Distance Running 360: How Did 2020-21 Class 2A XC Girls Do?

ILLINOIS XC 2021: PRESEASON PREVIEW SERIES

Jul 27, 2021

High school sports are 360 degrees in nature- a full circle if you will. Most long-distance runners will begin their quest during the early months of summer training for cross country. The three months of training that kids put in are an attempt to run in the state championship in November. They will go on and compete in Nike Cross Nationals, Foot Locker, or some other post-season meet for the few lucky ones.

But what has been lost in the sauce is the entire school calendar which runs through the winter indoor campaign and finally back around to the all-important outdoor track and field season. We wanted to chronicle the beginning and end. Obviously, some athletes get lazy after the cross country season or hurt. Some may choose to play other sports in the spring.

(Disclaimer: we will use the unofficial state championship, the Shazam 5K XC Championships as guidelines)

1	Ava Parekh- won the 3200m state title, 4th in the 800m, 1600m state runner-up, 5th- 4x400; PBs: 10:16.73, 4:46.20, 2:14.92	11	Chicago Latin High School	17:39.12	1
2	Brooke Stromsland- competed in 3A; 4th in 3200m (10:52.88)	12	Lakes High School	18:01.40	2
3	Olivia Syftestad- placed 7th in 3200m (11:16.04); PBs: 5:15.10, 2:27.37	12	Chicago Latin High School	18:39.20	3
4	Marianne Mihas- 800m state champ, anchored 4x800 to win, 4th in 400m (57.44), 5th- 4x400; PBs:2:07.4:45.48	12	Chicago Latin High School	18:39.78	4
5	Bella Domier- competed in 3A; ran on 4th place 4x800, 800m state runner-up (2:12.64), took 14th in 1600m; PBs: 11:09.75, 5:00.16, 59.05	9	Grayslake Central High School	18:41.88	5
6	Kaitlin Skeate- competed in 3A; placed 21st in 3200m; PBs: 11:22.80, 5:23.30	12	Bloomington High School	18:48.90	0
7	Reina Hill- did not compete outdoors	10	Vernon Hills High School	18:54.21	6
8	Isabella Gonzalez- did not advance to the state finals	10	Crystal Lake South High School	18:54.28	0
9	Colleen Zeibert- placed 3rd in 800m (2:13.99), 4th in 1600m (5:12.69); PB: 11:52.50	10	Rochester High School	18:58.19	0
10	Rachel Soukup- competed in 3A; placed 12th in 1600m (4:58.21); PBs: 11:15.80, 2:29.70	10	Prairie Ridge High School	18:58.45	7
11	Emma Skinner- did not advance to state finals	11	Morton High School	19:01.69	8
12	Becca Heitzig- 800m state runner-up (2:13.90), 15th- 1600m; PBs: 1600 (5:07.35), 3200 (11:24.60)	9	Lincoln High School	19:09.52	0
13	Rose Sheridan- did not advance to the state finals	10	Vernon Hills High School	19:09.55	9
14	Louisa Diamond- competed in 3A; ran on 11th place 4x800; PBs: 5:16.99, 11:41.02	10	Benet Academy	19:09.67	0
15	Maria Stedwill- Did not compete in track	10	Peoria Notre Dame High School	19:10.73	10
16	Anna Todd- Did not compete in state series	10	Vernon Hills High School	19:31.80	11
17	Colette Kinsella- Did not compete in track	10	Nazareth Academy	19:41.17	12
18	Ava Gorrie- Did not compete in track	9	Chatham-Glenwood High School	19:41.73	13
19	Kelly Andrews- Competed in 3A; ran a leg on the 11th place 4x800	12	Benet Academy	19:42.94	0
20	Kylie Haacke- Did not advance to the state finals	12	Mattoon High School	19:44.90	0
21	Katie Cahill- Placed 11th in 3200m; PBs: 11:34.08, 5:38.35	12	Fenwick High School	19:46.93	14
22	Madison Twarling- Competed in 3A; ran on 4x800 but was DQ'ed	9	Lakes High School	19:49.24	15
23	Rylee Lydon- Competed in 3A; won the 400m state title (56.25), 10th in 200m, HJ state runner-up (5'7"),	10	Prairie Ridge High School	19:49.35	16
24	Reagan Weichold- Did not compete in state series	12	Chatham-Glenwood High School	19:49.36	17
25	Jade Miller- Placed 13th in 1600m (5:23.28)	12	Dixon High School	19:52.49	0