STATE BOUND! Saint Gilbert Girls Track Runners Qualify for State

With the slow start to spring, the 2018 Saint Gilbert track season has been challenging. They faced meet cancellations due to weather and had only a few conference competitions under their belt. As a result, the Saint Gilbert “Runnin’ Rebels” went into State Sectionals with questions as to how far their team could go. But, Coach Stacey Kryzwanos knew the team had many talented athletes who had been practicing since late February so she was confident in her kids.

Sectionals is the most crucial competition for any track athlete: It is here where the girls and boys find out if they qualify to compete in the State Finals against the best of the best gathered from throughout Illinois. Moreover, at Sectionals, an athlete can only qualify for state in two ways – take first or meet the state qualifying time.

This year, Sectionals was held at Grant High School in Fox Lake. With perfect weather and great facilities, the location was ideal for Saint Gilbert to test itself. The meet itself, however, is a bit of a marathon, beginning at 8 am and lasting until 2 pm. Due to the number of events, heats and how many athletes are taking part, a participant will run an event and have to sit and wait for the next event, many times not knowing until later if their best was good enough.

As it turned out, Saint Gilbert excelled. After this weekend's Sectional results, two Saint Gilbert girls ran the qualifying time to allow them to go onto state. Seventh grader Catherine G. and eighth grader Anna K. qualified in both the 100 and the 200 meter dashes. The girls will be able to quickly capitalize on their success as the State meet takes place this weekend, on May 11th to 12th in Peoria, Illinois.

According to Coach Stacey, “the state tournament is the highest level an athlete can go within their school sport. Attaining this level of achievement is shared by only a very small percentage of individuals who compete and is truly an honor. We are extremely proud of not only Catherine and Anna, but of the whole team who have helped these girls attain this level of achievement.”

Saint Gilbert is a Catholic School celebrating 73 years of providing quality education to the Grayslake Community. It was named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the Department of Education and is an IESA member providing sporting opportunities in basketball, volleyball, cross country, track and cheer. Their coaches are all volunteers – parents of the school children.

Interested in learning more? Come visit us on the web at www.stgilbertschool.org or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Saint-Gilbert-Catholic-School-126504574087725/. Arrange a tour by calling 847-223-8600 or by emailing school.office@saintgilbertschool.org