Rockets grab 6th in 2A, Aubert 8th in 3A
PEORIA -- Burlington Central had not made an appearance at the girls cross country state meet since 1995.
But the Rockets wasted little time reacquainting themselves with Detweiller Park here.
Freshman Markelle Turk (18:08) made all-state with a 12th place finish leading Burlington Central to a sixth-place finish in Class 2A.
"I don't think they realize how big a stage this is," said Burlington Central coach Tom Miller of the Rockets' accomplishments. "Once it sinks in on what they did, they'll realize what a special season it was."
It was also a special day for Crystal Lake South sophomore Kristina Aubert, who finished 72nd at the state meet last year. This year Aubert (17:27) turned in a prime performance with an eighth-place finish in Class 3A.
"Last year I was devastated when I went home," said Aubert. "This year I'm ecstatic, I'm so happy."
Limestone's Nicole Benson made a surge in the final mile to win the Class 2A title with a time of 16:37, defeating Caitlin Comfort of Peoria Notre Dame, who finished with a time of 16:50.
Last year Comfort won the Class AA title in the now defunct 2-class system.
Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin had 4 runners finish in the top 30 to win the Class 2A team title with 63 points followed by Peoria Notre Dame (140 points) and East Peoria (147 points).
Turk and fellow freshman Katie Puccio have paced Burlington Central all season including last week when the Rockets won their first sectional title.
It was no different on Saturday, as Puccio (18:54) finished in 45th place to compliment Turk's 12th place finish.
"Without those two kids we're probably not here," added Miller ,whose team was supported by the lively school band.
"I think they're having as much fun as the kids running," said Miller of the band.
Turk ran an impressive race hanging near the lead pack in leading the Rockets.
"I knew it was going to be hard," said Turk of her first state experience. "But the whole season has been great, and to make a little history … it's a pretty big deal."
But it was a team effort for Burlington Central with Maggie Gannon (59th place), Lili Castillo (93rd place), and Emily Zipoy (97th place) rounding out the Rockets scoring.
"Nobody on our team has a selfish attitude," added Pucci. "We're like a family, when someone falls behind, we're there to pick each other up."
And the Rockets did just that on a special day.
Geneva won the Class 3A title with 119 points, followed by Lyons (131 points) and Naperville North (176 points).
Sandburg's Kristin Sutherland pulled away in the final mile to secure the individual Class 3A title in 16:50, as Geneva's Kelly Whitley (16:56) took second.
St. Charles East Lizzy Hynes (16:59) took third followed by Stagg's Annette Glaz (17:18) and Oak Park-River Forest Katherine Rack (17:19).
Hinsdale Central's Elaine Kuckert (17:23) edged Warren's Heather Olsen (17:24) for sixthh place, with Aubert takingeighth.
Aubert has had quite a year after winning the Class AA 3,200 title at last spring's state track meet.
"Our goal was to have her make all-state, but I knew she was capable of getting a top 10 finish," added Crystal Lake South coach Niki Lydon of her sophomore star. "She ran a smart race and peaked on the right day. Last year she peaked way to early."
Aubert also had an advantage of starting in the same box as Warren's Olsen. The two have faced off the past three weeks and both worked off each other on Saturday.
"She's the perfect pacer, because she doesn't go out too strong then die," said Aubert. " I figured if I stayed with her I'd be good and I was."
Huntley's Haley Loprieno (18:34) took 75th place and Dundee-Crown's Kelsey Seiler (18:45) finished 92nd at her first state meet.
Winnebago won its 10th title in Class 1A and Eureka's Olivia Krause (17:27) won the individual title. Hampshire's Holly Plichta took 37th in a time of 19:07.