2023 ILXCTF.com IHSA/Illinois XC Previews - Class 2A Girls Individuals

 

By Michael Newman

 

The reign that Tatum David had on the Class 2A distance world is over as she has graduated and is now attending the University of Virginia.

 

There could be a new reign starting this fall for the three years from Sundara Weber of Sandwich. She surprised some last fall finishing second in the Class 1A State Meet. She showed during the Class 2A State Meet that she could run against that competition winning Illinois Top Times indoors in the 3200 Meter Run. Weber finished at state behind David in the 3200 Meter Run and third in the 1600 Meter Run behind David and Becca Heitzig of Lincoln.

 

Weber and Heitzig will be the top two runners challenging each other during the season and then in the state series. The two runners will face each other for the first time this season on the state meet course at Detweiller Park in the 2A race at the First to the Finish Invitational.

 

Here is a showcase of some of the runners that you could see up front this season in races that have 2A schools in it.

 

1 Sundara Weber – SO – Sandwich

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:18.0; 1600m – 4:59.18; 3200m – 10:31.67; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 2nd place

 

Notes – I don’t think that it matters that Sandwich and Sundara Weber will run in Class 2A for the next two seasons for Cross Country. The sophomore has IT that defines what a runner can do when they step up for a race. We saw that with Weber beginning last fall and then during track. In the two times that Weber ran at Detweiller Park before state she ran 18:15 to finish seventh at First to the Finish. She ran 17:45 at the Peoria Invitational to finish fourth three weeks later. She came from behind at state to finish second running 17:26. Weber finished second in the 3200 Meter Run and third in the 1600 Meter Run behind a couple of quality runners in Tatum David and Becca Heitzig. She will see Heitzig a couple of times this fall. Her personal bests this spring in the 1600 and 3200 are not times you would see from a freshman. Weber has the drive to run faster in the 2023-24 school year. She already started by running 18:02 in Detweiller at Dark to finish fourth at the end of July.

 

2 Becca Heitzig – SR – Lincoln

2023 Bests: 400m – 57.64; 800m – 2:08.04; 1600m – 4:53.00; 3200m – 11:28.88; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 3rd place

 

Notes – What was great for Becca last year is that she finished in the top three in all 10 meets that she raced in. She has been all-state twice in cross-country finishing 12th as a sophomore in 2021. She again this fall will play volleyball along with running. Heitzig had a great track season including breaking the Class 2A State Meet record for the second year in a row in the 800 Meter Run. Her only two losses in the event came to Ali Ince at Distance Night at Palatine and then in the Rantoul Sectional behind Tatum David. She has won the 800m title twice in Charleston, third as a freshman. Heitzig also finished second in the state in the 1600m Run last spring along with being a part of Lincoln’s eighth-place 4x400m Relay team. Her success on the track transferred to cross country over a year ago. It will be interesting to see Heitzig and Weber racing against each other in November.

 

3 Hadley Ferrero – JR – Crystal Lake (Central)

2023 Bests: Does not compete in Track; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – DNF

 

Notes – This is the one runner that could challenge for a state title. It did not happen last fall. It could come to fruition this fall. Ferrero finished second last fall in the Fox Valley Conference, Belvidere Regional, and the Kaneland Sectional. “Hadley was a DNF at state last season,” said her coach, Brett Willhoit. “She developed an injury at Sectionals, and we were told it was some tendonitis in her calf.  We held her out of training all week until the state race.  She started, but we pulled her after the mile when it was apparent it was only going to do more damage to keep racing.  After the state meet, she was diagnosed by a different doctor who informed her she had a stress fracture.  It was a disappointing ending for the  season for her, but it has motivated her for the upcoming season.” Ferrero ran 16:55 to finish fourth in the Class 2A race as freshman in 2021. She ran 17:07 to finish fourth in the high powered Palatine Invitational. She is in the shadows since she plays soccer in the spring. Ferrero could be a difference maker in the front of the 2A pack when we get to state.

 

4 Ava Henne – SO – Grayslake (Central)

2023 Bests: Does not compete in Track; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 7th place

 

Notes – One of the runners listed in this top five that does not run in the spring. Henne plays basketball in the winter and plays soccer in the spring. Henne started her freshman season slowly. She ran 17:51 at the Richard Spring Invitational and then 18:10 at Palatine. She heated up finishing second in her conference meet, winning at the Lakes Regional, and then third at the Deerfield Sectional before her state finish. Henne again could be leading their top five to the school’s third straight state team title.

