The unstoppable force known as Katelynne Hart will be on the attack in 2018 Track (Alan Vershaw photo)
3200m-
2017 State Champion: Katelynne Hart (So., Glenbard West) 10:32.33
Key Returners: Hart, Lindsey Payne (Sr., Glenbard West), Sarah Schmitt (Sr., Naperville North), Emily Shelton (Sr., Minooka), Alex Morris (Jr., Naperville North), Shanice Garbutt (Sr., Danville), Jocelyn Long (Sr., Barrington), Melissa Manetsch (Sr., Libertyville), Enyaeva Michelin (Sr., Evanston), Brett Chody (Sr., Lake Forest)
Season Outlook:
So where do we start? The girls distance scene in general and especially in Illinois has elevated itself to such a high level over the past several years. It seems like historic marks are getting touched every year now. One thing is for certain is that Katelynne Hart is still very young in her high school career but she is incredibly smart and mature. Her smarts allow her to push and let off on the gas. Her maturity factor is she is built like a distance tank. Perfect mechanics and non traditional distance training leaping years ahead of most of her peers. Not expect to race as much indoors and maybe even during the outdoor season. The long range goal is to be ready for 2019 and 2020. All distance records will be blasted into outer space when she is done.
Sarah Schmitt is clearly a different runner right now than last year. Don't look at her as a brides maid to Hart or Enyaeva Michelin either. After all she arguably had one of the top 5 cross country seasons in Illinois history. She finished in the top 5 of every race last fall which except Footlocker and Nike Cross Nationals. The only athlete with a better feat was Hart and Judy Pendergast of Naperville North. If Schmitt concentrates here look a time in the upper 10:10s or lower 10:20s easy. As for Michelin, she will probably run a few races to bolster her personal best resume. Not too much more than that.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10:14.47 | 2020 | ||
| 2 | 10:31.74 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 10:33.81 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 10:35.34 | 2019 | ||
| 5 | 10:37.38 | 2018 |
The middle distance arena is going to be very fierce this season
800m-
2017 State Champion: Emily Stegmeier (Elk Grove)
Key Returners: Stephanie Kriss (Highland Park), Madison Marasco (Sr., Schaumburg), Enyaeva Michelin (Sr., Evanston), Katelynne Hart (Glenbard West), Avyril Johnson (Sr., Libertyville), Emma Milburn (Sr., Lake Forest)
Season Outlook: The top four placers from last year's state championship have graduated. No problem. There are so many good runners in line to step up and have monster seasons. To be honest the top 800m girls ran the mile/1600 or the 4x800. In Katelynne Hart's case she dabbled in the event and still ran IL#1 2:14.09 indoors! Word on the street is Hart is sharpening her speed blades and wants to get into the ultra elite world of racing. That means she wants to run under 2:08-2:09. It can happen. Enyaeva Michelin secretly put up a 2:11 mark in a low key summer club race enroute to the USATF Nationals. Running fast is what it is about in this event. Foot speed is not as important for girls as it for boys, so many more girls with tremendous distance accumen can burn the track up fast. Look for Maddie Marasco to get to fast times and placement like her sophomore season. She was on the mend for quite a bit of last year. Will she run the relay in addition to the open or put some effort in the 1600? She is strong enough to try for fast marks in the 3200 as well. List leader Stephanie Kriss should be more seasoned. Savannah Noethlich showed her true potential when fresh and off the relay. Same with Reilly Revord.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2:12.83 | 2020 | ||
| 2 | 2:13.74 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 2:13.85 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 2:14.04 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 2:14.20 | 2020 |
Katelynne Hart has learned to adjust to when rare circumstances come her way (Mark Capapas photo)
1600m-
2017 State Champion: Katelynne Hart 4:51.54
Key Returners: Hart, Enyaeva Michelin (Evanston) Olivia Niziolek (Sr., Maine South), Hannah Ricci (Sr., Naperville North), Grace McCabe (Sr., Hinsdale Central), Jocelyn Long (Sr., Barrington), Reilly Revord (Sr., Hinsdale Central), Sarah Schmitt (Sr., Naperville Central), Madison Marasco (Schaumburg)
Season Outlook: The deepest event in Illinois is the "mile" and it is going to be very fast! We may see some all time record breaking performances at the state meet level. Certainly it will come in invites dotted all over the state. Katelynne Hart ran the fastest time ever for an IL freshman at last year's Magis Miles. She will be just as fit and strong this season. She is reportedly going to forgo some meets to prep for the big post season affairs. Sharpening her foot speed will be on the agenda. After what Katelyn Tuohy did last week in Virginia recently who could blame her. Enyaeva Michelin is ready to dominant and stop Hart's exploits. Michelin ran 4:32.51 to win the USATF JO's 1500m. That time is incredible! With a renewed endurance base and 2:11 half mile speed, be on the look out.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4:44.92 | 2020 | Magis Miles1st | |
| 2 | 4:54.85 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 4:55.66 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 4:55.78 | 2018 | Magis Miles1st | |
| 5 | 4:57.97 | 2018 |