2023 ILXCTF.com IHSA/Illinois XC Previews - Class 3A Girls Individuals

 

By Michael Newman

 

There was no question last season that Grace Schager was the top runner in the state and Class 3A. She showed that during the IHSA season dominating the rest of the field. It seemed that so many runners were wearing light blue and green. Prospect and York we know ran great team races at Detweiller Park.

 

There were eight runners from those two schools that finished in the top 20 in last year’s state meet. This year, five of the top seven places can be taken up by runners from those two schools.

 

Things opened up at the end of the spring when top state returning runner Juliet Frum transferred out of Glenbrook North and moved with her family to Colorado. She now attends Mountain Vista and is their top runner.

 

Who will it be this fall? It could be Scout Storms of Barrington who hand a standout sophomore season on the track. The Prospect duo Veronica Znajda and Meg Peterson could be a state champion. It could be York’s Michaela Quinn or Katherine Klimek who are ready for this fall. This door is so wide open as we enter the Labor Day weekend when action begins.

 

Here is a showcase of some of the runners that you could see up front this season in races that have 3A schools in it.

 

 

1 Veronica Znajda – JR – Mt. Prospect (Prospect)

2023 Bests – 800m – 2:18.79; 1600 – 4:58.92; 3200 – 10:43.71; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 6th Place

 

Notes – The top returning runner from last year’s state meet where she finished sixth. In the post season she finished 13th at the NXR Midwest Regional and then 67th at the Nike Cross Nationals. Her improvement from her freshman to sophomore years has been dramatic. Her best 3-Mile time as a freshman was 18:57 at her conference meet. Znajda’s best last year was 16:54 at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Her times dropped considerably on the track. She went from 5:15 to 4:58 in the 1600 Meter Run; from 11:57.77 as a freshman to 10:43.71 at the Oregon Relays. Veronica helped Prospect by running in the prelims in the 4x800m Relay. She ran in the 3200 Meter Run finishing 10th by one place.

 

2 Scout Storms – JR – Barrington

2023 Bests – 800m – 2:18.55; 1600m – 4:49.25; 3200m – 10:35.08; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – DNR

 

Notes – The desire to get back to Detweiller Park probably pushed Scout Storms in her training this summer. Storms had a good cross-country season. In seven races last fall she won four races and finished second in two others. Her final regular season meet was when she placed fourth at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. She came down ill the week of state forcing her out of state as well as the NXR Midwest Regional. She did run at the Running Lane Championships as she finished in 25th place. Her time in the 1600 Meter Run dropped down to 4:49.25 (4:50.92 – 1 Mile) at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. Storms had a strong outdoor season earning all-state honors finishing third in the 1600 Meter Run. She anchored Barrington to second-place in the Class 3A 4x800m Relay. “Scout had a great summer of training,” said Coach Deb Revolta. “She is highly motivated to have a great cross-country season. Her track season was great and has given her confidence heading into this cross country season.”

 

3 Meg Peterson – SO – Mt. Prospect (Prospect)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:11.72; 1600m – 4:56.38; 3200m – 11:02.81; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 8th place

 

Notes – Peterson’s freshman season got started in earnest last September at the Richard Spring Invitational. Her first two races were okay winning the F/S race at Hinsdale (18:15) then ran 40 seconds slower the following week at Lake Park. She was snug in the Prospect pack in Peoria finishing ninth and just moved up from there. She was the team’s third runner at state and the third returning runner overall from last year’s state race. Peterson followed that up as the third runner at NXR finishing 11 and the top runner at the Nike Cross Nationals finishing 62nd overall. We discovered last spring that Peterson could become an elite 800m runner. She’s very good actually at all three distances. Her best was when she ran 2:11.72 to finish second in the State heats of the 800m Run. She came back in the finals to finish third. Peterson also ran on the Knights quartet in the 4x400m Relay at state finishing third.

 

4 Michaela Quinn – SR – Elmhurst (York)

2023 Bests: Plays on York’s soccer team during the spring; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 7th place

 

Notes – The second returning runner from last year’s state meet where she was York’s #2 runner. Quinn’s passion is soccer, which she plays on the school’s team during the spring. Her improvement without track from her sophomore to junior years were great. She finished 27 as a sophomore in 2021. She was among the team’s leaders last fall as she finished seventh. Quinn went on to finish 14th at the NXR Midwest Regional and then finish 97th at the Nike Cross Nationals. “Katherine and Michaela look amazing – they are both very determined to have amazing senior seasons,” Coach Laren DeAngelis said about Quinn and Katherine Klimek.  “Both of these girls are true leaders who are stepping up for the York team.  They both have been very consistent this summer and help push one another in practice along with pushing our strong, talented sophomore group and veteran runners.”

