Our team photographers have nicely given parents and families permission to download copies of the photos for personal use. Please do that very soon. The photos taken by Dr. Ketterling will be erased by March 1.
Booster Meeting
PARENTS - Do you want to know what is happening this season? Would you like to have a say in the Booster decisions about equipment purchases, banquets and team clothing? Would you like to be more involved with the team this season? Join other Track parents at the December Booster meeting!
ALL PARENTS!!!
Booster Meeting Parents of all team members
are welcome. Thursday, Jan. 15 Meeting at 8 pm
Westerhoff's house: 1913 Bridle Ct.
( MAP )
They're still racing!
December 7, 2008 WOW! Our girls are TOUGH! We had runners at two races and it was only 7 degrees outside with snow on the ground!!! Congratulate these girls when you see them.
Gilberts Cross Country Challenge RACHEL RAWSON, MORGAN KETTERLING, GINA BARTINDALE, and CLAIRE SANCHEZ ran 5 miles through fields of snow, hills, marshes and creeks. You EARNED that t-shirt! Wear it with pride.
Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis MEGAN MOORE was one of the thousands of runners who hit the nation’s pavement this winter to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. Yeah, Megan!
Congratulations to Mallory Able who took 1st place Girls Freshman/Sophomore Race at the Foot Locker CC Championships at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. A number of our seniors ran the snowy course in the Girls Seeded Race: Lizzy Hynes, Lauren Hoepper, Lizzy Stefan and Jocelyn Westerhoff.
Open Gym, 2009 Indoor & Outdoor Track
OPEN GYM
December 1 - mid January, 2:50 - 5pm
Meet in
the Sports Complex Attention all students interested in joining indoor or outdoor track this
year or any athletes just looking to do some winter conditioning.
Open gym will begin Monday, December 1st and continue every day
after school until the start of indoor track in January. We will meet in
the Sports Complex at 2:50 p.m. Come with a smile and dressed to
run OUTSIDE! See Mr. Provencher in the Science Office or Ms.
Hefferin the Business Ed office for more information.
#3. St. Charles (East) 7 29 51 54 56 (109) (112) = 197
Hynes, Abel, Gordon, Robertson, White, Piemonte, Parker
In the State race, Lizzy Hynes' third top-10 state finish powered St. Charles East to a third place finish and taking home the IHSA trophy.
Beginning with Lizzy Hynes' seventh place (17:20) all-state effort, the team averaged 18:00 for its five scoring runners of the day. Mallory Abel (18:00) was second for the Saints in 38th place. She was followed by Grace Gordon (70th, 18:12), Holly Robertson (73rd, 18:14) and Dayna White (76th, 18:15). Megan Piemonte (142nd, 18:57) and Arielle Parker (145th, 18:59) rounded out East's seven runners.
Thanks to all of the teammates, parents, and siblings who made their way down to Peoria for the State meet. It was very cold and windy but with the crowd of Saints fans there, we all felt warm from the inside out! Relive the day through photos.
3. St. Charles East: 7, 29, 51, 54, 56, (109), (112) = 197. Every team has a story to tell whether the outcome is good or bad. For the Saints to be in this position after being on life support in recent years is simply amazing. The far western Chicago suburb located on the Fox River had just one top 10 finish in the new millennium. Second year coach and team alum Denise Hefferin explains it best: “We’ve known for a while the girls had what it took to “steal” a trophy down in Peoria. [The girls] put in the training this summer and fall, they took all the necessary precautions to protect themselves from injury, but most importantly they believed in themselves and each other and refused to settle for anything less than they knew they were capable of. They didn’t mind being underrated all year because it gave them the “no-pressure” situation to go in and “surprise the field.” Starting at [the UEC meet] our 3-7 really began clumping together- near the FRONT and that was the turning point between us going down state to compete for top 5 [status] and us competing to be on stage. You can never expect to take home a trophy- even Geneva had to go out and execute their race [plan] in order to be re-crowned champions. And on the line, I told the girls that I knew what it felt to be nervously awaiting the sound of the gun. I knew what it was like to go and compete among the state’s elite, [and] I knew what it took to come home with a trophy, and I KNEW they had it in them- all that was left was to let it happen, and they did! Once again, our 3,4,5 pack (Grace Gordon, Holly Robertson, Dayna White) were the difference makers for us. I haven’t [seen the numbers yet], but I know we won third in the last mile, and it is because of the number of runners these three [young women] passed all the way through the finish [chute]. Team scores: they finished 51, 54, 56 - you can’t ask for much tighter than that! I think the 3-7 runners often get overlooked in XC, but not on our team. Everyone knows they are why we took home that trophy yesterday! I couldn’t be more happy for the girls or more proud to be a SAINT!” Very well said.
PEORIA -- November 8, 1998 was one of the greatest days of Denise Hefferin's young life.
November 8, 2008 is definitely a close second.
