Date: 11/5/2022
Location: Detweiller Park; Peoria, IL
Course: 3.0 miles
Race Time: 1p
Awards ceremony: 3p at the Detweiller Park venue
Weather forecast: 58F,overcast, windy
MileSplit IL 50 Rankings: Read Here
The qualifying teams: #1 Elmhurst (York), #2 Mt. Prospect (Prospect), #3 Naperville North, #4 Naperville Central, #5 Downers Grove North, #6 LaGrange (Lyons), #7 Minooka, #8 Huntley, #9 Edwardsville, #10 Rockton (Hononegah), #11 Batavia, #12 Barrington, #13 Arlington Heights (Hersey), #14 Yorkville, #16 Oswego East, #18 Hinsdale Central, #20 Palatine, #21 Wheaton North, #22 Wilmette (Loyola Academy), #24 Park Ridge (Maine South), Algonquin Jacobs, Chicago Jones, Chicago Whitney Young, Lisle Benet Academy, McHenry, Normal Community, Oswego, Plainfield North, St. Charles East
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Outlook: This will be the fourth but most important meeting between the superpowers York and Prospect. The last time on Detweiller soil, it was Prospect who came away with the slimmest of victories 53-54. At one this season both "frienemies" were deadlocked at the top ranking position. So who come out on top this time? Let's just say it may come down to the fifth runner or even the seventh runner to displace and distance one's self.
York's strength is its hard hitting and aggressive start led by senior Bria Bennis who is not afraid of any challenge. She could factor into the lowstick sweepstakes as well. For Prospect, they can roll with a different top girl each time out. Hailey Erickson has been there leading the chores as has Veronica Znajda. Both will need to work in concert from the gun in order to beat the Lady Dukes.
2023 may be the year for Naperville North but for now, it's about finding a groove throughout the race and maintaining it. The Huskies have an opportunity to place in the top three and earn another trophy. Julie Piot will be the runner of interest for her squad.
Some other teams to consider are Lyons, Downers Grove North, Minooka, and Naperville Central for the trophies.
Individually, it will be a deep field regardless of the weather conditions. If Mother Nature can bring a bit of luck, we could witness history. Grace Schager will go after the all-time record of 15:53.8. The senior from Glenbard North ran 16:00.9 earlier this season at the Lake Park Invite and backed it up at the Lake Park Sectional with a 16:04. She has not been threatened at all this season. It will be about maintaining herself at each key checkpoint.
Bennis, Juliet Frum (Glenbrook North), Anna Harden (Hersey), Scout Storms (Barrington), and a few others could challenge for second.