 

5 Lily Ginsberg – SR – Mt. Prospect (Prospect)

2023 Bests: 400m – 59.95; 800m – 2:11.65; 1600m – 4:57.73; 3200m – 10:59.64; 2022 State XC – Class 3A – 13th place

 

Notes – Ginsberg is the senior leader for the Class 3A defending state champions. The fifth returning runner in Class 3A.  A two time all-state runner, Ginsberg finished 11th as a sophomore in 2021. The senior ended last fall finishing 10th at the NXR Midwest Regional and then 78th at the Nike Cross Nationals. Ginsberg is a nine-time all-state athlete (2 XC; 7 TF) including being a part of the three state championships for Prospect in the 4x800m Relay (2021-2023). “Lily, Meg, and Veronica all ran sub 5:00 this past Track & Field season and ran 2:11, 2:11, and 2:16 in the 800m,” Coach Pete Wintermute said about Ginsberg, Veronica Znajda, and  Meg Peterson. “This past spring, we focused on putting athletes where we thought we could score the most points as the Team trophy in Track was a program goal.  After a spring season of focusing on more speed based training, we are excited about what this Fall holds.  All three are top runners in the State and they will be a strong trio to lead our program.  They are great runners, but even better people and I am excited about them passing along their kindness, wisdom, and fortitude to their teammates.”

 

Runners to Watch (Listed in Alphabetical Order)

 

Sofia Arcuri – JR – Park Ridge (Maine South)

2023 Best – 1600m – 5:10.66

 

Notes – Arcuri was on her way to a great sophomore cross-country season when an injury to miss the second half of the season. Sofia in her freshman season finished in 30 place at the state meet. Arcuri ran 17:28 at Palatine to finish 15 last year along with finishing fourth the following week at the Peoria Invitational running 17:17. Look for big things for her this fall. “She is more determined than ever after the late season injury last year,” said Maine South Coach Jeff Downing. “At the time of the injury she looked ready to go after an all-state position at Detweiller, let's hope she gets that chance this time around.”

 

Julie Bach – SO – Normal (Community West)

2023 Bests: 1600m – 5:24.16; 3200m – 11:08.76; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 6th place

 

Notes – I would not be surprised if this sophomore was all-state even with Normal West now moving up to Class 3A for the next two years. Bach does have state experience in Class 3A last spring when she qualified for the state meet in the Class 3A 3200 Meter Run. Bach won the Bloomington Sectional race before running a personal best of 11:08.76 to finish 18th overall. Ran under 18-minutes in four of her final five races. She finished in the top 10 in all nine races that she ran last fall.

 

Hannah Diete – SR – Chicago (Taft)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:18.18; 1600m – 5:10.67; 3200m – 11:32.05; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 24th place

 

Notes – Diete could be one of the top runners from Chicago this season. She did not run in the City Championships last season but finished fourth in her regional, eighth at the Lake Park Section, and then her state meet finish. To show how much she improved, Diete did not make it to state in 2021 finishing 40th in her sectional. “Hannah had a strong, consistent summer of training,” said coach Donald DeSalvo. ”She's coming into the season confident and ready for fast times. What continues to impress Hannah is her ability to continue to chase big goals through success and challenges. She is singularly focused on accomplishing her goals.”

 

Lindsey Gerhardstein – SO – Orland Park (Sandburg)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:33.45; 1600m – 5:31.97; 3200m – 11:23.38; 2022 XC Finish – Class 3A – 32nd place

 

Notes – The top runner for Sandburg last year as a freshman. She ran strongly towards the end of last season that included finishing second in the Southwest Suburban Conference Meet, winning the Sandburg Regional, and then eighth in the tough Waubonsie Valley Sectional. She was close to the top 25 last season. She could surpass that barrier at the end of this fall. Her personal best in the 3200 Meter Run at the Lockport Sectional running 11:29.07 to place fifth. “Lindsey is a terrific kid and hard worker,” said her coach, Tony Pena. “We sometimes need to be sure she is not doing too much work on her free time. She did not have the T&F season that she had hoped for and much of it can be attributed to me not handling her training particularly well. So, she has been very focused this summer on returning to the front of our pack. We will rely on her to give us a low number regardless of the competition. I think she is back and ready to take on that responsibility.”

