The state of distance affairs will be interesting because a ton of mainstay athletes have graduated. However, the league will not be void of talent as it always seems someone will step up and produce some great efforts. If this past fall’s cross country season is any indication of what is to come, the fans will not be disappointed.
Only five out of last year’s top ten finishers return in this event. The “deuce” will feature a very strong freshman presence along with some fresh performances during the cross country season competitors.
Featured spotlight athlete:
Anna Sophia Keller (Fr., Effingham St. Anthony) (Note: the rankings take into account the top returners from the 2013 outdoor season and does not take into account freshman)
For anyone who hasn’t been paying attention, ASK is the freshman prodigy who won the IHSA 1A state championship with a time of 16:35- the fourth fastest state meet time to date (tied with former Riverside-Brookfield’s Mailin Struck who ran the same time to win IHSA 2A), and placed 6th in NXN Midwest regionals. And if you’re not satisfied with comparing different distances, Keller ran an 11:09 at Maxwell Park in Normal for the IESA crown last year, which stands as the overall IESA women’s state record plus is a better 3200m returning time than anybody from last year. If these aren’t all convincing arguments that Keller is an undisputed favorite in this event, it’s hard to know who is!
3200m-
2013 State Champion: Brittney Burmester (Red Bud) 11:05.39
Key returners & capsules:
Kelsey Hildreth (Sr., Byron) 12:02.55 (14th overall)
Hildreth made a monumental statement as the 2013 1A cross country runner-up after not scoring the previous year. Now the solid senior is poised to have a monster year on the track. It’s hard to believe that Hildreth’s personal best is only 12:02- it’s actually laughable for the former swimmer. If all goes well this spring, she should be in position to beat everyone whose initials aren’t ASK in this event.
Daly Galloway (Fr., Gardner G.-South Wilmington) N/A
This freshman peaked really nicely for a third place at the cross country state meet with a time of 17:30. This means that Galloway progressed very well in the long stuff. She should be a factor here in the spring should she decide to partake in this event.
Rachel Devereux (Sr., Decatur St. Teresa) N/A
While as an 800m runner last year, Devereux’s 3200 prowess proves to be much more of a factor, posting an 11:23 in the Okaw Conference meet. Rather than risk missing out in the finals again in the 800, it would make sense from a coaching perspective for her to run the 3200 with both Ivy Handley and Megan Burgener gone and the need for reconsideration of event specialists for the Bulldogs. It will be interesting to see who they run in this event if it isn’t Devereux.
Haley Miller (Sr., Tremont) 11:26.20 (4th overall)
Miller enjoyed a strong cross country season that resulted in all-state accolades. But we all know that her main strength lies in this event where she placed the second best out of everyone returning last year. Watch for her to rack up big points for the Turks this fall.
Deanna Deterding (Jr., Red Bud) 11:40.03 (8th overall)
While not the best returner from this event, Deterding has shown nice improvement finishing in the top ten at a fast 2013 1A state showing. Watch for her to be in the chase pack behind ASK.
Lea Viano (Sr., Carlinville) 11:25.40 (3rd overall)
It was unfortunate that Viano missed out on all-state honors during the xc finals. That disappointment and being the last of the Viano clan to run high school track should be enough ammo to produce a monster year. Besides the numbers don't lie her numbers as she returns as the top runner.
Jess Clarke (Sr.), Downs (Tri-Valley) 11:58.38 (12th overall)
Clarke made some major improvement from track to finish all-state in cross country. Expect her to be in the mix this year.
Colleen Madden (So., Carlinville) 11:37.06 (7th overall)
Madden should have a solid season again in this event.
Bree Tschosik (Jr.), Decatur (St. Teresa) N/A
The Milesplit Illinois fifth runner of the year returns with an 11:51.56 time that should get rocked sometime this season. Tschosik will probably concentrate her efforts this season in this event despite other teammates who have faster personal bests. Whatever the outcome, the potential to be one of the best distance runners this season is there.
800m-
’13 State Champion: Cassie Mundekis (Jr., Midwest Central) 2:14.77
Key returners and newcomers:
Cassie Mundekis
The defending champion is one of the best 800m in the entire state regardless of classfication. The goal of hitting the 2:10 mark is a reality if good weather and health remain intact.
