Josie Welin en route to her first state title in the 3200m last month in Charleston
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This is has been an extraordinary season for girls distance running. It is a fact that cannot be disputed. From the moment the athletes were allowed to compete in meets back in January, some lofty performances were put up. Chicago Latin junior Ava Parekh led the way with a time of 10:14.63. It was one of the fastest ever marks during the undercover season.
Fast forward to the outdoor season and Oak Park-River Forest junior Josephine Welin took over the front running duties. The 3A state champion went undefeated in this discipline as well as pulled several girls under 10:20- clocking the fourth-fastest time in state history with a blistering 10:03.72. Parekh followed by the upstart Mary Grace Hegberg of Arlington Heights St. Viator. In all, there were 20 girls that broke 11:00.
