Illinois Prep Harrier Cross Country Awards – Girls 2A Runner of the Year
Clinton barely over Adams & Saey for Girls 2A Runner of the Year
Victoria Clinton on her way to the win at the 2A state meet.
The state meet was not that close. But the battle for the runner of the year was extremely close. Katie Adams of Marengo was the dominant runner during the season. She was undefeated during the regular season including wins over Skyler Bollinger of Yorkville, Sami Staples of Crystal Lake Central, and Victoria Clinton of Kaneland.
Victoria Clinton was the 2A state champion. Her state race was one to behold as she broke away from Staples in the last 600 meters to win by 10 seconds.
One runner that should be considered was Stephanie Saey of Galesburg. She placed third at the Peoria Central Invitational behind two 3A runners. She was undefeated otherwise heading into the state meet.
Three runners. Three totally different resumes. Who would you choose?
Katie Adams and Victoria Clinton raced three times during the season. Adams won their races at the Kaneland Invitational and the Belvidere Sectional. At state, Clinton was ahead of Adams by 36 seconds with the Marengo runner finishing 9th. The dominant state meet performance I what I took into consideration.
Clinton and Saey raced only one time: at the state meet.
Sami Staples and Skyler Bollinger were also considered for this award but it came down to three above runners.
I am pleased to congratulate Victoria Clinton of Kaneland as the Illinois Prep Harrier Girls 2A Runner of the Year.
Posted on December 10, 2012, in Seasonal Awards, Uncategorized and tagged IHSA, Illinois, Illinois Prep Harrier, Runner of the year, Victoria Clinton. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
I disagree on this one. Katie Adams was undefeated the entire year until she twisted an ankle 200 meters into the State meet. Clinton was not even close to her at Belvedere. Clinton did improve over the season ( Staples beat her at Wauconda but then lost to her at Kaneland, Regionals and sectionals). Adams ran 17:03 at Detweiller to win there earlier in the season. No one challenged Adams all year in any race prior to State, and i don’t think an entire season of dominance should be ignored due to a single piece of bad luck. So Katie Adams would be my pick.
PS I must have been standing right next to you at Palatine. Your picture of the two boys leaders is almost identical to one I took with the port-o-potty in the background.