Summary: For the second consecutive August, there is no question who the favorites go after a "three-peat." After winning as underdogs in 2021, Unity went wire-to-wire as favorites all season long to retain their state title. "Last year's accomplishment was a first for us with back-to-back state championships," says coach Kara Leaman. "We knew we had a pretty good shot as we were undefeated going in, but there is never certainty at the state meet. The challenging weather of the state meet proved to be quite a test and I was so proud of our girls' resilience."
With the entire varsity group returning in 2023, the Rockets are poised not just to chase after a three-peat, but be competitive as one of the best teams in the state regardless of classification, and perhaps mix it up with the Midwest's best at season end. The conversation begins with Erica Woodard, who has been the most consistent front-runner for the Rockets, and whose track season was the best, running 11:02 at 5:12. Although last year's state race wasn't her best, Mackenzie Pound and Emily Decker carried the mantle for Unity, each grabbing all-state positions in 11th and 19th respectively. All three look like all-state medalists to start the year.
But the strength of Unity over the rest of the state is their depth beyond the top three, and more than eight girls are lined to push for the last couple of scoring spots on the Rocket roster. Those with the inside lane are the returners from last year's championship team: Olivia Shike, Reagan Stringer, Camryn Reedy, and Josie Cler. Of that group, all but Stringer (basketball) ran under 5:50 for 1600 in the fall, most notably Reedy who PR'ed at 5:33. Ashlyn Denney and Molly Baxley can make nine Rockets who challenge the sub 20:00 barrier during the year. Finally, the pipeline from Unity junior high remains strong, and three scoring eighth graders join the group: Brooklyn Mumm, Grace Wherly, and Olivia Hall. Mumm was the third finisher for the 9th-place Unity team, finishing in 13:20.
Unity runs against mostly 1A competition but will be on the same course on the same day as larger schools for First to the Finish. Another meet to watch will be the Metamora Runnin' Red Invite, which Unity won in 2022, beating the likes of bigger class powers 2A Dunlap and 3A Palatine. Washington and Normal University pose a particularly strong challenge for Unity at this meet, along with preseason 1A #2 Peoria Notre Dame.
"Last year's team is all returning and they still have big goals!" says Leaman. "I'm hopeful they will competitively and cooperatively shuffle positions and raise each other toward the top again." "We really want to bring another trophy home," says Olivia Shike. "We want to run as a pack, and we want to see our pack at the front of the race. We've been training together in that pack and it will be pretty cool to see what we can do! Because we are a hard-working and competitive group of girls, I do think we will need to make sure we focus on the fun of it. This sport is important and working hard is crucial, but it will be key that we don't get too consumed or caught up in trying to be "perfect" all the time and let the not-so-good workouts and some team fun be a part of the sport. I think an appropriate balance will be the challenge we overcome to get to that next level. "