The state of distance affairs will be interesting because several key mainstay athletes have graduated. However, the league will not be void of talent as it always seems someone will step up and produce some great efforts. If this past fall's cross country season is any indication of what is to come, the fans will not be disappointed.
Featured spotlight
athlete:
Anna Sophia
Keller (So.,
Effingham St. Anthony) (Note: the rankings take into account the
top returners from the 2014 outdoor season and does not take into account
freshman)
ASK passed the test as a freshman when the hype surrounding her built up into a frenzy. She won nearly every race thrown her way from the cross country title to the 1600m in Charleston. After another successful harrier season under her belt, ASK is ready for more this spring. Anna Sophia answered a few questions regarding season goals:
After a wonderful freshman year season you followed things up with a great xc campaign that netted a 2nd state title and one national NXN appearance. What are your time goals for this spring?
Well I really don't have any specific times to go for, I just want to get better than last years times. I feel like if I get faster times that I've improved well enough.
How does your winter training differ from your spring peak training?
My winter and spring training are very similar. I swim on a swim team during the winter and spring, and I include a little bit of running along.
What is your favorite event on the track and why?
I do not really have a favorite event. I like the 3200 because it has the endurance part, the 1600 because it still is long distance but some speed needed, and the 800 because it's a sprint.
What big meets do you plan on competing in?
I would like to compete in the indoor top times meet but I am not sure if I can because it seems that the track schedule has been filled up with meets. I would of course want hope to compete at the Illinois state track meet and maybe one of the national meets.
Who is the biggest influence on your running?
I do not have a particular person who has influenced my running but it would have to say God and my Catholic faith has been the biggest influence not only in my running but in other sports and my school work. It helps me mentally and physically to reach my fullest potential.
Do you pay attention to your accolades?
I do not look at any accolades because I feel that it is better for me to just focus on doing what I think is best for myself. I cannot control what the other runners do and how they perform.
3200m-
2014 State Champion: Kelsey Hildreth (Byron) 10:19.61
Key returners: Anna Sophia Keller, Daly Galloway (So., Gardner-South Wilmington), Adrienne Brauer (Jr., Petersburg-PORTA), Maria Brauer (Jr., Petersburg-PORTA), Annemarie Michael (So., Urbana University), Keri Burmester (Jr., Red Bud), Erica Hibser (Sr., Lewistown)
Season outlook: The 2014 State Class A 3200m final without question was the most entertaining and action packed of all classification races. Kelsey Hildreth and Anna Sophia staged an epic one on one battle that cleared them from the rest of the field. The first mile was under 5:10 and everyone in O'Brien Stadium knew it was going to be a fast one. The pair continued to lock horns throughout the affair until ASK seized control in the waning laps. However, it was not to be as she stumbled and fell to the track. Hildreth took advantage of the opportunity and zipped past ASK who tried in vain to get up. The final decision was Hildreth 10:19.61-10:22.16- the two fastest times in Illinois by over a dozen seconds.
ASK will be back at again putting in the sensational efforts and looking to run even faster! Hopefully, after a wonderful cross country season that replenished the classification with talent and improved performances from some notables, we all may see several marks under 11:00. Daly Galloway was one of those athletes who improved mightily. She placed second to ASK in the cross country state meet running a sweet time of 16:52. If the winter training was put in and Daly stays injury free, we all could see some great performances this spring.
Watch out for newcomer Arielle Summit. She is slated to become the next great young phenom. The freshman from Urbana University did not disappoint those who invested in her as she placed third in her first xc state meet. Now she has visions of putting out a great track season. It will be interesting see if she joins teammate Annemarie Michael and try the 4x8/3200 double at the end of the season.
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10:19.61 | 2014 | |||
2 | 10:22.16 | 2017 | |||
| MILESPLIT NATIONAL ELITE: GOLD STANDARD 10:55.00 | |||||
3 | 11:07.61 | 2017 | |||
4 | 11:07.97 | 2014 | |||
5 | 11:10.23 | 2015 | |||
Cassie M will be playing opponents like a flute this season in the 800m (Sabrina Mendoza photo)
800m-
2014 State Champion: Cassie Mundekis (Sr., Midwest Central) 2:13.80
Key returners: Mundekis, Annemarie Michael (So., Urbana University), Aurora Breedon (Sr., Carterville), Hannah Stone (Sr., Tolono Unity), Mariah Brodie (Jr., Illini West)
Season outlook: The two-time defending state champ leads a strong returning classification in which 10 state finals will vie for top honors. The fast starting Cassie Mundekis is already one of the state's best half-milers and could be an all-timer by the end of the season. Mundekis is certainly in line to break 2:10 after closing out last year rocking 2;12.89 at the St. Louis Festival of Miles sponsored by Nike. The final ingredient for Mundekis is competition. She may have to wait until one of the prestigious national meets after the IHSA season is over.
Anne Marie Michael will have a choice to concentrate here or move on to the 3200 or the 4x8 relay with the addition of teammate Arielle Summit. The opportunities are plentiful indeed.
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2:12.89 | 2015 | |||
| MILESPLIT NATIONAL ELITE: GOLD STANDARD 2:15.00 | |||||
2 | 2:17.87 | 2017 | |||
3 | 2:17.94 | 2017 | |||
4 | 2:18.39 | 2015 | |||
5 | 2:19.32 | 2016 | |||
1600m-
2014 State Champion: Anna Sophia Keller 5:01.02
Key returners: Keller, Maria Brauer (Jr., Petersburg-PORTA), Annemarie Michael (So., Urbana University),
Season outlook: The #1 girl in the state ran 4:52.68 in a meet that was as low-key as you can get at Cumberland. ASK is an athlete who can run fast in any format, but she was most proud of winning her first state track title after that awful fall in the 3200. This year Keller will dominate again unless maturity takes over or someone unexpectedly out of the blue emerges. Daly Galloway and Maria Brauer are expected to improve. Arielle Summit will be there for the first time. We should see more than one girl under 5:00 this season.
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4:52.68 | 2017 | |||
| MILESPLIT NATIONAL ELITE: GOLD STANDARD 5:00.00 | |||||
2 | 5:01.68 | 2014 | |||
3 | 5:10.46 | 2014 | |||
4 | 5:10.59 | 2014 | |||
5 | 5:11.00 | 2017 | |||