800m-
Defending Champion:
Marianne Mihas, Chicago (Latin), 2:15.02
Key Returners: Gabby Alongi (Sr., DuQuion (H.S.), Maleigha Huston (Jr., Bushnell (B.-Prairie City),
Kennedy Calcagno (So.), Elmhurst (IC Catholic), Caydee Kirkham (So.), Carthage
(Illini West), Lexy Henrikson (Sr.), Williamsville, Lydia Camp (Sr., Elgin
(Harvest Christian Academy)), Breena Shreeves (Sr., Knoxville), Olivia Phillips (So., DuQuoin), Lexy Henrikson (Sr.,
Williamsville)
Outlook: Alongi is the fastest returner (2:15.26 at Festival of Miles) in the 800 in 1A this season and runner-up in the state final. Alongi also boasts the state's #1 for 1A from indoors (2:19.61). She is the favorite, with Camp and Huston as the only other returners to have broken 2:20 entering this season. Huston was all-state last year, but Camp only entered in Harvest Christian's Relays, so she appears set to be in a position to score individually this year. Olivia Phillips and Lexy Henrikson have put themselves on the map with sub-2:24 performances indoors as well.