Katelynne Hart drops another lights out gem on the famed Detweiller Park course
Peoria, IL-
Mother Nature opened a great day of cross country with a touch of thundershowers prior to the first race which commenced at 9 am. The "Granddaddy" of them led off with the order of girls races (Frosh/Varsity/Open) followed by the boys.
Girls-
After a nice freshman-sophomore precursor won by freshman Maria Stedwill of host Peoria (Notre Dame) in 18:32, it was time for the main event...
Katelynne Hart (Sr., Glenbard West) returned from a two-week IDLE break on a mission. We all knew after witnessing some super times nationally that she would get into the sweepstakes, In true Hart fashion, she lulled whoever wanted to come along for the ride. Lianna Surtz (So., Rosary) and Ava Parekh (So., Chicago Latin) were the would-be challengers. The first mile was in an estimated 5:12 and Hart all alone and entering the "Bermuda Triangle." It was effectively over at 2 miles in 10:32. The final time while weaving through crowds of lapped girls. The final and agonizing time of 16:00.7. Hart is destined to put the all-time Detweiller time out of reach in November when she returns. Props to Surtz and Parekh for taking second and third in 16:44 and 16:53 respectively.
Downers Grove South is the state's second-best team and they proved it with a whopping win scoring 95 points. Senior Brenna Cohoon led the way in 10th place with a time of 17:30. Her mates helped with a 43-second scoring split. Glenbard West helped their future standing with a strong second-place finish ahead of Claremont, CA 191-212.
Boys-
The hype was real after the fall out of KK's dominating performance. The varsity boys took center stage with so many great teams on deck. Over 15 top state-ranked runners and a fleet of ranked teams across the board made this a must-watch event. York, St. Charles East, Wheaton-Warrenville South, and more.
St. Charles East made it a quick wrap up by placing five runners in the top 20. The final tally was a crisp 57 points. Sandburg proved they are better than what most people are giving them credit for, took 2nd with 114 points. #1 York did not have top man Ethan Kern was a distant 6th tallying 223 points. Defending champion Wheaton South was 4th behind Claremont of California. The Tigers and the out of towners scored 160 pts.
Individually, defending champ Josh Methner (Sr., Hersey) opened his season for real on a business trip. He along with Bob Liking (Sr., St. Charles East) and Brett Gardner (Sr., Lincoln-Way East) hit the first mile in about 4:40. They continued to work in tandem for the next circuit. Methner mildly separated from Gardner over the final 200m incline of the course to run a state-best and blistering 14:12. Gardner was 2nd in 14:14- a tremendous personal best.