Meadows' Gastfield looks to continue state success

Rolling Meadows' Christina Gastfield is gathering quite a collection of state medals and proving to be a big-game hunter.

In 2008, Gastfield finished eighth in the Class 3A state cross country meet. Last year she raised the ante by taking second in 3A, finishing eight seconds behind Lavinia Jurkiewicz (17:11) of Whitney Young.

Gastfield has made herself right at home at Peoria's Detweiller Park.

"I like Detweiller, that is where I compete a lot," said Gastfield of the home of the state cross country meet. "There are a lot of good girls that step it up. That is where you have to be your best."

That is exactly what Gastfield has done the past two seasons.

As a sophomore, Gastfield finished seventh at the Mid-Suburban League meet, but was the second-best MSL girl at the state meet with her eighth-place finish.

Last year, Gastfield took ninth at the MSL meet and 10th at the sectionals, before exploding at the state meet with her runner-up finish.

"Her toughness," said Meadows coach Kevin Young on what separates her from the other elite runners. "The longer the race the better for her. She is mentally so tough, the longer she can just grind it out, the better she is going to do."

And Gastfield grinded out the first two miles at the state meet last year, briefly taking the lead at the two-mile mark before easing into second place.

"A lot of girls were up there, but I knew I had to stay with the pack, that was the goal," said Gastfield of her race strategy. "Keep my eyes up and go from there."

Gastfield's run surprised many observers, but her teammates and coach have grown accustomed to her big-time performances.

"It surprised me a little bit," said Young, "But we knew the time she could run, she just had to believe. It turned out to be the perfect day with her."

"She's always been talented," added senior teammate Rebecca Zych of Gastfield. "But she just keeps working harder and harder. So I guess it wasn't surprising, she went out and ran a great race at state."

Gastfield gutted out an injury-filled track season, but still qualified for the 3,200, where she finished 22nd in 3A.

The senior recommitted herself during summer workouts and seems primed for another outstanding season. Young has taken notice of her dedication.

"Before she was pretty bad at hitting times in workouts," added Young, "But she has been stepping up and getting out of her shell. She's taking more leadership and becoming more vocal."

This is a good thing for a Meadows squad that hasn't qualified for the state meet since 1995.

Zych, Claire Brady and Colleen Vrshek, all seniors, combine with junior Ashley Miller and sophomore Melissa Whowell to give the Mustangs one of their most talented squads.

"We've gone down to state with Christina the past two years, we've seen the atmosphere," added Brady, "This year we want to push ourselves to make it there."

And it doesn't hurt to have a lead runner like Gastfield.

Before Gastfield, Meadows only had three all-state runners, the last being Jo-Ann Trevino, who finished 14th in 1995. Gastfield now sits atop the Mustangs' list with her two all-state honors.

"That's amazing," added Young, who is in his second year of leading the Mustangs after taking over from girls' athletic director Jim Voyles. "There are not that many girls you see improve all four years, it going to be fun this year."

And Gastfield has left an impression on the young Meadows runners.

"She has a great attitude," added Whowell, who is in her first year of running cross country. "Coach Young wants us to run two miles, and she'll want to run six. She is just so committed to running, it's like her life."

Gastfield is looking to run for a Division I college, where she would like to study sport nutrition or sports medicine.

But the senior has a bit of unfinished business, like earning her third all-state honors, which would put her in a class by herself. Despite her accomplishments she even has a bit of motivation.

There have been many names thrown around for who may win the 3A state championship this season. Many pick New Trier sophomore Courtney Ackerman or Hinsdale Central sophomore Jill Hardies.

Despite two consecutive top-10 finishes, Gastfield's name seems to be further down the list.

And Gastfield has taken notice.

"I feel that people kind of underestimate me," said Gastfield, "Maybe they forgot about me. It kind of makes me mad, but it gives me more fire. I feel like I've proven I can do it.

"Coach Young says don't be the queen of August, September or October. Do you what you have to do in November."

So far Gastfield has done just that.