2021 IHSA State Cross Country Season Previews - 2A Girls Individuals

 

Ava Parekh looks for the state title and then more

 

By Michael Newman

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It is Ava Parekh of Latin School versus the rest in this classification this fall. We do have Mary Grace Hegberg of St. Viator who pushed Parekh most of the way in last June’s state meet 3200 Meter Run before Parekh pulled away in the final lap for the state title.

 

This fall should be different. Parekh’s best time for 3-miles on a cross country course was 16:33 in Naperville in 2019. Her improvement from times on the track could make us conclude that Parekh will bring down that time even lower. She does have the ShaZam title in front of her name from last fall. She has that 3200 title from last June in Charleston. Now she will go after the state title that means the most that the IHSA gives out at Detweiller Park in November.

 

The two national races in Portland and San Diego will be in her sight after Peoria. She does have the adidas Indoor title in the mile from last February. The condition that she is in could mean big things are ahead on the national front for this runner from the Latin School.

 

Here is a look at some of the top runners in Class 2A for the upcoming Illinois cross-country season.

 

 

1 Ava Parekh – Chicago (Latin School) – SR

 

Preview -  It is clear what we have seen in the past three years is that Ava Parekh will go down as one of the top Girls High School runners that we have seen in Illinois history. She is an elite runner that enjoys what she does. When she steps to the line, there is that lazar like focus knowing what she needs to execute in her race plan. Tully Runners has ranked her #11 in their national individual previews. I think she finishes much higher than that when all is said and done in December.

 

Parekh made individual sacrifices to help her team win the 2A State Track title last June winning the 3200 Meter Run, coming back in less than an hour to finish fourth in the 800 Meter Run, and then finishing second in what was a memorable 1600 Meter Run. Let us not forget she ran a leg on her team’s 4x400m Relay. All of this was done in 90+ degree temperatures.

 

Let us see how much higher up the mountain of Illinois High school distance runners that Parekh will climb in the 2021-2022 school year. Her best 2-mile time of 10:15.96 makes her seventh all-time in Illinois. She did that placing third last February in the adidas National Championships. By the way, she won the indoor national championship for the 1 Mile Run the next day. That time of 4:47.17 for the win puts her #10 in the state all-time list history. She ran 4:46.20 for 1600-meters the week after state at the Illinois Girls Meet of Champions. She is just going to run faster in this next year.

 

“Ava is a delight to coach. She's one of the best runners across the country and has had a remarkable HS career,” said her coach, Dan Daly. “She has a joy and a passion for running that is infectious. She's so excited for the season and looking forward to  capping off HS XC at Detweiler in November.

 

I'm confident  she will also earn the opportunity to advance to NXN and match up against the other talented harriers from across the USA. She's special and we're enjoying every day we as coaches get to support her greatness.”

 

Let’s look at last fall. It is simple. Look at the races that she ran last fall and you see all #1’s next to the meets that she ran in. Add in the XC Town Meet of Champions where she was the first junior in the race placing third overall. This will be her first time since 2019 where she has run at Detweiller Park. She has a 16:53 best time on that hallowed course. She ran 16:33 at the Naperville Twilight Invitational behind only Katelynne Hart. I think we can say expectations will be high for this senior this fall. It is, however, the many expectations that Parekh will face head on and surpass. It will be exciting to see what she does in the next couple of months.

 

2 Mary Grace Hegberg – Arlington Heights (St. Viator) – SR

 

Preview – The one runner that pushed Ava Parekh at last June’s 2A State Finals in the 3200 Meter Run was Mary Grace Hegberg. What a junior track season that she had jumping from the shadows of somewhat obscurity to one of the top runners in the state. That should translate nicely from what she did on the track to what she could do on the cross-country course in the next couple of months. Hegberg missed all her junior season last fall due to an injury. She did not even make it to the state meet as a sophomore finishing 49th at the Fenton Sectional.

 

We got an indication of the level of her improvement in the races that she competed in at Gately Park. She dropped her personal best indoors to 4:59.55 for 1600-meters. She ran under 11-minutes outdoors in the 3200 Meter Run in all five races that she competed in. Her best was a solo 10:34.96 at the Carmel Regional where she won by almost two minutes. She ran 10:36.99 at state to finish second behind Parekh. Her best outdoors for 1600-meters was again in sectionals where she ran 4:56.91. She finished third on the double the following week at state. Her double after state was just amazing where she ran 4:45.94 for 1600-meters and then 10:17.38 for 3200-meters. She is ranked #11 all time in the state for the 1600 Meter Run. She is ranked #10 all time in the state for the 3200 Meter Run.

