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2018 IHSA 3A Girls Cross Country State Meet PreviewPublished by
By Michael Newman
ILXCSPEEDRATINGS.COM 3A GIRLS STATE MEET PROJECTIONS
3A Girls Individuals to Watch Katelynne Hart, Glenbard West; Katrina Schlenker, Batavia; Molly FitzPatrick, Barrington; Alex Morris, Naperville North; Alice Abbott, St. Charles East; Aly Negovetich, Grant Community; Brenna Cohoon, Downers Grove South; Emily Eberhart, Yorkville; Samantha Poglitsch, Wheaton-Warrenville South; Katie Hohe, Glenbard West; Helena Kleronomos, Yorkville; Kailey Fox, Yorkville; Fatima Giron, Round Lake; Kate Dickman, Lyons Township; Vivian Van Eck, Minooka; Campbell Peterson, Naperville North. Overview – Katelynne Hart should win their third state title in a row. The question is how fast will it be? Hart missed Judy Pendergast’s course record by three seconds when she ran 16:08 in horrible conditions at the Lake Park Regional. Pendergast ran her 16:05 time in nearly perfect conditions. Three weeks later, Pendergast ran the 15:53.8 time to set the Detweiller Park record. If conditions are good, I believe Hart goes under that time maybe running near 15:50. She cruised to a 16:39 time last week shutting it down in the final mile of the race. She will go under 16-minutes on Saturday, but how far under will it be? Katrina Schlenker could be the closest runner to Hart. The two runners finished 1-2 at the Naperville Twilight with Hart winning by 16 seconds. It should be so close after these first two with any of the above listed runners finishing in the third spot.
3A Girls Teams to Watch The main thing that was discovered in last weekend’s five sectional races was that Naperville North and Yorkville are still ahead of the rest of the pack. After a strong sectional win, we also discovered that Downers Grove South closed the gap on these two teams with a convincing sectional win of their own. We also found out that a pack of teams led by Lyons Township and Wheaton-Warrenville South have improved significantly. It’s just the gap between the “big-three” and the rest of the field has grown. What does that mean? It means we are in for a great race on Saturday where anything could happen. A detailed look at each of the qualifying teams can be found below.
Naperville North
Waubonsie Valley Sectional Champions Overview – If we did not think that Naperville North could improve any more, well, we were wrong. The Lady Huskies scored only 37 points in their sectional win. It was their sectional split on their top five and their inner splits that demonstrates how good this team is and could be. Alex Morris has been the team’s top runner in five of the team’s six races. The senior All-American should be one of the top five runners in this race. Campbell Peterson is the leader of the pack only 37 seconds behind Morris in last week’s sectional race and could get closer to her teammate on Saturday. The split on the second through fifth runners was an amazing 12 seconds at Waubonsie Valley giving the team a 49 second split on their top five. Those kind of splits may not be even good enough to win the state meet considering how good the top three teams are. For North to repeat as the team champion, they may need their top two runners under 17-minutes with four other runners faster than 17:30. There is no room for bad races on Saturday. They know that.
Yorkville
Quincy Sectional Champions Overview – Yorkville has also improved demonstrated by their two strong races in the state series. Naperville North and Yorkville have faced each other twice this season each winning once. They could race each other up to three more times in the next month. What is impressive about Yorkville is how strong their pack is in the front. Ten seconds separated Helena Kleronomos, Emily Eberhart, and Kailey Fox in the Roy Griak race at the end of September. One month later, the three were separated by only three seconds in their sectional win as Eberhart led the pack running 17:18/ What could hurt the Foxes is that their top five split last week was at 72 seconds. Then again, that was with an off race by Sara Klemm and the first race back from Olivia Borowiak after being out with an injury. A perfect world for the Lady Foxes would have three runners under 17-minutes at Detweiller. Their next two runners just need to be in before the pack of Downers Grove South and before Naperville North’s fifth runner crosses the finish line. The team scores in this race will be extremely close. Every passed runner, every place counts. This team knows that.
