The girls distance fields at the 2016 state meet was fierce- especially in the 800 prelims
2016 State Champion: Maryjeanne Gilbert (Peoria Notre Dame) 10:47.47
Key returners: Grace McLaughlin (Sr., Rockford Boylan), Maya Stovall (So., Macomb), Delaney Appino (Sr., Rockford Boylan), Grace Breitbach (Jr., Peoria Notre Dame), Libby Cultra (Jr., Urbana), Ayah Aldadah (Jr., Dunlap), Jenna Schwartz (So., Waterloo), Megan Safranski (Jr., Burlington Central)
Outlook: There are lots of mixed feelings here. There are classifications drop ins/dropouts, defectors, and kids who don't want to compete in this event when it's crunch time. The best 2A distance runner actually competes in 3A for track. That person is Jenna Lutzow (Belvidere North). How about the cross country runner up Delaney Appino? She has never officially recorded a time outdoors and only one inside. There is no indication that should would give up her 800 and 1600 status to and bust out some times here. Instead watch for her teammate Grace McLaughlin to challenge for her first state title. McLaughlin finished in the runner up spot over Maya Stovall. Stovall runs in Class A for cross country where she earned all-state honors. It will be interesting to see how this event eventually turns out with some freshmen presence. Gillian Fiene of Illiana Christian is one. She was the second highest underclassmen at the state cross country meet with a 7th place finish. A key figure in the field is Jenna Schwartz. She run in last year's state meet and finished 13th in the "slow section." Megan Safranski won the same section with Schwartz. She also placed 8th in the state in cross country.
Top marks in 2016-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11:02.66 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 11:09.07 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 11:13.00 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 11:13.50 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 11:14.67 | 2018 |
The defending state 2-lap champ Rachel Hickey is back (Mark Capapas photo)
800m-
2016 State Champion: Rachel Hickey (Jr., Lasalle-Peru) 2:15.41
Key returners: Hickey, Delaney Appino (Sr., Rockford Boylan), Madeline Bruce (Sr., Marion), Kayla Schiera (Jr., Sandwich), Kelly Mindak (Sr., Marian Catholic), Lauren Katz (Jr., Vernon Hills), Gabby Kreykes (Sr., Illiana Christian), Hailey Tranchitella (Sr., Washington), Abby Fioresi (Sr., Aurora Central Catholic)
Outlook: A strong cast of middle distance flyers return as in 8 of the top 10 state finalists. One of those in the flock is defending state champion Rachel Hickey. Hickey was a surprise to many observers despite only losing one race all season. Hickey has been a consistent performer over the past several years, finishing runner up as a sophomore. It's hard to believe that one of the state's top distance runners has opted to concentrate on the middle distances. Delaney Appino is a two-time state finalist in this realm and she may be in love here. Whether or not Abby Fioresi takes this event serious outdoors, you must consider her a big threat. Fioresi has the fastest indoor mark at 2:14.35. She copped second place to her former teammate Karina Liz at Illinois Top Times. Quality infantry women like Madeline Bruce and Kayla Schiera will certainly have their boots on the ground. It may take a 2:11 effort by the season in order to obtain the queen status.
Top 2016 performances-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2:14.12 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 2:15.42 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 2:16.30 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 2:17.41 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 2:17.89 | 2017 |
Abby Fioresi is one of the top milers returning this season (Mark Capapas photo)
1600m-
2016 State Champion: Maryjeanne Gilbert (Peoria Notre Dame) 4:53.68
Key returners: Delaney Appino (Rockford Boylan), Abby Fioresi (Sr., Aurora Central Catholic), Katherine Petty (So., Rochester), Franny Verville (Jr., Dunlap), Katherine Petty (So., Rochester), Shelby Siltman (Sr., Stanford Olympia), Maya Stovall (So., Macomb)
Outlook: The great Maryjeanne Gilbert put a lasting stamp on her remarkable career when she broke the 5:00 barrier for the first time. Her performance was one of the all-time best efforts in state meet history. Now it's up to a deep returning field (8 are back) to set the pace. It appears as though Delaney Appino and Abby Fioresi will be at the top of the class here. Ironically, they are among the best overall distance runners in all disiciplines (800 up to cross country). But there is a feeling the spotlight distance event is going to be the "mile." In essence, the girls are improving at a rapid rate. Appino broke 5:00 last year and Fioresi took 3rd at state at 5:00.10. They will be running 4:55 or better this season. Look for a bevy of girls to run well under the state qualifying standard 5:22.
Top 2016 performances-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4:59.40 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 5:00.10 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 5:08.56 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 5:09.13 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 5:10.40 | 2019 |