Girls cross country: Glenbard West's Hart picks Michigan

Katelynne Hart faced an agonizing decision.

The Glenbard West runner made her college choice official Wednesday afternoon, opting to run cross country and track at Michigan.

"It was a very, very tough choice," Hart said. "I definitely think it took me a little bit longer than I think I wanted it to. I was just so impressed with every school."

Hart, owner of three Class 3A cross country championships and another seven state titles in track and field, made up her mind late last week.

"It came down to very small things," she said. "I think there is something to be said about staying in the Midwest. The pride (the athletes) have in going there was something that was very attractive to me."

Hart committed to the Big Ten school after narrowing her list and taking official visits to Wisconsin, Indiana, North Carolina and Colorado.

"I had to follow my heart and go where I think I am going to be challenged," Hart said.

The Hart rèsumè is hard to fathom at times.

Hart authored the fastest times in both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs in the nation last spring before concluding her junior track season with her first state championship at 800 meters.

"I won't say she's the greatest, but she's on the Mt. Rushmore of top athletes in (state) track and field (history)," Glenbard West cross country and track distance coach Paul Hass said. "She has the work ethic combined with an amazing talent, which is why she is what she is."

Her own coach hesitated to call her the best in Illinois history, but others weren't so shy.

"Katelynne is the best all-around runner this state has ever seen," Naperville North coach Dan Iverson said. "I don't think there's any denying it."

Hart will not only seek to become the fourth girl in history to win four state titles in cross country. The senior also will attempt a four-year sweep of the 1,600 and 3,200 to become the first four-time distance-racing Triple Crown champion.