Downers Grove South
Marist Sectional Champions Overview – The Lady Mustangs ran their best race of the season in last week’s Maris Sectional and that was without their fifth runner Becky Verzbicas out sick. Their sectional performance places them within seconds of the other two teams. It also puts pressure on this team to repeat the race that they ran the week before. It is a pressure that South can handle. Brenna Cohoon is one of the top runners in the state and could be in the top seven individual runners on Saturday. The team had a 46 second split off second runner Melissa Weidner who was 12 seconds back of Cohoon. That pack split may not be good enough to challenge for the state title. The team will need three runners in the top 25 with Cohoon, Weisner, and Erin Reidy along with two more runners in before 17:25. That might mean a split of 40 seconds or better for this team to capture a trophy. The Mustangs will hope they are the final team on Saturday accepting their awards. Like the other two teams, they know that this race will be extremely close. Every passed runner, every place counts. This team knows that.
LaGrange Lyons Township
2nd – Marist Sectional Overview – It will not be a surprise if the Lady Lions sneak up on other teams like they did last year when they finished third overall. It could be tougher for this team to get into the top three considering how good the above teams are. However, anything can happen in any given race. This team knows that. It seemed that Lyons Township was more than 30 points behind Downers Grove South last Saturday. The Lions did run a good race as four runners were within 45 seconds of each other. That could be significant on Saturday especially if their top runner Kate Dickman finishes in the top 10. The next three runners, led by Marta Kogucki, were within 15 seconds of each other. Getting that pack to within 20 seconds of Dickman will be something to watch for. The team had an 89 second split on their top five in their conference meet. It dropped down to 78 seconds last Saturday. A top five split under 63 seconds could be good news for this team.
Wheaton-Warrenville South
2nd – Niles West Sectional Overview – It was not the fact that Wheaton-Warrenville South left the finish line last Saturday thinking that they had run a horrible race. In fact, it was not that bad. It was New Trier that ran fantastic on that day. The Tigers had run two good race the previous two weeks heading into their sectional race. They could be heading into Peoria with their best race still not as yet being displayed. South has a good one-two punch with Samantha Poglitsch a possible top 10 finisher and Laurel Moneysmith, who finished 29 seconds behind Poglitsch, able to finish in the top 25. A key for this team is how low will their top five split go. It was 91 seconds in last week’s race. The week before in their regional competition, that split was only 70 seconds. This team could finish in the top five on Saturday. Finishing in the top three on Saturday would require two all-state runners, their third and fourth runners within 15 seconds of Moneysmith, and a split on five at or under 59 seconds. Anything could be possible in Saturday’s race. This team could be ready to discover that.
Minooka
2nd – Quincy Sectional Overview – While Yorkville was putting up ridiculously low numbers in the Normal Regional and the Quincy Sectional, Minooka was quietly finishing second improving in both races. In any normal season, the Indians would be in the top three contending for a state championship. However, this is not a normal year. Then again, no one is telling this team that they cannot finish in the top three. They could. Vivian Van Eck has performed like a senior should leading this team in the front of races. She could be among the top 15 individuals on Saturday. Julia Dames is getting closer to Van Eck now just 26 seconds behind her teammate. She could get closer not even without Van Eck slowing down. Kathryn Cichon leads a trio of freshman that were within seven seconds of each other in last week’s race. The group was 29 seconds behind Dames. Watch that gap close in this upcoming race. Minooka could run a split of 55 seconds or faster with Van Eck in the top 15. Whether that will be good enough to finish in the top three, we will find out Saturday afternoon. Nevertheless, if Minooka runs that kind of a race, it will be their best one of the season.
Glen Ellyn Glenbard West
4th – Niles West Sectional Overview – We have discussed what Hart could do in this race in the preview for the individual runners. Hart will be the favorite. Her teammate Katie Hohe should be one of the top 10 runners, maybe top five. The Hilltoppers have suffered some big injuries during the season with three of their top five runners out of the lineup at one point during the season. If this team is healthy, Glenbard West could finish in the top five. They will have the low numbers in the front with their three to five runners 25 seconds of each other, that group would need to be within 45 seconds of Hohe. Health will be a big factor for this team. West could finish in the top five or bounce to near 11 to 12 if injuries effect their starting seven.
