Gilbert – Bollinger showdown could be on tap in November

By Michael Newman

[email protected]

Maryjeanne Gilbert proved during the spring that she will be one of the top runners this fall when she won the 3200 Meter Run at the 2A state meet. It makes sense that she should be the favorite in 2A. She finished 3^rd as a freshman, 2^nd as a sophomore. Doesn’t it make sense where she should end up this season?

Skyler Bollinger is ready to race this fall. Last year, a knee injury slowed her down. She came back to earn 3A all-state honors in the 1600. She won the AAU National championship in the 2000 Meter Steeplechase. She has showed she is ready for the challenge that is ahead. The 2A field is deep this season. Do not forget about 2012 champion Victoria Clinton how is 100% healthy after a bike accident slowed her down last fall.

Here is a look at some of the top individuals in 2A Girls Cross Country in Illinois.

2A Girls Individuals

(In Alphabetical Order)

Caitlyn Allen – SR – Marengo

-    Caitlyn earned all-state honors by finishing 13^th in the 2A state meet running 17:47. She was also all-state her sophomore season in 2012 finishing 16^th. “Kitty” has PR’s of 5:26.08 in the 1600 and 11:2196 in the 3200. “Caitlyn “Kitty” Allen is a beast. She works so hard and has remained humble and motivated throughout it all,” said her Coach RJ Meyer. “Kitty really thrives on pressure situations and for that reason I have tried to keep her on her toes in both workouts and in meets. I regularly challenge her because she is still very raw and has a lot of potential to improve as a runner. She does a great job with the freshmen and has adapted to this role to truly be the #1 runner and leader of the team. Our training program will throttle Kitty back a little early on but will allow her to be strong in November when it counts the most. She has the potential to place in the top ten at state this year.”

Caroline Arlasky – SR Glen Ellyn Glenbard South

-    Caroline earned all-state honors by finishing 24^th in the 2A state meet running 18:02. She has PR’s of 11:41 for 3200 and 5:33.6 for 1600. A disappointing track season has driven Caroline a little bit more this summer according to her coach Brian Webb. She will be one of the top runners for the Raiders in 2014.

Skyler Bollinger – SR – Yorkville

-    Skyler earned all-state honors by finishing 16^th at the 2A state meet running 17:54. She finished 5^th in the state meet her freshman year. She was all-state in the 3A 1600 Meter Run last spring. She has PR’s of 2:13.95 in the 800 (2013), 4:56.09 for the 1600, and 10:41.13 in the 3200. Skyler won the AAU National 15-16 National championship in the 2000 Meter Steeplechase. Bollinger ran with a knee injury at the end of the last season. She was still able to be the #1 runner in the state meet despite of that. Skyler ran 17:16 to win Detweiller at Dark in July. She is the heart and soul of this team. “Skyler is as strong and as motivated as I have ever seen her in her training,” said Yorkville Coach Chris Muth. “She is fully healthy for the first time in a long time and I look forward to watch her attack the courses this year.  She is our leader on the course.”

Emma Chelsvig – SR – Jacksonville

-    Emma finished 34^th at last year’s state meet running 18:30. She is on the verge of doing some great things in her final year of prep running. “I am sad that this is her senior year.  She is without a doubt the most dedicated runner I have coached in my 18 years of coaching,” said Jacksonville Coach Brock Van Bebber. “She is extremely driven and has put in another summer of 500+ miles.  Our goal for her is to be an all-stater and to prove that week in and week out.  We don't separate the girls and boys in our training and she runs with our varsity guys on a daily basis and she loves the push/challenge that they provide her in workouts.  The number one thing she has to work on is the belief that she can compete with anyone.  If she is able to conquer that mental hurdle, the sky is the limit.”

Victoria Clinton – SR – Maple Park Kaneland

-    Victoria finished 76^th in last year’s 2A state meet running 19:12. She won the 2A state title her sophomore year and finished 11^th as a freshman. Her junior year was slowed down by a bicycle injury during triathlon training before the start of last season. She should be among the elite runners in 2A this fall. “Victoria Clinton has been training & racing in triathlons since cross country ended,” said her Coach Doug Ecker. She had a very successful triathlon season, is healthy again, fully recovered from last year's bicycle accident and should have a very good cross country season her senior year.”

Maddie Dearborn – SO – Aurora Illinois Math & Science Academy

-    Maddie finished 29^th in last year’s 2A state meet running 18:20 for Yorkville. She just missed qualifying in the 3A 1600 for the state track meet last spring. She has PR’s of 5:14.63 in the 1600 and 11:42.7 in the 3200. She will be attending Illinois Math & Science Academy beginning this fall. “Maddie Dearborn had an outstanding track season, just missing track state in the 1600 by .5 seconds with a 5:14.5,” said Yorkville coach Chris Muth. “She progressed last year during cross country, but really did a ton of learning and progressing during the track season.  Her summer was cut a little short with a leg injury at the end of it, but she has been working extremely hard on the bike to keep her conditioning up.  She should be ready to go by the beginning of the season and be very successful.”

