Rochelle senior Katherine Bakken avoided a potential wipeout to turn in a strong performance during the 3200-meter run finals at the IHSA Class 2A State Championships this past weekend. Junior Macey Ryan raced in the state championships for the third consecutive year this past weekend, participating as a first-timer in the 100-meter dash after running in relays over the previous two seasons.
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CHARLESTON — Rochelle senior Katherine Bakken avoided a potential wipeout to turn in a strong performance during the 3200-meter run finals at the IHSA Class 2A State Championships this past weekend.
Bakken took the starting line at Eastern Illinois University for the second time in two years after winning the sectional title at Rochelle Township High School earlier this month. Despite getting tangled up with another runner, Bakken utilized a fast start to finish 11th out of 28 racers with a time of 11:57.00.
“The race started off a little rough because I got tangled up with another girl,” Bakken said. “I tripped and she went down. But it was a really good experience competing against other girls who had strong races. I knew my weak spots and where I needed to improve from last year. I thought I stayed out of my head this time around and I focus on moving faster and staying in the pack.”
Bakken improved on her state time from last season, when she placed 13th out of 23 competitors with a time of 12:04.96. The senior and school record-holder in the 3200-meter run for both the indoor and outdoor seasons will be continuing her athletic career at St. Francis next year.
“I’m really going to miss the team because the team has become more like a second family for me,” Bakken said. “I’ll miss my coaches and it’s been a lot of fun competing here.”
Junior Macey Ryan raced in the state championships for the third consecutive year this past weekend, participating as a first-timer in the 100-meter dash after running in relays over the previous two seasons. After winning the sectional title with a personal record, Ryan set a new benchmark at the state meet, clocking in at 12.67 seconds to place 17th out of 28 runners in the preliminary round.
“It was a really good time,” Ryan said. “Mentally, I had to get used to warming up on my own rather than with a team. But everything else was the same. I thought I raced really well. I had a good start, and the race was like a breeze. I stayed right next to someone the entire time and I fought all the way through the end.”
Ryan will be looking to qualify for a fourth straight season next year. The junior said she hopes to return in the 100-meter dash while also advancing in either the 200-meter dash or one of Rochelle’s sprint relay teams.
“I know I can run under 13 seconds and I’ll have good seed times going into other meets,” Ryan said. “I think that will push me more so I can run even faster next season. I’d like to run a relay again and maybe the 200. I really missed running relays this year.”
Awards
The Rochelle girls track and field team hosted its season-ending team awards banquet this past week. Katherine Bakken received the High Point Award, while Liberty Hayes won Most Improved Runner and Macey Ryan took home the Sportsmanship Award.