Winnetka New Trier
Niles West Sectional Champion Overview – The Lady Trevians ran their best race of the season in winning last weekend at Niles West. The question that will be raised is could this team repeat on that run this Saturday at Detweiller? Their pack was strong in the front with Bridget Forbes leading their top four runners within four seconds of each other. This team ran a 28 second split on their top four in the CSL league race. The team had a 37 second split on the top five. As we found out in last week’s race, that kind of split would not be a factor. With more quality runners in the front and add at least 45 other runners, the Trevians will need to move that pack up just a bit. Forbes could be among the top 25 runners in this race. She will need teammates like Leah Ulrich and Marlee Franklin to be within at least ten seconds of her. Their team race at Niles West was impressive. It could be just as impressive Saturday afternoon.
Batavia
2nd – Waubonsie Valley Sectional Overview – The Bulldogs did not have their best race of the season when they finished a distant second to Naperville North in last week’s sectional race. You could see a bounce back from Batavia in this week’s state race. Freshman Katrina Schlenker has been fantastic throughout the season and could be among the top five runners in this race. Mia Gianfrancesco was within 58 seconds of the freshman last week. Even staying at that distance could find her finishing in the first 30. Their split was at 118 seconds when they raced Wheaton-Warrenville South in their conference race. It was 150 seconds last week. That split needs to stay under 105 seconds for this team to expect a top 10 finish.
Elmhurst York
3rd – Niles West Sectional Overview – York is peaking at the right time. Another good race by the Dukes could find them finishing in the top 10. Sarah May is having a great senior season which could find her finishing 15th in this race. Their split on five has improved from 76 seconds in their conference race to 49 seconds last week. The pack led by Lydia Hickey and Emma Kern was only separated by 18 seconds last Saturday. This pack will probably stay within 30 seconds on May in the state race. The split on two to five could come down making a top ten finish for York a possibility.
Barrington
2nd – Hoffman Estates Sectional Overview – The Fillies get the slight edge over Prospect mainly because of their strength in the front. Molly FitzPatrick should be among the top 10 runners in this race. Teammate Alyssa Norris could be in the top 20. The top five split could be within 110 seconds. That time needs to close down in double digits for Barrington to finish among the top 10 teams in this race.
Mt. Prospect – Prospect
Hoffman Estates Sectional Champion Overview – The Knights had an amazing race at Busse Woods last week with an eight second split on their top five to easily win the sectional championship. Prospect ran a 22 second split on their top five in their league championship and 24 seconds in their win at Peoria. Their pack has been interchangeable during the season with Julia O’Grady and freshman Audrey Ginsberg leading the way. Their pack needs to start with one runner in the top 25 and then go from there. A sectional type race could put this team close to the top five. A conference/Peoria type race could find them in the top 10. We will see how good this pack is in this race. Having seen them run once, it is impressive.
Hinsdale Central
3rd – Marist Sectional Overview – The fourth of six WSC-Silver Girls teams to qualify for the 3A state meet. The Red Devillettes have improved with every race this fall. We could see their best race of the season on Saturday. McKenna Revord was only seven seconds behind Brenna Cohoon in last week’s sectional race. Revord could be among the top 15 in this race. The gap between Revord and the pack was 76 seconds last week. The split on the second through fifth runners led by Taylor Wagner and Kayla Byrne was only six seconds. We could see Wagner run within 60 seconds of Revord in Peoria. The pack split staying the way it is could see Central finish among the top 10 teams in this tough field.
Oak Park-River Forest
5th – Niles West Sectional Overview – The Lady Huskies have lived and died with pack running this fall. Their split at the end of September on their top five at Loyola was only 19 seconds. In last week’s sectional race, it was at 53 seconds. It has been on whomever the fifth runner has been in their last three races. Their split on the first four runners, led by Nora Wollen, was at 18 seconds. The split from fourth runner Samantha Duwe to fifth runner Parker Hulen was 35 seconds. Their pack was impressive the first half of the season. Getting their split under 29 seconds could move this team to within the top ten.
