Katelynne Hart likes to spread the wealth.
The Glenbard West High School freshman runner does not confine her running excellence to one season. After dominating last fall in cross-country and shining throughout the winter's indoor track and field season, Hart has turned her attention and talent to the outdoor season in which she continues to excel.
As of April 23, Hart was ranked in the top three in three events in Class 3A, including the best time in two events, according to athletic.net.
She notched Class 3A's best 1,600-meter-run time on April 22 when she won the even at the Sue Pariseau Invitational in Glen Ellyn with a time of 4 minutes, 50.72 seconds. At the same meet, she posted the top 3,200 meter run time in 10:25.95. At that same meet, she also had 3A's third-best 800 run time at 2:14.20.
“I think overall, everything's gone well so far, and I can't wait for what's to come,”
During the indoor season, she finished first in the Class 3A 1,600 meter run and the 3,200 meter run at the Illinois Top Times and won the West Suburban Conference titles in the 800 and 1,600 meter runs. And because dominating one state is not enough, she set a new national freshman record in the 2-mile run at the Kentucky High School Invitational in February, finishing the race in 10:21.41.
Last fall, she won the Class 3A individual crown in cross-country and also finished first in the 5K at the NXR Midwest Regional Championship on Nov. 13 in Terre Haute, Indiana. At the NXR Nike Cross Nationals meet on Dec. 3 in Portland, Oregon, she finished 18th.
Winning the state title was a big moment for Hart and aided her success this season.
“It kind of opened my eyes on what I can accomplish during my high-school career, and I also think it gave me a little more confidence on the high-school running scene in general,” she said.
Hart got into competitive running in the sixth grade and was interested in running initially as a way to stay in shape for soccer and gymnastics, she said. Her mother, Kellee, had done some running as well, which she said also helped her take on the sport.
She has found more to like about the sport besides her regular winning.
“We just have a fun atmosphere, like so hard-working, it's just so fun,” she said. “It's really nice to be with girls that really enjoy the same things I enjoy.”
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