It will be a different look and feel on Saturday without Anna Sophia Keller on the scene
Without the likes of graduated superstar and four-time champion Anna Sophia Keller (Effingham St. Anthony) in the mix, this race is wide open. Emma Argo from Eureka could be leading the charge. Argo took first in the Elmwood-Brimfield Sectional and has a nice resume. Argo finished 8th in last year's 1A meet with a time of 17:52. In addition, Argo also has run a decent mile on the track (5:16) so she should be able to battle at the finish.
Fran Hendrickson of Champaign St. Thomas More should also be in the race for the title. Hendrickson took first in the very competitive Carlinville Sectional.
Nygia Pollard from Elgin Harvest Christian Academy has yet to be defeated this season. She also ran a very impressive 17:53 to finish 9th in last year's state meet. I believe we will also need to keep an eye on a couple of runners from the deep south.
Benton's Mia McLain and Freeburg's Breanna Chandler went toe to toe at the Benton Sectional with McLain narrowly escaping with the win. McLain finished 10th in last year's state meet and is getting better with each meet. Chandler is a 400/800 meter specialist on the track and could benefit from the long finish at Detweiller.
Others to keep an eye on include: Lydia Roller from Staunton who finished a close 2nd to Hendrickson at Carlinville, Caroline Bachert from Tolono Unity and the Rock Falls twosome of Bailee Fortney and Alex Gomez. Jordan Harmon would be one of the favorites if she is healthy and has been able to keep her fitness up after dealing with a strained foot the past few weeks.