 

5 Paige-Elicia Caruth – SR – Lake Villa (Lakes)

2023 Bests: 3200m – 11:17.57; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 8th place

 

Notes – Caruth will be one of the top runners for Lakes once again this fall. She was all-state last year after finishing 38th at state as a sophomore in 2021. Paige did not run much last spring only running in three 3200 Meter Run races. She qualified for state  but missed all-state by one spot finishing tenth. “Paige is kind and thoughtful, a wonderful individual and teammate,” said her coach, Travis Shepherd.  “After she laces up her shoes, Paige is the epitome of a "hard hat lunch pail" worker. Her dedication and effort level are in the top 1% of athletes we've ever had. She has had a superb Summer and is really fit. It's clear that she has taken the next step forward in her development and we're excited to see how that translates on the course.”

 

Runners to Watch (Listed in Alphabetical Order)

Margaret Andrzjewski – SO – Wheaton (St. Francis)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:38.1; 1600m – 5:31.68; 3200 – 12:01.00; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 22nd place

 

Notes – Not too many people knew about Andrzjewski at the start of last season. They did in November when she earned all-state honors finishing 22nd overall. She finished strong finishing second at the Metro Suburban Conference Meet, winning the race at the Sterling Regional, and then eighth at the Kaneland Sectional. She ran 19:40 at First to the Finish in early September. She improved on that time at state running 18:53 in muddy conditions. Think about what she would have run in better conditions. Her times will go down this spring in track. She was part of St. Francis’ state qualifying team in the 4x800m Relay.

 

Sara Armstrong – SR – Grayslake (Central)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:26.96; 1600m – 5:31.68 (indoors); 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 16th place

 

Notes – Armstrong only ran indoor track in 2023. She is on Grayslake Central’s soccer team. Her success is one of the reason’s why the Rams have won 2A state for the last two years. Sara has been all-state twice finishing 20 as a sophomore in 2021 and then again last year.

 

Rachel Behrens – JR – Chatham (Glenwood)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:21.92; 1600m – 5:17.73; 3200m – 11:22.10; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 36th place

 

Notes – Behrens was within four seconds and three places of teammate Ashlyn Chopra at last year’s state meet. Behrens qualified for state last spring in the Class 3A 4x800m Relay and the 1600 Mete Run. She has run in two state cross country meets. Behrens finished 67th in her first state meet in 2021. “Rachael Behrens will be a very influential athlete for our team,” said Glenwood Coach Mike Garber. “She grew a lot during the last year and is mentally and physically ready to challenge for an All State position. She will look to run with Ali Londrigan (freshman) and Ashlyn Chopra at the front of most races and set the tone for our squad.”

 

Natalie Bierbaum – SO – Normal (University)

2023 Bests – 1600m – 5:21.20; 3200m – 10:57.64; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – DNR

 

Notes – Injuries slowed down the end of Natalie Bierbaum’s freshman season not being able to run in the sectional or state race. I think she would have been in the top five considering she had before that. She started out fast running 17:05 last August at Clinton and ran 17:30 at the Peoria Invitational at the end of September. After finishing second at Metamora the following week, she was forced from running after placing fifth at the Taylorville Regional. Bierbaum looks to be healthy after finishing third at Detweiller at Dark and running 17:52 in hot conditions. Injuries played a part in her track season finishing second indoors at Illinois Top Times in the 3200 Meter Run. She only ran twice outdoors qualifying for state in the 3200 Meter Run and finished 13 in the Class 2A finals. Staying healthy is a big thing for her this season. If she can, she has the talent to do big things in the next couple of months.

 

Izzy Bing – JR – Mundelein (Carmel)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:29.0; 1600m – 5:17.37; 3200 – 11:23.12; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 23rd place

 

Notes – One of the bigger surprises last November was this runner. Bing finished 14th in the Deerfield Sectional and then came back at Detweiller to become all-state. Bing finished 42nd as a freshman in 2021. She took her running game up during the spring. She dropped her 3200 time down to 11:23.12 at Distance Night in Palatine. She made the finals in the 1600 Meter Run and also ran in the 3200 Meter Run at the 2A State Meet. “Izzy Bing is a tremendous worker and if anything, we have had to tail it back a bit,” said her coach, Jim Halford. “Izzy should be 17:00-20 at Detweiller.  All of her workout guidelines and goals are being met.  Her first summer race she ran 17:55.”

