2021 IHSA State Cross Country Season Previews - 3A Girls Individuals

 

Josephine Welin chases after a state crown with Katrina Schlenker and Ali Ince close behind

 

By Michael Newman

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Two seniors and a sophomore should lead them all in Class 3A this fall.

 

Josephine Welin of Oak Park-River Forest stepped into the spotlight during last fall’s regional and sectional races where she was not even noticed before that. Welin stormed to the win at ShaZam and then captured a state championship last June in the 3200 Meter Run. Her 10:03 that she ran after some incredible state races proves that she is ready to take her cross-country running to another level. It could mean looking at times that Judy Pendergast and Katelynne Hart posted ahead of her. It is something that won’t be talked about now. We could be discussing it after a high stakes race at the Richard Spring Invitational that could include Welin, Ava Parekh, and Ali Ince.

 

Katrina Schlenker of Batavia chased Hart to the 15:59 time in 2018. He lurked in the shadows last fall and could make her senior season her best one. Ali Ince missed an eighth-grade season of running and was playing catch-up last fall in her conditioning. Everything that we saw Ince do last spring could lead to bigger things over the next couple of months. Don’t forget about Aly Negovetich of Grant and Sophia McNerney of Downers Grove South that have the talent to challenge the three above runners.

 

Here is a look at some of the top runners in Class 3A for the upcoming Illinois cross-country season.

 

 

1 Josephine Welin – Oak Park-River Forest – SR

 

Preview – There is a two-race period last fall that showed the toughness that Josephine Welin has in races. Welin ran 16:54 to finish second behind Glenbard West’s Audrey Allman in a dual meet. It was the only non-win that she had during the regular season. 16 days later at the WSC-Silver Meet on the same course, Welin won running faster (16:49.4) than she had done earlier in conditions that were worse than when she ran the first race. Welin made it to the top of the mountain in this state last season. She will only go higher nationally this fall.

 

Welin swept the regional, sectional, and ShaZam races at the end of last year including running 16:33 on a fast Lincoln Park course in her sectional race. Welin competed post season finishing 10th at the USA Meet of Champions in Terre Haute against an elite national field.

 

Her track season was just as powerful winning the 3200 Meter Run at the 3A State Finals. Her second-place finish in the 1600 Meter Run (4:42.55) was one of the fastest times ever run by an Illinois High School Girls athlete. She followed those races at state running 10:03.72 for the 3200 Meter Run at the Illinois Girls Meet of Champions. It is currently the fourth fastest time ever for an Illinois High School runner.

 

“Josephine is coming off a great track season,” said her coach, Ashley Raymond. “She has the same laser focus she has had for the past three years. Josephine loves and focuses on the process of training and the improvement is just a side effect. She is excited to race at invitationals instead of only dual meets like last year.” Her first two races this fall are at Fenton and then the Richard Spring Invitational.

 

2 Katrina Schlenker – Batavia – SR

 

Preview – Katrina Schlenker likes the challenge. Her thriving on rebounding shows her character. Schlenker liked to double during last track season. She did not run the race that she wanted at Wheaton-Warrenville South at the end of May running 10:53.97 to finish second in the 3200 Meter Run. She did not look at her best afterwards. She came back in this distance meet to run 15:02.02 to win the 1600 Meter Run in that meet.

 

Schlenker doubled again at the state meet this time in the 800 and the 1600. Her 800 was not her best race running 2:19 to place 11th. Sure enough, she came back to run 4:52.99 to finish 6th in that 1600 under the lights. She improved on her personal best in the 800 last spring running 2:12.49 in her sectional race. Schlenker went undefeated in most of her races last except for finishing second to Samantha Poglitsch in two small meets. Schlenker finished second behind Josephine Welin at the ShaZam Meet. The senior also finished 12th in Terre Haute a week after ShaZam and then the following week finishing 8th at Running Lane in Alabama. Katrina should be one of the top runners in the state and the nation this fall.

 

“Katrina has been such a joy to coach. She has such high standards for herself and works as hard as any girl I've ever had,” said her coach, Chad Hillman. “When an extremely high talent kid has the work ethic and drive to match her talent, it makes everyone around her better. Katrina is very excited to be a senior and has really stepped into a leadership role. It really is a joy every year to see her embrace the TEAM aspect of Cross Country and use it to make herself and her team better. She has had a very strong summer of training and will progress very well towards November.”  

