Unheralded Maryjeanne Gilbert Nearly Steals Foot Locker
Sure, she's a four-time Illinois state champion. But Maryjeanne Gilbert of Peoria Notre Dame competes in Class 2A, so she has not faced state meet record holder Judy Pendergast this year. Gilbert's solo state win at Detweiller Park was 16:23.3 -- 30 seconds slower than Pendergast's 15:53.8 record-breaker. Gilbert also lost to Lindsey Payne of Glenbard West in early September; sophomore Payne went on to place runner-up to Pendergast at the Class 3A state meet and 30th at NXN.
Gilbert has competed well in San Diego before; she was the No. 4 Foot Locker returner after placing 12th last year. But of all the challengers expected to give Kelati a run for her money, I picked Nevada Mareno, Taylor Werner, Annie Hill, even Pendergast ... runners who have already tested themselves and won -- or came close to it -- against national competition this year.
Call it an oversight. But props to Gilbert for peaking perfectly and pushing Kelati to the closest Foot Locker finish (17:09.7 to 17:10.6) since 2009, when Megan Goethals powered past Chelsey Sveinsson, 17:06.9 to 17:07.1.
- Jojo