By Michael Newman

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Lindsey Graham – Glen Ellyn Glenbard West HS

When we reached the beginning of October, it was hard to determine who the top runner was in 3A. Alexa Haff (Central HS, Hinsdale), Lauren Van Vlierbergen (Jacobs HS, Algonquin), and Lindsey Graham (Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn) all looked great heading into the state series and the last three races of the season. It was Graham’s turn to shine as she captured the 3A State championship.

Her last five races of the year were spectacular to watch. In a triangular meet in Hinsdale at the beginning of October, she moved away from Haff to run 16:35 to win by 28 seconds. She was just as dominating the following week as she easily won the West Suburban-Silver Championship. She made it look easy in winning the Lake Park Regional and Niles West Sectional.

Lindsay was dominant in the 3A State Meet running 16:23 to win by 25 seconds ahead of Van Vlierbergen. That time was the fifth fastest ever in the IHSA State Meet. Even though she did not compete in any of the post season races, she should be considered as one of the upper echelon of runners in this country instead of being ranked 38^th by DyeStat.

Kudos also go out to Lauren Van Vlierbergen. She had a great season only losing to  Alexa Haff at the First to the Finish Invitational and to Graham at the state meet running 16:48 for 3 miles. Haff suffered a hip flexor injury that affected her race against Graham in the triangular. She had to sit out the conference and regional races. Even though she was not 100%, she won the Marist Sectional title and 4^th in the state meet.

Congratulations to Lindsey Graham as the 2014 DyeStat Illinois 3A Girls XC Runner of the Year.