Maryjeanne Gilbert – JR – Peoria Notre Dame

-    Maryjeanne earned all-state honors finishing 2^nd at the 2A state meet running 17:04. She finished 3^rd in 2A her freshman year. She was the state champion in the 2A 3200 Meter Run last spring running 10:34.37. She came back to finish 4^th in the 1600 Meter Run (5:09.05). Her PR was set in the prelims (5:06.33). In her freshman season, she finished 2^nd in the 3200 and 9^th in the 1600. She will be one of the runners to watch this fall. Her work ethic and the will to excel are incredible. After winning her first IHSA state title in the 3200 and 4^th in the 1600 at last spring’s state meet, there was no resting on her laurels. After helping others while participating in a Christian mission trip in June, she put in a big-volume summer with a lot of additional pool work, core work and weight work. Maryjeanne attended the University of Wisconsin Camp of Champions (for XC) and was the top female runner among many fine runners,” said her coach Dan Gray. “Coaching Maryjeanne really makes you look like you know what you are doing. The hardest part is trying to hold the reins in on recovery days. She has some very high goals for the season and is excited to compete near the top of the state again. Following the IHSA season, she is interested in testing the waters in the Midwest and ideally, the Nationals.”

Abby Jockisch – SR – Dunlap

-    Abby earned all-state honors finishing 10^th in the 2A state meet running 17:43. She qualified for the 1600 and 3200 at last spring’s state meet. Abby has PR’s of 5:12.87 for the 1600 and 11:15.22 for the 3200. She has the potential of placing in the top five this season. She will be one of the reasons why Dunlap will be challenging for a team championship. “Abby has been working hard all summer. She learned a great deal during track about racing at the top level. Because of her injuries and medical issues her first two years of high school, she’s still a little new to racing at the top level in high school,” said her coach Chris Friedman. “She loves cross country, and after last year, she has a confidence about cross country. She attended a few camps (Wisconsin and Notre Dame) and ran well at both of them. During the season, she will see some top flight competition at East Peoria Invite and Runnin’ Red Invite at Metamora which should give us some idea of where she stacks up. Beyond the running, she is also a great leader, bringing in our new freshmen and building a cohesive team. After last year’s success, a repeat top ten finish is certainly the goal.”

Sarah Leganski – SR – Darien Hinsdale South

-    Sarah finished 35^th in the 2A state meet last year running 18:30. Along with teammate Victoria Salazar, they are the reasons of why Hinsdale South is ranked this year. She has the potential of a top 25 finish this November at Detweiller.

Katrina Liz – JR – Aurora Central Catholic

-    Karina finished 59^th in the 1A state meet running 19:10. She ran 18:24 in the 2A state meet her freshman year. In track, she was the 2A 800 Meter Champion setting a new 2A state record (2:10.73). Back in 2A for this season, Liz may thrive in cross country especially after her success in track and also the team that Aurora Central Catholic could have this fall. She did run 18:24 her freshman year. She could run faster in 2014.

Jenna Lutzow – SO – Belvidere North

-    Jenna earned all-state honors finishing 15^th in the 2A state meet running 17:50. She qualified for both the 1600 and 800 in the 3A state meet. She finished fourth in the 800 (2:14.53). If there is a runner that has flown under the radar, it could be this sophomore. “Jenna is coming off a great track season and has put in the work this off season to make her a top contender on the 2A level. She is hungry to improve on her finish from 14th last season at the state meet and has that competitive drive that will keep her focused and motivated,” said her coach John Paddock. “Having a successful freshman season has given her confidence and that carries over into all of her workouts and runs. Jenna also has a strong workout partner with her older sister Carley and both of them will push each other to the next level...Jenna doesn't like to lose and it has even shown in her tempo runs this summer.”

Natalie Motor – SR – Springfield

-    Natalie did not run in the 2013 2A state meet due to a hip injury. She did run 18:21 at the Richard Spring Invitational. She showed that she is healthy again in track running 11:44 to qualify for the 2A state meet in the 3200. Natalie should be the #1 runner for Springfield this season. Her personal best at Detweiller Park is 18:08 when she was a freshman at the 2012 state meet.

Abigail Nadler – SR – Chicago Latin School

-    Abigail earned all-state honors by finishing 23^rd in the 1A state meet running 18:08. She qualified for the 2A state track meet last spring in the 1600 and 3200. Her PR’s are 5:08.33 for the 1600 and 11:32.23 for the 3200. She ran 18:45 this past July at Detweiller at Dark. She should have an easy transition from 1A to 2A this cross country season with the potential to place in the top 20. “Abigail is delight to coach: She works hard, has fun, is talented, and loves to compete and rises to the occasion at big meets,” said Latin School Coach Dan Daly. “She finished up track with some great times and has continued to dedicate herself over the summer. She’s now our team leader, and a great role model to our younger athletes.”