 

3 Ali Ince – Normal Community – SO

 

Preview – We all saw what Ali Ince did last spring. She jumped into the national spotlight as one of the top high school distance runners in the nation. The fact that she ran four of the top five times ever in the state as a freshman can blow your mind. Ince running 4:40.85 on a double at the state meet proves that she is on her way to becoming the top distance runner this state has ever produced. The fun part now comes when she steps to the cross-country course. She will be at the Richard Spring Invitational in September running against Josephine Welin.

 

“Ali started an at home business making fortune cookies during the pandemic last fall,” her coach Tom Patten said. “We're expecting a pretty good XC experience given the track season she had. Her performance last year was limited a bit by a  couple key factors. One is that she came off an 8th grade year where she had no track races at all. The other is that, because of Covid restrictions, she ran almost every race like a time trial. Regionals was the only race before the alternative State meet where she had someone with her going into the last half mile. Coming off her great track season this year and having several opportunities to race against quality competition this year, we're expecting her to run considerably faster this year.”

 

Ince’s fortune should rise this fall after running the fourth fastest 800 in the nation last year (2:03.98) at the Brooks PR Invitational. The three runners ahead of her in the rankings all ran in the US Olympic Trials including Roisin Willis whom Ince defeated at Distance Night in Palatine in May. Ince ended last fall finishing seventh at the ShaZam Club Championships after winning regional and sectional races.

 

4 Aly Negovetich – Fox Lake (Grant) - SR

 

Preview – One of the runners that in some points in her career has fallen into the shadows of some of the great runners in this state. The fact is that when she graduates next spring she will have emerged as one of the most competitive runners that this state has seen. Aly Negovetich had a great track season running personal bests in four events. She ran a best of 4:56.24 in finishing second at Distance Night in Palatine. Negovetich ran a personal best 2:15.29 in the 800 Meter Run in the Lake County Invitational in May. She started out running a personal best outdoors of 10:40.93 for the 3200 Meter Run on her home track. Negovetich also ran a personal best of 4:57.59 for the 1 Mile Run in an indoor meet at Gately Park last March.

 

She earned all-state honors finishing ninth in horrifically warm conditions in the 3200 Meter Run at last June’s State Meet. Negovetich still came back to run the 1600 Meter Run where she finished 15th. Her cross-country season last fall was just as good going undefeated during the regular season including with wins in her conference, regional, and sectional meets. Negovetich finished fourth at the ShaZam Club Championships and then 14th at the Meet of Champions in Terre Haute the following week to end her season. She is in store for a memorable senior season.

 

5 Sophia McNerney – Downers Grove South – SR

 

Preview – This Downers Grove South runner made huge strides last spring after not her best race of the season last fall. Sophia McNerney ran a solo 17:18 for 3-miles on her home course during last fall’s season. She won her conference and regional meet races. McNerney did not have her best race at the Whitney Young Sectional where she placed 17th.

 

McNerney did bounce back in a big way during the most recent track season. It started when she broke five minutes for the first time for 1600-meters (4:59.99) and 10:48.25 for 3200-meters in meets at Gately Park. She earned all-state honors in Charleston finishing second in the 3200 Meter Run at the 3A State Finals with a personal best of 10:44.24. She also qualified for the 800 Meter Run. McNerney still ran that race despite the hot conditions that hit that meet. That double will pay off big when she races this fall.

 

“Sophia is one of the most driven athletes we've had at DGS in the last 20 years,” said her coach, Doug Plunkett. “The improvement that she's made from freshman year is remarkable and it's primarily due to her willingness to do the extra work to reach some pretty lofty goals. Sophia is also a true student of her sport. She has become a better tactician and shown more patience in her races, which led to a strong junior season. As senior expectations are high, and Sophia will be competitive in every race she runs. I think Sophia is capable of a top 3 finish at the State CC meet.”

 

3A Runners to Watch (In Alphabetical Order)

 

Audrey Allman – Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West) - SR

 

Preview – A runner to keep on this fall especially after injuries slowed her down in the 2020 cross-country season. Audrey Allman did fight back at the end of last fall finishing fifth at the Proviso West Regional and then sixth in the Lyons Township Sectional. She earned all-state honors last spring finishing sixth in the 3A State Finals in the 800 Meter Run. She ran a personal best in that distance (2:13.32) in her sectional race.

