Hersey strides back into spotlight

For the second consecutive year the Hersey girls cross country team seems to be peaking at the right time.

Last year the Huskies won the Mid-Suburban League East title, took fourth at the MSL meet, second at the Wheeling regional and earned a ticket to state by taking fourth at the Schaumburg sectional.

The Huskies, after a slow start this year, are at it again, wrapping up their second consecutive MSL East title on Sept. 26. They now seem ready for a strong post-season.

"We didn't get off to a strong start last season," said Hersey coach Jim Miks, whose team is looking to advance to state for the second straight year and 13th overall. "It takes a while for them to get their wheels rolling."

But with juniors Megan Gojney and Georgia Wiard leading the charge the Huskies are rolling into October with a full head of steam.

Gojney finished third at the MSL meet last season but suffered a stress fracture in her right ankle, which wiped out her track season.

The junior is back this year and seems to have picked up where she left off.

"It threw me back," said Gojney of her injury. "But I'm feeling comfortable now. I did a lot of training that should pay off by the end of the season."

Wiard has also been a force this season after finishing ninth at the MSL meet last year. The junior admits that last year's experience is helping.

"It definitely helps," added Wiard, whose team returned its top seven runners. "We did well last year, and now we want to do even better."

Returning MSL all-conference runner sophomore Sarah Reynolds gives Hersey a solid 1-2-3 punch.

The addition of sophomore Audrina Smelser and freshman Salena Clohisy give the Huskies a very strong top five.

But Miks quickly points to his senior leaders, including Wendy Wingeard and Kristen Mullen-Muhr, for guiding the team.

"That whole senior class sparks so much of the energy," added Miks. "Early in the season you might not run how you want to run, but the seniors keep everybody so positive that the team can come along like it's supposed too."

"We all get along really well," added Gojney of the Huskies' chemistry. "And we want to continue to keep getting better, especially at the end of the season."

The Huskies are right on schedule.

Tidbits: Class 3A girls state final race will run at 1 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The boys race will follow at 2 p.m., with the awards ceremony scheduled for 3 p.m. Annette White (17:53) finished sixth at the Peoria Invite, leading a young Prospect team to an impressive title as 4 of its top 5 finishers were sophomores. The Wheeling Invitational is 9 a.m. Saturday at Heritage Park.