Mental toughness key for Trojans' Aufmann

Even though she doesn't compete anymore, Cary-Grove senior cross country runner Madeline Aufmann still stays involved in the sport of gymnastics.

In her spare time, Aufmann, who stopped doing gymnastics when she entered high school, is a coach at the Cary Gymnastics Center.

She even knows the exact mileage from Cary-Grove High School to the center.

"It's exactly a mile," said Aufmann. "I had to measure it out. Some days I've ended up running to work. I can always use my legs to run somewhere."

Aufmann, a Class AA state qualifier as a junior, has used her legs to run to area cross country stardom. She headlines a group of returning runners for a Cary-Grove team that is in search of its fifth straight Fox Valley Conference crown.

Cary-Grove girls cross country and track coach Mark Anderson says Aufmann's status as one of the area's elite runners goes far beyond just sheer running ability.

"Madeline kind of has that "X" factor you need to have to be a number one runner," said Anderson. "You can be a good runner and have a good work ethic and all that stuff, but when you are not only expected to be the point girl on a team week in and week out and then mix it up with the runners we see in our conference, it takes a certain mental fortitude. Since her freshman year, Madeline has shown she has the desire to compete. When you have that, you can do all sorts of great things."

Aufmann actually did not start running in high school until her freshman track season.

"It's still a sore topic with Anderson that I didn't run cross country freshman year," laughed Aufmann. "I didn't do anything (sports-related fall of freshman year). I concentrated on school."

In terms of her advancement as a runner, Aufmann said her greatest strides have come in the mental arena.

"I'm a lot stronger mentally in races," said Aufmann. "I'm not so eager in races. I take each race as it comes -- a step at a time. I focus on staying strong mentally instead of relying on my guts at the end. I think I've matured. Hopefully that will show this season."

Aufmann noted things like dealing with outside forces like weather fall into the mental category. Ironically, Aufmann did this interview just prior to heading to Tuesday's ill-fated McHenry County meet that was cancelled after numerous underclass runners were felled by the heat, causing medical personnel to be dispatched to the course.

"With the weather you have to make sure you take the necessary precautions. We were chugging water earlier in the day," said Aufmann. "And when you are running in those conditions you can't give up on yourself when you feel physical and mental pressure. We had some practices cancelled last week because of the rain. You can't let that stop you. You have to find alternate solutions to train. If I can't get on the road, I cannot let that affect me mentally."

Anderson has also been impressed with Aufmann's leadership skills.

"She does it effortlessly," said Anderson. "It's an extension of her personality. Madeline is a leader because of who she is."

Aufmann, who sports a 3.97 grade-point average, feels her role as leader this year has been magnified because of the make-up of the Trojans' roster.

"Especially because we have a huge freshman and sophomore class," said Aufmann, who said she would like to run in college and has talked to the University of Illinois recently about that topic.

"I want to set a good example for the younger runners and the rookies. The main thing is to lead by example. If they see us running and stretching and icing, it trickles down. I try to do everything I can to set a good example for the younger girls."

Aufmann, who finished in the Top 5 of the FVC as a junior, has her sights set on a return trip to the state meet.

"One of my goals has been to be all-state in track and field and cross country," said Aufmann, who was 14th in the state in the 800 this past spring and finished 90th at the 2006 state cross country meet.

"But I want our team to qualify for state. It would be hard for me to qualify for state and then not have my teammates there. These girls are my best friends. I can't imagine being on a team with anybody else."

In terms of the FVC race, Cary-Grove figures to be challenged by the likes of Crystal Lake Central and Prairie Ridge.

Central returns state-caliber standouts Haley Staples and Stephanie Peisker (19th in the state as a sophomore) and has more help behind them, while Prairie Ridge returns senior Danielle Lebreck and sophomore Alex Ovington from last year's regional titlist.

And never count out Dundee-Crown, which opened the season by winning the Elgin City Classic Tuesday.

In the Upstate Eight, this will be the first time in 5 years that Streamwood does not have a runner named (Paulina) Garcia or (Nancy) Nieto headlining. Both are now running in college (Garcia at Northwestern and Nieto at Missouri State). Junior Mercedes Mancha leads the Sabres. The UEC features 3 teams (Lake Park, St. Charles North and St. Charles East) that qualified for the state meet last year. Bartlett's Sam Salinas took second at Tuesday's Elgin City Classic.

Burlington Central, led by Emily Zipoy, figures to be a top tier contender in the Big Northern Conference again with the likes of Winnebago and Rockford Lutheran. Coach Tom Miller has 4 of his top 7 back from a year ago. St. Edward features a strong top 3 contingent of seniors Ashley Lucas (four-time all-Suburban Catholic Conference; 2004 SCC champion) and Nadia Suarez, along with sophomore Karoline Kelly.