 

Hegberg is scheduled to face Parekh at least twice this fall at the Fenton Sectional and then in state. We will see her in big meets such as Libertyville, Niles West, and Wheeling before she heads to her conference meet. She ran at Detweiller Park once in 2018 where she finished 131 (19:34) in the 2A State Meet. If she makes it to Peoria in November (and she should), she will better that time to be certain.

 

3 Bella Domier – Grayslake (Central) – SO

 

Preview – The first time that I saw Bella Domier run was at the Prospect Girls Invitational at the beginning of May this past spring. Conditions were not the best with wind gusts up to 40 mph. Domier was to run the anchor leg for her team. She got the baton in third place behind a good Prospect team that went on in June to win the 3A State title. Domier was 50-meters back when she started. She was 50-meters ahead at the end with a 2:17 split.

 

Domier had a good season in the fall finishing third in the NLCC Meet and then second place in both the Antioch Reginal and Lakes Sectional. She finished fifth in the ShaZam Club Championships the following week. Her range in distances on the track is incredible for a senior. The times she put up just makes you shake your head in disbelief. She ran a 58 second split for 400-meters. Domier was all-state in the 3A State finals when she ran 2:12.64 to finish second. She came back to finish 14th in the same meet for the 160 Meter Run. Those races were after she anchored her team to fourth in the 4x800m Relay. Domier achieved personal bests of 5:00.16 for 1600-meters and 11:09.75 for 3200-meters. All this as a freshman. We have three more years of being wowed by this runner.

 

“Bella has the most track speed that I have ever seen in a distance girl in our program and in our conference,” said her coach, James Centella. “She routinely split 58s in the 4x4 this past year.  Last summer I would estimate that she was at about 50% training and this summer it is closer to 80%.  After her long track season, she took some time away for several weeks but has been training well for the past 5 weeks.  She is a supreme talent and certainly will challenge for a top 5 finish at Detweiller this fall.  If any of the aerobic monsters are within striking distance in the last 800 at Detweiller, Bella will certainly try to chase them down. Our current school record is 17:52 (Set by Bella last year).  I anticipate her to shatter that record by at least 60-80 seconds this fall.”

 

4 Maria Stedwill – Peoria (Notre Dame) – JR

 

Preview – A runner that we could see among the top five when we get to state is Maria Stedwill. The junior was all-state in 2019 when she ran 17:54 to finish 19th. Her times got better at Detweiller Park where she ran the course four times. Her best was when she ran 17:49 to win the Peoria Notre Dame Sectional.

 

Stedwill finished third at the Big 12 Conference meet and third in the Metamora Regional before that sectional. Her final season race is when she finished 15th at the ShaZam Club Championships. She did not run last spring in track. I do think she will bounce back this 2021 season.

 

5 Colleen Zeibert – Rochester – JR

 

Preview – Colleen Zeibert has already started her junior season winning the Civic Memorial Twilight Meet last Saturday. Good things are in store for Zeibert who had a successful 2020 season. She went undefeated last fall that included wins in the Jacksonville Regional and Richland County Sectional. She was one of the tops to end last fall finishing ninth at the ShaZam Club Championships.

 

Her track season surpassed what she did during her cross-country campaign. She was all-state in the 2A State Finals running 2:13.99 to finish third in the 800 Meter Run and ran 5:12.69 to finish fifth in the 1600 Meter Run. Both races in extreme heat were personal bests. “Colleen comes in as our number one for this year and had a good summer of training,” said her coach, Bill Owens. “I expect her to be strong again this season and challenge for a top 5 finish in Peoria.”

 

2A Runners to Watch (In Alphabetical Order)

 

Bella Daley – Oak Park (Fenwick) – JR

 

Preview – Bella Daley should be the top runner for Fenwick this fall. Daley last fall finished fourth in the GCAC Meet and then third in the St. Francis Regional. She finished 16th at the Latin Sectional. Daley did not have her best race at the ShaZam Club Championship finishing 148th. Daley qualified for two events in the 2A State Finals last June. She was on Fenwick’s 4x800m Relay quartet that finished 22nd in the meet. Daley came back to run a personal best of 5:21.13 to finish tenth in the 1600 Meter Run. She also achieved a personal best of 11:39.95 for 3200-meters. “She is a talent and a competitor,” said her coach, Kevin Roche. “Her hard work and focus have continued to bring her dreams closer. She is an awesome athlete to coach and has grown so much. In track, she not only showed much more of her speed, but she also learned how to race. This summer, her aerobic engine has grown. I am proud of the work she has done to get there. And what a gift that she is to us as an example of discipline while still being a kind, warm, and generous teammate. She bakes treats for the team and loves meeting new teammates. She is halfway through her HS career. I am excited and grateful to watch her continue growing over the next 2 years.”

