Athlete: Lindsey Payne
Year: 2018
School: Glenbard West, IL
Analysis: Only course record holder Judy Pendergast ran faster than Lindsey Payne last year at Illinois' historic state meet course, Detweiller Park. Her time of 16:15.70 ranks fourth-fastest all-time and she has two more years to go after Pendergast's record of 15:53.80. Payne placed sixth at NXN Midwest Regional and 30th at Nike Cross Nationals in her first national meet showing. She was 24th at Foot Locker Midwest as a freshman.
Payne improved her track marks to 4:58.49 in the 1600m and 10:29.80 in the 3200m. She won the Illinois state title in the latter event and with the graduation of Pendergast, Payne looks like the heir to the Illinois state throne this fall and the most likely athlete from the area to make an impact on the national level.