Quincy McSweeney (Jr., Eureka) 2:18.79 (3rd overall)
McSweeney is the best returner besides the defending champion. Watch for her to bring the upset!
Taylor Edwards (Jr., Arcola) 2:19.82 (4th overall)
Edwards has no shortage of state finalist experience and always seems to put it together for the last two years. Keep an eye out!
Annemarie Michael (Fr., Urbana (University) N/A
As a recent IESA record holder, running a 2:21.17 over not only Bastert’s original record but ASK’s record-breaking effort in the same race, she is one to keep an eye on this event if she decides to continue on with it and not instead pursue the longer distances.
Courtney Monier (So., LeRoy) 2:20.55 (6th overall)
Watch this 400/800 specialist do her thing!
Emily Schilling (Jr., Shabbona (Indian Creek) 2:20.62 (7th overall)
Looks to be every bit as much of a threat in this event as she is in the 1600!
Rylee Fishel (So., Arcola) 2:20.65 (8th overall)
Watch for Fishel and teammate Edwards to push each other!
Becca Wert (Jr.), Aurora (A. Christian) 2:28.98 (12th overall)
Wert ran a nice preliminary time of 2:20.7, but didn’t quite piece it together in the finals. She will be looking to place well this spring!
Morgan Powers (So.,) 2:22.06 (9th overall)
As the seventh best returner, Powers should definitely be in the mix this spring!
Aurora Breedan (Jr.), Carterville 2:22.54 (10th overall)
Breedan ran a better time of 2:21.97 in the prelims and showed up to state with sub 19 marks so there’s no question about her fitness by this spring!
1600m-
’13 State Champion: Julie James (El Paso-Gridley) 5:13.21
Key returners and newcomers with outlook:
Anna Sophia Keller (Fr., Effingham (St. Anthony) N/A
If Keller does this event (and there’s not too much of a reason why she wouldn’t), it’s her tired legs versus most likely the fresher legs of others. We all know what she can do with fresh legs as she ran a 5:03.8 at IESA state last spring, breaking Katelyn Bastert’s record. Incidentally this is better than the winning time for last year’s race, and almost a straightaway length ahead of the top returning time. There’s no question that she can pull off the win fresh, but pulling off the double up with the 3200—while it has been done before by less dominating athletes—may still be a challenge against fresh athletes.
Annemarie Michael (Fr., Urbana (University) N/A
If Michael tries this event out fresh, there’s no question that she does have a shot to win this, especially because she’s beaten ASK in shorter distances before, even on a double up herself. She returns with a 5:14.34.
Emily Schilling (Jr., Shabbona (Indian Creek) 5:18.23 (5th overall)
As the number one returner from this race, Schilling also looks to place really well in this event!
Kelsey Hildreth (Sr., Byron) 5:32.68 (prelims)
Based on sound cross country improvement, Hildreth should be able to double up well into the chase pack!
Savannah Ames (Sr., Belleville (Althoff Catholic) 5:20.10 (6th overall)
Ames’ cross country all-state status indicates good health going into this event!
Haley Miller (Sr., Tremont) 5:20.99 (7th overall)
Miller doubled up well in this event once before; she can do it again!
Daly Galloway (Fr., Gardner (G.-South Wilmington) N/A
Galloway ran a 5:26.22 to finish third in the 1A IESA 1600 finals as an eighth grader last year. One has to wonder how much faster she would have ran if she had a bit more competition to fill up that gap between her and Michael. Also, how she places will depend on how well she can double up from the 3200
Rachel Devereux (Sr., Decatur St. Teresa) N/A
While Devereux didn’t do the 1600 last year for state, she did run a 11:25.15/5:21.63 double in the Rochester Invite, which would put her right in the scoring mix this year with the incoming freshmen talent.
Danielle Aurit (Sr., Ottawa (Marquette) 5:23.35 (9th overall)
Aurit should be seen in the chase pack this spring.
Lea Viano (Sr., Carlinville) 5:28.62 (10th overall)
Viano is another competitor who likes to double up. She ran 5:21.48 in the prelims so expect her to run extremely well this season.