 

McKenna Fellows – Chicago (Latin School) – SR

 

Preview – One of the runners that you will see in Latin’s top three this fall. McKenna Fellows is on the verge of a great senior season. Fellows finished sixth in the St. Ignatius Regional, 17th in the Latin Sectional, and 60th at the ShaZam Club Championships. Fellows was part of Latin’s quartet that won the 4x800m Relay in the 2A State Finals. She was also part of the quartet that placed fifth in the 4x400m Relay. Fellows also achieved a personal best of 2:26.15 last spring for 800-meters. “McKenna is fierce,” said her coach, Dan Daly. “She's determined and poised to close out her fantastic high school athletic career. She is a great teammate and wonderful captain. I won't be surprised if she finishes all state this year.”

 

Isabella Gonzalez – Crystal Lake (South) – JR

 

Preview – It will not surprise me if Bella Gonzalez finishes in the top five in this fall’s state meet. Gonzalez started her 2021 season finishing third in the McHenry County Meet. She won six races last fall including winning the Fox Valley Meet and the Belvidere Regional. Gonzalez finished last fall placing third in the Lakes Sectional and then eighth at the ShaZam Club Championships. Crystal Lake South is in Class 3A for track. Gonzalez achieved personal bests of 5:13.69 for 1600-meters and 11:15.12 for 3200-meters. “She’s so dedicated to improving herself,” said her coach, Ken Greenfield. I thought she ran the best race of her

 

high school career so far in the sectional 3200 this past spring. She was right with Negovetich of Grant and Stromsland of Lakes through 6 laps, on pace for a sub-11:00 and then the 87-degree heat finally got to her. It was a gutsy race that I think speaks to how much she’s improved over the last 2 years both physically and mentally. She spent some time at a running camp in Colorado and seemed really energized by that experience. I’d say she seems ready to get after it.”

 

Ava Gorrie – Chatham-Glenwood – SO

 

Preview – Ava Gorrie had a fantastic freshman season helping Chatham-Glenwood to the D2 title at the ShaZam Club Championships last November. The sky could be the limit in her final three years of high school running. Gorrie finished fourth in the Jacksonville Regional and sixth in the Richland County Sectional before finishing 18 in the ShaZam race. Gorrie did not run during the track season. “Ava is one heck of a talent,” said her coach, Mike Garber. “She didn't get a normal season last year and found herself learning 3-mile racing on the fly. With a normal season in view, I can wait to see her chase down packs of girls and race for the front each week. She is a smart trainer and racer. Ava listens and buys into what we do. I expect a near school record season from her this year.”

 

Becca Heitzig – Lincoln – SO

 

Preview – We should see great things from Becca Heitzig after a strong freshman year. Her sophomore season has already started winning at Limestone last Saturday. Heitzig was the unknown factor at the beginning of last fall. She then won the Apollo Conference Meet and then placing second in both the Jacksonville Regional and Richland County Sectional. Her season ended when she finished 12th at the ShaZam Club Championships. Heitzig was all-state last June when she ran a personal best of 2:13.90 to finish second in the 2A State Finals. She came back to finish 15 in the 1600 Meter Run. Heitzig also achieved personal bests of 59.62 for 400-meters, 5:07.4 for 1600-meters, and 11:24.6 for 3200-meters.

 

Reina Hill – Vernon Hills – JR

 

Preview – Reina Hill again should be one of the top three runners for Vernon Hills who will be in the hunt for a state championship. Hill finished second in the CSL-North Meet, sixth in the Antioch Regional, and fifth in the Lakes Sectional before finishing seventh in the ShaZam Club Championships. Hill put in some good performances indoors at Gately Park last winter. She did run 11:55.29 for 3200-meters, 5:18.40 for the 1 Mile Run, and 2:24.46 for 800-meters. “Reina is an extremely talented and driven athlete,” said her coach, Suzanne Curry. “She struggles with some injuries on and off but we have learned to adjust her training based on those situations. She’d run 100 miles a day if it were up to her!  In addition to the actual running, she focuses on all the little things which we hope will keep her healthy for this junior year. Reina always comes to compete and rises to the occasion.  If she can stay healthy, we look for her to have another outstanding season and help lead our team.”

