Illinois Distance High School Track Hall of Fame - Girls 800m

 

ILXCTF.com Hall of Fame – Girls 800 Meter Run

 

Photo: Ali Ince of Normal Community

 

By Michael Newman

[email protected]

 

Here are the all-time lists for Illinois high school distance runners. List organized by fastest times while in high school.

 

880 Yard Run performances multiplied by .9942 for equivalent metric performance.

Listed by Time | Name | School | Year Graduated

Please contact Mike Newman ([email protected]) for any missing athletes deserving to be on list. Please send proof of performance.

 

Lists as of December 2023

 

Girls 800m (2:12.0)

1 - 2:03.17 – Allison Ince

Normal Community – 2024

Time was for 2nd place at the Arcadia Invitational (2023); Ran 2:05.24 for win at Distance Night in Palatine (2023); Won the IHSA Class 3A State in the 800m run for the third time running 2:10.40, also won the 400m Dash (55.18) and anchored team to win in the 4x400m Relay, ran a 2:08.35 anchor to bring team from 12th to 7th in the 4x800m Relay (2023); Ran 2:04.82 to win Brooks PR for third straight year (2023); ran 2:06.42 for 6 at New Balance Outdoor Nationals (2023); ran 2:04.77 for win at New Balance Indoor Nationals; ran 2:05.22 to finish 2nd at USATF U-20 Nationals (2023); ran 2:06.57 to finish 4th at Pan-Am U-20 Championships (2023); ran 2:06.42 Ran 2:10.22 to win the IHSA 3A State Meet; also in same meet ran 55.25 to win the IHSA 3A State 400m Dash; anchored team to 3rd in the 4x400m Relay (2022);  Ran 2:04.14 to win 800m at Brooks PR Invitational (2022); Ran 2:06.00 to finish 2nd at the Nike Outdoor Nationals (2022); Ran 2:09.10 for 4th in New Balance Indoor Nationals (2022); Ran 2:07.06 to win Class 3A State Meet missing Clayton’s state meet record by .01 seconds; also in same meet set State Meet Record in 1600m win and anchored Normal Community to win in 3A State 4x400m Relay(2021); Ran 2:03.98 for win at Brooks PR Invitational (2021); Ran 2:04.10 to win Distance in Palatine 800m setting then state best (2021); ran 2:05.21 to win O’Fallon Sectional 800m (2021); Ran 2:09.42 to win adidas Indoor Nationals (2021). Ran four of the top five times in state history for 800m in her freshman year.

Also on 1600 list

2 –2:05.29 – Tatum David

Olney Richland County – 2023

Time was for win at IHSA Class 2A Rantoul Sectional; David also won races at 1600m and 3200m in that meet (2023); Did not run this distance at the IHSA Class 2A State Meet but ran and won the other two distance races at that meet.

Also on 1600m, 3200m lists

3 - 2:07.05 – Courtney Clayton

Rockton Hononegah – 2013

Time was for win at IHSA Class 3A State (2013) – also ran 56.08 to finish 5th in the Class 3A 400m in same meet; ran 2:08.48 for win in Class 3A State 800m (2012) – also finished 8th in 400m in same meet; ran 2:12.97 to finish 2nd in the Class 3A State 800m (2011).

4 - 2:07.44 – Marianne Mihas

Chicago Latin School – 2021

Time was for 2nd in 800 Jamboree in Chicago (2021): time was 6th fastest in State history for 800m; ran 2:13.00 for win in Class 2A State Meet 800m (2021); also finished second in 400m, anchored Latin team to win in 4x800m Relay, and anchored team to 5 in 4x400m Relay in same meet; ran 2:09.72 to finish 3rd at Distance Night in Palatine 800 (2021); ran 2:15.20 to win the Class 1A State 800m (2019) – also won the 1600m in same meet; ran 4:56.29 to win the Class 1A State 1600m (2018) – missed qualifying for finals in 800m, fell with 200m left in her preliminary heat; finished 3rd at 2A State XC (2018); finished 18th in Class 2A State XC (2017).

