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2026 Pre-Season Track & Field Previews: Girls 800m

The Illinois high school track season has featured exceptional depth in the middle distances, and the Top 10 ranked girls in the 800 meters across Classes 1A through 3A represent the elite of the state. Combining strength, speed, and tactical racing, these athletes have delivered consistent, high-level performances against some of the toughest competition Illinois has to offer. From front-running specialists to devastating closers, each runner on this list has earned her place through standout times and championship-level execution. Together, they highlight the competitiveness and excitement that define the girls 800 m across Illinois high school track and field.


These rankings are based on multiple factors including PRs, consistency, state placement, and national placement. Only data from the 2025 Track & Field season are used in these rankings. No performances from cross country or 2026 has been included.


3A

  1. Emily Stecky (Jr., Chicago [DePaul])

PR - 2:09.31

  • 122nd at New Balance Outdoor Nationals

  • State Champion at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Latin Sectional Champion

  • GCAC Conference Champion

  • GCAC Indoor Conference Champion

  • 51st at New Balance Indoor Nationals


  1. Annika Swan (Sr., Chicago [St. Ignatius])

PR - 2:10.08

  • 34th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals

  • State Champion at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • St. Ignatius Sectional Champion


  1. Polina Krupsky (Sr., Lake Zurich)

PR - 2:11.51

  • 3rd at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Round Lake Sectional Champion

  • NSC Conference Champion

  • NSC Indoor Conference Champion


  1. Meg Peterson (Sr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect])

PR - 2:11.55

  • 4th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Glenbrook South Sectional Champion


  1. Mia Forystek (Jr., New Lenox [Lincoln-Way Central])

PR - 2:12.88

  • 5th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Lockport Sectional Champion

  • SWSC Indoor Conference Champion


  1. Keira Jenke (Sr., Lisle [Benet Academy])

PR - 2:12.78

  • DNF at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • ESCC Conference Champion

  • Illinois Top Times Champion


  1. Kylie Simpson (Sr., Rockton [Hononegah])

PR - 2:14.57

  • 7th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Huntley Sectional Champion

  • NIC-10 Conference Champion

  • NIC-10 Indoor Conference Champion


  1. Natalie Nahs (Jr., Minooka)

PR - 2:13.85

  • 9th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Rock Island Sectional Champion


  1. Lily Hodneland (Sr., Hinsdale Central)

PR - 2:13.87

  • 10th at IHSA 3A State Meet

  • Oak Park-River Forest Sectional Champion

  • WSC Silver Conference Champion

  • Illinois Indoor Championships Champion

  • WSC Silver Indoor Conference Champion


  1. Madison Miles (Sr., Barrington)

PR - 2:14.94

  • 11th at IHSA 3A State Meet


2A

  1. Sundara Weber (Sr., Sandwich)

PR - 2:09.20


  1. Klarke Goranson (So., Manteno)

PR - 2:11.43

  • 3rd at New Balance Outdoor Nationals Freshman

  • Runner-Up at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Pontiac Sectional Champion

  • ICE Conference Champion

  • Illinois Top Times Champion


  1. Margaret Andrzejewski (Sr., Wheaton [St. Francis])

PR - 2:13.05

  • 3rd at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Glenbard South Sectional Champion


  1. Erin Hinsdale (Jr., Wheaton [St. Francis])

PR - 2:13.91

  • 4th at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • ESCC Indoor Conference Champion


  1. Cecilia Hilby (Sr., Aurora Central Catholic)

PR - 2:15.42

  • 6th at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Sterling Sectional Champion

  • Kane County Champion


  1. Francesca Mora (So., Chicago [Latin])

PR - 2:15.17

  • 56th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals

  • 9th at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Runner-Up at Illinois Indoor Championships


  1. Kelly O'Connor (Sr., Herscher)

PR - 2:18.12

  • 10th at IHSA 2A State Meet


  1. Mackenzie Pound (Sr., Tolono Unity)

PR - 2:17.70

  • 12th at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Illini Prairie Conference Champion


  1. Johanna Rudolph (Sr., Freeport)

PR - 2:17.23

  • 14th at IHSA 2A State Meet


  1. Joelle Wilson (Jr., Williamsville)

PR - 2:18.03

  • 31st at IHSA 2A State Meet

  • Sangamo Conference Champion

  • Sangamo Indoor Conference Champion


1A

  1. Caroline Tepe (Sr., Okawville)

PR - 2:14.58

  • 3rd at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Chester Sectional Champion

  • Cahokia Conference Champion


  1. Aubrey Denning (Jr., Effingham [St. Anthony])

PR - 2:15.26

  • 4th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Newton Sectional Champion

  • National Trail Conference Champion

  • Illinois Top Times Champion


  1. Madeleine Fox (Jr., Marshall)

PR - 2:15.86

  • 5th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Little Illini Conference Champion


  1. Cheyenh Smith (Sr., Toulon [Stark County])

PR - 2:16.97

  • 7th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • LTC Conference Champion


  1. Emily Downing (Sr., Cambridge)

PR - 2:17.50

  • 33rd at AAU Junior Olympics

  • AAU Iowa District Champion

  • 8th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Rockridge Sectional Champion

  • Lincoln Trail Indoor Conference Champion


  1. Mikayla Chambers (Jr., Dwight)

PR - 2:18.29

  • DNF at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Seneca Sectional Champion


  1. Kyla Babb (Sr., Westmont)

PR - 2:19.74


  1. Adelie Wilson (Sr., Nashville)

PR - 2:20.33

  • 10th at IHSA 1A State Meet

  • Webber Sectional Champion

  • SIRR Conference Champion


  1. Camryn Anderson (Sr., Kewanee [Wethersfield])

PR - 2:20.41

  • 11th at IHSA 1A State Meet


  1. Jana Vande Kemp (Jr., Cambridge)

PR - 2:20.16

  • 19th at IHSA 1A State Meet

 
 
 
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