The official 2013 cross country season is now in the books now that 35th Footlocker Cross Country National Championship concluded things last weekend in San Diego. Before we head off to the 2014 track and field season, we need take some time and reflect on some amazing accomplishments of this past harrier season. It should be noted that thousands of boys and girls trained hard over the past summer to accomplish their goals and dreams. To them we want to say nice job and congratulations. However, there are a few special lads that stood out from the rest and we would like to offer them special recognition.
Athlete of the Year: Anna Sophia Keller
The Effingham (St. Anthony) freshman took entire state by storm in the pre-season with her junior high school resume. Keller set the cross country courses and tracks on fire with records nearly every time out. But the question always remained with any incoming prodigy: how would she do on a bigger stage known as high school?
In Keller’s first big race she competed and conquered the rugged Southern Illinois-Edwardsville cross course in 18:08. This is believed to be the fastest time ever run on the layout. Fortunately or unfortunately Keller’s instant legendary status began to build as the season largely because she didn’t compete in any of the premier Detweiller meet series races. Keller said at one point during the season leading up to the state championship that she never ran on the famed course. Well at the end of the day, it didn’t matter much as the super freshman destroyed the competition and produced the fastest time of the day (three-classes) in 16:35. Hopefully, we are all in the midst of a dynasty because that’s the road that Keller is heading down. The journey in following the gifted one will be fun to say the least.
Keller’s season profile:
3 miles-
16:35.00 2013-11-09 IHSA Cross Country State Championship»
16:45.00 2013-11-02 1A Sectional - Decatur (St. Teresa)»
17:12.20 2013-10-26 1A Regional - Robinson»
17:26.50 2013-10-19 St. Anthony Bulldog Invitational»
17:08.09 2013-09-21 Tuscola Classic»
17:36.00 2013-09-07 Chrisman Cowchip Classic
5k-
18:59.30 2013-11-17 Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional»
18:08.02 2013-08-31 Metro East Lutheran Debut Invitational
Most improved runner of the year: Kelsey Hildreth
The most improved athlete of the year have often times been of the inflated or overrated nature. It depends on how you look at things. However, in the case of the Byron multi-talented senior this is not the case. Hildreth picked up running last year after previously concentrating on gymnastics and swimming. She ran in the state meet and eventually placed 47th in 18:53. If you recall, 2012 was the fastest year in IHSA history. While her effort was solid, it was not mind blowing by Class A standards. Over the past year, Hildreth put in the work that it takes to be an outstanding runner and she was rewarded with a runner-up finish in 17:20- a time that would have won in 2012!
Girls #5 runner: Bree Tschosik
For the second year in a row, the standout junior became the glue that cemented the Decatur St. Teresa Bulldogs fourth consecutive state team championship. The #5 runner is the most important runner on the team in that she stops the scoring and Tschosik did just that with a fine time of 18:42 for 38th.
Boys’ athlete of the year: Nick Hess
Being a championship race front runner, a price must be paid as many astute running experts have noted throughout time. In most instances they do not win the race. In Hess’ case, the Champaign (St. Thomas More) senior, led the state championship for over 80 percent of the race before giving way to champion John Davis and finishing second in 15:03. Hess knew what the implications of leading such an important race, but that’s the way he competes and he would not take the strategy back. Hess was not afraid of the big boys either. He placed eighth in the ultra deep Richard Spring Peoria Notre Dame Invitational with a season best 14:46. He concluded his high school harrier career on a positive note at the Footlocker Midwest meet by placing 13th in the seeded race. The top 10 qualify for nationals. It will be very interesting to watch Hess during the track season in his favorite event the mile. Stay tuned!
Coach Dave Behm’s comments:
Nick has been great to coach. No one works harder than Nick. He has been a leader on our team for all four years at STM.
Nick and I talk a lot about training and racing quite a bit. It is great to have a runner who is involved in his training and can be trusted to know what kind of workouts to discuss. He is like having a player coach on the team. I can run ideas by him and he has the insight to share his ideas and to help structure our training plans. I always try to have my runners learn as much as they can about training and running. Nick has always been a student of the sport in that he has help shape our program. Having a guy out there who can size up how the runners are feeling or what they may need to get faster has been a godsend.
Nick is one of the most unselfish athletes I have ever coached. He has made sacrifices for his team knowing that it would make our team better in the long run. I have seen him pull back at the end of races and allow his teammates to win so they could get their name on the winner’s trophy. Nick has consistently been a role model for our younger runners and pushes them to get to where they can be at their best.
Nick’s seasonal stats:
3 miles-
15:03.00 2013-11-09 IHSA Cross Country State Championship»
14:55.00 2013-11-02 1A Sectional - Decatur (St. Teresa)»
15:03.20 2013-10-19 St. Anthony Bulldog Invitational»
14:46.00 2013-09-21 Richard Spring Invitational»
15:26.00 2013-09-10 Champaign/Urbana Twin City Invitational»
15:24.00 2013-09-07 Chrisman Cowchip Classic»
15:34.00 2013-07-26 Detweiller at Dark
5k-
15:30.00 2013-11-30 Foot Locker Midwest Regional»
16:48.20 2013-11-17 Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional
Most improved runner of the year: John Davis
It is not often that a state champion is named the most improved runner of the year. But in the case of sophomore from Fithian (Oakwood) he did just that moving from 26th last year to the top of the podium in 14:47. Davis ran a light schedule compared to Hess but he ran smart in the biggest meet of his career when he overtook the lead with less than a half-mile to go. Davis will be a force to be reckoned with in cross country and on the track.
5th runner of the year: John Barrat
The miniscule freshman from Elmwood (Brimfield) stepped up to the challenge that a championship team demands. Barrat started the year out running 17:12 and steadily improved on his time and effort while maintaining that all important fifth runner position. The final result was a come from behind victory for the Trojans who won 161-167 over Winnebago. Barrat placed 84th in the overall tally but his team score was 56th. In addition, the team’s 1-5 split was 43 seconds. That really was the difference in winning and losing.