48; 1/2 = :23; 2/3 = 1:49; 3/5 = 1:36

Overview – This could be one of the surprise teams in the 3A meet. The Warriors made it to Detweiller Park after finishing sixth at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Danielle Jensen finished 10th last week at Busse Woods with teammate Lynda Rotundo just four seconds behind her. Their third runner Alyssa Moore ran 46 seconds behind the two in the sectional race but did not run the week before at Palatine’s regional. The three runners were separated by 27 seconds three weeks ago at the Fox Valley Conference Meet. All three runners in this meet could finish in the top 40 with maybe Jensen finishing in the top 25. The first three low scores will help with this team’s overall split at over three minutes last week in their sectional meet.

 

Edwardsville

Sectional Runners – Madison Popelar FR; Emily Nuttall SR; Emma Patrick JR; Maya Lueking JR; Dylan Peel JR; Olivia Coll JR, Riley Knoyle SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :50; 1/2 = :20; 2/5 = :30

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:00; 1/2 = :01; 2/3 = :27; 2/5 = :59

Overview – The Tigers ran a good race last week as they finished third in the Normal Community Sectional just one point behind second-place Oswego East. Edwardsville the week before won the Quincy Regional team title. Madison Popelar and Emily Nuttall were separated by one second in their regional. Popelar was ahead of Nuttall by 20 seconds in last week’s meet. Tight pack running helped Edwardsville with their finish last week as the third, fourth, and fifth runners were just separated by nine seconds. It could keep the tigers among the top half of the teams in this meet and perhaps close to the top 10.

 

Oswego (East)

Sectional Runners – Morgan Dick JR; Josslyn Gaona JR; Sydney Williams SR; Olivia Van Denend SO; Meghan Johnson SR; Angeles Mendoza SR; Monica Lopez SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:14; 1/2 = :42; 2/5 = :32; 3/5 = :29

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:15; 1/2 = :52; 2/5 = :23; 3/5 = :09

Overview – Oswego East won a close three way battle between Edwardsville and Yorkville finishing second last week at the Normal Community Sectional. The Wolves also finished second behind Minooka in last week’s regional race. Morgan Dick was the team’s top runner at state last year and will look to better last season’s 30th place finish. East has a solid pack behind Dick led by Sydney Williams and Josslyn Gaona. Their pack had a 32 second split last week and behind Dick by 42 seconds. Closing that 1-2 split could move the Wolves closer to a top 10 finish.

 

Rockton (Hononegah)

Sectional Runners – Kylie Simpson FR; Indigo Sterud SR; Allyson Niedfeldt JR; Isabelle Molitor JR; Sophie Balsley SR – Isabella Trout SO 5 Reg and Kayla Tubbs JR 6 Reg ran in regionals but not at sectional meet

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:53; 1/2 = :51; 2/5 = 2:02

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:20; 1/2 = 1:00; 2/5 = 1:20

Overview – Hononegah made it to state finishing fifth at Lake Park Sectional scoring with only five runners. Two of their top seven either did not finish or did not run last week. The top five split short handed was 33 seconds slower than their regional top five split of 2:20. Kylie Simpson is having a great freshman season and could find herself among the top 25 runners in this race. Their top five split needs to go under two minutes for the top five with Simpson all-state to move up in the team standings.

 

Palatine

Sectional Runners – Abigail Jordan SO; Ruth Hall SR; Monika Urbaniak FR; Emma Zach SR; Katelyn Whitcomb SR; Brooke Donnelly SR; Tara O’Sullivan SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:53; 1/2 = 1:30; 2/5 = :23

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:56; 1/2 = 1:22; 2/5 = :34

Overview – The Lady Pirates make another trip to the state meet after finishing fourth at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. The top seven has five seniors among the group. Sophomore Abigail Jordan is the team’s top runner with her sights set on finishing in the top 25 in this meet. Palatine has a nice pack on their next four scorers of 23 seconds led by Ruth Hall and Emma Zach. The gap between Jordan and Hall was 90 seconds last week and could keep Palatine in the middle of the pack in Peoria.

 

Chicago (Whitney Young)

Sectional Runners – Nikki Chopra SR; Jade Lavallee SR; Xochitl Lopez SO; Kori Henderson JR; Theresa Giba SR; Carli Choslovsky FR; Adrienne Weiner SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:35; 1/2 = :21; 2/3 = 1:23; 3/5 = :51

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:56; ½ = :10; 2/3 = 1:44; 3/5 = 1:02

Overview – The Lady Dolphins have come on strong including make their first state appearance since 2009. Whitney Young returns to Detweiller Park by finishing third at the Lake Park Sectional. Nikki Chopra should conclude her senior season by finishing as one of the top 25 individuals. Jade Lavallee was 21 seconds behind her teammate and could also join in the top 25. Their top five split last week was 2:35 which could keep this squad among the top 20 teams.

