Sunny Weber grinds out a big win in the two mile at the CYUP Misfits Invite in January (Jorge Espinosa photo)
It's amazing how athletes and coaches approach the pre-season, indoor, and outdoor seasons. Of course, the end of the year is what matters most, but there is no doubt the foundation has to be set well before dreams are realised in May and June.
Let's talk about field events from the boys' side of the game. Between now and the end of March, the indoor track-and-field season runs. We will place greater emphasis on indoor track. But of course, to make our case for selecting the opening slate of athletes, we will consider the totality of what occurred.
We take an introductory stab at a number of top returners-
Here are some opening thoughts: There are extraordinary returning field eventers reporting back this winter, and we will work to highlight who we think will make an impact throughout the
season.
Key athletes to watch: Keira Jenke, Emily Stecky, Allison Shutler, Sophie Rentmeister, Sundara Weber, Klarke Goranson, Kyla Babb, Isabella Keller, Annika Swan, Kate Foltz
Opening thoughts: The 800m group is absolutely loaded this indoor season, led by Keira Jenke, Klarke Goranson, and Emily Stecky. Allison Shutler is a threat in this distance, but is also a top returner in the 1600. Sophie Rentmeister is coming off a great cross-country season, and I would not be shocked to see her challenge some of the top half-milers in the state. The 1600 and 3200 meter runs will be led by many familiar names, with Sundara Weber and Isabella Keller coming off of great XC finishes, and will challenge for some national-level times indoors. Annika Swan, Kate Foltz, and Kyla Babb will also challenge for some phenomenal times indoors.
3200m-
Sundara Weber (Sr., Sandwich)- One of the best distance runners in state history will be ready to unleash another outstanding campaign. She comes in with an overall personal best of 9:59.16, which is among the top 10 returning times in the country. The state champion and All-American has already clocked a sizzling 10:16.40y in January to win the CYUP Misfits 2-mile title. Currently, it's the fourth-fastest indoor mark of all time. And to think the season has barely scratched the surface is mind-blowing.
Mia Sirois (Jr., Barrington)- An unfortunate ankle/leg injury during the cross country season rendered one of the nation's premier distance runners on the sidelines. Sirois called it curtains during the mid-season, appeared to have healed, and is ready to go for 2026. Sirois' 10:04.02y indoor personal best ranks #2 all-time. She will start this season, reportedly, at the end of February, so don't expect the usual fireworks that you are accustomed to witnessing right away.
Isabella Keller (Jr., Effingham St. Anthony)- It was a bounce-back outdoor track season for Keller, who took home the 1A title with the fastest time of the day in 10:20.92. She didn't compete in any postseason races; instead, she prepared for the cross-country season. The payoff was huge for Keller, who earned high All-American honors at Nike Cross Nationals. Don't expect to see Keller compete in many indoor meets during the winter. But in the few that she toes the line, it will be electric.
Annika Swan (Sr., Chicago St. Ignatius)- Her third-best event, but easily could be a main event, but highly unlikely. Swan will contest the 3200/2 mile a few times and will be among the best in the state. To preserve herself and stay fresh, Swan ran the long track race several times, including a splendid performance at the Illinois Indoor Championship, where she clocked 10:25.02 and took fourth place.
Kyla Babb (Sr., Westmont)- Underrated performer mainly because she attends a small school in the Chicagoland area, but the truth of the matter is, Babb has been extraordinary over the past three seasons. She clocked an indoor PB of 10:23.84 to take the bronze medal at IIC a year ago. During the outdoor season, Babb took runner-up honors to Keller in the 1A state championship. The cross-country was awesome, as she placed third in 16:10. Later, it was super postseason, earning a trip to Portland, Oregon, for the NXN. Look for Babb to ease her way through the winter in a few key races to set up another banner outdoor track season.
Allison Shutler (So., Chicago St. Ignatius)- Making up a great duo with teammate Annika Swan, Shutler has molded herself as one of the state's elite distance runners. As a freshman, she earned the silver medal at the IIC in 10:20.54. Her time would
rank as the third-fastest ever freshman performance, and it is the third-fastest returning indoor time.
Others to watch:
Avery Hacker (Jr., Batavia), Meg Peterson (Sr., Prospect), Ella Satre (Jr., Hinsdale Central), Emaline Foster (So., Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge), Sydney Gertsen (Sr., Lombard Montini), Klaire Eighner (Sr., Maroa-Forsyth), Abagail Baumann (Sr., Rockford Lutheran), Lennox Szymonik (Fr., Algonquin Jacobs), Victoria Tarara (So., Barrington), Molly Farrell (Sr., Marshall), Nia Ortega (Jr., Downers Grove South), Marlie Czarniewski (Jr., Plainfield North), Macy Ermitage (So., Downers Grove North), Karlin Janowski (So., Elmhurst York), Ali Londrigan (Jr., Chatham-Glenwood), Sydney Gertsen (Sr., Lombard Montini)
800m-
Emily Stecky (Jr., Chicago DePaul College Prep)- It was a magical year for Stecky, who led both calendar seasons (indoor- 2:13.02; outdoor- 2:09.31). The 2A state champion moves to 3A and will challenge the best of the flock during the state series. However, there is plenty of quality racing over the next three to four months.
