LHS Freshman Places 12th At Girls’ Cross Country State Finals

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School freshman Kaylie Politza made her cross country state finals debut one to remember. The school said Politza matched the best placement in program history by posting a 12th place finish at the 2018 IHSA Class 2A Girls’ Cross Country State Finals, which were contested at Detweiller Park in Peoria on Nov. 3.

Lemont finished 18th in the team standings. Senior Andrew Deuschle placed 77th in the boys’ race, which marks his best state finals effort.

According to the school, Politza not only earned all-state accolades with her 12th place finish, but she crossed the line in 17:41, establishing a new school record time on a 3-mile course. The rest of Lemont’s state finals contingent included junior Marin Schiffman (101st; 19:19), senior Julianne McClatchy (104th; 19:22), senior Daina Maleiska(112th; 19:26), freshman Destiny Vargas (138th; 19:39), sophomore Jenny Martinez (139th; 19:39) and sophomore Kailey Wasyliw (194th; 20:58).

Lemont made its 11th team state finals appearance in girls’ cross country, the school said. After making its initial appearance in 1991, it advanced to state finals competition five straight years from 2007-2011, and again each year from 2014-17. Its best team state finals finish was a fourth place showing in 2014.

Deuschle crossed the line in 15:56, which placed him at 77th individually. According to the school, that marked a significant improvement from his debut state finals performance in 2017, when he was Lemont’s first state finals qualifier in boys’ cross country since 2012 and placed 160th in a time of 16:46.

Head coach Tim Plotke’s program secured both the South Suburban Conference-Blue Division boys’ and girls’ cross country titles this fall; this is the second time that both teams have won SSC Blue crowns in the same season, having first done so in 2012. Politza placed first as the girls’ team swept the top six spots at the SSC Blue Meet, while Deuschle placed third in the boys’ meet.

Photos provided by Lemont High School.