Three weeks ago Jill Hardies ran her first cross-country race of the season. The Hinsdale Central sophomore wore running shoes instead of spikes in her debut to protect a recently healed stress fracture in her left foot.
On Saturday at the Class 3A Lockport Sectional at Dellwood Park, Hardies had no choice but to wear spikes on a hilly course with treacherous turns. The results were the same as the last two weeks, however. Hardies finished first in a time of 18 minutes, 16 seconds on the 3.1-mile course.
“This is the hardest course I will run on this year,” Hardies said. “The steep hills and sharp turns are good practice for college because I know the courses are as hard as this. My foot is a little sore right now, but I think that is just because I am wearing spikes (for the first time) this year.”
Hardies made her move at the 2.5-mile mark and pulled away from Oswego East junior Ariel Michalek (second, 18:22). Lockport’s Megan O’Brien was third in 19:03.
Downers Grove North placed five runners in the top 11 to finish first with 34 points. Lockport was second with 88 points, and Lyons was third with 112 points.
“This is a rugged course,” Hinsdale Central coach Mark McCabe said. “It’s hilly and the footing is a little uneven. It’s really a true cross-country course. Runners in the northern part of the state aren’t used to running it. We had no choice but to wear spikes today.”
Difficult terrain isn’t something Michalek expects to see next Saturday at the state meet in Peoria.
“Detweiller (Park) is going to be a faster course because it’s all flat,” Michalek said. “It’s going to be a fast course, and I am excited for it.”
Top five teams:
Downers Grove North 34, Lockport 88, Lyons 112, Hinsdale Central 139, Neuqua Valley 157.
Top five runners:
Jill Hardies, Hinsdale Central, 18:16; Ariel Michalek, Oswego East, 18:22; Megan O’Brien, Lockport, 19:03; Samantha Fry, Downers Grove North, 19:04; Allison Proffitt, Downers Grove North, 19:10.