Also on 1600 list

5 - 2:07.3 – Shelly McBride

Crete-Monee – 1985

Time was for win in Class 2A State (1984) – then state record; ran 2:07.6 to win the Class 2A State 800m (1985) – came back to set state record in the 1600m run later in the meet; ran 2:11.1 to win the Class 2A State 800m (1983)

Also on 1600 list

6 - 2:07.59 – Ashley Verplank

Bloomington – 2008

Time was for 5th at Nike Outdoor Nationals (2007); ran 2:07.96 to win Class 2A State 800m (2008); ran 2:09.47 to finish 4th at USA Junior Nationals (2008); win Midwest Distance Gala 800m in 2:10.27 (2007); finished 2nd in Class 2A State 800m (2007); ran 2:11.97 to finish 2nd in Class 2A State 800m (2006); finished 5th in the Golden West Invitational 800m (2006); finished 4th in the Class 2A 800m (2005).

Also on 1600 list

7 - 2:07.81 – Stephanie Brown

Downs Tri-Valley – 2009

Time was for 4th at Nike Outdoor Nationals (2009); ran 2:15.00 to win Class 1A State 800m (2009) – came back to win 1600m in same meet, ran 2:09.12 in the prelims 2-days before the finals, – also part of Tri-Valley winning 4x8 team; ran 2:10.33 to finish 2nd at Arcadia Inv CA (2009); won 1A 800m title all 4 HS years: 2:10.96 (2008); 2:14.36 (2007); 2:15.45 (2006).

Also on 1600 list

8 - 2:08.04 – Becca Heitzig

Lincoln – 2024

Time was for 2nd place at the IHSA Class 2A Rantoul Sectional; Ran 2:08.48 to reset her own IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record at this distance, also finished 2nd in the 1600m and anchored school to 8th in the 4x400m Relay (2023); Ran 2:09.51 for win at HOKA Festival of Miles (2023); Ran 2:11.77 for win at Illinois Top Times Class 2A (2023); Ran 2:09.90 finishing 4th at the HOKA Festival of Miles 800m (2022); Ran 2:09.99 to set new IHSA Class 2A State Meet Record and win in 800m Run; also anchored team to 2nd in 4x400m Relay (2022); Ran 2:13.90 for 2nd in IHSA Class 2A State 800m Run (2021).

Also on 1600 list.

9 - 2:08.44 – Enyaeva Michelin

Evanston Township – 2018

Time was for win in Class 3A State (2018) – finished 2nd in 1600m, was on Evanston’s 4x4 that finished 6th in 3A finals; finished 7th in Class 3A 800m (2017); ran 2:11.67 to finish 2nd in Illinois Top Times Indoor 3A 800m (2018); came back to run 4:54.30 to win 1600m in same meet.

Also on 1600, 3200 lists

10 - 2:09.0 – Kim Sherman

Wheaton North – 1989

Time was for win and meet record at International Prep Invitational (IPI) in 1989;  ran 2:14.69 to win the Class 2A 800m (1989) – also finished 4th in 200m; anchored team to win in 800m Sprint Medley Relay; finished 2nd in 800m (1988) – anchored team to win in 4x4 in same meet; ran 55.4 to set meet record at WWS Tiger Girls Invitational 400m (1989).

11 - 2:09.07 – Sequoia McKinney

South Holland Thornwood – 2006

Time was for win in Class 2A State Meet (2005) – anchored team to win in 800m Medley Relay, also a part of Thornwood 4x4 relay that finished 4th in same meet; ran 2:12.06 for win in Class 2A State 800m (2004) – part of Thornwood team that finished 2 in 4x4 in same meet; part of Thornwood team that won 800m Sprint Medley Relay (2006).

