The Lincoln-Way West High School girls’ cross country team displayed exceptional determination and skill, culminating in a 5th place finish scoring 153 points at the IHSA Regionals, graciously hosted by Lockport High School.
For the 16th consecutive season, the Warriors ensured their qualification for the IHSA Sectional meet, taking place this weekend in Normal, Illinois.
Under the leadership of Chloe Miller, who secured 21st place, the team showcased marked improvement from their previous year’s performance. This was Miller’s first opportunity to run in the regional meet since her freshmen year (2021) because of injuries the previous two seasons. She has been West’s top runner in every meet this year, a huge comeback after a torn labrum in her hip caused her to miss multiple seasons of track and cross country.
Senior Kylie Ludwig followed close behind in 27th, earning a personal best by 32 seconds and improving on last year’s finish at this meet by 15 spots.
Celest Reiling (33rd) and Sophia Mikolajczak (35th) also ran their fastest times ever at the perfect moment, helping ensure the Warriors stayed ahead of close competition from Andrew and Homewood-Flossmoor.
Junior Ellie Trench finished 37th in the important fifth spot, then continued her remarkable multi-sport fall by swimming for West at the SWSC Conference meet an hour later. Varsity seniors Makenna Zitkus and Mia Klosowski also ran well to help the team make it to the next round of the postseason.
The team looks forward to battling teams from the southwest suburbs and downstate at Normal next weekend.
