The varsity quartet of Veronica Znajda, Annika Swan, Karlin Janowski, and Erica Kaulen run together through the second mile (Jack Borchers photo)
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Peoria IL-
As predicted, the weather significantly affected performances. However, the boys' and girls' performances measured up well throughout the day. Let's take a quick look at the varsity races.
Girls-
It was scorching hot for the big girl's race, with a temperature reading nearing 90 degrees. The opening mile was honest, with the leaders passing the timing clock in 5:35. Among them were Annika Swan (Jr. Chicago St. Ignatius), Veronica Znajda (Sr., Prospect), Erica Kaulen (Jr., Hilliard Davidson, OH), and Karlin Janowski (Fr., York).
Znajda and Janowski led at the second mile in 11:09; Swan and Kaulen were one and two seconds behind them. Downers Grove North led the first and second mile marks without top runner Lily Eddington (Jr.), who didn't make the trip due to illness.
With less than a half mile to go, Janowski outlasted Swan, who had previously crept past Znajida. The winning time was 16:46, the second win in a row for Janowski, who was ecstatic.
York moved from third to the winning circle in the final mile, scoring 102 points, defending Hillard Davidson by a deuce. DGN took third with 137 points.
| Place | Video | Athlete | Team | Mark | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Karlin Janowski | 9 | Elmhurst (York) | 16:45.27 | 1 | |
| 2 |  Veronica Znajda | 12 | Mt. Prospect (Prospect) | 16:49.56 | 2 | |
| 3 |  Annika Swan | 11 | Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep) | 16:51.26 | ||
| 4 |  Erica Kaulen | 11 | Hil. Davidson | 17:07.18 | 3 | |
| 5 | Celia Schulte | 11 | Hil. Davidson | 17:25.55 | 4 | |
| 6 | Meg Peterson | 11 | Mt. Prospect (Prospect) | 17:38.16 | 5 | |
| 7 |  Nicole Poglitsch | 12 | Wheaton-Warrenville South | 17:38.84 | 6 | |
| 8 | Ashley Alsko | 12 | Hil. Davidson | 17:42.27 | 7 | |
| 9 |  Madeline Bialko | 12 | Arlington Heights (Hersey) | 17:44.86 | 8 | |
| 10 |  Lucinda Wright | 9 | Liberty North High School | 17:48.02 | 9 |
Boys-
The young men took off well, and after things began to settle in, a fleet of guys was under 5:00; leading the charge was Josiah Narayanan (Sr., Wheaton-Warrenville South), Joe Bregenzer (Sr., Barrington), and Aiden Noel (Sr., Wheaton-Warrenville South) under 4:40.
Narayanan took over just before the halfway point and never looked back. He hit the second mile in 9:31 and cruised home for the win in a personal best 14:25. Bregenzer held off MSL league foe Alexander Krieg (Jr., Palatine) for second 14:36-14:37. "Goob" Gabriel McLain (Sr., Benton) clocked a PB 14:39 for fourth place. Aiden Noel (Sr., Wheaton-Warrenville South) was fifth in 14:52.
The team battle was fierce, with 65 teams in attendance. It has been years since an out-of-state team won the Peoria Notre Dame Invite. Put Mason, Ohio, on the trophy plaque. The Comets were led by junior Caden Winship in 10th place. Four other teammates stayed inside the top 80 for 205 points.
| Place | Team | Points | Scorers | Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mason | 205 | 10+23+44+50+78 (93+96) | 0:50 1-5 Split | 15:27 Avg |
| 2 |  Elmhurst (York) | 222 | 7+48+49+57+61 (80+142) | 0:45 1-5 Split | 15:29 Avg |
| 3 |  Palatine (H.S.) | 252 | 3+9+15+71+154 (172+201) | 1:42 1-5 Split | 15:23 Avg |
| 4 |  Lake Zurich | 271 | 8+27+28+99+109 (136+231) | 1:03 1-5 Split | 15:31 Avg |
| 5 |  Mt. Prospect (Prospect) | 281 | 36+40+62+70+73 (82+89) | 0:18 1-5 Split | 15:40 Avg |
| 6 |  Orland Park (Sandburg) | 283 | 20+29+37+83+114 (117+161) | 0:43 1-5 Split | 15:37 Avg |
| 7 |  Chicago (Lane) | 318 | 34+52+53+54+125 (185) | 0:39 1-5 Split | 15:42 Avg |
| 8 |  Arlington Heights (Hersey) | 335 | 39+43+67+86+100 (107+118) | 0:25 1-5 Split | 15:44 Avg |
| 9 |  Wheaton-Warrenville South | 374 | 1+5+69+112+187 (194+217) | 2:05 1-5 Split | 15:31 Avg |
| 10 |  Barrington | 375 | 2+21+79+126+147 (162+175) | 1:41 1-5 Split | 15:38 Avg |