 

Colette Kinsella – LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) – JR

 

Preview – Colette Kinsella will be among the top runners again like she has when she started at Nazareth Academy. Kinsella was all-state as a freshman running 17:48 to finish 13th in the 2A State Meet in 2019. She finished sixth in the St. Francis Regional, ninth in the Latin Sectional, and 17th at the ShaZam Club Championships. “Colette has done well since her first meet as a freshman and has seemed to improve each week,” said her coach, Joe Wejman. “I noticed last year that she started to be more aware of the lay of the land in terms of who her competitors were and checking other school's results on athletic.net.  As she enters her junior year, I have noticed a substantial jump in her maturity and realization of what she has to do to get better aside from just running fast. I think she also relishes the fact that we had a big influx of young talent last year, and she gets to serve as a mentor to them.  We haven't had a conversation about goals and expectations for this season yet, but another state medal is certainly in her sights as is getting the team to Peoria in November.” 

 

Abby Machesky – Crystal Lake (South) – SO

 

Preview – Abby Machesky gives the Gators a solid 1-2 punch in the front along with Bella Gonzalez. Her first season of high school running was superb as she finished fourth in the Fox Valley Conference Meet, second in the Belvidere Regional, and ninth in the Lakes Sectional. Machesky ran personal bests of 2:21.75 for 800-meters and 5:28.91 for 1600-meters. “Abby really surprised herself (and us) with her speed in the spring,” said her coach, Ken Greenfield. “She clocked a low 62 400 m split and finished the season with a 2:21.75 at 800-meters (3rd at Sectionals). She’s a very tough, consistent competitor that never backs down. She’s struggled with some hip pain during the late spring and early summer, but hopefully she’s through that and getting on track. She’s really matured a lot in her approach and is more focused and excited for this upcoming season than I’ve ever seen her.”

 

Isabella Marasco – Lake Forest – SO

 

Preview – It could help Isabella Marasco that her school Lake Forest was moved down to Class 2A for the state series in the next two years. Marasco had a good freshman season competing against 3A runners like she will again this fall. It would not be a surprise if she finishes in the top 10 in November. Marasco placed third last fall at the 3A Grant Regional and then ninth in the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Her track resume included personal bests of 5:22.87 for 1600-meters and 2:21.04 at 800-meters in the Grayslake North Sectional. Marasco also ran a 2:20.3 split in the 4x800m Relay in the same meet. “Izzy has had a great summer of training, and has been fully committed to cross-country prep,” said her coach, Steve Clegg. “She embraced a higher mileage summer, and we are looking forward to seeing the progress she can make this season.”

 

Maggie Mason – Cary-Grove – SR

 

Preview – Maggie Mason will also be competing in the 2A State series this fall after her school Cary-Grove was moved from Class 3A to 2A this fall. Mason finished fifth last fall in the Fox Valley Meet, sixth in the 3A Grant Regional, and 19th at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Mason ran a personal best of 11:36.08 for 3200-meters last fall track season. I will not be a surprise if she is among the top 25 when we get to November.

 

Jessie Pakaski – Wauconda – SR

 

Preview – I would not be surprised if Jessie Pakaski earns all-state honors in her senior season. She had a sneaky good 2020 season finishing fourth in the NLCC Conference Meet, fifth in the Antioch Regional, and eighth in the Lakes Sectional. She had a good track season running 2:20.89 for 800-meters in the 3A Grayslake North Sectional and 5:24.24 for 1600-meters in the same meet. Both performances for Pakaski were personal bests. “Jessie has been a pleasure to coach throughout these past four years,” said her coach, Emily Morzy. “I am excited to see how her senior year goes, and what personal growth and improvements she makes this season.”

 

Rose Sheridan – Vernon Hills – JR

 

Preview – Rose Sheridan is one of three Vernon Hills runners that could finish among the top 20 at Detweiller Park in November. Her sophomore cross-country season was great starting with a third-place finish at the CSL-North Meet. She followed that by placing seventh in the Antioch Regional, sixth in the Lakes Sectional, and 13th at the ShaZam Club Championships. Sheridan ran personal bests of 12:03.91 for 3200-meters and 2:26.07 for 800-meters during last spring’s track season. “Rose is another talented junior on our junior heavy roster,” said her coach, Suzanne Curry. “When Rose sets her mind to it, she can run with anyone in the area, as she’s proven it often.  She’s our only current athlete with All-State honors so expect to see her in that mix again.  She will continue to push Reina & Anna as they in turn push her, making this a very solid, front-running trio who will be fun to watch this season.”