 

Ava Hendren – SR – Naperville (Central)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:23.82; 1600 – 5:10.70; 3200m – 11:07.49; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – Class 3A – 48th place

 

Notes – Ava was the team’s #1 runner at the state meet. She ran at state as a sophomore in 2021 and placed 34th. She was one of Central’s top three all last fall. She will need to step into the top spot to help Liv Phillips in the front. She did not finish in the 3200 Meter Run at the Metea Valley Sectional. She did run in the finals of the 4x800m Relay for the Redhawks helping them finish fifth overall to earn an all-state place. “Ava is very talented and will continue to be an important member of our top-7,” said Naperville Central Coach Matt Blondell. “She has increased her mileage this summer and is looking to have a great senior season.”

 

Danielle Jensen – SR – McHenry

2023 Bests: 1600m – 5:14.54; 3200m – 10:59.58; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 14th place

 

Notes – Sixth returning runner from last year’s state meet. She improved considerably from the year before when she finished 50th at state. Her fastest race last fall was finishing third at the Peoria Invitational running a 17:15 time. Good conditions this fall will allow her to run under 17-minutes at Detweiller Park. Jensen finished 12 at state last spring in the 3200 Meter Run. She ran under 11-minutes for the first time with a 10:59.58 time and won the first section of the event. “Danielle has made steady progress in high school running and is on track to continue that upward trajectory,” said Coach Kevin Horst. “Summer training was excellent and unimpeded, and her early workouts indicate that she is ahead of last year. Barring a setback, I would say that repeating her all-state performance from last year is very achievable in 2023. She has many desirable qualities that you want in a runner: Mentally tough, high-achiever, smart racer, executes the training plan as directed, and knows how to push herself... but probably her most impressive quality is her consistency in training and race results.”

 

Abigail Jordan – JR – Palatine

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:19.11; 1600 – 5:05.61; 3200m – 11:10.74; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 15th place

 

Notes – Jordan is the seventh returning runner from last year’s 3A State Meet. She also ran in 2021 at state finishing 96 overall as a freshman. Jordan will be ready to take huge strides closer to the front in races this fall. The junior finished eighth in the Mid Suburban League, second in the Palatine Regional, and then again eighth at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Ran best at the end of the season in the track running a personal best in the 3200m Run at her league championships, and then sixth in the 1600 Meter Run that qualified her for the state meet. She also ran in Palatine’s quartet in the 4x800m Relay.

 

Katherine Klimek – SR – Elmhurst York

2023 Bests: 800 - 2:20.78; 1600m – 5:06.06;  3200m – 10:41.16; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 9th place

 

Notes – Fourth returning runner from last year’s state meet. She is a two-time all-state runner having finished seventh as a sophomore in 2021. Klimek will be one of the top runners in Class 3A again this season. Her track season was dynamic dropping her personal best down three seconds in the 800 Meter Run and improving 17 seconds in the 3200 Meter Run from indoors to outdoors. Klimek ran some great tactical races in the final month of the season running negative splits. Here final three races at the distances were all under 10:50. She was all-state in the event placing eighth. The confidence she gained in track will pay off this fall. “Katherine and Michaela look amazing – they are both very determined to have amazing senior seasons,” said her Coach Lauren DeAngelis about Klimek and Michaela Quinn. “Both of these girls are true leaders who are stepping up for the York team.  They both have been very consistent this summer and help push one another in practice along with pushing our strong, talented sophomore group and veteran runners.”

 

Maya Ledesma – JR – Minooka

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:26.36; 1600m – 5:17.91; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 54th place

 

Notes – Ledesma was the third runner at state for Minooka. Her improvement over the past year could get her in the top 25 at state. She will be the #1 runner for her team in her junior season. She was part of Minooka’s quartet that qualified for state in the 4x800m Relay. “Maya Ledesma is excited to lead this team and had a really good summer of training,” said Coach Kevin Gummerson. “She was fortunate enough to learn from Gabby Kics and Ella McCollom, and now it is her turn.  She is excited and ready to roll.”

 

Jane Lynch – JR – Wilmette (Loyola Academy)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:21.48; 1600m – 4:59.91; 3200 – 10:59.33; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 44th place

 

Notes – The top runner for the Ramblers. Lynch has already a strong start to the 2023 fall season finishing fifth in Detweiller at Dark running 18:06 in hot conditions. She could be underrated by some but could be all-state the next two years. Lynch was the team’s third runner at state in 2021 when she finished 89th. She ran within two seconds in the three 3200’s she ran from 11:01.87 at Distance Night in Palatine, to 10:59.35 in her sectional race, to 11:00.14 at state where she finished 13th.

