However, before any 4x800s have even been
contested, there is a heavyweight favorite that the state will be watching: the
Knights of Prospect High.
Prospect is the two-time outdoor 4x800 champion
and defending Top Times champion. Their 9:21 mark from Mustang Relays in 2022
was by far the best performance in the state during the indoor season. The
Knights return Hailey Erickson (Sr.), Cameron Kalaway (Sr.), and Lily Ginsberg
(Jr.) from this group. For any other team, losing a leg like Audrey Ginsberg to
graduation would be crippling, but we are talking about Prospect here, who
reloads with one of the great freshman distance talents in Meg Peterson (Fr.). Prospect
embarked on a historic tear through the cross country season, one that
culminated in a top-5 national finish. One of the most eye-popping performances
of their fall, however, came on their home track in August for an 800 time
trial, where the four ladies mentioned combined for a 9:01.4 total team time.
What new heights will Prospect rise to this year in the 4x800? And can anyone
challenge them?
The runner-up squad to Prospect outdoors was
Naperville North, which experiences some turnover in the event but has fresh legs
that could contribute out of the freshmen class. Emma Berres (So.) is the best
returner in the event.
York, the cross country runner-ups in 3A, do return most
of their third place team, most notably Brooke Berger. The Duchesses were the fastest performer in the 3A prelims at state in 2022 and showed in cross country that they are not afraid of Prospect.
Hinsdale Central can load with Catie McCabe (Sr.), Sarah Skora (Jr.), and Sarah Fischer (Sr.) at the top of the roster and can be a dangerous
team if the Red Devils go that route. Minooka was third at top times and faltered to
eleventh at outdoor state, but remain deep and has an institutional track
record in the event.
Naperville Central did not qualify for the outdoor
final, but has a glut of talent at the top end and might be a team to watch in
the 4x800 for both genders. Yorkville has been consistent in this event for the
past few years but does have some turnover to overcome since last year.
Teams like Lyons Township and Downers Grove North
are deep and will have plenty of options to turn to (Hannah Renner and Jillian
Peters lead DGN). Madison and Kristina Findley (both Jr.) are sub 2:24 legs for
the Lions.
A team to watch at the 2A level is Lakes, who was
runner-up at outdoor state in 2022 to Mt. Zion. Lakes return all their legs,
including anchor Becca Runyan (Sr.).
Rochester is a team that was vastly improved
during the cross country season. They have more options to go to now for the 4x800,
and that includes Colleen Zeibert (Sr.) who was runner-up to Becca Heitzig in the 2A 800,
running 2:13. She represents a dangerous anchor leg for a potentially
competitive Rockets team.
Will Winnebago run a 4x800 team indoors? The
traditional 1A powerhouse did produce a 9:50 showing to win Top Times in 2022. Most
of their legs return from last year which also included breaking 9:30 in the
rain to win the outdoor title. They will need to be cognizant of Glen Carbon Fr. McGivney this year, who was a distant runner-up outdoors in 2023 but return the talented
Elena Rybak (So.) and a much improved Kaitlyn Hatley (Jr.).
Other teams to watch: Hersey, St. Charles East,
Loyola, Oswego East, Lake Forest, Grayslake Central, St. Ignatius, Glenwood,
Mt. Zion, Tolono Unity, Washington, Rosary, DePaul College Prep