 

“Once again, Audrey Allman spent the entire month of July training in Colorado at altitude, and if the past is any guide, she is ready to start the season in fabulous shape,” said her coach, Paul Hass. “Audrey is coming off a track season where she posted a personal best in the 800m, earned all-state honors in that same event, and ran anchor in our all-state 4x4 that placed 5th. Although many may view Audrey as more of a mid-distance talent, she takes cross country very seriously and has no qualms about running with the lead pack in big meets. After an all-state performance as a sophomore (18th) and a top finish at last year’s sectional that would have qualified her for state, Audrey is highly focused upon making her senior season the best of her career, and we can’t wait to see what she will do this fall.”

 

Brooke Berger – Elmhurst (York) – JR

 

Preview – I am looking forward on seeing what this junior can do this fall after a breakthrough sophomore season. Brooke Berger did not have her best race at conference last October finishing 21. She did bounce back as one of the top runners for her team finishing fourth in the Proviso West Regional and sixth in the Lyons Township Sectional. She was the team’s top runner when she finished fifth at the ShaZam Club Championships. Berger was part of the York quartet last spring where they finished seventh earning all-state honors. She came back to run a personal best of 4:57.64 to finish 11 in the 3A State Final 1600 Meter Run. In any other year, that time would have been all-state.

 

“Brooke is coming off an extremely successful track season and has been working hard all summer,” said her coach, Lauren DeAngelis. “She is extremely competitive and dedicated to her training.  We are looking for great things from Brooke this season.”

 

Alyssa Elliott – Belleville (West) – SR

 

Preview – One runner that we can see emerge as a top runner in the southern part of the state. One of the runners we could see in the top 25 in November. Alyssa Elliott did finish fourth in the Granite City Regional last fall followed by finishing third at the Normal Sectional. She did end last fall finishing 32 at the ShaZam Club Championships. Elliott did run personal bests of 5:28.54 for the 1600 Meter Run and 11:31.0 for the 3200 Meter Run last spring. “We are very excited about Alyssa's senior season,” said her coach, Patton Seagraves. “She has some lofty goals, which include being in the mix for an All-State spot in November. She had a very strong junior year, running a 17:29 PR. She had a great summer and is eager to start racing. Consistency and toughness are Alyssa's strengths. I cannot wait to see them on display this Fall. Our program is so thankful for the leadership that she provides. She is a great runner, but an even better person.”

 

Anna Harden – Arlington Heights (Hersey) – JR

 

Preview – Anna Harden likes the challenge of racing which we saw last year’s COVID-19 season. Harden had a personal best of 17:13 last fall for 3-miles. Harden won the MSL title along with inning the Loyola Regional. The junior finished fourth at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. She ended last fall finishing 12th at the ShaZam Club Championships. Harden ran a personal best of 10:55.78 at Distance Night in Palatine. She did qualify for the 3A State Finals where she finished 11th in the 3A State Final 3200 Meter Run.

 

“After ending track feeling a little disappointed, Anna wasted no time getting ready for this fall,” said her coach, Danielle Freeman. “She has had consistent, quality training this summer with an increase in her weekly mileage and is looking and feeling great. Heading into her junior year, she has taken the reins as a leader for this group of girls and sets an amazing example of what consistent, passionate work can get you.  She is hungry and ready to roll.”

 

Brooke Johnston – Lake Zurich – JR

 

Preview – After a great track season, Brooke Johnston could take some huge steps towards the top of the mountain. Johnston won the North Suburban Conference Meet last fall followed by finishing second in the Loyola Regional and then third at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. She did come back to finish ninth at the ShaZam Club Championships. Johnston earned all-state honors finishing seventh in the 3A State 800 Meter Run with a 2:14.68 personal best. She came back to run another personal best of 4:56.40 but to finish tenth in the 1600 Meter Run in that meet. They bettered that time two weeks later when she ran 4:55.95 for third in the elite race at Magis Miles. That time converted to 4:54.32 for 1600-meters.

 

“Brooke had a superb winter and spring training progression that she worked so hard at and that 

 

showed in her amazing end of the season performances and  times at IHSA State and the Magis Mile.