Annika Swan- Finally got her state title, it was a sweet 3A good medal in 2:10.08 PB. Swan has raced against Stecky numerous times over the past few years. They will compete against one another during the 3A state series in the spring. The winner will be crowned the state's best middle-distance runner.
Erin Hinsdale (Jr., Wheaton St. Francis)- State champion via the 4x8 relay two seasons ago, Hinsdale stepped out last more individually in '25. She ran 2:13.77i, and that ranks her #2 entering this indoor season.
Meg Peterson- Doesn't race excessively during the indoor season, but she makes every effort count. Peterson is better known for her exploits in the 4x8, where she has clocked a robust 2:11.55. Don't be surprised if she runs something in her PR range by the end of the undercover season.
Lily Hodneland (Sr., Hinsdale Central)- A 2:14.27 performer last winter was later parlayed into a state final appearance and a PB of 2:13.87.
Klarke Goranson (So., Manteno)- 2A state runner-up seemed like a bit of a surprise on the surface, but enjoyed a great setup campaign, winning the 2A Illinois Top Times title under 2:14. So if you were paying attention, the PB of 2:11.43 and later a solid performance at New Balance Outdoor Nationals were expected.
Mia Forystek (Jr., Lincoln-Way Central)- Was not a household name coming into last year, but after a strong 4x8 anchor that produced a third-place finish for the Knights, the spotlight became bright.
Polina Krupsky (Sr., Lake Zurich)- A bronze medal in last year's 3A state final (2:11.51) might have been a surprise out of the Bears camp. Krupsky has a nice blend of speed and endurance, a perfect make-up for an 800m runner.
Others to watch: Natalie Nahs (Jr., Minooka), Keira Jenke (Sr., Lisle Benet Academy), Sophia Galiano-Sanchez (Sr., Elmhurst York), Madison Miles (Sr., Barrington), Margaret Andrzejewski (Sr., Wheaton St. Francis), Julia Rodney (Jr., St. Charles North), Gwen Hobson (Jr., St. Charles North), Francesca Mora (So., Chicago Latin), Allison Shutler (So., Chicago St. Ignatius), Kylie Simpson (Sr., Rockton Hononegah), Caroline Tepe (Sr., Okawville), Aubrey Denning (Jr., Effingham St. Anthony), Cecilia Hilby (Sr., Aurora Central Catholic), Sophia Ramirez (Sr., Washington), Madeleine Fox (Jr., Marshall)
1600m-
Sunny Weber- It is a good argument as to who is the best returning miler in the state, Weber or Swan.
Annika Swan- Defending 3A state champion and one of the all-time greats in this event.
Mia Sirois- Proved that she is more than a pure long-distance running machine. Sirois dropped a tremendous PB for the longer English version, placing 8th at the Nike Indoor Nationals with a time of 4:45.79y and the top returning time in the state.
Ally Shutler- Produced one of the opening season performances in state history as a freshman, running 4:50.41 to take 3rd at the IIC.
Klarke Goranson- Busted the track for 4:50.29 to take 2nd at IiC, fiercely challenging Weber for the victory.
Ali Londrigan- Clocked a sizzling 4:52.49 in last year's 3A state prelim, which was the fastest time of the day.
Meg Peterson- A state medalist all day, whenever she chooses to be. A selective runner who has never contested this event in the IHSA state series, but still produced a blazing 4:52.49. Hopefully, as a treat, we will get to see Peterson in one last stand, go out on top in an event she could win.
Kyla Babb- Ran a solid 4:56.10 indoors and later 4:52.77. She placed third in the 1A state meet.
Isabella Keller- Ran only one indoor race, and it was a dandy in 4:45.09. Not much during the outdoor season; she still finished 4th in the 1A state championship.
Others to watch: Alexa Novak (Sr., Glen Ellyn Glenbard West), Marlie Czarniewski, Emily Stecky, Molly Farrell, Maci Ermitage (So., Downers Grove North), Aubrey Denning, Emaline Foster, Abigail Radich (So., Chicago Depaul College Prep), Sofia Borter (Sr., Geneva), Margaret Andrzejewski, Kate Foltz, Sydney Gertsen