This marks the 10th year that the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association wishes to award Athlete-of-the-Year honors to Illinois Track &Field/Cross Country athletes who have demonstrated remarkable achievements. The 2018/2019 female recipients are Katelynne Hart (Distance Athlete) of Glenbard West High School, Taylor Gilling (Sprints/Hurdles Athlete) of Highland Park High School, and Jasmine Mitchell (Field Event Athlete) of Thornwood High School. The 2018/2019 male recipients are Josh Methner (Distance Athlete) of Hersey High School, Finnigan Schirmer (Sprints/Hurdles Athlete) of Marengo High School, and Jamal Safo (Field Event Athlete) of Crete-Monee High School.
Katelynne Hart (JR) – Glen Ellyn Glenbard West: As a junior, Katelynne was the 2018 3A state cross country champion. She also won the Nike Midwest Regional cross country meet, and then went on to place 16th at Nike Cross Nationals. On top of that, she participated in the Footlocker Midwest cross country Regional and placed 3rd. She came back at the Footlocker National meet and placed 2nd. During the 2019 track and field season, Katelynne was the state champion in the 3200m run, the 800m run, and the 1600m run.
Katelynne Hart was also the ITCCCA 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 Female Distance Athlete of the Year.
Katelynne’s 2018/2019 PRs: Detweiller-15:59, 800m-2:10.81, 1600m-4:38.00, 3200m-9:59.57
Taylor Gilling (SR) Highland Park Brooks: Taylor was the 2019 3A track and field state champion in the 100m dash and the 200m dash.
2018/2019 Outdoor Track & Field PRs: 100m dash – 11.32 and 200m dash – 23.10
Jasmine Mitchell (SR) Thornwood: Jasmine was the 2019 3A TF State Champion Shot put & discus. This was the second consecutive year that she has won both events.
Jasmine Mitchell was also the ITCCCA 2017/2018 Female Field Event Athlete of the Year.
2018/2019 PRs: Shot Put-47’ 07” & Discus-145’11”
Josh Methner (JR) Hersey: Josh was the 2018 3A cross country state champion. He went on to place 2nd at the Nike Cross Midwest Regional and then came back to finish 15th at the Nike National Meet. Josh also competed in the Footlocker Midwest Cross Country Regional where placed 7th earning a national qualifying spot. At the Footlocker National meet he placed 6th overall. During the 2019 track and field season, Josh was the 3200m state champion.
2018/2019 PRs: Detweiller-14:11, 1600m-4:13.76, 3200m-9:02.54
Finnigan Schirmer (JR) Marengo: Finnigan was the 2019 2A 100m state champion, 110m high hurdle state champion, 300m intermediate hurdle state champion, and took 4th place in the 200m dash.
2018/2019 PRs: 100m dash – 10.62, 200m dash – 21.67, 110mHH – 14.12, 300mIH – 37.62
Jamal Safo (SR) Crete-Monee: Jamal was 2019 3A long jump state champion. He was also part of the State Meet record setting state champion 4x100m and a member of the 4x200m & 4x400m relays that both placed 3rd.
2018/2019 PRs: Long Jump – 25’ 0”