 

Hinsdale (Central)

Sectional Runners – Catie McCabe SR; Sarah Fischer SR; Pola Dygon JR; Camden Griffin JR; Sarah Skora JR; Lucy Kusak FR; Addie Krogstie FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:19; 1/2 = :30; 2/3 = 1:10; 3/5 = :39

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:41; 1/2 = :08; 2/3 = 1:13; 3/5 = 1:15

Overview – It looked three weeks ago that the Red Devillettes would make it to the state meet after a so-so race at the WSC-Silver Conference Meet. The return of their all-state runner Catie McCabe after missing most of the season due to an injury gave this team a boost. Hinsdale Central finished a strong third in their own regional and then came back to make it to state by finishing sixth at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional. McCabe’s second-place finish in the sectional race demonstrates her fitness level where she could finish in the top 10 at state. Fischer has been the team’s top runner most of the season and has showed great improvement. This senior could be among the top 20 runners at Detweiller. Pola Dygon has been a solid third runner for the team. The addition to Sarah Skora to their sectional lineup dropped their top five split down by more than 20 seconds. It could drop more if a healthy Gabby Thanos is put into the top seven to race. That is uncertain at this point. Two runners in top 20 spots along with a tighter pack could get Hinsdale Central among the top 10 teams.

 

Lisle (Benet Academy)

Sectional Runners – Louisa Diamond SR; Delilah Helenhouse SO; Harper Good FR; Keira Jenke FR; Grace Andringa JR; Aniela Gaudio SO; Makenna Jedlicka SR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 3:03; 1/2 = 1:32; 2/4 = :06; 4/5 = 1:25

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:05; 1/2 = 1:31; 2/4 = :26; 4/5 = 1:08

Overview – Benet Academy was a bit of a surprise to advance to the state meet and they did finishing seventh in the tough Waubonsie Valley Sectional by just five points ahead of Batavia. The Redwings finished fifth in the Hinsdale Central Regional behind Batavia by 24 points. Regional individual champion Louisa Diamond finished sixth last week and could be in the top 25. The team’s top five split is just over three minutes. They do have a nice 2-4 pack that was six seconds led by Delilah Helenhouse.

 

Yorkville

Sectional Runners – Sophia Keller SO; Lucy Anderson SR; Katie Melzer SR; McKenna Edwards SR; Emma Jasutis SR; Ashley Schraeder FR; Anita Werderich SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:20; 1/2 =:16; 2/4 = :28; 4/5 = :36

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:29; 1/2 = :20; 2/4 = :35; 4/5 = :34

Overview – The Foxes make their traditional trip to Detweiller Park after finishing fourth at the Normal Community Sectional just four points out of second-place. Sophia Keller has developed into the top runner for the Yorkville this season. There is a good pack behind Keeler including seniors Mackenna Edwards, Lucy Anderson, and Katie Melzer that had a 28 second split on that group in Normal.

 

Park Ridge (Maine South)

Sectional Runners – Olivia DeLuca JR; Morgan Giola SR; Caitlin Seurynck SR; Ryan Mullarkey JR; Luisa Arcuri SO; Sophie Jaroch JR; Ally Seurynck SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:17; 1/2 = :44; 2/5 = :33

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:05; 1/2 = :27; 2/5 = :38

Overview- The Hawks finished fourth just two points behind Whitney Young to qualify for state at the Lake Park Sectional. Maine South was among the top 10 teams most of the season. An injury to their top runner Sofia Arcuri sidelined her for the season after running 17:17 at the Peoria Invitational at the beginning of October. Olivia DeLuca has stepped up as the Hawks top runner in this state series. She finished tenth in the sectionals ahead of a pack led by Morgan Giola that was 44 seconds back. Keeping their 2-5 split under 30 seconds could help this team to keep them in the top 20 this Saturday.

 

Chicago (Jones Prep)

Sectional Runners – Evelyn Hett SR; Hastings BaCote SR; Lena Almer JR; Selma Taylor JR; Quintana Weisgerber SO; Katalina Menjivar SR; Amelie Lynde SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:23; 1/2 = 1:32; 2/5 = :51

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:22; 1/2 = 1:50; 2/5 = :32

Overview – The Eagles are having a great season first winning the Chicago City Championship and then advancing to the state meet for the first time by finishing sixth at the Lake Park Sectional. Evelyn Hett missed last post season due to an injury. She is having a great senior season which included finishing second last week. Hett will be among the top 10 runners in Peoria. Jones Prep has a solid pack led by senior Hastings BaCote that had a 51 seconds at sectionals and 32 seconds in their regional meet. The split between Hett and the pack is over 90 seconds.

 

Normal (Community)

Sectional Runners – Allison Ince JR; Abigail Ziemer JR; Lily Cavanaugh FR; Megan Metz SR; Annika Luthe SR; Rachel Brozenec SR; Amber Hitchins SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:37; 1/3 = :15; 3/5 = 1:22

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:25; 1/3 = :46; 3/5 = :39

Overview – The Ironmen will make the short trip west on I-74 to Detweiller Park for the first time since 2014 by finishing sixth in their own sectional meet. Normal has a strong trio up front led by state track champion Allison Ince. Abigail Ziemer and Lily Cavanaugh ran together last week and were within 15 seconds of Ince. The team’s top five split last week was 97 seconds. Normal could be a top 20 team if they can het their top five split under 80 seconds.