12 - 2:09.23 – Lindsey Rakosnik

Lombard Glenbard East – 2012

Time was for 2nd in Class 3A State Meet (2012) – also ran 4:55.15 to finish 3rd in 1600m in same meet; ran 2:11.08 for the win in the Class 3A State 800m (2011); ran 56.33 to finish 2nd in Class 3A State 400m (2010); finished 6th in the Class 3A State 400m (2009); finished 7th in Class 3A XC (2011).

13 - 2:09.35 – Kim Smudde

Geneva – 2005

Time was for 2nd in Class 2A State Meet (2005); part of Geneva team that finished 3rd in Class 2A State 4x8 (2004).

14 - 2:09.90 – Jenny Toler

Elk Grove Village-Elk Grove – 2005

Time was for 3rd in Class 2A State Meet (2005); ran 2:17.79 to finish 3rd in the Class 2A State 800m (2002).

15 - 2:09.91 – Michaela Hackbarth

Downers Grove South – 2016

Time was for win in Class 3A State Meet (2016) – also ran 58.09 to finish 5th in 400m in same meet; ran 2:11.24 to win the Class 3A State 800m (2015) – also part of Downers South team that finished 5th in same meet; finished 2nd in Class 3A State 800m (2014); part of Downers South team that finished 8th in Class 3A State 4x2 (2013).

16 - 2:09.95 – Ahry Comer

Goloconda Pope County – 2024

Time was for 2nd in HOKA Festival of Miles (2023); Ran 2:12.65 to win 800m Run at IHSA Class 1A State Meet, also won the 400m and finished 4th in 1600m in same meet; also qualified for state in the 3200m Run at the DuQuoin Sectional but scratched from that race at State Meet (2023); Ran 2:16.07 for win at IHSA Class 1A State Meet, also finished 2nd in 3200m and 9th in 1600m in same meet (2022); Finished 8 at HOKA Festival of Miles (2022); 3-time All-State XC; finished 11th (2023), 8th (2022), 7th (2021)

17 - 2:10.09 – Rachel Hickey

LaSalle-Peru – 2018

Time was for 3rd at Festival of Miles (2018); ran 2:12.95 to win Class 2A State 800m (2018) – also finished 2nd in 1600m, anchored LaSalle-Peru team to 3rd in 4x8 in same meet; ran 2:10.70 for win at Distance Night in Palatine (2018); ran 2:13.49 to finish 2nd in Class 2A State 800m (2017); ran 2:15.41 for win in Class 2A State 800m (2016); finished 2nd in Class 2A State 800m (2015); 2-time winner at Illinois Top Times Indoor Class 2A 800m (2017-2018); high school personal best for 1600m was 4:56.54 for win at Peoria Journal Star Honor Roll Meet; finished 15th in 2A State XC (2017); finished 20th in Class 2A State XC (2016).

18 - 2:10.14 – Lauren Van Vlierbergen

Algonquin Jacobs – 2015

Time was for win at Class 3A State (2014) – also finished 3rd in 1600m in same meet;  ran 2:12.34 to finish 3rd in the Class 3A State 800m (2015) – also finished 5th in the 1600m at same meet; also part of Jacobs’ 4x8 team that finished 5th (2013).

Also on 1600 list

19 - 2:10.14 – Madison Marasco

Schaumburg – 2018

Time was for 2nd at Class 3A State Meet (2018); ran 2:11.44 for win at Illinois Top Times Indoor 3A 800m (2018); finished 5 in Class 3A State 800m (2017); finished 4th at Midwest Distance Classic 800m (2017); 3-time All-State 3A XC: 9th (2017); 8th (2016); 16th (2015). HS 1600m personal best was 4:56.56 for 3rd at Distance Night in Palatine (2018).

20 – 2:10.1 – Tami Essington

Washington – 1978

Time was 2:10.8 for 880-yards and win at IHSA State Meet (1978); ran 2:11.3 for win in IHSA State Meet 880y (1977); 5-time all-state (after 880 wins) including 110y Low Hurdles (3-times) and 440y (twice).

