Illinois Weekly Wrap-Up
By: Scott Bush
IllinoisRunner.com

Bethany McCoy's 800/1600 double is the highlight

Some big marks were put up last week. Most notably Bethany McCoy's 800/1600 double. This week should be another huge week. Here is what took place last week:

- This week was exciting, but next week will be awesome! Next weekend boys conference meets are taking place, while girls sectionals happen. The end of the year is upon us boys and girls, and the times should really start to heat up now!

- Bethany McCoy (Sr., Metamora) ran two blazing times this past weekend. On Friday night at Washington High School, McCoy ran state leading times in both the 800m run and the 1600m run. In the 800m race she ran 2:13.4, easily beating the field. In the 1600m race she ran 4:55.3, once again easily winning. McCoy is now the pre-state favorite in both races, as she has some dominant times compared to the rest of the state.

- Girls state is just around the corner and teams are starting to get prepared to compete at their highest levels next weekend at sectionals. A few teams have been looking very strong as of late and should make things fun in two weeks down in Charleston.
- Evanston Twp. High School is still the favorite for the state crown. They lost to New Trier at their conference meet on Friday, but they are still a team to be reckoned with. Senior Riana Lynn should score some big field event points for them in the throws, while sophomore Shalina Clarke continues to impress in the hurdles and sprints.
- Thornwood High School is looking awesome right now. They have a few girls in the field events, led by Elizabeth Jean-Pierre. On the track they have been looking just as impressive, as they are top five in most of the sprint relays, and Briana Lynn is pushing the top of the open sprints.
- Palatine High School beat a strong Barrington squad once again Saturday at Buffalo Grove. They have some big points in the distance events, and senior Keri Gavin should score some big points in the throws for Palatine as well. Their X-factor is Brianna Officer and how well she does at state in the sprints and relays.
- Next week we will have much more on the girls team race, as well as each individual event, once the girls sectionals are completed. Stay Tuned!

- As the season progresses the meets start to heat up and speculation abounds as to who are the legit teams in the state. Well, on the boys side some things were answered at the DuPage County Meet on Friday at Wheaton North. Wheaton Warrenville South beat a strong field rather easily to take home the team title. The Tigers scored 120.5 to out distance second place Wheaton North by 46.5 points. Coming in a strong third was York with 53 points, followed by Lake Park (52 points) and West Chicago (51).

- At Buffalo Grove on Saturday, some of Illinois top girls were burning up the track. At the Mid-Suburban League meet, a few great races went down. '03 3200m champ Amy Laskowske (So., Palatine) ran a great time of 10:43.6 to win the 3200m run over Christina Fiduccia (Sr., Barrington), who was second in 10:55.1. However, Fiduccia came back later on to win the 1600m run in 5:00.3, beating second place Suzy Turner (Sr., Palatine), who ran 5:04.2. Turner also took second in the 800m run in 2:17.4, narrowly losing to Erin Frommeyer (Sr., Barrington), who won in 2:17.2.

- At the DuPage County Meet on Friday at Wheaton North High School, Adam Harris (Jr., Wheaton North) once again had a great weekend of racing. He won the 110HH in 14.1, the 100m dash in 10.4, and the 200m dash in 21.4. This kid continues to impress, much like his brother did a few years back. Look for some big things from Harris come state assuming he stays injury free.

- Thornwood High School continues to impress as they shoot for another state title this year. At Thornton on Saturday they put together a 4x2 that ran 1:28.3, while standout Jeremy Johnson (Sr., Thornwood) ran 21.5 in the open 200m dash. This was a nice week for Thornwood as Jeremy Johnson ran some big times, as well as the return of Leslie Majors.

- A great race took place Friday evening at Wheaton North High School. Sean McNamara (Jr., York) and Eric MacTaggart (Sr., Glenbard South) put on a show in the 1600m run, as both ran their PR's and ran the fastest two times in the state thus far. MacTaggart got out to a quick early pace and McNamara stayed right on his shoulder. With 150m left McNamara kicked it home for the win in 4:12.9, while MacTaggart finished a strong second in 4:14.9. Great job to both these guys.

- Matt Withrow (Sr., Andrew) had been having a great season so far, but this past Friday at Lockport Township High School, Withrow ran the 3200m run in 8:57.3 to easily win the event and take the number two spot on the leader boards. Withrow, the defending XC national champion, then came back to take the 1600m run as well in 4:19.3. What a great double by Withrow and it sets up a great match-up between MacTaggart, McNamara, Withrow and a few others at state in the 3200/1600 events.