The iron willed Madeline "Maddie" Perez will be aiming to retain her 3200m and 1600m state titles this spring
There is no doubt that we are in the midst of a girls distance running renaissance nationally with all-time performances led by Mary Cain (Sr., Bronxville, NY), Alexa Efraimson (Jr., Camas, WA), and Sarah Baxter (Sr., Simi Valley, CA). But locally where things matter more, the homegrown girls have done very well in recent years. There have been long-time state records broken to All-American status in cross country and track achieved. No longer are the Illinois distance girls used as a door mat. Instead they will do the stepping on. Expect that to continue this season in all three events.
3200m-
2013 State Champion: Madeline Perez (Sr., Glen Ellyn Glenbard West) 10:22.29
Key returners: Perez, Mimi Smith (Jr., Winnetka New Trier), Lindsay Graham (So., Glen Ellyn Ellen Glenbard West), Lisa Luczak (Jr., Glen Ellyn Glenbard West), Carly Krull (Sr., Orland Park Sandburg), Kaitlyn Ko (So., Buffalo Grove), Elly DeTurris (Jr., Naperville North), Lauren Van Vlierbergen (Jr., Algonquin Jacobs), Kelly O’Brien (So., Palatine), Katie Hoffman (Jr., Naperville Central), Haley Albers (Sr., Downers Grove South), Ashley England (Sr., St. Charles North), Skyler Bollinger (So., Yorkville).
Possible newcomers: Alexa Haff (Fr., Hinsdale Central), Mary Blankemeier (Fr., Oak Park-River Forest), Morgan Bollinger (Fr., Lockport), Ellie O’Connell (Fr., Schaumburg).
Outlook: The 2013 track and field season for distance runners was an incredibly deep one as was the previous several years. This quick assessment probably means that 2014 is going to be another barn burning affair. Let’s start the chatter with the defending champion Madeline Perez who had a memorable year that ended as one of the best of all time. Perez ran a variety of events throughout the indoor and outdoor season before tackling the long stuff and dominating it. Her defining moment may have been the icy performance at the Downers Grove North Ritter Invite when she ran 10:27 and absolutely killed the competition in frigid conditions.
Word on the street is that Mimi Smith may be concentrating more of her time in the deuce- the 3A state cross country champion Mimi Smith that is. If you recall, Smith spent the majority of her time running the 1600m and sharing duties on the 4x800 relay. Perhaps, it was by design that she has been a “novice” with a personal best of 11:00.10. The great Ackerman twins Jessica and Courtney gobbled up the track much of the time. It is now Mimi time and she will be a threat to win each time she steps on the track. It will be interesting to see Mimi’s growth in this event this season.
Alas, it is going to be a dog eat dog world with the amount of depth returning as well as emerging talent from just six months ago. A quick sampling will put a scare into you with the likes of newcomers Alex Haff, Morgan Bollinger, and Mary Blankemeier. How about Lauren Van Vlierbergen and Kelly O’Brien? Or how about Glenbard West girls Lisa Luczak and Lindsay Graham on your heels. We think you got the picture.
800m-
2013 State Champion: Courtney Clayton (Sr., Rockton Hononegah) 2:07.05R
Key returners: Kathryn Adelman (Sr., Geneva), Tami Cardenas (Jr., O’Fallon), Alyssa Vogt (So., Frankfort Lincoln-Way East), Molly Krawczykowski (Sr., Willowbrook), Corrin Adams (Sr., St. Charles East), Moira McAsey (Sr., Minooka), Lauren Van Vlierbergen (Jr., Algonquin Jacobs), Skyler Bollinger (So., Yorkville), Alexandra “Alex” Martel (Sr., Chicago Lane Tech).
Outlook: The unstoppable Courtney Clayton (Rockton Hononegah) finally took down one of track’s most ancient records with an electrifying performance that was one for the ages… now a new era is ushered in and it make take several years to get up to speed and perform on the name brand of yesteryear. There doesn’t seem to be a frontrunner after a huge graduation exodus. The top girls returning have been primarily 4x800 relay leg runners like Lauren Van Vlierbergen who ran 2:13. However, she spent her time on the relay and in the 1600m. Will she see this huge opening as an opportunity to be the best? Think about it: the 3200m is deep and congested; the 1600m has Mimi Smith and Maddie Perez to contend with. Van Vlierbergen and company will probably experiment a few times during the indoor season and early outdoor campaign before making the state championship run. Kathryn Adelman is the top returner from last year’s state meet with a sixth place finish. Adelman only ran 2:17.94 in the final but has a personal best of 2:15.99. She is in line for a huge year as some pundits have to wonder aloud. Keep an eye out for returning all-staters Tami Cardenas, Molly Krawczykowski, and Alyssa Vogt.
1600m
2013 State Champion: Madeline Perez (Sr., Glen Ellyn Glenbard West) 4:52.24
Key returners: Perez, Christina Santiago (Sr., Prospect), Lauren VanVlierbergen (Jr., Algonquin Jacobs), Mimi Smith (Jr., Winnetka New Trier), Skyler Bollinger (So., Yorkville), Meagan Biddle (So., Hoffman Estates), Lisa Luczak (Jr., Glen Ellyn Glenbard West).
Outlook: A healthy Maddie Perez has to be the favorite race in and race out after producing a solid 4:52.21. The goal this season is to get under 4:48 and etch her name alongside the greats of all-time in this state. That is where Perez belongs and her friends and foes all know that. The returning field is strong as well with four other girls running under 5:00 on the strength of Lauren VanVlierbergen, Christina Santiago, Skyler Bollinger, and Mimi Smith. They all could get down to the 4:50-52 range this season.