21 - 2:10.20 – Amanda Duvendack

Metamora – 2010

Time was for 2nd in the Class 2A State Meet (2008); ran 2:11.00 to win the Class 3A State 800m (2010); ran 2:12.59 to win the Class 2A State 800m (2009); was also on Metamora’s 4x4 teams that finished 2nd in the Class 2A State Meet (2009), and 6th in the Class 3A State Meet (2010).

22 - 2:10.41 – Samantha Pollock

Wheaton North – 2003

Time was for win in the Class 2A State Meet (2003); 3-time Class 2A 800m champion: ran 2:14.65 to win in 2002; ran 2:11.68 to win in 2001; also all-state in 1600m (2nd, 2002), 4x8 (4th, 2001), 9 in the 800m and 5th in the 4x4 (2000); was on Wheaton North 4x8 State Champions (2000); ran 4:56.83 to finish 11th in 1-Mile Run at AOC Outdoor Nationals (2002); Class 2A State XC Champion 2002; finished 14th in the 2A State XC (2001).

23 - 2:10.53 – Erin Reidy

Downers Grove South – 2020

Time was for win at the Midwest Distance Classic (2019); ran 2:14.13 to finish 3rd in Class 3A State 1600m (2019) – was also on Downers South team that finished 6th in the 4x8 in same meet; was on Downers South team that finished 3rd in the 4x8 (2018); ran 4:56.87 (personal best) to finish 6th at Distance Night in Palatine (2019); finished 6th in Class 3A State XC (2019).

24 - 2:10.56 – Regina George

Chicago St. Gregory – 2009

Time was for 9th in the US Junior Nationals (2008); all-state 6 times in 2-year time period for St. Gregory; ran 25.08 to win the Class 1A State 200m (2009) – also finished 2nd in the 400m, 3rd in the High Jump in the same meet; ran 2:12.23 to finish 2nd in Class 1A State (2008) – also finished 4th in the 400m and 6th in the 200m at same meet; ran 2:13.46 to finish 4th in the Class 2A State 800m (2007) while attending Gordon Tech.

25 - 2:10.56 – McKinzie Schulz

Lisle Benet Academy – 2010

Time was for 4th at Midwest Distance Gala (2010); ran 2:14.29 to finish 4th in Class 3A State 800m (2010) – also finished 2nd in 1600m in same meet; ran 2:11.18 for the win in the Class 3A State 800m (2009) – also finished 2nd in the 1600m in same meet; finished 3 in the Class 2A 800m (2007), finished 6 in the Class 2A 800m (2006); 8-time all-state in track.

Also on 1600 list

26 - 2:10.63 – Katelynne Hart

Glen Ellyn Glenbard West – 2020

Time was for win at Illinois Top Times Indoor 3A Meet (2019); ran 2:13.11 for the win in the Class 3A State 800m (2019) – became first large school athlete (2A or 3A) to win 800m, 1600m, 3200m in same state meet; 8-time All-State in track (7 state championships).

Also on 1600, 3200 lists

27 - 2:10.73 – Karina Liz

Aurora Central Catholic – 2016

Time was for win and class record at the 2A State Meet (2014) – ran 2:12.69 in prelims the day before; won Illinois Top Times Championships 3 times (2014-2016), finished 2nd in 2013; finished 8th in Class 2A State 800m (2016) – ran 2:15.21 in the prelims; ran 2:15.55 to win Class 2A State 800m (2015); ran 2:13.42 to win Midwest Distance Classic 800m (2015); finished 12th in 2A State XC (2014).

28 - 2:10.78 – Michelle Dobbs

Rochelle – 2013

Time was for win at Class 2A State Meet (2013); ran 2:10.96 for the win at Midwest Distance Festival 800m (2013); ran 2:14.33 to finish 3rd in the Class 2A State 800m (2012).