 

(She was 1 of only 5 girls that finished TOP 10 in two distance events at State),” said her coach, Jeremy Kauffman. “Last Winter and Spring she took that next step as well in understanding and executing the patterning and pacing of her training (her personal training logbook is so detailed and focused) She also took that next step in her racing as this was her first full track season of High School. She simply got better and better every practice and every meet in every way as she learned what it took to race at those

 

elite track levels. She already has done that in multiple years in XC. She is such an extremely tough and talented athlete that can mentally push herself to places physically that I have seen few runners do in my career; furthermore, her work ethic and attention to detail is impeccable as is her humility and character. She is a phenomenal teammate that is so supportive and warm to every girl on our Team.  She has already been so successful in her first two years, but I cannot wait to see what she will do as a JR and SR as she took another step this Summer and will be one to watch this fall as she has stated some big goals.”  

 

Gabrielle Kics – Minooka - JR

 

Preview – Gabrielle Kics stepped up as Minooka’s top runner last fall. She again will be one of the top runners on what should be a very good team. Kics surprised some winning the Southwest Prairie Conference then finishing fourth in her regional and sectional races. Kics finished 19th at the ShaZam Club Championships. Kics was part of the Minooka quartet that finished eighth in the 3A State 4x800m Finals. “Gabby Kics is one who is always striving to improve and learn about this sport, and it is great to see her emerge as one of the leaders on this team,” said her coach, Kevin Gummerson. “She does a great job of reaching out to the younger athletes and teaching them about this sport. She has realized that if she does things daily to make this team better, then that is going to in turn help her become better.”

 

Riley Knoyle – Edwardsville – JR

 

Preview – One of the top runners for an Edwardsville team that again will make some noise in the top 10 this fall. Riley Knoyle had a great finish to last fall placing third in the Granite City Regional, fifth in the Normal Sectional, and then 14th at the ShaZam Club Championships. She did make it to the 3A State Finals last June in the 1600 Meter Run where she ran a personal best of 5:08.98 in that race. “Riley was diagnosed with a stress fracture a week after the Girls’ State Meet,” said her coach, George Patrylak. “It did not bother her until after she stopped running. She got the greenlight to start walking/jogging, but she said it still bothered her. The hope is for her to start training at the end of this week. She has been doing a lot of work in the pool, so we hope she will have some level of fitness when she starts back. Although the reason for the time off was not good, I think the mental break may help her in the long run.”

 

Morgan Mackie – Wilmette (Loyola Academy) – SO

 

Preview – I am excited to see what Morgan Mackie can do after a great freshman season. Mackie did win the GCAC Meet, finished third in the Loyola Regional and second at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. She did not have her best race at ShaZam where she placed 95th. Mackie bounced back in the spring as she was all-state in the 3A State Finals where she finished sixth in the 3200 Meter Run. Mackie an in the 1600 Meter Run finals where she finished 16. Mackie achieved personal bests of 2:18.29 for 800-meters, 5:01.14 for 1600-meters, and 10:51.69 for 3200-meters. “She has spent the summer out east at  her grandmother's which is family tradition,” said her coach, Chris-Jon Simon. “Morgan has communicated with me all summer. She does a lot of cross- training and ocean swimming for strength. She learned how to transition to high school training. Her experience at track state was awesome to watch the speed in the 1600. WOW! Her goal is a top 10 finish and a top 10 team finish as well.”

 

Catie McCabe – Hinsdale (Central) – JR

 

Preview – If her track season is any evidence, Catie McCabe could finish in the top 10 this November in Peoria. McCabe finished 12th at the WSC-Silver Meet, second in the Marist Regional, and seventh in the Whitney Young Sectional before finishing 23rd at the ShaZam Club Championships to end her cross-country season. She earned all-state honors in track finishing fourth in the 1600 Meter Run in the 3A State Finals running a personal best of 4:52.23. McCabe finished at the end of June running a personal best of 2:12.94 for 800-meters at Hope Academy. “Catie McCabe had a breakout sophomore year (23rd at Shazam State and 4:52/2:12 in track) and looks to take it to the next level this year,” said her coach and father, Mark McCabe. “She is a very diligent, determined  and focused athlete and young woman who is learning what it takes to succeed at higher levels and enjoying the process that involves. She has high goals for this season and looks to take another step forward this fall.” 

 

Michaela Quinn – Elmhurst (York) – SO

 

Preview – Michaela Quinn had a fantastic fall season in her first year of high school cross-country. Let’s see what she has in store for this fall as York looks for a state title. Quinn was one of the top runners for the Dukes last fall finishing second in the WSC-Silver Meet, and then third in both the Proviso West Regional and Lyons Township Sectional. She was the team’s second runner at ShaZam Club Championships when she finished sixth overall. Quinn has flown under the radar since she played soccer last spring instead of running track. Big things remain in store for this sophomore. “She looks extremely strong after a great summer of training,” said her coach, Lauren DeAngelis. “Michaela is a strong athlete who is very dedicated to her training, injury prevention, and her team.”

