Jenna Lutzow was in tears and joy finishing second in last year's state championship
800m
2016 State Champion: Michaela Hackbarth (Downers Grove South) 2:09.91
Key returners: Jenna Lutzow (Sr., Belvidere North), Emma Moravec (Sr., Downers Grove North), Jenna Diers (Sr., Lincoln Way West), Avryl Johnson (Jr., Libertyville), Emily Stegmeier (Sr., Elk Grove), Mackenzie Callahan (Sr., Minooka), Emma Milburn (Jr., Lake Forest)
Outlook: One of the greatest half-milers in IHSA history has now moved on to the University of Missouri. Michaela Hackbarth handled the pressure of defending her title with ease, and left a blue print for her followers to go by. That blue print was not specializing in any one type while preparing for this grueling event. Hackbarth experimenting heavy in the 400 as a junior, but switch with cross country as her foundation as aa senior. It all depends on your goals and mindset it appears. Jenna Lutzow is in a similiar spot in that she was the 2A xc champion, but does not touch any race over 1600 during the track season. Lutzow indicated that she loves the two-lapper and hates thinking about running laps upon laps on a track. She is a candidate to go under 2:10 as is Emma Moravec. Moravec left the 4x8 along last year and finished 4th in state. There a total of seven state finalists back which means this event is already stocked. Club mates Jenna Diers and Avryl Johnson are back and appear stronger than ever with solid pre season times. And there is the incoming freshman Katelynne Hart who ran 2:13 last summer as an 8th grader. She may not concentrate in this event at all but expect her to drop a few fast times this year.
Top returning performances-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2:11.80 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 2:12.80 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 2:13.46 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 2:13.54 | 2017 | ||
| 5 | 2:14.22 | 2017 | ||
| 6 | 2:14.30 | 2017 | ||
| 7 | 2:14.73 | 2019 | ||
| 8 | 2:14.95 | 2018 | ||
| 9 | 2:15.11 | 2018 | ||
| 10 | 2:15.50 | 2018 |