The Lady Knights of Prospect always seem to be at the head of pack in the 800m
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2024 promises to be another great year in the 800m. Eight of last year's top 10 performers return, including the state indoor record holder Ali Ince, who ran 2:04.77. Ince is the defending national champion and leader. Ince doesn't have much to prove in this event; don't be surprised if she runs one or maybe two races. One of those could be an attempt at the national record of 2:00.06 by Roisin Willis.
Becca Heitzig (Sr., Lincoln) will return as 2A defending Top Times champion, and if anyone can defeat Ince, it will be her. But there is a slim chance of them meeting during the undercover campaign because of scheduling. Basketball and classification assignments appear to be the main reasons. Heitzig did 2:11.77 in very limited competition, with the big prize being the 2A Illinois Top Times title.
Ahry Comer (Sr., Golconda Pope County) will be a future LSU Tiger this time next year. But now she is taking full advantage of her opportunities during the basketball season. Look for Ms. Comer to move up the charts as things wind down. She slipped in a fast 2:12.11, good for IL#1 as we start the official season.
Annika Swan (So., Chicago St. Ignatius) is as adept in this event as she is in the mile. Last year, Swan ran the fourth-best time of 2:15.13 and got down to 2:12.77 outdoors. Don't be surprised if Swan runs an overall PB before the indoor season concludes.
Lily Ginsberg (Sr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect]) is part of the Knights middle-distance dominance, especially on relays. Individually, she was very stealth, running an IL#2 2:14.41. The next goal will be to get under 2:10 considering that she ran 2:11.65 during the outdoor season.
Meg Peterson (So., Mt. Prospect [Prospect]) is another Knights 800m corps member. She was virtually equal to Ginsberg last year running 2:14.47, making them the state's top duo. Look for Peterson to continue to improve and be a menace to opponents this winter and early spring.
Athletes to watch: Gabi Walker (Sr., Chicago Depaul College Prep), Lucia Ton-That (Jr., Chicago Northside Prep), Bella Domier (Sr., Grayslake Central), Ava Gilley (Jr., Downers Grove North), Veronica Znajda (Jr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect]), Sophia Galiano-Sanchez (So., Elmhurst York), Elena Rybak (Jr., Glen Carbon Father McGivney), Evelyn O'Connor (Jr., Seneca), Kennady Anderson (Sr., Kewanee-Weathersfield), Bella Domier (Sr., Grayslake Central), Cecilia Hilby (So., Aurora Central Catholic), Mia Menendez (Jr., Oak Park Fenwick), Marley Andelman (Sr., St. Charles East), Ava Gilley (Jr., Downers Grove North), Abigail Jordan (Jr., Palatine), Kaitlyn Hatley (Sr., Father McGivney), Sophia Ramirez (So., Washington), Sophie Mullins (Sr., Chicago Lane)