 

Emma Skinner – Morton – SR

 

Preview – Emma Skinner should once again be one of the elite 2A runners as she enters her final year of high school running. She conquered the COVID-19 season as she won the Mid-Illini Conference Meet at Detweiller Park only needing 18:15 to win. Her personal best at Detweiller is 17:05 in the same meet in 2019. Skinner went on to finish second in the Metamora Regional and third at the Notre Dame Sectional. Her fall season ended hen she finished 11th at the ShaZam Club Championships. Skinner was part of Morton’s quartet that finished fifth in the 2A State Finals in the 4x800m Relay. She also ran personal best of 5:18.96 for 1600-meters and a seasonal best of 11:39.20 for 3200-meters. Her personal best came in her freshman year when she ran 11:21.12. “Emma had a big and healthy summer,” said her coach, Joe Zeller. “After having a strong track season, she is looking to pick up where she left off last year.”

 

Emma Smith – Dixon – SO

 

Preview – Emma Smith is a runner to keep an eye on as she enters her sophomore season of running. Smith won her race at the Kaneland Regional and then finished 15th at the Lakes Sectional. She did make it to the 2A State Finals last June in the 3200 Meter Run where she placed 17th. Smith did achieve bests of 5:21.56 for 1600-meters and then 11:48.04 for 3200-meters. “Emma had a solid block of training this summer,” said her coach, Simon Thorpe. “She faced a couple of unfortunate circumstances that hindered her track season and into the summer that is informing her motivation. Together, we are still realizing if she is a high/low mileage runner and what she can handle through her rapid growth spurts. She is one of the most focused athletes I have encountered at Dixon High School and is willing to ride that edge. She hopes to attain a state medal in November.”

 

Rachel Soukup – Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge) - JR

 

Preview – Rachel Soukup should be the top runner for the Wolves that will be among the best teams in Class 2A this fall. She has already started her season winning the McHenry County Meet last Saturday. Soukup should be among the top 10 again in Class 2A. Her sophomore season included finishing third in the Antioch Regional, fourth in the Lakes Sectional, and then tenth at the ShaZam Club Championships. Her running took off in a big way starting by running 11:15.8 in a triangular meet for 3200-meters in the middle of May. She did qualify for the 3A State Finals in the 1600 Meter Run. She ran a personal best of 4:58.21 in Charleston to finish 12th. She was also a part of Prairie Ridge’s quartet that ran in the 3A State Finals in the 4x800m Relay. “Rachel Soukup has improved the most,” said her coach, Kelly MacDonald.  “She had an outstanding track season that ended with a 4:58 mile at state in the fastest and highest quality Girls’ mile run in state history. Rachel is excited for the upcoming season and has had a good summer of running and refreshing mentally. I believe she has not fully discovered her potential yet. This should be an exciting racing season. you couldn't ask for a nicer, hardworking kid.”

 

Anna Todd – Vernon Hills – JR

 

Preview – Anna Todd is one of the three junior runners that lead this Vernon Hills team. Todd had a good sophomore season with a win at the CSL-North Meet, fourth in the Antioch Regional, seventh in the Lakes Sectional, and then 16th at the ShaZam Club Championships. Todd ran personal bests of 5:39.61 for 1600-meters and 11:50.29 for 3200-meters during last spring’s track season. “Anna had a slight setback at the end of the track season but has been smart this summer regarding her training and she appears to be back in great form,” said her coach, Suzanne Curry. “Since the end of her freshman year (when track was canceled) she set her mind to wanting more and working for it. And it’s paid off.  She had a terrific XC season in 2020 which unfortunately ended with her running almost the entire Shazam 5K with an untied shoe. Not an easy course to do that on.  But she still managed to finish in the top 20!  She had a strategic and outstanding race at Deweiller @ Dark last month which should give her a lot of confidence heading into this season.”

 

Elia Ton-That – Chicago (Northside Prep) – SR

 

Preview – One of the best races I watched in the 2A State Finals last June is the win from Elia Ton-That in the 1600 Meter Run. She had raced Ava Parekh the week before in their sectional race finishing second behind Parekh. She ran close to a perfectly tactical race in Charleston to win a state championship. That ran a personal best of 4:56.40 to finish third at Distance Night in Palatine at the beginning of May. She ran two personal bests after the state track meet. She ran a 10:49.49 personal best for 3200-meters at the Illinois Girls Meet of Champions. A week later, Ton-That ran a three second personal best of 2:12.58 for 800-meters at Hope Academy.

 

That success on the track should translate nicely this fall for Ton-That. She missed all-state as a sophomore in 2019 finishing 27th. Last fall, she was the Chicago City Champion. Ton-That followed that by winning the Mather Regional and placing eighth at the Latin Sectional. An all-state finish this fall should be within her reach.