3200m
2019 State Champion: Jordan Harmon (Tolono Unity) 11:09.06
Key Athletes: Tatum David (Fr., Olney [Richland County]), Ava Parekh (So., Chicago [Latin]), Lianna Surtz (So., Aurora [Rosary]), Lydia Roller (Jr., Staunton), Olivia Rosenstein (Sr., Urbana), Katie Castelli (Jr., Arlington Heights [St. Viator]), Rachel Koon (So., Monticello), Anna Perry (So., Eureka), Emma Skinner (So., Morton)
Outlook: 2019 will likely be the last season in the foreseeable future with a state-winning time of 11:xx. The 3200m will again feature the competition between David, Parekh, and Surtz, however, it seems like this event plays to David's strengths the best as it's a highly endurance-based event.
It's hard to imagine Tatum David not being the top runner in the 2A 3200m after her outstanding cross country season, finishing All-American at both national races. Her 10:29 two-mile split at Detweiler en route to a 16:04 three-mile finish came within two seconds of Parekh's 3200m PR. Once David runs a proper 3200m on the track, her accomplishments will be breathtaking, although we have yet to see this yet in 2020.
Ava Parekh had a jaw-dropping freshman career, especially on the track. Her accomplishments include an IL #2 returning 3200m time of 10:27.35 -- which was also US #49 -- New Balance Nationals Outdoor title in the freshman two-mile and the 1A state title in the 3200m. Parekh put down the most serious 2-mile effort in the state this year at the Kentucky High School Invite at 10:29.
Lianna Surtz should not be discounted either. Her endurance seems to match Parekh's, and the 2019 track season is not a good indicator of Surtz's abilities since she has never all-out raced a 3200m during to recovering from injury. Hopefully, she stays healthy this season, and if so, she should be able to compete closely with Parekh.
A notable breakout performance from indoors is Amelia Mclain, who actually owns the 2A state-leading 3200 time in 11:02 right now (note: Parekh's converted time would be 10:27, but was not registered officially). Mclain is a North Florida commit, and this time dropped her 3200 best by almost a half minute, firmly placing her in the mix for a top all-state spot.
Some have said this classification can hold its own in terms of depth with 3A. That is a stretch of course but there are some quality girls to consider. Olivia Rosenstein and Lydia Roller are two at the top of the list in terms of returning value. Rosenstein placed second last spring by a stride and followed things up with a fourth-place finish at state on grass. Consistency appears to be her biggest asset and if that can continue she will run much faster than 11:06 this season. Roller is in a similar spot producing great efforts every time out. She is capable of dropping some major fire this season and it will be fun watching her compete here. She has run 11:11 this season already.