29 - 2:10.87 – Casey Short

Naperville Central – 2008

Time was for win at Class 2A State Meet (2006); ran 2:11.33 to win Class 2A State 800m (2007) – came back to run 55.97 to win the 400m; played soccer while at Naperville Central.

30 - 2:10.99 – Bethany McCoy

Metamora – 2004

Time was for 2nd in Class 2A State Meet (2003); ran 2:15.30 to finish 2 in Class 2A State 800m (2004); finished 3rd in Class 2A 800m 2001.

Also on 1600 list

31 - 2:10.9 – Kathy Vicari

Chicago Heights Bloom Trail – 1981

Time was for win in 1981 Class 2A State Meet; finished 3rd in the Class 2A 880 Yard Run (1978).

32 - 2:11.03 – Arielle Summitt

Urbana University – 2018

Time was for win in Class 1A State (2018) -also ran 4:57.98 to finish 2nd in 1600m at same meet; 3-time Class 1A State 800m: ran 2:13.17 for win (2017); ran 2:12.29 for win (2016); finished 2nd in the Class 1A State 1600m (2017); finished 6th in the Class 1A State 1600m (2015); 3-time All-State XC: 9th Class 2A XC (2017); 3rd Class 1A XC (2014-2015).

33 - 2:11.30 – Sydni Meunier

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley – 2012

Time was for win in Class 1A State Meet (2012) – also won 1600m in same meet; ran 2:14.97 for win in Class 1A State 800m (2011)- came back to win the 1600m in same meet; finished 2nd in 800m, 2nd in 1600m (2010).

Also on 1600 list

34 - 2:11.41 – Elena Rybak

Glen Carbon Father McGivney – 2025

Time was for 6th at HOKA Festival of Miles (2023); anchored team to 2nd in 4x8, 3rd in 4x4 at IHSA Class 1A State Meet, also was state champion in 1A 1600m Run in same meet  (2023); anchored team to 2nd in 4x8, 6th in 4x4, and won the 1600m Run (4:59.82) at IHSA Class 1A State Meet (2022). All State XC finished 6th in IHSA Class 1A State Meet (2023).

35 - 2:11.60 – Ruth Allen

Palatine – 2010

Time was for win at Palatine Relays (2010); ran 2:12.57 to finish 2nd in Class 3A State 800m (2010); finished 4th in Class 2A State 800m (2009); was on Palatine team in 4x8 that finished 2nd (2009) and 2nd (2007); finished 13th in Class 3A State XC (2009); finished 25th in Class 3A State XC (2008).

35 - 2:11.61 – Claire Hill

Naperville North – 2019

Time was for 2nd at NCC Cardinal Indoor Classic (2019); ran 2:15.43 to finish 7th in the Class 3A State 800m (2019) – had 6th fastest time (2:13.68) in prelims; finished 9th in the Class 3A 800m (2018) – part of Naperville North team that ran 3:53.71 to finish 2nd in 4x4.

36 - 2:11.65 – Lily Ginsberg

Mt. Prospect-Prospect – 2024

Time was for win at Mid-Suburban League Championships (2023); finished 5 in IHSA Class 3A State Meet, finished 6 in Class 3A 4x4 (2023); also, has been on state championship quartets in 4x800m Relay from 2021-2023. 3-time All-State XC: 9th (2023), 13th (2022), 11th (2021).

37 – 2:11.72 – Meg Peterson

Mt. Prospect-Prospect – 2026

Time was for 2nd in prelims of 800m Run at IHSA Class 3A State Meet, ran 2:14.34 to finish 3rd in state finals, part of quartet that finished 3rd in 4x400m Relay (2023); 2-time all-state XC finishing in 8th in both 2022 and 2023.