 

Ava Boyd – SR – Mahomet (Seymour)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:20.94; 1600m – 5:07.64; 3200m – 11:30.3; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 71st place

 

Notes – Boyd should be taking big steps in her senior season. She finished 55th place as a sophomore in 2021. The bad course conditions caused her to slip back last fall with her 71st place finish. Her focus was on the 1600m Run last spring running that race seven times outdoors. She ran a personal best of 5:11.13 to finish third at the Rantoul Sectional behind Tatum David and Becca Heitzig. Her state final race was memorable as she ran a four second personal best of 5:07.64 to finish fourth. The confidence that she gained from that race should carry over this fall. “Ava has worked tirelessly this past year and has made tremendous improvement,” said her coach Jama Grotelueschen. “She worked on speed development and focused on the 1500/1600M.  She is a different runner and will really surprise some people if they have not been paying attention.”

 

Zoe Carter – JR – Normal (University)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:23.59; 1600m – 5:07.64; 3200m – 10:47.38; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 9th place

 

Notes – Carter took a huge step up last fall after missing an all-state position by one spot placing 26th at state. Running with Natalie Bierbaum last fall while she was healthy helped her race stronger in the front. She finished second behind Tatum David in the Taylorville Regional, fifth at Chatham-Glenwood, and then ninth at state. A top five is definitely in her reach in November. Carter has been all-state three times in track & field. She finished ninth in the 3200 Meter Run as a freshman in 2022. She was all-state doing the distance double last spring running a personal best of 10:47.38 to finish fourth in the 3200 Meter Run. She doubled back later in the meet in the finals to run another personal best of 5:07.64 to finish fourth.

  

Isabella Marsico – SR – Lake Forest

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:28.76; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 30th place

 

Notes – Marsico will look to have a bounce back senior season after a so-so 2022-2023 season. Marsico finished sixth as a sophomore before finishing her 30th place finish last fall. She started the season running 18:09 to finish fifth at First to the Finish Invitational last year.  Isabella was all-state in 2022 in the 800 Meter Run finishing ninth. She did not do much outdoors running relays and two open 800 races.

 

Makensi Martin – JR – Morris

2023 Bests – 800m – 2:37.74; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 21st place

 

Notes – Martin is an amazing story to where she got to last fall. The junior has made the most of participating in activities such as band and club soccer. She finished 155th at state in 2021.She took the big step up last season finishing second in her regional, and then 21 at state. She surprised many people last fall. There will not be any surprises this fall when she finishes among the top 15 in the state. “She has taken some things off her plate - band competitions and fall soccer, putting more emphasis on cross, and honestly, finally giving her body a chance to recover on her 'off days.' I'm not sure she had an off day last fall with soccer,” said Morris Coach Joe Blumberg. “She wants to improve upon her state finish (21st) and has goals of running (in ideal conditions) in the 16s this season. Her summer mileage is up. She is focused, determined, and confident.”

 

Sophia Ramirez – SO – Washington

2023 Bests: 400m – 59.87; 800 – 2:17.54; 1600 – 4:54.85; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 11th place

 

Notes – One of the top freshmen in the state last season. Ramirez should be among of the top five runners in Class 2A this fall.  She ran 18:54 in her first race ever at Detweiller Park last year. She ran 18:04 at the park at the Mid-Illini Conference Meet in which she won. She ran 18:16 in her state race. Times will be faster for her this fall perhaps in the low 17’s. Ramirez had a great track season and ended it as one of the top 15 freshman nationally in the 1600 Meter Run. Ramirez qualified for state in the 4x800m Relay along with the 1600 Meter Run. Sophia shined in this race running a personal best of 4:54.85 to finish fifth in the Class 3A State finals.

 

Kate Robertson – JR – Dunlap

2023 Bests: Did not run track in the spring; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 52nd place

 

Notes – Dunlap does a good job of pack running. Robertson gets this pack flying finishing as the team’s second runner last year. She does not run during the spring, instead opting to play on Dunlap’s softball team. Robertson’s fastest race last fall came in the Mid-Illini Conference Meet on the Detweiller Park State course. She finished second behind Washington’s Sophia Ramirez with a 18:13.1 time. Robertson also finished 11th at the Metamora Sectional. She also ran in the state meet as a freshman in 43rd place.