On Saturday, the Hefferin-coached St. Charles East Saints finished third place in the IHSA Class 3A State Finals. The Saints finished third with 197 points. They were topped in the largest class by nearby Geneva (51 points) and Hinsdale Central (166).
However, 10 years ago, Hefferin was a runner for the Saints and she helped her school put the giant gold trophy in the case as they won the state title.
"I thought we were capable of a finish like this," said Hefferin. "Today is proof of mind over matter. Grace Gordon, Holly Robertson and Dayna White have been nicknamed "Our Wall of Saints". They are the reason we made it, they are the reason that we did so well in the post season."
While Hefferin was confident in a great finish, the cross country pundits that put together the rankings were not as confident. St. Charles was ranked 11th in the final poll of the year. While "Our Wall of Saints" did their job, the success started with Lizzy Hynes.
Hynes, who has been a force in the state for four years, finished seventh with a three-mile time of 17:20. The winning time of 16:54 was posted by Lindsay Flanagan of Lake Park.
"I did not run a terrible race, but I wish I could have done better," said Hynes. "I was exactly where I wanted to be at the mile (5:30), but I did not feel it today. I have other cross country races (Foot Locker-Midwest Race) and then I am looking forward to track and field."
Freshman Mallory Able was the Saints' second runner to finish. Abel toured the course in 18:00, which was good for 38th overall. Then "Our Wall of Saints" took over. Only three seconds separated the three runners.
Gordon took 70th with a time of 18:12. She was immediately followed by Holly Robertson (73rd, 18:14) and Dayna White (76th, 18:15). The three runners only had 171 team points between them and it was enough to give East third place.
"Lizzy was our leader," said Hefferin. "She always made sure that the girls knew exactly what needed to be done."
Much was made of the incredible depth of talent at the St. Charles East Class 3A Cross Country Sectional, and the competition did not disappoint, particularly on the girls' side.
The top six girls finishers each broke the LeRoy Oakes course record, which was set at last week's St. Charles North Regional.
The host Saints took second with 107 team points and were once again paced by Lizzy Hynes, who finished third overall in 17:54.60. Geneva won the sectional with 62 points.
The second-place finish was a solid achievement, but the Saints think they are capable of even more going forward to Saturday's State Finals at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
"To be in second with not everybody having the race of their life is a great feeling, because we know we can do that much better," East coach Denise Hefferin said. "I really think we've been somewhat underrated all year, but people are now going to take notice and recognize the girls' work and how tough they are after today, which is exciting for the girls."
The remaining qualifiers for East were Mallory Abel (11th, 18:24.12), Dayna White (26th, 18:47.47), Grace Gordon (30th, 18:57.99) and Holly Robertson (37th, 19:06.97).
THANK YOU!
VOLUNTEERS, thank you for your amazing efforts in hosting the Sectional, Best and Leavey Invites.
You did a fantastic job! From early in the week shopping for supplies and setting up the course, to the final picking up trash after the crowd had gone home, you were out there working to make our home invites the season's best invites.
Our cross country invites could not happen without the work of the volunteers. THANK YOU again!
Girls CC Banquet - Nov. 17 at 6:30 pm in the Little Theatre.
STCE Girls are 2008 Regional Champs!
The Saints Girls took first place in our Regional. Five of our girls placed in the top 10 with Lizzy taking first and Mallory taking third place.
STCE Girls are the 2008 UEC Conference Champs!
The Saints girls team are the 2008 Upstate Eight Conference Champs! The varsity team took first place with all seven runners finishing in the top 24 and all 7 receiving All-Conference honors. Lizzy H. took 2nd place and Mallory was close behind at 4th. The Fr/So team also took home the first place trophy with 5 girls placing in the top 24 and Colleen taking second place! Our JV Open team placed six girls in the top 24 with Jackie taking the number one spot! (Read the news articles...)
Congratulations to the entire Girls team on your spectacular season!
We have TWO galleries of photo albums for the meets this season, be sure to check them BOTH out.
Our photographers have done an outstanding job. Thank you Dr. Ketterling, Mr. Robertson and Mrs. Moore!
Kevan Ketterling's album (if you see "recommend a newer browser " just press "Use Current Browser" button at bottom right.)
The Latest Info...
10/27/08 - 2008 Illinois Cross Country Coaches Poll - STCE girls are #10 in the entire state of Illinois! This places the girls team at #3 in our sectional. Illlinois Dyestat ranks our team 11th in the state. Individually,
Lizzy Hynes is ranked 5th and Mallory Able is ranked 13th in the state of Illinois.
Please CLEAN out your student's meet bag today!
Any extra warmups, UnderArmour, etc. in there that don't belong to your runner? Please return the extras this week - runners will need those clothes this Saturday when the temps are chilly.
