Hersey's dynamic duo focuses on the finish

It's not where you start but where you finish. Just ask Hersey seniors Megan Gojney and Georgia Wiard.

Hersey entered the 2007 girls cross country season under the radar, as the Huskies were not ranked among the preseason favorites.

But Hersey ended the season by making its second consecutive trip to the state finals finishing in 12th place, its best finish since taking 12th in 1997.

Not too bad for a team that finished sixth at the Fenton Invitational to start the season.

Gojney and Wiard were a big part of Hersey's late-season surge and have also been a big part of the resurgent Huskies program.

From 1985 through 1997 Hersey qualified for the state meet 10-of-11 years, winning three state trophies. But from 1998 through 2005 the Huskies only qualified for state one year.

But Gojney and Wiard have led the Huskies to back-to-back state appearances.

"Both of them have a huge capacity to do it right on the big day," said Hersey coach Jim Miks of his senior leaders. "They might struggle in some other races - but the big day they bury it, they can find something extra."

Like Wiard's performance at last year's Palatine sectional. She finished 14th despite a minor ankle sprain, giving the Huskies three runners in the top 14 to finish in second place, 2 points behind Palatine.

"There was no question," said Miks of Wiard's decision to run. "When it's on the line she'll take the pain, she loves her teammates."

"We're always a team that places a big emphasis on sectionals," added Wiard. "We're not a team that is guaranteed to go downstate - we have to fight for it."

And that is exactly what Gojney did at the state meet. She fell behind in the first mile but fought her way to a 15th-place finish and became the first Husky to make all-state since Sarah Spalding took 16th in 1997.

"Everything was geared toward that," said Gojney. "I never backed off my training, ran through all my races. State was finally the race."

What made her finish even more amazing was the previous year Gojney suffered a stress fracture at the end of cross country season. The injury left her in a boot and sidelined for the entire track season.

"The kid is resilient," added Miks. "It was a huge comeback from a boot during track season to all- state. Her work ethic is just phenomenal."

What is even more phenomenal is what the two Huskies have accomplished during their three years at Hersey.

Besides going to state for two consecutive years, the Huskies have also won two consecutive Mid-Suburban East titles. And with the top seven runners back from last year's state team, the Huskies are primed for another successful year.

"It's pretty cool," said Gojney, reflecting on what the team has accomplished. "I think this group of girls really cares about running and it's fun to be a part."

"I think we really have a good team chemistry," added Wiard. "Everyone wants everyone else to do just as well as them."

Gojney and Wiard will be joined by juniors Sara Reynolds, Audrina Smelser, and Lauren Frisbie and by sophomores Salena Clohisy and Kaitlin Slattery, giving the Huskies a deep and experienced squad.

"That's huge," added Miks of the state experience. "Those seven have all gone through the whole process of the state meet."

Gojney and Wiard will once again lead Hersey at their opening invitational this weekend at Fenton, but the two seniors have their eyes set squarely on the target at the end of the season.

"As a team we understand it's better to peak at the end of the season," said Wiard of the Huskies' focus. "We kind of like to have fun the first couple of meets then at the end of the season get serious - that's when the results actually count."

"Definitely - focusing on October," added Gojney. "Rankings don't really matter at the beginning of the season, we're waiting for the end of the season."

And the Huskies are hoping it's worth the wait.