 

Molly Robertson – JR – Carterville

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:26.51; 1600m – 5:22.86; 3200m – 11:35.00; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 32nd place

 

Notes – Molly Robertson could better her state meet performance in Class 1A this fall in Class 2A this November. It is certainly possible especially the way she has run the past year. Robertson ran in state her freshman season finishing 81st overall. On her way to making it to state, Robertson finished in the top four in all seven races including the SIRR Conference Championship where she was the conference champion. Molly qualified for the Class 2A State Meet last spring in the 3200 Meter Run. She ran a personal best of 11:35 to finish 15 overall from the first section of the event. She also lowered her 1600m time down to 5:22.86 on April 25 at DuQuoin.

 

Annika Swan – SO – Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep)

Bests – 800m – 2:12.2; 1600m – 4:53.82; 3200 – 10:45.45; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – DNR

 

Notes – Could challenge for the Class 2A State title this fall if she can stay healthy. She was ill the week of state meet last year and did not run. Her first year of high school country was not that bad including four of her final five races including winning the 2A Deerfield Sectional. She also won at Lakes on October 7 running a fast 17:18.6. Her track season was lights out as she was all-state in both the Class 3A 800n Run and 3A 1600 Meter Run. Swan ran under 2:14 in all seven outdoor races las spring culminating in finishing second in the 800m Run. She ran under 5:01 in six races last spring. She finished seventh at state. Her best 1600 time came 10 days after state at Magis Miles. She had one of the top 15 freshman times nationally. “Annika made big improvements during the track season,” said her coach Matt Haffner. “She focused on steady mileage and strength training this summer.  Her improved running form is a direct result of that effort.” 

 

Chiara Surtz – JR – Aurora (Rosary)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:29.26; 1600m – 5:19.04; 3200m – 11:28.56 – 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 16th place

 

Notes – Surtz is a two-time all-state runner in cross-country finishing 25 as a freshman in 2021 and then 16th overall last year. Both were in the Class 1A State Meet. Her final two years her school Rosary will be in Class 2A. Don’t count out Surtz for all-state the next two seasons. She ran personal bests for all three distances. She ran 11:28.58 for 3200-meters at Distance Night in Palatine. Surtz did qualify for the state meet in the Class 2A 3200m Run finishing 16th overall.

 

Lulu Ton-That – JR – Chicago (Northside)

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:16.21; 1600m – 5:11.02; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 10th Place

 

Notes – Ton-That earned her second straight all-state finish last fall at Detweiller Park finishing tenth. She finished eighth as a freshman in 2021. Ton-That was all-state on the track finishing fifth in the Class 2A 800 Meter Run. “Lulu has been such a great athlete to coach,” said her coach Jon Hootman. “She is absolutely ferocious when she races, hates to lose, and is very dedicated to her training. All of which are great qualities for an athlete to have, but especially when paired with the ability to recognize that running isn't everything. She's also a phenomenal gymnast, and so even when she has an off-race or a less than stellar workout, that helps her be able to recognize that running is just one aspect of her life, which means she bounces back from disappointment very quickly and you can never count her out.”

 

Abby Tudeen – JR – Dunlap

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:33.27; 1600m – 5:24.85; 3200 – 11:03.73; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 43rd place

 

Notes – The top runner for the Eagles last November finishing 43rd overall. She did better her performance from 2021 when she finished 125th. One of the reasons why Tudeen could finish in the top 25 this November is because of some of the personal bests she achieved during this past track season. Her biggest improvement came in the 3200 Meter Run where she dropped her time from 11:47 in 2022 to last May when she ran 11:03.73 to finish seventh at the Class 2A 3200 Meter Run and all-state status.

 

Madison Twarling – SR – Lake Villa (Lakes)

2023 Bests: 1600m – 5:24.30; 3200m – 12:04.23; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 34th place

 

Notes – Madison Twarling came close to the top 25 and could find her way there in a couple of months. She has run at state twice finishing 49th as a sophomore in 2021. Twarling concentrated on the 4x8 and the 1600 during the last track season. She was the leadoff runner for the Eagles last year at state as her team finished fifth in the finals. Twarling also qualified for state in the 1600 Meter Run. “Madison has really stepped into a leadership role for us this year,” said her coach, Travis Shepherd. “She is a point guard on our basketball team, so it's no surprise that she sets the tone for our team. She has put in a lot of work this Summer and is highly motivated after finishing within 10 spots of All State last year. The confidence boost she has gained from being our pacesetter has already paid dividends in her running. Madison has taken her new role in stride and our team is benefitting greatly.”