Former Preps Prepare For XC Big Stage: NCAA Division 1 Nats In Louisville

Alumni Report
Tony Jones

Former St. Joe Ogden star Chelsea Blaase is now a superstar for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols. Blaase is an individual title contender after finishing 10th a year ago (photo courtesy of Donald Page/University of Tennessee Athletics)

The University of Louisville will play host to the Crème de la crème of collegiate cross country this weekend: The NCAA Division 1 National Championship. There are a number of former standout Illinois preps who will compete for their respective teams. Let's take a look at several men and women that are lining up on Saturday at the E.P. 'Tom Sawyer' State Park.


Michael Clevenger formerly of Decatur MacArthur will be on the move for Notre Dame on Saturday (Ross Obley/Notre Dame athletics photo credit)

Regional Alumni Report

Men (10k)-

  • Joe Stewart (University of Miami Ohio): The former standout from Aurora Metea Valley who once ran 14:30 for three miles and 9:11 in the 3200m followed by two all-state performances will be competing in his second consecutive national championship. Stewart placed third in the Great Lakes Regional running a personal best 30:27. If all goes well Stewart could defy the laws of Flo Track who didn't pick him among the top 40 spots to become an All-American.
  • Erik Peterson (Butler University): Once placed 8th in the state meet for Barrington has gone on to college and fulfilled the promise set before him. Peterson earned All-American honors on the grass last year with a 22nd place finish. He produced the fastest track 10k by a collegian last year running 28:26.
  • Michael Clevenger (The University of Notre Dame): Selecting the Fighting Irish was a dream school for Clevenger who was heralded as the top distance runner in Illinois back in 2011-12 when he ran for Class 2A Decatur MacArthur. Clevenger has lived up to expectations at Notre Dame by competing in three national championship races (2 xc, 1 track 5k). In placing third in last weekend's Great Lakes Regional, Clevenger has a fair chance to grab an All-American honor.
  • Mike Lederhouse (Georgetown University): Lederhouse was more of the middle distance runner in high school when he competed for Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West). Lederhouse became one of a handful of former preps from the land of Lincoln to break 4:00 in the mile. He did it last year indoors clocking 3:59.54. Before he heads back to the track in a few months, Lederhouse will compete in Louisville with the goal of breaking into the top 50 and besting his grass best of 30:58.
  • Jack Keelan (Stanford University): The former Chicago St. Ignatius superstar who won the triple crown during the 2012-13 season is coming along solidly for the Stanford Cardinal. Keelan is maturing at his pace in a program littered with great runners. He clocked 13:45 on the track in an event that is built for him. Keelan did not run in the West Regional last weekend, but will on the line Saturday in an attempt to help his team bring home some major hardware.
  • Grant Nykaza (Florida State University): Once upon a time Nykaza was one of the best runners in the state and nation while competing for Beecher. Nykaza proved his worth in high school by qualifying in two Footlocker National Championships. Now the redshirt junior will have an opportunity to represent his Seminoles team this Saturday. 
  • Garrett Sweatt (Stanford University): Sweatt was revered as the state's premier distance runner at Edwardsville High School. Now he is one of the key runners for the Cardinal who will be looking to capture one of the four team trophies.

Hope Schmelzle earned her ticket to nationals with a 5th place finish at the Great Lakes Regional (Michael Scott photo credit)

Women (6k)-

  • Hope Schmelzle (Purdue University): Hope's initial claim to fame while at Wheaton-Warrenville High School was running third leg as a member of the first Illinois girls 4x800m relay to break 9:00 (8:59.04) in capturing the state championship. Schmelzle has become a top collegiate steeplechase runner and has improved mightily in cross country.
  • Alyssa Schneider (University of Illinois): A 4:55 miler in high school coupled by an all state xc performance projected well for Schneider who will be making her second NCAA appearance. Schneider placed second in the Midwest Regional.
  • Kristen Busch (Bradley University): The small town girl from Freeburg HS has improved beyond the scope at Bradley U. Busch qualified for the outdoor national championship in the 10k in 2014 and racked up several MVC honors. She will be making her first national championship appearance in cross country.
  • Kelsey Schrader (University of Arkansas): A three time all state performer while at Dekalb HS, Schrader made the transition to big time collegiate racing look rather easy. In two short seasons, she has competed in a world junior xc championship to go along with a previous run in the NCAAs last fall. Schrader has been a key component in the Lady Razorbacks run for a national title.
  • Chelsea Blaase (University of Tennessee): Is their any former prep man or woman done more than Blaase since graduating from high school? Yes, the talented Blaase was a 1A state champion at tiny St. Joe-Ogden with an eye on long-term development when selecting Tennessee for college. But so have many other harriers. The key for Blaase is the constant feeding of her hunger. Last year she finished 10th in Terre Haute and she be a candidate for a top 3-5 spot for sure in Louisville. The prognosis of becoming a solid professional in the next year is very good indeed.
  • Hannah Wittman (Belmont University): The unheralded Whittman out of high school has blossomed into one of the best collegiate runners this season. She indicated that the goal is breaking into All-American status. After clocking 20:17 it is conceivable.