Future Star: Katelyn Lehnen Is No Stranger To The Top

Mar 09, 2023

Katelyn Lehnen is ready to tackle the superstar realm in track and field

You can make the argument that she has been a bonafide superstar prior to coming to high school. More than a few coaches at the IHSA level heard rumblings of a seventh grader from central Illinois running times more suited for sprinters in the 17-18 year old track and field division.

As an eighth grader in 2021, Katelyn Lehnen ran the fastest indoor 300m time in the country at the CYUP Misfits Invitational. The blistering 41.00 clocking is fast and was good enough to rate among the top 50 nationally. Had Lehnen been allowed to compete in the high school division, she would have taken second.

In her freshman season at Chatham-Glenwood High School, Lehnen proved she belonged with the best in the state of Illinois.

It was a short but sweet indoor season punctuated with a win at the 3A Illinois Top Times in the 60m (7.62) over a stellar field. It was the second-fastest time in the state.

Perhaps a shade over or under five-foot in stature, Lehnen also plays varsity basketball during the winter. So it was quite amazing to see her come out in her first competition of the season and drop fire. On February 25, at Olivet Nazarene University

it was the 2023 sprint attack coming out party for Lehnen won the 60m (7.51) and ran a leg on the winning 4x200 relay. She has dropped 25.35 in the 200m which is among the best in the state.

The defending 3A 200m champion will be heading off to Boston for the upcoming New Balance Nationals Indoors to test her mettle to the max. It is easy to see that the future is very bright for Katelyn Lehnen!