By Michael Newman

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In a 1A classification where there were so many returning runners from the 2017 State XC Meet, there were only five freshmen that finished in the top 25 at Detweiller Park.

The fastest of those freshmen was Julia Wolke of Christian Liberty Academy.

I was told early in the year to keep an eye on her when she won her opening race of the season at Harvest Christian Academy. She ran two miles on a sloppy course in 12:53.9. She won that race by 34 seconds ahead of Veronica Hein of St. Teresa. Hein had finished eighth at state the year before.

Wolke won five races during her inaugural high school season and two second-place finishes. Those finishes came in races with 2A & 3A runners in those competitions. Wolke ran 17:35 to finish seventh in the 1A State Meet race.

Carly Manchester of IC Catholic Prep was also considered in this category. Manchester finished eighth in the 1A State Meet in 17:39, four seconds behind Wolke.

Congratulations to Julia Wolke of Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights as the 2018 ILXCTF.com 1A Girls XC Newcomer of the Year.

Photo Credit – ©2018 Laura Duffy