Wesley Smith
Hudson OH senior

Meghan Braffet
Normal West IL senior

Wesley Smith started the season September 7 by finishing second to Nef Araia of Indiana for the second straight year in the Midwest Meet of Champions at Hilliard OH. That result looks OK now with Araia's time (14:48 to Smith's 15:03) still the fastest 5k in the country this year and Araia still unbeaten.

Since then, Smith has been unbeaten with two sub-15 minute 5Ks and the 2nd and 5th fastest times in the US.

Smith is focussing on Foot Locker this year after a disappointing 44th in the Midwest region last year. "Last year our only focus was on winning the team championship at states (they did)," Smith said. "After that it was hard to get up again for Foot Locker." Most of his 2001 teammates graduated, so Smith is free to delay his peak until November 30 at UW-Parkside to grab one of the eight tickets to Foot Locker national finals in San Diego.

Time Dist Runner Pos/Meet
14:54 5k Smith, Wesley 2003, Hudson OH 1 @ Pickerington Inv OH 9/21/2002
14:56 5k Smith, Wesley 2003, Hudson OH 1 @ Strongsville Inv OH 9/14/2002
15:03 5k Smith, Wesley 2003, Hudson OH 2 @ Midwest MOC OH 9/7/2002
15:17 5k Smith, Wesley 2003, Hudson OH 1 @ Chick-Fil-A Inv WV 9/28/2002
15:24 5k Smith, Wesley 2003, Hudson OH 1 @ W. Reserve Conf OH 10/5/2000

Illinois' best female runner and best chance for Foot Locker glory this season is something of a surprise. In 2001, Meghan Braffet was 17th in Illinois 2A, 84 seconds behind Erika Odlaug, and 38th in Foot Locker Midwest regional. This year she has been unbeatable, winning every race by 30-40 seconds.

Meghan has no explanation for her sudden success this year. "I have always worked very hard and always hoped that it would pay off someday," she said. "I did increase my work this summer a little more though and just keep hoping for the best." She is a natural front runner and has taken command of every race this season from start to finish. What does she like best about running? "The way it makes me feel during, and especially after, I feel like I've accomplished something good." Something good this year would be top three in the Illinois state meet and top eight in the Foot Locker Midwest regional to qualify for Foot Locker national finals in San Diego, Braffet said.

Braffet is undecided on a college choice. She has visited the University of Illinois so far.

Time Dist Runner Pos/Meet
16:58 2.97m Braffet, Meghan 2003, Normal West IL 1 @ Peoria Inv IL 10/5/2000
16:59 2.97m Braffet, Meghan 2003, Normal West IL 1 @ Notre Dame Inv IL 9/21/2002
17:29 3.0m Braffet, Meghan 2003, Normal West IL 1 @ Springfield Lanphier IL 9/14/2002

Honorable Mention
Alphabetical order - Includes meets through October 9