In two years we may look back at the class of 2025 as one of the special groups of this era
STATS I NEWS
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Last year at this time Mia Kotler was taking the middle-school ranks by storm. As an eighth-grader Kotler polished off an undefeated season amid the stressors of Covid-19 at the Shazam XC Championships. The distance in junior high is typically two miles and when she logged 11:57 to defeat Stella Davis of Evanston Haven Middle School by ten seconds, it meant Chicago Latin HS was getting another talented runner.
The pressure of 2021 was significantly lessened by the omnipresence of her superstar teammate and multiple All-American senior Ava Parekh. With media attention and expectations on Parekh, passing lessons good and bad down to Kotler was seamless.
In her three-mile season debut at the Hinsdale Hornet-Devil Invitational, Kotler took the starting line of the freshman-sophomore race and won in 17:40. It was a smooth 15-second win complete with a smile. "We have Ava on the team and she has been my mentor-leader forever," said Kotler afterward.
Kotler was among the Premium 25 girls throughout the season which were initially propelled by stellar back-to-back Peoria Detweiller performances: FTTF (2nd/17:30), Richard Spring (16th/17:25).
Competing in the 2A classification, meant facing a bevy of tough runners other than Parekh. Kotler appeared to peak at the right time entering the post-season. It was a trio of runner-up finishes at the conference, regional, and sectional rounds that propelled the following a weekend later in Peoria for the IHSA State Championship.
At the state championship, many predicted Kotler to be among the top five performers. She did not disappoint. As her teammate, Parekh, Arlington Heights St. Viator senior Mary Grace Hegberg, and several other girls set a strong opening pace, Kotler held back but stayed within earshot of the top-tier runners.
It was a sensational performance over the second half of the race that enabled Kotler to avenge a loss to Chicago Northside Prep Elia Ton-That. She was sitting in second place and about five seconds in the back of her mentor with less than a mile to go. The final result was a tremendous third place in 16:41. Kotler set the school freshmen record and it is believed to be the seventh fastest time for a ninth-grader.
Now, the seeds have been planted for Kotler's future. Perhaps we will be looking at another state champion from Latin next year.
Honorable mention: Holly Johnson (Fr., Downers Grove South), Scout Storms (Fr., Barrington), Hadley Ferrero (Fr., Crystal Lake Central), Louisa Wilson (Fr., Williamsville)