Hoffman Estates' Biddle signs with Illinois State

For Hoffman Estates senior Meagan Biddle, it started with a note and ended with a signature.

Hoffman Estates girls cross country coach Kirk Macnider hand-delivered a note asking Biddle to join the team as a freshman in the fall of 2012.

That note led to big things as Biddle recently signed a scholarship to run cross country and track at Illinois State.

"I've actually wanted to go there since I was a freshman," said Biddle who was also considering Texas A&M, Western Michigan, Western Kentucky, and Indiana before deciding on ISU in November. "The coaches were so nice, the team so welcoming, I just felt like I belonged there."

Biddle caught the attention of Macnider after running a six-minute mile in freshman gym class. So he personally delivered a note to her during study hall inviting her to join the cross country team, and despite joining the squad in mid-October she became the Hawks seventh runner by the sectional meet.

Since then Biddle has become a leader for both the Hawks cross country and track teams. She will be studying Biological Sciences and Education at ISU with an eye on becoming a future teacher and coach.

"I pulled her out of freshman study hall and she kind of lit up," said Macnider. "Signing her scholarship with ISU, I don't see it as a tip of an iceberg; it's more of a gateway for what is next for her."

Biddle had a breakout season during her junior year in track. She started by breaking a field house record in the 1,600 (5:07.4) at the Maine East Garvey Invitational.

She continued to impress by running to the second-fastest school mark and winning the 3,200 (10:42.1) at the Mid-Suburban West meet in late May.

Three days later she secured the second-best Hoffman Estates girls effort by winning the 1,600 (4:59.48) at the Conant Twilight meet in her first sub-5:00 clocking.

Biddle capped her junior season in fine style. She qualified to the Class 3A state meet, despite being on two antibiotics for strep throat. Then the week of the state meet she was diagnosed with an ear infection.

Though she was not at full strength, Biddle still earned her first state medal by taking eighth in the 1,600 in Class 3A.

"It definitely all came together last season," said Biddle, "The goal at state was just to run as fast as I could, as sick as I was."

"The whole mission her junior year was to run the race plan - and she executed it beautifully," said Macnider of Biddle's gutsy performance. "She is no longer dependent on an emotional race to be successful … now she is expecting to run fast."

And she definitely started off the indoor track season running fast, taking first in the 3,200 in a swift 11:15.4 at the York Indoor Invitational on Friday.

"She certainly has very, very big goals this season," said Macnider, "and no doubt about it we're excited for this season."

Biddle has come a long way since accepting Macnider's invitation, and the senior would like to deliver one final address this season.

"I'm definitely more relaxed and don't have to worry about college decisions or times to impress any coaches," said Biddle of her commitment to ISU. "I know that I have my coach and I know I have goals I want to accomplish before I go to college."

Needless to say Biddle is off and running.

Prospect signings: Senior Matt Cozine gave a huge lift to the Prospect cross country team last fall, helping the Knights secure seventh place in Class 3A at the state cross country meet in November.

Cozine is hoping to give Drake University the same type of lift next fall.

On Thursday, Cozine signed a letter of intent to run for the Bulldogs.

Cozine helped Prospect win the Mid-Suburban League East title. He finished 10th at the MSL meet in which his team finished second, and he added an 18th-place finish in helping the Knights take second at the Schaumburg sectional.

Cozine completed his season by taking 56th in Class 3A at the state meet.

Cozine was also a key member of the Knights 3,200 relay team that set an outdoor school record (7:48.94) at the MSL conference meet and finished eighth in the Class 3A state meet.

"Matt just has a great work ethic and provided great leadership for the team," said Prospect coach Mike Stokes. "He always put the team in great position."

Senior Teddy Eckhardt was also a member of the Prospect cross country and track team. Last season, Eckhardt was a member of the Knights squad that set an school indoor school record (8:02.62) for the 3,200 relay. Eckhardt will continue his running career at Augustana College.