Fox Lake Grant
5th – Hoffman Estates Sectional Overview – The Bulldogs have come on strong especially in the last three meets. Another great team race could place this team in the top 15 or perhaps higher. Aly Negovetich has been impressive during that time including her win in the sectional race. She could be among the top five runners at Peoria on Saturday. Their pack split of 38 seconds has been consistent. A similar race at state like at Busse Woods puts this team near the top ten.
Cary-Grove
4th – Hoffman Estates Sectional Overview – Strong pack running among their top four runners could move the Trojans into the top 15 on Saturday. Maggie Mason has stepped up as the team’s top runner in her freshman season and could be in the top 25 in this race. She finished eight in last week’s sectional. Cary-Grove had a 38 second split on their top four, but a 72 second split on their fifth runner in the sectional race.
Oswego
5th – Waubonsie Valley Sectional Overview – The Panthers did not have their best race of the season but still finished fifth in their sectional advancing them to Peoria. Isabelle Christiansen has been the team’s top runner for most of the season. A top 20 finish in this race should be expected by this senior. Becca Corbett and Ella Hale give Oswego a strong second and third runners. Both will need to be within 25 seconds of Christiansen in this race. Their split of 102 seconds last week was not the norm. A split between 65 and 75 seconds is possible from this team.
Downers Grove North
4th – Marist Sectional Overview - The Trojans missed the state meet by six points in last year’s sectional. That changed last weekend as they finished in a comfortable fourth-place. This team advanced on solid pack running. They will need that kind of racing on Saturday. Melissa Jachim led the team last week that ran a 25 second split on their top five runners.
Arlington Heights Hersey
4th – Hoffman Estates Sectional Overview – he Huskies surprised some by finishing fourth at Busse Woods ahead of conference rivals Fremd and Palatine. Katie Fredian led this team that had a 51 second split on their top five runners. A split on five at under 40 seconds could move this team into the top 15.
Rockton Hononegah
4th – Waubonsie Valley Sectional Overview – After getting close to qualifying as a team the past couple of seasons, the Indians achieved that goal finishing fourth in their sectional. Alicia Repka and Taylor Frommier have traded off the top spot during the season. Frommier led a team to five split of 52 seconds in last week’s race. Frommier and Repka could finish among the top 40 runners or perhaps higher.
Lisle Benet Academy
3rd – Waubonsie Valley Sectional Overview – The Redwings make it back to state for the second year in a row and could surprise some by finishing in the top 15. Pack running is the name of the game for this team. Emily Spellman has been Benet’s top runner throughout the season. The team only had a 15 second split at Waubonsie Valley on their top five runners. Their previous season’s best was 40 seconds the week before at the Oswego East Regional race.
Lockport Township
3rd – Quincy Sectional Overview – The Lady Porters could be among the top 20 teams in Saturday’s meet. They will need to lower their top five split to accomplish that. The team ran a 59 second split off the front running of Josephine Bober and Kate Wojcikiewicz. It was 30 seconds slower than both their conference and regional top five times. The faster pace had a lot to do with that. A split under 40 seconds on this group could move Lockport up.
Edwardsville
4th – Quincy Sectional Overview – The Lady Tigers could finish higher than some people expect in Peoria. Part of that will have to do with the front running of Abby Korak who could potentially finish in the top 25 runners. Edwardsville cut down their split to 83 seconds with their second through fifth spread at 46 seconds in last week’s race. It could lower on Saturday.
Plainfield North
5th – Marist Sectional Overview – It was another close call for the Tigers making it to the state meet. Last year, their fifth-place margin was six points. It was three points ahead of Fenwick last Saturday. Juliana Stogsdill has been the team’s top runner for most of her four-year high school career. Before she heads off to Ball State next fall, Stogsdill could finish among the top 25 individuals. She was 77 seconds ahead of the North pack led by Sarah Conley. That group only had a 29 second split on the next four runners. Getting that pack closer to Stogsdill with her in the top 25 increase the chances for a top 20 finish for this team.
O’Fallon
5th – Quincy Sectional Overview – The sophomore Sofia Parker has been the team’s runner for most of the season. She could be among the top 60 in this race. If the Panthers want to move closer to a finish in the top 20, their top five split will need to be under 58 seconds. It has been on an average 77 seconds for the top five in the last three weeks. More news
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