1600m
2019 State Champion: Katelynne Hart (Sr., Glen Ellyn [Glenbard West]) 4:52.99
Key Returners: Hart, Katrina Schlenker (So., Batavia), Campbell Petersen (Jr., Naperville North), Sam Poglitsch (Jr., Wheaton Warrenville South), Emma Watcke (Sr., Hinsdale Central), Erin Reidy (Sr., Downers Grove South), Brooke Stromsland (Jr., Lake Villa [Lakes]), Molly Fitzpatrick (Jr., Barrington), Alyssa Norris (Sr., Barrington), Aly Negovetich (So., Fox Lake [Grant]), Maggie Gamboa (Jr., Naperville North), Kennedy Warden (Sr., Downers Grove South)
Outlook: It's a bit difficult in determining Hart's best event on the oval, but it appears that this is her best event in terms of success and productivity. The state's greatest miler of all-time should be able to maintain her stronghold on things. Many witnessed her US #3 1600m time of 4:38.00 last June, but it's hard to imagine anyone reaching her level.
The real question will be on the back of the pack girls, which features four girls who went sub-4:55 -- Schlenker, Petersen, Poglitsch, and Watcke. Could we see a second Illinois girl go sub 4:50 this season?
Unfortunately, Schlenker and Petersen had rocky cross country seasons, but hopefully, they'll return to be the great milers we knew them like last season. Ten returners have run sub-5:00, and four more ran 5:00 flat, so we could be seeing more than 15 sub-5:00 milers in 3A this season. And again, there is room for freshmen to enter the scene as well.