Who Is #1: Class 3A Girls Individual Sneak Peek

Oct 10, 2016

Freshman phenom Katelynne Hart is the latest Glenbard West distance prodigy

Editor's Note: This is a subjective sneak peek of the upcoming top 25 individuals that will be listed in order after regionals. The final product (premium edition) will include full athlete profiles generated by the computer as well as in-depth thoughts co-signed by MileSplit IL editors.

A. Brooke Wilson (Sr.) Prospect

- IL #3 time wise (16:52) along with three victories this season (Peoria, Fenton, Libertyville Invites) makes Wilson a state championship candidate; runner up finish at Palatine Invite; Long is running extremely well this season. Will battle Jocelyn Long at MSL championship and the winner should have the inside track to threaten Payne and Hart. Wilson beat Long at Palatine.

B. Jocelyn Long (Jr.) Barrington

-Only one loss (3rd pace at Palatine Invite) this season has kept Long out of the perfect column; won FTTF, St. Charles East Leavy Invite, Wheeling Invite. Long has won most of her races by a large margin this season including a 18 second margin over IL #6 Melissa Manetsch of Libertyville. Long is looking forward avenging her loss to Brooke Wilson.

C. Lindsey Payne (Sr.) Glenbard West

-One of the state's premier distance runners over the past three seasons. Only losses this season is to teammate freshmen Katelynne Hart. Strong front runner as well as sit and kick style racer demonstrator as of now. Although Payne has run IL #2 16:51, she has yet to run her best race of the season. The upcoming WSC Silver Championship is the state's top conference this season. This meet will forecast a glimpse into the state series.

D. Katelynne Hart (Fr.) Glenbard West

-The freshman sensation has taken the cross country scene by storm right out of the gate. Hart is undefeated since finishing third in her season debut at the Hinsdale Invite. Aside from having the state's mark of 16:49, Hart has beaten a stellar field of talented runners. Not lost in the sauce is her tremendous leg speed which has separated her from teammate Lindsey Payne in the final stages of the last few competitions.

E. Emily Shelton (Jr.) Minooka

-As a member of the state's top trio "the triplets" Shelton has at times branched off as a premier individual talent. She has blazed 10:36 for 3200m on the track. This cross country season has saw her finish behind the vaulted Glenbard West duo of Payne and Hart three times. Shelton has run a season best 17:06 so far on the campaign.