First thing first. Many of you have already witnessed greatness in the name of "Ali" Allison Ince time and again; the superstar senior from Normal Community proved that she is one to beat now and until she graduates from high school. On February 4, Ince competed at the New Balance Indoor Prix junior Mile and placed fourth with a time of 4:39.74 (4:37.98 @1600m). The mind-blogging time is the second fastest by an Illinois girl. It is Ince's overall personal best.
Scout Storms (Jr., Barrington) enjoyed her finest cross-country season, winning a state title. Hopefully, it will produce major results in her "secondary" event. Last year, Storms strutted home with a 4:49.25 (en route at NBNI). It stood up as the IL#2 mark and her overall personal best indoors or outside.
Annika Swan (So., Chicago St. Ignatius) is a soft-spoken individual who often yields impressive results whenever she lashes up the spikes for a competition. Last year, she floated to a 4:53.82 PB at last year's Illinois Top Times meet. It turned out to be the third fastest time of the indoor season. During this preseason, Swan ran the full mile in 5:00.73. It has been a good start, and we are sure she will manifest again among the state's elite corps.
Meg Peterson (So., Mt. Prospect [Prospect]) is more known for her exploits in the 800m, but she ran a swift 4:56.52 in two attempts, and the time rated #4 in the state. It was also the second-fastest time by a freshman.
Becca Heitzig (Sr., Lincoln) will again look for a late indoor season start-up because of basketball, which could be the second week of March. Heitzing performed well in limited competition but won the 2A Illinois Top Times title. Her all-time best is 4:53.00 from the outdoor season.
Mia Sirois (Fr., Barrington) is someone reaching for the stars now. We all expected Sirois to wait her turn until Scout Storms graduated. But no, after a stellar cross country season, Sirois rolled into the preseason with an impressive 5:04.42 for the mile. She added a 5:00 1600 effort at York on February 18th.
Names to watch for: Sophia Ramirez (So., Washington), Sundara Weber (So., Sandwich), Veronica Znajda (Jr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect]), Jane Lynch (Jr., Wilmette Loyola Academy), Stella Davis (Jr., Evanston), Lily Ginsberg (Sr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect]), Elena Rybak (Jr., Glen Carbon [Father Mcgivney]), Liv Phillips (Sr., Naperville Central), Isabella Keller (Fr., Effingham St. Anthony), Anna Lester (Sr., Vernon Hills), Mia Kotler (Jr., Chicago Latin), Zoe Carter (Jr., Normal U High), Ava Boyd (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour), Lily Eddington (So., Downers Grove North), Marley Andelman (Sr., St. Charles East), Abby Lewis (So., Barrington), Julie Piot (Sr., Naperville North), Molly Farrell (So., Marshall), Kate Foltz (So., Tuscola)