Continuing on throughout week 4 of the indoor season, the upcoming Batavia invite is one to look out for. Highlighted in the distance events are many returning runners who are looking to have some strong seasons, coming off of success during the cross country season. Overall, some very strong teams competing that with hopefully inspire some fast times, as well as long/high jumps and throws.
1. Mia Sirois (So., Barrington)
As only a sophomore, Sirois already has a record of accomplishments reflected by her 6th place finish at the IHSA Class 3A State XC Championship as a freshman, followed by her championship win during the 2024 cross country season as a sophomore. She just recently added a 4th place finish at The Circuit in Boston just last week running 4:49 in the Mile, looking promising for another trip down state to defend her freshman year title of 3200m State Champion.
2. Anna Niebrugge (Sr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect])
Starting off with an undefeated 2025 season so far, Niebrugge is looking to keep up the wins to finish a strong senior season. With marks of 7.59 in the 60m and 24.95 in the 200m, she is one of the state's top sprinters. She is familiar with the State competition as well, making it down her junior year for the 200m, placing 11th, the 4x100m, placing 7th, as well as the 4x200m, where her relay took 3rd. She also helped Prospect win their team championship win as well last year at the 3A State Championship.
3. Annika Swan (Jr., Chicago [St. Ignatius])
Speaking of distance runners, top distance runner Annika Swan will be competing in this meet as an at-large entry. Swan ran a competitive time as well in the 800 last season with a time of 2:12 which she ran at the 2A IHSA State Finals in track as well as 4:46 in the 1600m.
4. Lily Eddington (Jr., Downers Grove North)
Eddington is another strong distance competitor who placed 20th this past season in the IHSA 3A State XC Championships during her junior season. She was part of DGN’s State qualifying 4x800 relay team that placed 2nd at the Track and Field 2024 State Championships. She has ran 4:54 for 1600m before.
5. Karlin Janowski (Fr., Elmhurst [York])
The freshman out of York blew away the competition this past cross country season running an impressive second place finish at the 3A State Championships. Janowski definitely left an impact during cross country season, and with it being her first year of High School track and field, who knows what is in store for her future? She ran 10:41 in the 3200 at Misfits.
6. Scout Storms (Sr., Barrington)
Barrington’s distance sees another great competitor to their roster with Storms. She has competed at the XC state competition three times in her career, placing 8th her freshman year, 1st as a junior, and 6 during this past season as a senior. She has also made the trip down to state numerous times for the 1600 and 4x800, proving herself as a fast threat to the distance side of this meet.
7. Ally Shutler (Fr., Chicago [St. Ignatius])
Shutter is already looking to follow in the footsteps of her teammate, Swan, by making the trip down to state this year for the first time to top off her rookie season at Ignatius. She has started the season off with some competitive times in the 800 and 1600 recently at the EmpowerHER meet and this past weekend. Where will her freshman year take her and what’s in store for this young athlete?
8. Veronica Znajda (Sr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect])
To round out the top 3 finishers from the 2024 XC State competition, Znajda will also be seen this Saturday at Batavia, which will make for a competitive load to the distance events. She was a member of the winning 4x800m relay from the past 2024 3A State Finals, and will see a variety of runners that she raced in the 1600m down state at this meet as well.
9. Ava Gilley (Sr., Downers Grove North)
Gilley was part of the Downers XC team that made its way to the Nike Cross Regional and National Championships. She also ran a roster of events during the 2024 3A State Championships with her 9th place finish in the 800m as well as her leg in 2nd place finishing 4x800m and leg in the 4x400m.
10. Meg Peterson (Jr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect])
Peterson is a well rounded runner, from placing 7th this past year at the 2024 XC State Championships, to running shorter distance events like the 200. Similar to Gilley, she went down for the 4x400m relay, 4x800m relay, and open 800m during the 2024 3A State Finals, helping add points to Prospect’s State Champion team.
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