 

Naomi Ruff – South Elgin – SR

 

Preview – We did not get a true indication of how well Naomi Ruff ran last fall since her school did not submit results to Athletic.Net. We got a good idea in track where she shined in the 3A State Finals. Ruff was all-state as a freshman in 2018 when she finished 12th at Detweiller Park. Ruff won the Lake Park Regional last fall before placing 12th at the Lyons Sectional and then 15th at the ShaZam Club Championships. She was all-state twice in last June’s 3A State Finals. Ruff finished ninth in both the 800 Meter Run and then the 1600 Meter Run. Her time of 4:56.03 was a personal best in that race. Ruff ran a personal best of 2:14.88 for the 800 Meter Run in her sectional race.

 

Peyton Schieppe – O’Fallon – SR

 

Preview – If Peyton Schieppe can stay healthy this fall, we should see some great racing from here. She has already started by finishing fifth at Detweiller at Dark at the end of July. Schieppe had a great end to last fall winning her conference meet and then placing second in both the Granite City Regional and Normal Sectional. She finished 18th at ShaZam Club Championships. She missed all last track season due to an injury. “Peyton is recovered from her injury last spring as is looking to build on her success from last fall,” said her coach, Neil James. “She is confident and excited to get back at it. She has looked good in summer training and is looking forward to getting back to the competition.”

 

Caroline Schoen – Homewood-Flossmoor – JR

 

Preview – I am looking forward to seeing Caroline Schoen run after a great sophomore track season. Schoen finished third last fall in her conference meet before winning the Andrew Regional and then placing eighth at the Normal Sectional. Schoen’s big step-up last spring came when she was all-state in the 3A State finals finishing seventh in the 3200 Meter Run. She came back in the heat of Charleston to run a personal best of 5:02.17 to finish 13th in the 1600 Meter Run. Schoen the week after state ran 10:49.26 in the Illinois Girls Meet of Champions for the 3200 Meter Run. “Caroline is a fierce competitor and races with grit,” said her coach, Mary Kate Pack. “When she is running out front on her own, she is focused on beating her own times.  When she finds herself head-to-head with tough competition, she shows no fear and does not back down from the challenge.  She is a pleasure to coach. Caroline has a true passion for running and remains motivated during difficult phases of the season.  She is a leader of the team who encourages others to set goals and work to reach them.  Her positive attitude and work ethic make her a role model for our younger athletes. She is also the epitome of a successful student-athlete and has maintained a 4.0 (unweighted) GPA.”

 

Lucy Westlake – Naperville (North) – SR

 

Preview – Lucy Westlake should be Naperville North’s top runner as the Lady Huskies seek out another state team title. Westlake was part of North’s top five all last fall finishing third in the DVC Meet, fifth in the Oswego East Regional, and then 11th at the Whitney Young Sectional. She ended last fall finishing 16th at the ShaZam Club Championships. Westlake achieved a personal best of 10:57.98 for the 3200 Meter Run last spring. “Lucy is a really accomplished, dedicated athlete and person,” said her coach, Dan Iverson. “She is one of the most well-rounded individuals I have ever coached. She is a tremendous leader, hard worker, and her interests are wonderfully varied. She climbed to the top of Denali this summer! She is truly a unique, wonderful kid. And her overall work ethic has put her in a position to run really well this fall. I’m excited to see what she can do this year and beyond. She certainly continues to make us better.”

 

Katelyn Winton – Elmhurst (York) – SR

 

Preview – Katelyn Winton is one of the reason’s why York will contend for a state team championship this fall. Winton was one of the team’s top five runners last fall finishing seventh in the WSC-Silver Meet, 11th in the Proviso West Regional, and then 10th at the Lyons Sectional. She came on strong during the track season. Winton was part of York’s quartet that finished seventh in the 4x800m Relay in the 3A State Finals last June. Winton also qualified in the 1600 Meter Run in the meet where she finished 22nd. She achieved personal bests of 5:03.93 for 1600-meters and 11:18.16 for 3200-meters last spring. “Katelyn is coming off of an extremely successful first track season and extremely strong after a great summer of training,” said her coach, Lauren DeAngelis. “Katelyn is very determined and has high season expectations.”