Defending girls champion Sunny Weber will show off her training and fitness
Date: Friday, July 26, 2024
Location: Detweiller Park; Peoria, IL
Distance: 3.0 miles for all races except junior high (2.1) and kids (800m)
Meet entries: HERE
Race times:
| Time | Schedule of Events |
| 3:00 PM | Packet Pick-Up Opens at Detweiller Park |
| 6:30 PM | Kids' Fun Run |
| 7:00 PM | Open Race |
| 8:00 PM | Junior High Girls Race |
| 8:30 PM | Junior High Boys Race |
| 9:00 PM | Packet Pick-Up Closes |
| 9:15 PM | High School Girls Race |
| 10:00 PM | High School Boys Race |
The 18th Edition of the "Mid-Summer Classic," officially known as the Detweiller at Dark in Peoria IL, presented by Under Armour, will have additional support from Flotrack. According to Meet Management, the shoe and apparel company has already generated an enormous response with nearly 2500 registered athletes. "We are on par with last year's numbers, breaking the girls record with over 750 runners," co-meet manager Brad Henz said several weeks ago.
Quick Outlook
Girls record: Sundara Weber (Sandwich, IL) 16:32.2/2024
"Sunny" Weber's incredible performance was a springboard to a fantastic season in which she won a 2A state title in 16:11. It is the fourth fastest time in Detweiller history. Weber's initial cross-country prowess led to some elite-level marks on the track: 3200 (9:59.16) and 1600 (4:41.90). Look for Weber to dazzle us all some more and perhaps challenge her meet record in training form.
If there is anyone who can provide a bit of a challenge or resistance, it would be Avery Hacker of Batavia. The rising junior placed eighth in the 3A cross country championship.
Ali Londrigan of Chatham-Glenwood IL is another monster entrant. The 2A all stater enjoyed a great track season in 3A, earning all state honors in the 3200.
Key entrants: Klaire Eighner (Maroah-Forsyth IL), Ashley Zeibert (Rochester IL), Ashlyn Chopra (Chatham-Glenwood IL), Jaydn Gerardi (Anna-Jonesboro IL), Mackenzie Pound (Tolono Unity IL), Ashley Schraeder (Yorkville IL), Julie Bach (Normal West)
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The defending champion, Zane Meyer of Edgewater, IN, HS, has graduated and left the sport for cycling. His parting gift was an 180th-place finish at his state championship. This further cements the superstition of the "Detweiller Curse." For those who have been under a rock, no boy winner has ever won the state championship. Top runners have either stopped coming, "training through," or deliberately derailing any chance of nabbing the gold medal. One wonders what will happen this time around.
Let's usher in some new blood who may not even care about curses. Sophomore Karanveer Patil of Lake Zurich enjoyed a fabulous intro season, meeting and exceeding high expectations. Patil earned all-state honors, placing 21st (14:30) in the 3A division. If he decides to run, it will be an honest effort and one that will push the pace.
Jameson Tenopir (Cary-Grove IL) is the top returner on paper, and if he decides to compete, he could be in for the gold medal.
Key entrants: Quinn Murray (Avon IN), Anthony Garcia (Oswego East), Jackson Summy (Lake Villa Lakes IL), Ellery Shutt (Woodstock), Ben Gorsage (Washington IL), Aidan Connors (Plainfield North), Bryce Counihan (Lincoln-Way Central), Abe Martin (Morton)