 

Oswego

Sectional Runners – Audra Soderlind SR; Kelly Wong JR; Addison Richter SO; Lucy Cler SO; Sophia Marasco SR; Ryan Jednachowski SR; Samantha Ventura SO

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:02; 1/2 = :10; 2/3 = 1:45; 3/5 = :07

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:05; 1/2 = :30; 2/3 = 1:36; 3/5 = :59

Overview – The Panthers make it back to the state meet with strong front running and finishing fifth at the Normal Sectional. Audra Soderlind is running strong after a minor injury sidelined her for more than two weeks winning her conference, regional, and sectional races. Her teammate Kelly Wong has showed great improvement this fall. The junior finished third last week just 10 seconds behind Soderlind. Both runners could be all-state in Saturday’s race. Addison Richter led the 3-5 pack that only had a seven second split on the group last week.

 

Wheaton (North)

Sectional Runners – Janna Postma SR; Maddie Romaine SO; Bella Massaro SR; Angelina Grimm SR; Ema Eissler FR; Rebecca Farrell SO; Hannah Tebbe SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:10; 1/2 = :18; 2/3 = :25; 3/5 = :27

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :48; 1/2 = :08; 2/3 = :24; 3/5 = :16

Overview – The Falcons make their first trip as a team to the state meet for the first time since 2006. Wheaton North has run strong down the stretch winning the St. Charles East Regional and then finishing seventh last week at the Lake Park Sectional. The team’s top five split rose to 70 seconds last week compared to the 48 second split the week before. Janna Postma and Maddie Romaine were 18 seconds apart last week and lead this team. Watch for the best race of the season for the Falcons in this state meet.

 

St. Charles (East)

Sectional Runners – Marley Andelman JR; Morgan Sandlund SR; Eleanor Clark SR; Brooklyn Walker SR; Amalia Im FR; Maahi Patel SR; Lauren Lewison SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:26; 1/3 = :36; 3/5 = :50

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:16; 1/3 = :37; 3/5 = 1:39

Overview – The Lady Saints ran their best race of the season last weekend in finishing second at the Lake Park Sectional after finishing second the week before in their own regional. Marley Andelman and Morgan Sandlund were in the top 20 last week and lead this team. Brooklyn Walker did not run in the regional meet. She did last week as the team’s fourth runner. The split from regionals to sectionals went from 2:16 to 1:26. Another good race like last week puts this team finishing between 15 to 18.

 

Algonquin (Jacobs)

Sectional Runners – Bailey Schwartz SO; Natalia Maciorowski SR; Alyssa Madera SR; Adeline Gorman SR; Madeline Osmanski JR; Christina Beyer SR; Natali Varela SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:57; 1/2 = :02; 2/5 = 1:55

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:54; 1/2 = :15; 2/5 = 1:39

Overview – The Golden Eagles advanced to the state meet in Peoria by finishing seventh at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Bailey Schwartz and Natalia Maciorowski lead the team separated by two seconds in the sectional race. The team’s top five split has been close to two minutes in their past two meets.

 

Plainfield (North)

Sectional Runners – Elsie Czarniewski SO; Tessa Russo FR; Claire Wilson JR; Kaitlyn Ward JR; Nora Rudakas JR; Ella Powell SR; Emaan Hussain FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:00; 1/2 = :42; 1/4 = 1:21; 4/5 = :39

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:41; 1/2 = :32; 1/4 = 1:26; 4/5 = :15

Overview – The Tigers surprised some in last week’s Normal Sectional Meet when they made it to the state meet finishing seventh in that meet. They were ranked eighth heading into that race. The Tigers finished fifth the week before at the Minooka Regional. Elise Czarniewski has come on strong in her sophomore season as the top runner for this team. Tessa Russo has been the closest runner to Czarniewski in this state series. The two were separated by 42 seconds last week. The team’s overall top five last week was two minutes with their regional split at 1:41 the week before.

 

Class 3A Team Preview

The runners did not know close to 20 minutes after the race was over in September’s Richard Spring Invitational that Prospect had edged York by just one point. York’s team remembers that moment and knows what to do. Prospect did it with their full lineup. Now they just have to go out and repeat that effort

 

Both teams did not have their best races in their sectional wins last Saturday. Prospect ran great through four runners but there was too big of  gap between their fourth and fifth runners. York had three runners in the top five, but their runner that is normally with those three Brooke Berger was too far back. If but of those issues are fixed, we again should see one of the most classic races un Girls State Meet history.

 

Naperville North has the edge on finishing in the top three. There are a number of teams like WSCS teams Downers Grove North and Lyons Township along with Minooka and Naperville Central that will also have a say on who finishes in the top three.