By Randy Whalen

A state event is the biggest stage for an individual or team to show what it can do.

That's perhaps even more true in a sport like cross country, where upwards of 230 individuals compete at state in each class.

This past weekend, the Joliet Township high schools had a trio of runners at the Class 3A State Cross Country Finals. Not only did they all do very well, with all three turning in PR times, but none of them are seniors. So they also aim to be back and do better next season. 

All three were at State Cross Country, which was held on Saturday, November 9, at Detweiller Park in Peoria, for the first time. But for Joliet Central junior Maddie King, it's her second time at a state event. She qualified this past spring in the Class 3A 800-meter run in track and field.

But this season's state cross country meet really showcased her talent. After falling short of her goal of qualifying last year, King stepped up and not only qualified this season, she nearly medaled.

She placed 29th with a PR time of 17 minutes: 34.1 seconds. The Top 25 runners medal at state.

"We are extremely proud of Madison King for her phenomenal debut at the IHSA State Cross Country meet," Joliet Central girls cross country coach Kelly Halusek said. "She had a positive attitude going into the race, and lots of hard work during the season and a clear goal resulted in a 24.5-second PR and 29th place. 

"With the end of the season, we are looking forward to a successful track season, and Madison is already making goals for her senior cross country season."

For King, this season was outstanding on so many levels. 

"This cross-country season has been the best season I've had so far," she said. "I love the team and how they make going to practice and races more fun. Qualifying for state was very exciting, especially being the first female cross country state qualifier from Joliet Central in years."

King is the first Steelmen girls runner to advance to state since Michelle Rhoden did in her senior season in the fall of 2000 for the then Joliet Township team.

"It was a great opportunity to challenge myself to run the fastest I have ever run and to run with other great runners," King added. "I am very excited for the next cross country season, seeing the team grow and continue to improve."

Also in the girls' race, Joliet West freshman Erin Santerelli turned in a great race with a PR time of 17:48.3 and placed 53rd overall out of 235 runners. So that's in the Top 23 percent in Class 3A.

"State was a goal for me but I'm still surprised I made it," Santerelli said. "It was definitely a fun experience. It was my first time running the course and (at state) there are definitely a lot more girls and people around you all the time."

It was raining on-and-off for a couple of hours. But that didn't bother Santerelli.

"It was raining right before the race and then it stopped, which was good," she said. "It was slippery but only in one part. It really wasn't that bad."

Last year, Santerelli placed seventh in the Illinois Elementry School Association State Finals for Troy Middle School. Those races are a mile-plus shorter, however. So to do well in her first high school state finals is great.

Erin had a great first season of cross country at Joliet West," Joliet West girls cross country coach Renae Batsch-Haaker said. "Her times progressively decreased over the course of the season and she also has begun to learn about and understand the importance of racing and race strategy and not just running three miles; knowing the differences between the two."

This is only the start and Santerelli. She now holds the 3-mile school record at Joliet West, breaking it in her debut race at Detweiller Park. She broke the school record previously held by Maddie Blaauw—17:56.1 which was set at Detweiller Park at the state meet on November 7, 2015.

"Erin enjoyed her first state experience as a freshman and has goals to become a 3A All-State cross country runner during her high school career," Batsch-Haaker said. "She is excited about track in 2025 to work on her speed and is thrilled to come back next cross country season; she’s ready to make even more pounces her second time around. We look forward to where her hard work, commitment, and the embracing of her journey takes her."

So is Santerelli who believes this was the first of four trips to state.

It was a good experience and my goal is to go back in each of my years running," Santerelli said. "Thanks to my coaches and teammates for supporting me."

Not to be outdone, Joliet Central sophomore Nathaniel Gabriel had a PR mark of 14:56.8 to place 61st out of 236 runners in the Class 3A boys race. That placed him in the top 26 percent of all runners in that class.  

Any postseason performance is more about the months leading up to the meet," Joliet Central boys cross country coach Doug Cherry said. "Nathaniel’s success is a direct result of the work he put in all summer and all fall. He embraced the summer grind and got his mileage in day after day. He came into the season with a great training base and that allowed us to fine-tune his fitness as the season progressed. He raced aggressively and with confidence all season.

Alex Ortiz and Daniel Zavala went to state on the boys' side for Joliet Central in 2021. Gabriel plans to make it back for the next two years. 

The experience was amazing," Gabriel said. "Having so many people cheering on everyone around you, even if you didn't know them made it feel very exciting. The key to my performance was spending time training with all of my teammates supporting me and pushing me to be my best. The goal for next season is to get below 14:40 and break the school record."

Breaking that record is certainly a possibility.

"Nathaniel has a great work ethic and shows up day after day ready to put in the work it takes to maximize his talent," Cherry said. "He is a very good runner, but he is also a good student, a leader, and a good teammate. We are lucky to have him at Joliet Central. He makes the Steelmen proud."