Individuals-
The #1 girl in Illinois is Judy Pendergast of Naperville North (Steve Bugarin photo)
[3A]-
| ANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16:05.50 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 16:28.40 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 16:49.60 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 16:51.50 | 2017 | ||
| 5 | 16:53.00 | 2017 | ||
| 6 | 16:53.10 | 2018 | ||
| 7 | 16:55.70 | 2018 | ||
| 8 | 16:56.90 | 2018 | ||
| 9 | 17:03.00 | 2018 | ||
| 10 | 17:05.00 | 2017 | ||
| 11 | 17:05.60 | 2018 | ||
| 12 | 17:09.20 | 2016 |
You already know that this is going to be a great race with all time implications on it with Judy Penderast running the show. If the weather is right, the winning time will be 16:01.
Maryjeanne Gilbert is rolling (Dan Chamness photo)
[2A]-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17:05.60 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 17:18.80 | 2016 | ||
| 3 | 17:31.69 | 2019 | ||
| 4 | 17:34.40 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 17:37.29 | 2016 | ||
| 6 | 17:38.30 | 2017 | ||
| 7 | 17:46.24 | 2018 | ||
| 8 | 17:49.60 | 2017 | ||
| 9 | 17:55.70 | 2016 |
| 1 | 16:14.70 | 2016 |
Not mention was Maryjeanne Gilbert of Peoria Notre Dame. The senior standout has been forgotten about at times. However, she is running her best at the right time. She may be get pushed early on but ultimately she will win easily.
Anna Sophia Keller (Dan Chamness photo)
[1A]
1. Anna Sophia Keller (Jr. Effingham St. Anthony)
Some things never change. For the last three years, Anna Sophia Keller has been the favorite going into state meets; she is just a safe pick like that. And this season definitely seems one of the safest. She is currently undefeated and has consistently ran races well under 17:00 which includes the Spartan Classic in 16:15 and now the Decatur Sectional under unideal conditions in 16:32. Does a sub-16:20 this Saturday seem possible? I think so!
2. Daly Galloway (Jr. Garder-South Wilmington)
Daly has been runner-up in the 3200 the last track season as well as the runner-up last cross country season by a good stretch. This season, she went undefeated by any 1A athlete, and the only race Daly did not win was the Palentine invite where higher division runners propelled her to race 17:15 in the early season. She has gone sub-17 last year and no reason to suspect that she can't do it again and challenge Keller as she has done in track. "Daly has stepped up her training this fall to be strong and fast in the post season," Coach Lawrence Lane remarks, "While her overall mileage has increased slightly her training paces are much improved over the 2014 season. After her sectional race, she said she felt fresh and strong which was a different feeling from her previous 4 races. She is ready for a great effort this Saturday. Daly wants to run her race at state to the best of her ability and then she will be happy and pleased with the outcome."
3. Arielle Summitt (So. Urbana University)
As third place finisher last year, and another solid season this year despite health concerns voiced by Coach Doug Mynatt, Arielle Summit is ending her season on a very impressive note going back to 17 minute territory at the Decatur Sectional, along with her teammate Annamarie Michael. If she keeps up being in good health, she should retain her third place position at this race.
4. Shelby Siltman (Jr. Stanford Olympia)
As champion of the Elmwood Sectional in her season best time even in sub-par conditions, it is safe to say "She is healthy and ready to run," in the words of Coach Michael Neisler. He then proceeds to explain that she came a little short last year due to an iron deficiency. "At the end of last season workouts just weren't quite right, I felt we were off just a bit and her state meet was not what she was wanting it to be. In the spring during track, again I felt things weren't right. So we had her blood checked for iron deficiency. She was low, she started on a supplement program and now her iron is in a very health range for a distance runner." Coach Neisler continues: "She would like to break our school record of 17:51 on saturday. Place will take care of itself. She is a great person and works hard and is a great example to our younger girls."
5. Katelyn Robbins (Fr. Liberty)
At the beginning of the season Katelyn Robbins was absolutely living up to the preseason hyphe, challenging the top 1A talent. She was on a roll winning most of the races she ran, but unfortunately had an injury that put her off of racing three weeks. But going into state, her sectional performance was a definite bounce back. "Katelyn is coming back off not racing for 3 weeks, so her effort on Saturday was great to see especially in the slop and rain at Elmwood," states Coach Jared Schmidt. "We had her run conservatively the first part of the race since it had been so long since racing just to make sure she had a positive first race back. I think she did that and more. Shelby ran a great race and earned that victory Saturday, she push the pace from the gun and ran tough. Katelyn was closing on her the last 1/2 mile or so but ran out of room." On that note, Coach Schmidt is "excited to see what Katelyn can do at Detweiller on Saturday," and I am too!
6. Annemarie Michael (Jr. Urbana University)
Like her teammate Summit, Annamarie Michael aired on the side of caution going through the beginning of the season. This has most definitely paid off as we hit this final stretch of the season with her keeping it close with her teammate and under 18. Expect her to do this at state.
7. Kirstie Ramsey (Jr. Kewanee-Wethersfield)
To stay healthy, Kirstie Ramsey has not ran a whole lot of races. But when she runs them, she has not disappointed. As runner-up of the Patriot Invite in a sub-18 time and the Oregon Sectional champion in a time of 19:36 on tough and sloppy conditions, she should be among the front runners in the chase pack on Saturday.
8. Claudia Magnussen (Jr. Pana H.S.)
The story of her success is one of those stories that make you really make you appreciate the wonderful sport that cross country is, and not take for granted being able to run it scholastically. "As a XC program," Coach Mark Magnussen explains, "Pana was not given the approval for a team until the end of August and as you know, most teams ran throughout the summer…Because of the late start, we weren't able to get in to the bigger invites, so Claudia has been able to fly under the radar most of the year." "Claudia is passionate about running and is fiercely competitive, she hates losing," Continues coach Magnussen, "I ran XC at Palatine High School for a great coach, Joe Johnson. Joe taught us what it took be successful physically and mentally and I passed on Joe's teachings so Claudia understands the dedication and mind set required to be successful." So far we have seen this mindset at the Decatur Sectional and it should carry on to state!
9. Maria Brauer (Sr. Petersburg PORTA)
Maria Brauer goes into this race from a relatively quieter season than usual. But as a senior veteran running her last race of her high school career, who has furthermore ran this state meet on November numerous times, I have no doubt in my mind that she can find herself in the top ten this race!
10. Jordan Harmon (Fr. Tolono Unity)
Yet another standout freshman with a sub-18 resume. She was not the front runner right away but as the season progressed she rose through the ranks and stands as a top contender for a top ten finish!