The 800m over time has become one of the fiercest events on the track (Laura Duffy photo)

FULL RETURNING LIST
---------------------
Looking at the 800-meter run today in contrast to where the event was ten-plus years ago, it's like night and day. The girls middle-distance game improved exponentially. With a bevy of top talent back, look for a crop of them to push into the national lexicon.
A synopsis of some of the top returning girls:
Annika Swan (Jr., Chicago St. Ignatius): Top overall middle-distance runner with the right mix of speed and endurance. Swan only ran this event a handful of times during the indoor season, including relays. Thus, the potential is still untapped. Don't be surprised to reach her overall personal best (2:11.36) this winter.
Mia Forystek (So., Lincoln-Way Central): A vastly underrated middle-distance runner in the mix throughout the entire calendar season, going from the high 2:20s into March to ultimately earning 3A state championship runner-up in 2:12.24 and along the way, defeating a fleet of the state's best runners.
Ava Gilley (Sr., Downers Grove North): A member of one of the fastest 4x800 relays in state history, Gilley has been able to carve out an identity amongst her peers and individually. She competed sparingly last winter but still logged a robust 2:13.12.
Emma Berres (Sr., Naperville North): The fourth-best returner by time (2:15.81) and a runner-up finish at the ITT. Although Berres took fourth at the state meet (2:12.92), she may spend more time in the 1600 or 3200 long term. Why? Berres improved drastically during the cross-country season, so I look forward to this event being more of a sharpening tool.
Aubrey Denning (So., Effingham St. Anthony): While all eyes were on Isabella Keller last year, Denning was quietly going about her business in a big way.
Veronica Znajda (Sr., Prospect): She will go down in history as a participant of one of the greatest 4x800 contingents in IHSA history. The Knights won their fourth straight state title last year. Znajda will be a key factor indoors in this event before transitioning to the 1600, 3200, or 4x800 full-time outdoors.
==========================
Top returners by class-
3A-
Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2:13.12 | 2025 | ||
2 | 2:15.39 | 2026 | ||
3 | 2:15.81 | 2025 | Illinois Top Times2nd F | |
4 | 2:15.82 | 2025 | ||
5 | 2:16.83 | 2026 | Illinois Top Times4th F | |
6 | 2:16.92 | 2026 | Illinois Top Times5th F | |
7 | 2:17.35 | 2027 | Illinois Top Times6th F | |
8 | 2:19.22 | 2025 | ||
9 | 2:19.31 | 2026 | ||
10 | 2:19.33 | 2025 |
2A-
Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2:20.26 | 2025 | Illinois Top Times2nd F | |
2 | 2:21.68 | 2025 | MTZ Apollo+ Invite2nd F | |
3 | 2:21.96 | 2025 | ||
4 | 2:22.16 | 2025 | MTZ Apollo+ Invite3rd F | |
5 | 2:22.94 | 2026 | Illinois Top Times3rd F | |
6 | 2:23.26 | 2027 | ||
7 | 2:23.49 | 2025 | Illinois Top Times4th F | |
8 | 2:23.83 | 2025 | Jersey Winter Thaw1st F | |
8 | 2:23.83 | 2027 | Illinois Top Times5th F | |
10 | 2:24.72 | 2025 | Illinois Top Times8th F |
1A-
Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2:09.27 | 2025 | ||
2 | 2:19.81 | 2027 | ||
3 | 2:21.90 | 2026 | Titan Indoor1st F | |
4 | 2:22.96 | 2025 | ||
5 | 2:24.13 | 2026 | ||
6 | 2:24.29 | 2027 |