38 - 2:11.74 – McKenna Kiple

Wheaton-Warrenville South – 2013

Time was for 2nd in Class 3A State Meet (2013); was on the Wheaton-Warrenville South team that set a new state record (8:59.03) in winning the Class 3A State 4x8 (2012); was on the Wheaton-Warrenville South team that finished 2 in the Class 3A State 4x8 (2011); ran 2:12.74 to finish 4 at Midwest Distance Festival (2013). 3-time Class 3A All-State XC: 23rd (2011); 11th (2010); 22nd (2009).

39 - 2:11.75 – Jessica Ackerman

Winnetka New Trier – 2013

Time was top prelim time at Class 3A State Meet (2012); ran 2:13.53 to finish 7th in finals- also ran 10:40.31 to finish 4th in the 3200m in same meet; finished 5 in Class 3A State 800m (2013) – was part of New Trier team that won the Class 3A State 4x8 (2013); All-State in Track also: 2011- 2nd in 3200m, 8th in 1600m:  2010- 7th in 3200m, 9th in 1600m; 3-time All-State 3A XC: 16th (2012); 11th (2011); 16th (2010).

40 - 2:11.80 – Rebecca Stearns

Downers Grove South – 2012

Time was for 2nd in prelims at 2012 Class 3A State Meet – ran 2:12.81 to finish 5th in the finals; finished 7th in the Class 3A State 800m (2011); was on Downers Grove South All-State teams in 4x4: 2nd (2011), 3rd (2010).

41 - 2:11.80 – Jenna Lutzow

Belvidere North – 2017

Time was for 2nd in Class 3A State Meet (2016); finished 4th in the Class 3A State 800m (2015); was part of Belvidere North team that won the Class 3A State 4x8 (2017); 4-time All-State 2A XC: 2016 State Champion; 2nd (2015); 3rd (2014); 15th (2013).

42 - 2:11.83 – Mikenna Robinson

Naperville Neuqua Valley – 2019

Time was for 3rd in the Class 3A State Meet (2018) – also finished 9th in the 200m in same meet; finished 4th in the Class 3A State 400m (2019), also on Neuqua Valley team that finished 7th in the 4x1 finals.

43 - 2:11.83 – Stephanie Kriss

Highland Park – 2020

Time was for 3rd in Illinois Top Times Indoor 3A Meet; ran 2:12.83 from unseeded section to win Distance Night in Palatine 800m (2017); ran 2:13.86 to finish 4 in the Class 3A 800m (2018).

44 - 2:11.84 – Olivia Schmitt

Lake Villa Lakes Community – 2020

Time was for 4th in prelims of Class 3A State Meet (2019) – ran 2:13.52 to finish 2nd in the finals – came back to run 58.83 to finish 7th in the 400m in same meet; ran 2:13.29 to win Distance Night in Palatine 800m (2019); finished 6th in the Class 3A State 800m (2017).

45 - 2:11.85 – Angel Gaesser

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley – 2012

Time was fastest prelim time in Class 1A State Meet (2012) – ran 2:14.25 to finish 2nd in the finals; finished 2nd in the Class 1A State 800m (2011).

46 - 2:11.93 – Alex Martel

Chicago Lane Tech – 2014

Time was fastest prelim time in Class 3A State Meet (2014) – ran 2:13.10 to finish 3rd in the finals.

47 - 2:11.94 – Michelle Frigo

Elmhurst York – 2012

Time was for 3rd in prelims of Class 3A State Meet (2012) – ran 2:12.55 to finish 4th in finals; finished 3rd in Class 3A State 800m (2010-2011); ran 2:14.19 to finish 2nd at Midwest Distance Gala 800m; Member of All-State York relay teams: 4x8 – 5th (2012), 4th (2011), 2nd (2010), 4th (2009); 4x4 – 8 (2012).

48 - 2:11.98 – Kaylee Schmitz

O’Fallon – 2012

Time was for 4 in prelims at 3A State Meet (2012) – ran 2:13.85 to finish 8th in the finals; was on O’Fallon team that won the Class 3A State 4x4 (2010); was on O’Fallon team that finished 9 in the Class 3A 4x8 (2009).