Jenna Schwartz traveled to the Chicagoland area last April for the Distance Night in Palatine
3200m-
2018 State Champion: Jenna Schwartz (Sr., Waterloo) 11:01.86
Key returners: Schwartz, Aspen Gordon (Sr., Morton), Lydia Roller (So., Staunton), Kylie Hagmann (Sr., Woodstock), Alyssa McPike (Sr., Monticello), Amelia McLain (Jr., Benton), Emma Argo (Sr., Eureka)
Outlook: There are several things to sort out here and most of it lies in the hands of the IHSA. Gone is Campbell Petersen to Naperville North. Petersen had transferred during the summer and made a splash with her team. Others have also moved on but Schwartz appears ready to have another big season. Along the way to winning the state title, she held her own against the best in the state. The big break for the Southern Illinoisian was a second place finish at the Distance Night In Palatine in 10:44.40- third fastest returning time. Schwartz indicated that she wants to repeat her state title run in the 10:20s this season.
Welcome newcomer Lianna Surtz to the fold. Last year at this time she was a precocious eighth grade tearing up the distance scene in preparation for Aurora (Rosary) and the IHSA. Surtz did not disappoint in her first season of cross country. She sustained a high level of intensity competing against and beating the majority of the state's elite runners including Schwartz in the state meet. Surtz advanced to the Nike Cross Nationals and missed earning All-American honors by four seconds.
Emma Argo- Class A champion has to be considered here even though her resume is very light running the event. The fact that she performed marvelously throughout the fall means so much. Argo went undefeated and was considered a top 10 distance runner all season regardless of classification. Will Argo surprise us all and change course from the 4x8 relay and race the "deuce" in prime time?
Aspen Gordon- returns from an all-state cross country campaign and has the second fastest time on the track in 11:10.71
Lydia Roller- enjoyed a nearly flawless season on the grass competing in 1A and placing second in a personal best 17:18; #3 returner from the state meet
Kylie Hagmann- 10th place in xc final
Amelia McLain- made big strides during the fall placing in the top 5 of Class A xc state meet. Confidence and maturity will be put to the test in May.