Vivian Overbeck – JR – Vernon Hills

-    Vivian earned all-state honors last year finishing 11^th in the 2A state meet running 17:46. She was all-state in the 2A 3200 running 11:04.09 for fifth place. An underrated runner who is finally starting to get noticed statewide. “Vivian followed up her all-state XC performance with an all-state track finish in the 3200m run.  She's excited for the XC season and has worked very hard in the off season to prepare herself for another all-state run come November,” Vernon Hill coach Suzanne Curry said. “She's surrounded by talented and hardworking teammates and together they hope to do well as a team.”

Erin Reynolds – JR – Yorkville

-    Erin earned all-state honors last year finishing 21^st in the 2A state meet running 18:00. She ran a PR of 11:39.86 for the 3200 last spring. When teammate Summer Pierson went out with an injury last fall, Erin stepped in as the #2 runner for the Foxes. “Erin is our under the radar runner on this team.  She's not athletically imposing or crazy physically gifted, but what she does have is heart and consistency on her side.  She is one of my most important pieces to this team, but never really gets the recognition,” said her coach Chris Muth. “She had a very good summer and I expect her to be as solid as she has been in the past.  If everyone is healthy and running well, she should be my number 4 runner this year.  Summer (Pierson) and Alexis (Grandys) are going to get better as the year goes on so these four should be in the mix for all-state, if everything goes to plan.

Lesley Rocha – SR – LaSalle-Peru

-    Lesley earned all-state honors last year finishing 20^th in the 2A state meet running 17:59. She was all-state at the 2A state track meet finishing 7^th in the 3200 (11:14) and fifth in the 1600 (5:09.76). She will not be a surprise if she finishes in the top five at state this fall. One of the most unheralded athletes in 2A this season.

Madison Ronzone – SR – Aurora Rosary

-    Madison finished 32^nd last year in the 2A state meet running 18:24. She was all-state last spring in track finishing seventh in the 1600 Meter Run (5:11.26). She has a PR of 5:07.87 in the 1600. She could get a boost of extra confidence after a good track season. “I’m sure Madison has sights for all –State and would like to think she has chance for top 10-15. After her track season running 5:08/11:32 her speed is coming along,” said Rosary coach Vic Mead.

Megan Shafer – SR – Mattoon

-    Megan earned all-state honors last year finishing 19^th at the 2A state meet running 17:55. Megan was part of Mattoon’s all-state 3200 meter Relay team. She also was all state in the 1600 finishing 2^nd (5:06.85). Megan will be a runner to watch this fall with the potential to finish in the top ten at the state meet.

Alexandra Singleton – JR – Bethalto Civic Memorial

-    Alexandra finished 27^th in last year’s 2A state meet running 18:13. She qualified last spring in the 2A state meet in the 3200 Meter Run. She has a PR of 11:38.55 for 3200 Meters. Alexandria just missed making all-state last year by two places. She will be in the hunt for all-state honors this fall.

Rebecca Sippel – SR – Glen Ellyn Glenbard South

-    Rebecca earned all-state honors last year at the 2A state meet running 17:39. With the uncertainty of Diane Lipa this fall, Sippel steps into the role as the lead runner. “Becca and Caroline have had solid summers and look poised to be front runners this year for us,” said Glenbard South Coach Brian Webb. “They are both looking to run in college, so I think they have a focus about running after high school that is helpful. Coming up short this past track season on qualifying for state has been an added motivator as well.”

Shannan Supan – JR – Normal University

-    Shannan earned all-state honors at last year’s 2Astate meet finishing 23^rd running 18:01. She was all-state as a freshman finishing 14^th. She qualified for state last spring in the 3200 Meter Run. With the graduation of Sydney Billingsley, Supan will need to step into the lead role for U-High. “Shannan has a new level of determination and desire for this fall.  Her spring was kind of a bummer as she battled sickness and small nagging injuries that kept her from a full training load,” said U-High assistant coach John Neisler. “This summer she has been putting in a lot of work and is chomping at the bit to get the season going.  The last two years, we worked Shannan and Sydney Billingsley closely together.  We knew Sydney’s graduation would leave some big shoes to fill and Shannan is showing she’s ready to take that responsibility on her shoulders.”

Lauren Whitehouse – JR – Mahomet-Seymour

-    Lauren finished 26^th last year at the 2A state meet running 18:09. She qualified for the state meet last spring in the 1600 and 3200. Her PR’s are 5:17.76 for the 1600 and 11:16.62 for the 3200. In the two years that she qualified for the 3200 in the state meet, she finished tenth in both races. She is one step away from earning all-state honors and this fall she should achieve that.

Allison Zobrist – JR – Highland

-    Allison earned all-state honors last year in the 2A state meet finishing sixth running 17:35. She ran on Highland’s 7^th place 3200 meter relay at the state meet. Allison qualified in the 1600 for that state meet. Her PR is 5:12.91 run last indoor season. “Allison is really excited for the upcoming season and can’t wait to get it started. With that being said, this coach is going to make her wait to get started,” said her coach Doug Bradley. “She has run a lot of races over the past year and the plan is to have her more fresh come November by keeping her on a light workout plan early in the season. When she finally gets turned loose, look for a girl who absolutely loves to run and cherishes the camaraderie of the sport.”