Palatine's Allen to run for Illinois State

Ruth Allen will keep the girls track pipeline flowing from Palatine to Bloomington.

Former Palatine runners Diana Ainsley (2001), Suzy Turner (2004), Brianna Officer (2005) and Michelle Brunk (2007), along with thrower Martha Shepard (2009), continued their careers at Illinois State University.

Allen is next in line. The senior is set to sign a letter of intent with Illinois State, where she will pursue a degree in education.

"I'm so excited," Allen said of her decision. "Once I narrowed it down to studying education, I knew ISU was a good choice."

Allen has contributed to the Palatine tradition in cross country and track and field.

Allen is a two-time all-state runner in cross country, finishing 25th as a junior and 13th this year.

She also has done it on the track, keying the 3,200 relay team to second-place state finishes in 2007 and 2009 and fourth place in 2008.

Allen also finished fourth in Class 3A in the 800 meters last spring.

"She didn't have a whole lot of experience coming in," said Palatine track coach Steve Currins of his senior star. "But she just kept working hard and believed in herself."

Palatine has had quite a tradition in cross country and track - and Allen has helped continue the tradition, leading the Pirates to a second-place finish in 3A for track and field last spring.

The senior then aided the Pirates drive to the 3A state title in cross country last fall.

"It's been an awesome year," said Allen, who would like to teach special education.

"I have a few more goals in mind and hopefully I can reach them."

Allen noted that she had great coaching at Palatine and is excited to run for head cross country coach and assistant track coach Jeff Boyee at Illinois State.

"That was important, finding someone I could trust," said Allen of Boyee.

Allen is in the top of her class ranking with a 4.5 weighted grade-point average, and she scored 31 on her ACT. The senior was also homecoming queen in the fall.

Allen will receive a split academic/athletic scholarship for her achievements.