The Glenbard West 'surrogates' Lindsey Payne and Katelynne Hart have propelled their team in each race this season (Mark Capapas photo)
Girls-
Teams: #1 Glenbard West, #2 Naperville North, #3 Yorkville, #4 Minooka, #7 Wheaton-Warrenville South, #9 Naperville (Neuqua Valley), #12 Metea Valley, #18 Hinsdale Central, #19 Naperville Central, Waubonsie Valley
For the girls it's not 1, it's not 2, it's not 3, it's the top 4 teams in the large 3A classification that are entered in what is considered the meet of the year outside of the state championship. Last year then #1 Naperville North won This meet will once again thrill a large crowd with the absolute best teams in the state. This meet is so loaded that 9 of the 10 entrants are ranked and it is in a sense a state championship preview. Glenbard West has blitzed through every meet this season on the strength of the state's numero uno tandem junior Lindsey Payne and freshman Katelynne Hart. They have been unstoppable since their introductory meet at Hinsdale Hornet-Devil Invitational. The Hilltoppers have shown themselves to be more than a one two punch as #3 runner sophomore Katie Hohe has been the bridge from top to bottom.
Naperville North do not have a star athlete like record holder Judy Pendergast this year, but they appear to have more balance from top to bottom.The Huskies have five girls who has broken 19:00 which is a sign of a good pack. At the recent Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota, the Huskies earned a fifth place finish by junior Sarah Schmitt. Behind her was a strong pack of teammates that closed things out in 1:16 and with it came a third place trophy in one of the top invites in the country.
Pre-season #1 Minooka is ready to duel in this affair according to coach Kevin Gummerson. "[There is] nothing like mid-week battle like this," he said with supremacy enthusiasm. "We are looking to use this another battle to get us ready for the state series. I am looking to see how the team responds to this level of competition. I can't wait!" The Indians of course have the state's best trio in Ashley Tutt (Sr.), Emily Shelton (Jr.), and Mackenzie Callahan (Sr.). They of course usually finish in the top 5-10 in every race. Minooka is waiting patiently for fifth runner Julia Dames to develop. She is only a freshman running two minutes behind her leaders.
Yorkville lost to Naperville North by a point at the FTTF 82-81. It was close all around battle with composite times, scoring split and grit. The Lady Foxes usually band together throughout the race producing scoring splits under 1:00 like in a dominating performance at Palatine Invite several weeks ago.. They could be victorious if #1 runner sophomore Nicole Greyer can get the scoring pack to stay close. Senior Alexis Grandys has had tremendous success in her career, but that BIG performance of the season has not arrived yet.
The individual race will be a rematch of sorts between Payne, Hart, Tutt, Shelton, and Callahan. When they met at Hinsdale on the first weekend invite racing weekend in early September, it was Payne who pulled away in the last half mile for the victory. Tutt was runner up and Hart third in her introductory race. That was the last time Hart lost a race. She has adapted well to big time cross country and will go into this meet as a slight favorite.
2015 varsity girls race highlights