Could records fall in 2015?

By Michael Newman

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I drove out of Charleston last year with something missing inside of me. Sure, the races were exciting but there was something missing. Maybe that was the tone of the 2014 track season in the distances. There was something missing. There could be a change as this season approaches. Maybe some of those distance marks will fall in 2015.

Part of that thought comes from the past cross country season. Lindsey Graham (Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn) ran one of the fastest times ever at Detweiller Park in winning the 3A state race last November. Lauren Van Vlierbergen (Jacobs HS, Algonquin) finished second. Her time was slower than her personal best but she showed more confidence within her racing. She was stronger. Even though she dominated the 800 last spring in winning the 3A championship, her performances could be even faster as she completes her final prep campaign.

The same can be said about Graham. The Glenbard junior is one of the smartest Girls runners that I have seen recently on the prep level. She is stronger with her state race last fall as evidence.

There is one constant in the 4x8. Palatine is always in the top three. The Lady Pirates should be up front once again.

Here is a look at the three individual events. We will also give you an idea of the teams to look for in the 4 x 800 Meter Relay.

800 Meter Run

2014 State Top Returnee – Lauren Van Vlierbergen – SR – Algonquin Jacobs – 2014 AAA State Champion

Preview – When I watched Courtney Clayton break the IHSA 800 Meter Run two years ago, I thought that it might be a record that could stick around for a while. After watching Lauren Van Vlierbergen race in the past year, my thinking is that she could threaten the record. She dominated the state final last year by daring runners to go with her. She is a year stronger and could find that kick that evaded her a little bit at the end of that race.

This is a tough event with five all-state runners back. Michaela Hackbarth (South HS, Downers Grove) had a break through at last year’s state meet as a sophomore in running 2:13.00 to finish second. She is just learning the event. I think the time could come down some more this spring. Morgan Schulz (Cary Grove HS) did not run her best race at state last year when she finished seventh. She did end up running 2:12.30 last season. Schulz suffered a stress fracture to end her cross country season last fall. Once she is again at 100%, she will be a threat in this event.

Jenna Lutzow (North HS, Belvidere) ran an amazing 2:14.53 to finish fourth last spring in this event. That is great for anyone. It was more amazing especially because she was a freshman when she ran it. She ran great last fall finishing third in the 2A state race at Detweiller Park. I think we will see some fast times from her this May. Danielle Griesbaum (Lakes HS, Lake Villa) and Renee Letz (Sandburg HS, Orland Park) were also all-state last year. Expect them to be challenging for another top nine finish. Katie Sheehan (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville) and Nicky Althoff (Hononegah HS, Rockton) could also be surprises this season.

1600 Meter Run

2014 State Top Returnee – Annie Zaher – JR – Hinsdale Central HS – 2014 AAA State Champion

Preview – As I was walking out of the stadium after Annie Zaher won this event at last year’s state meet, I was kind of shocked to hear someone say that she had stolen the race. Yes, it was a tactical race. All that Zaher did was run a smart race and used those tactics to her advantage. Where she was a surprise winner last season at Charleston, her competitors will be watching out for her in 2015. The junior only won two 1600’s outdoors last year. However, those races were the last two finals that she ran. She will be tough again this season.

How tough is this event? The top 15 returnees for this event are within seven seconds of each other. It just makes the 1600 exciting and interesting to watch. Lauren Van Vlierbergen has the top returning time. Will she run the double again this year at state? She finished fifth a year ago. If she runs this race solo some time during the year, it would not surprise me that she goes under 4:50. Kelly O’Brien (Palatine HS) most likely will be coming back from the 4x8. She did finish second last year and could come out on top in 2015. Mimi Smith (New Trier HS, Winnetka) doubled in the 3200 and 1600 last year. She is also capable of running sub 5 and could be a threat up front.

Mary Blankemeier (Oak Park-River Forest HS) missed all of last cross country season due to a stress fracture. When 100% healthy, she could definitely be a threat in this event. Mary Clare Leonard (Marist HS, Chicago) is another sophomore that I would keep an eye on in this event. Lauren Opatrny (McHenry HS), Torree Scull (East HS, St. Charles), Skyler Bollinger (Yorkville HS), Lindsay Graham (Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn), Ayaiko Higuchi (Fremd HS, Palatine), and Kathryn House (Loyola Academy, Wilmette) are some of the other runners to watch. Calling this event loaded would be an understatement in 2015.

3200 Meter Run

2014 State Top Returnee – Lindsay Graham – JR – Glen Ellyn Glenbard West HS – 2^nd AAA

Preview – Lindsay Graham’s dominance at the end of last year’s cross country season actually started in this event during the last track season. She ran seven 3200’s indoors and outdoors. Her only defeat came to teammate Madeline Perez at the state meet. She could show how good she is this spring. Her confidence grew at the end of last year. The junior is one of the most underrated girls’ distance runners nationally. By the time this season is over, that might not be the case.

It will be interesting to see how this event develops this season. Alexa Haff (Central HS, Hinsdale) was one of the top runners during the first half of last cross country season before a hip flexor injury slowed her down. She still finished 4^th at Detweiller last November. She ran near 11:05 during the year but dropped it to 10:50 to get sixth at state. She could push Graham this spring. Mimi Smith finished just behind Graham to get third last year at Charleston. She could be a threat this season. Elly DeTurris (North HS, Naperville) has a PR of 10:44 that she ran her sophomore year. Do not be surprised if she is one of the top four runners at Charleston this May.

Other runners that I would keep an eye on in this event include Mary Blankemeier, Abby Kargol (South HS, Downers Grove), Gabby Juarez (Streamwood HS), Alexis Grandys (Yorkville HS), Ashley Tutt (Minooka HS), and Lisa Luczak (Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn). I would also watch for Freshman Audrey Ernst (North HS, St. Charles). She was all-state in her first year of cross country. It would not surprise me if she went under 11 this spring.

4 x 800 Meter Relay

2014 State Champion – St. Charles East HS – 9:08.03

Preview – It is SO early to determine who the favorite will be in this relay. We really will not get an idea until the end of the indoor season when a couple of coaches will give us a glimpse of what their quartets can do. The top three finishers from last year’s state race all return two from their teams. St. Charles East is led by Toree Scull. Loyola Academy is led by Kathryn House. Palatine is led by Kelly O’Brien. The Lady Pirates always seem to finish towards the front in this event. They have finished in the top four the last ten years. They could make it 11 this season.

Fremd and Naperville Central return all four from their 2014 quartets. Downers Grove North and Lockport Township return three. All four of these teams are talented and could challenge for the relay championship. State Cross Country Champions Naperville North return three from last year’s team that just missed making the top nine. They are deep enough to be towards the front. 2A State Cross Country champions Yorkville just missed making the finals last season. Just like Naperville North, they are deep and will be looking for a top finish. Batavia, Geneva, New Trier, and Wheaton-Warrenville South are other schools that I would keep an eye on in this event.