The look of determination on Grace Schager's face as she closes in on the finish line at the state meet
STATS I NEWS
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In 2020, at the 3A Lyons Township Sectional, then-sophomore Grace Schager of Carol Stream Glenbard North placed 27th with a time of 18:42. Ironically, this was the beginning of the York dynasty that we see today. Despite running her best effort of the season, Schager was nearly swept by the Lady Dukes who had six finishers in front of her. This example is a snapshot and could be viewed as something big is about to occur.
The 2021 track and field season started as a day-by-day project because of Covid-19 but it eventually included a state series and finally a state championship. As for Schager, she made a seamless transition from a field event athlete to a distance runner. The final damage was a 5th place performance in the state 3200m (10:53.85).
An unsuspecting but great track season rolled over to the start of the cross country campaign in fine fashion. In Schager's debut at the Harvey Braus Lake Park Invite, she outstaged the York juggernaut that had previously overpowered her during the cross country season. The verdict was a career first invite win and a time under 17:00 (16:57). The following week she lowered her time to 16:42 with a third-place finish at the Richard Spring Invitational behind top-rated seniors Ava Parekh (Chicago Latin) and Josephine Welin (Oak Park-River Forest).
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Maybe some momentum was lost when Schager went down with an apparent injury during the peak of the season. Fortunately, she was at her "best" when the state championship arrived, winning the Lake Park Sectional in a breeze.
True to her style, Schager held back from a torrid pace set by Welin. The lead pack was stretched out thin making everyone from an individual standpoint run their own race. Schager's patience allowed her to stay with a stout group of girls and eventually place fourth in her best ever performance: 16:41!
Congratulations to Grace Schager who put in the work to improve and hopefully it will inspire the next up and comer!