 

Nicole Poglitsch – JR – Wheaton-Warrenville South

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:25.01; 1600m – 5:09.17; 3200m – 11:08.34; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 31st place

 

Notes – Poglitsch will be the team’s top runner as she helps the Lady Tigers get back to the state meet in November. The junior ran individually last year with Frida Martinez finishing 31st overall. Her progress in track was impressive dropping her personal best down to 5:09.17 for 1600m and 11:08.34 for 3200m. That should transfer over to some great performances this fall. She qualified with her teammates for state last May in the 4x800m Relay. “Nicole continued to show great improvement,” said Coach Rob Harvey. “She continues to understand her training more deeply. Her role as a leader on the team took on a more official role with her being one of our four captains.”

 

Liv Phillips – SR – Naperville (Central)

2023 Bests – 800m – 2:17.88; 1600m – 4:59.67; 3200m – 10:34.86; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 59th place

 

Notes – Phillips was the team’s third runner at last year’s state meet. She has jumped a level in training and racing which has already shown. She ran 17:21 in extremely hot conditions to win the High School race at Detweiller at Dark. She missed by all-state by one place finishing 26th in 2021 as a sophomore. Phillips ran a great race at Distance Night in Palatine with a 10:38.40 time to finish third. She was all-state in the 3200 Meter Run at state finishing sixth. Phillips went under five minutes twice last spring with her best time of 4:59.42 at Magis Miles. “Liv Phillips continues to improve in every aspect of the sport,” said Coach Matt Blondell. “Her Detweiller at Dark performance was not surprising after a track season in which she broke multiple school records of former State Champion Amanda Fox. She has had tremendous growth both physically and mentally. This has been her best summer of training yet. We are excited to watch her do great things this season.”

 

Julie Piot – SR – Naperville (North)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:20.83; 1600m – 5:03.41; 3200m – 10:54.97 (2-miles); 2022 State XC Finish – 20th place

 

Notes – Piot could be among the top 10 after a solid year of improvement. She went from 70th place as a sophomore at state in 2021 to 20 last year. She did not run the 3200 that much during the track season. She did at the end of the year when she traveled to Philadelphia where she ran at the New Balance Nationals Outdoors. She ran 10:54.97 for 2-miles (equiv. 10:51.17 for 3200m) for a new personal best. Piot did qualify for state in the 1600 Meter Run but did not finish in her prelims. “Julie had a good summer,” said Dan Iverson. “She set a PR at NB Nationals and then proceeded to really up her overall intensity in training. She stepped up as a leader as well.”

 

Kylie Simpson – SO – Rockton (Hononegah)

2023 Bests – 800m – 2:20.44; 1600m – 5:22.07; 3200m – 11:10.55; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 35th place

 

Notes – Simpson had a great to the end of last season and could do big things in front of races for Hononegah. She finished by winning at the NIC-10 Conference Meet, second at the Machesney Park Harlem Regional, and then fifth at the Lake Park Sectional. Her only 3200 Meter Run race was in a low-level quad meet on April 26. She ran a solo 11:10 to win. I really would like she could do in a big meet. Simpson qualified with her teammates for state in the 4x400m Relay and 4x800m Relay. “Simpson had a great freshmen season, and I know she’s hungry for an all-state spot,” said Coach Jorge Pichardo.  “She had a great summer and having that experience of being our top runner last year will benefit her a lot.”

 

Rianna Tandon – SO – Naperville (North)

2023 Bests: 1600m – 5:14.20; 3200m – 11:18.02; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 56th place

 

Shania Tandon – SO – Naperville (North)

2023 Bests: 1600m – 5:15.20; 3200m – 11:07.52; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 3A – 33rd place

 

Notes – The two Tandon sisters made their presence known during their freshman season at Naperville North. Their second year should be even better. The two were among the team’s top runners most of last fall. They ended up second and third at state for the Huskies last fall with Shania finishing 33rd and Rianna placing 56th. The PR’s on the track were close to each other and should drop in the next year. “Shania and Rianna spent most of the summer in Crested Butte, CO with Team Prep USA, and they both took strides forward in the objective results of their training over last year,” said Coach Dan Iverson. “And in watching them this week, it is clear that both of them are much improved. I’m excited for all three. They get along well and work together extremely well.”