Week #9 -
11/2 (sectionals) St. Charles East - the sectional host Saints has to be the rebound team of the year. Last year at this team, the talk of competing for a state birth much less a chance at a top finish was an after thought. Lizzy Hynes has been the face of the program for the past four seasons and she now has a chance to lead her team something really special. Hynes finished third overall in 17:54 to keep her name among the elite harriers. Her steady teammate freshman Mallory Abel faded slightly in her 3 mile jaunt, but still ran a quality overall effort in 12th place. The key to all good teams is how the role players contribute. Senior Dayna White has enjoyed a rejuvenated season as the team’s #3 runner. She locked herself in late in the race and contributed a 28th place finish. The team split of 2-5 was a championship-like 42 seconds; NEXT IS IHSA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ON 11/8.
Week #8 - 10/27/2008 (Regionals) #11. St. Charles East - the Saints continue to be the darlings of the comeback. They took another giant step of making their case to return among the state’s elite by out-dueling a good Bartlett team. The resurgent Lizzy Hynes led her team to victory and won the St. Charles North Regional title in 18:06. The 1-5 split was a little high but it may be due to Hynes running to her full ability now. The real inside look would suggest 2-5 as a real read on the team. Mallory Abel was third overall while leading the charge of a 30 second split to the 5th runner Grace Gordon; next is St. Charles East Sectional on 11/1. 2008 Class AAA Girls Individual Rankings #5. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hynes Sr. St. Charles East- the three time all-state runner appears to have the competition where she wants them as in being undercover. At times this season Hynes appeared to be human because she suffered several defeats. However, she is starting to show why she was pre-season #2 with a solid and convincing victory over the pesky Alyssa Schneider of Bartlett. Hynes, in her next to last contested battle on her home course, won by 13 seconds. She will re-match Schneider again next week and also will face Geneva’s Kelly Whitney in what will be a hotly contested battle. #13. Mallory Abel Fr. St. Charles East- just one of three competitors to break 19:00 (3rd) on the sloppy course at Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve.
Week 7 - 10/21/2008 Final Regular Season Rankings #11. St. Charles East - the Saints took back the UEC championship they relinquished several years ago to Lake Park. This time Lizzy Hynes and company won with 42 pts to Neuqua Valley’s 57. Hynes placed second and freshman Mallory Abel checked in at the 4th spot in 18:05. Dayna White added to the team’s sweetness with a 9th place finish; St. Charles North Regional on 10/25. 2008 Class AAA Girls Individual Rankings - Week 7, 10/21 #5. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hynes Sr. St. Charles East- second at UEC championships #17. Mallory Abel Fr. St. Charles East - continues to run well and her effort at UEC proved that.
St. Charles East Sectional Preview
1. Geneva
2. Naperville North
3. St. Charles East
4. Wheaton-Warrenville South
5. Bartlett
analysis: Geneva is clearly the best team here- it’s not even close. If there is a team that could even dream of upsetting the Vikings it’s Naperville North. However, that is a big pipe dream because they don’t have a front runner nor the depth. The Huskies are still a dangerous team and a viable state trophy candidate. SCE won conference and beat Bartlett at the same time and this should give them the confidence to stay in the three spot as sectionals approach. WWS has been ranked all year but could get bounced by several teams below them. Woodstock appears to be getting better now that Kayla Beattie is running well now. Huntley is just off the landscape but is a solid team.
Week 6 -
10/14/2008 #12. St. Charles East - competed in West Aurora Invite with a partial squad and placed 8th with 206 pts. The Saints top runner Lizzy Hynes did not compete. Freshman Mallory Abel led her team in 5th place. Senior Dayna White was the only other varsity notable to compete and she placed 27th overall; next is UEC meet on 10/18.
Week 5 - 10/7/2008
#12. St. Charles East - the Saints placed 5th at Wheaton North with 60 pts. The last two flights of 2,2 was the difference over York, Naperville Central, and Wheaton-Warrenville South. Freshman Mallory Abel took runner-up honors in flight 2 and Lizzy Hynes replicated the effort in the championship flight; next is West Aurora Stampede on 10/11. 2008 Class AAA Girls Individual Rankings #7. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hynes Sr. St. Charles East- appears to be back on track with second place finish at Wheaton North. #23. Mallory Abel Fr. St. Charles East- second to another freshman sensation Megan O'Brien at Wheaton North.
Week 4 Team Rankings
9/30/2008
#14. St. Charles East - IDLE; next is Wheaton North Falcon Classic on 10/4.
Week 3 Team Rankings
9/23/2008 #14. St. Charles East - The Saints returned from their hiatus to take 5th at PND. SCE introduced newcomer freshman Mallory Abel to the varsity world and she placed 7th. Hynes, recovering from the flu, ran anyway and placed 8th. Mallory Able (21) joins Lizzy Hynes (8) in the top 25 of the 2008 Class AAA Girls Individual Rankings.
Week 2 Team Rankings
9/16/2008 #14. St. Charles East - IDLE; will compete in Peoria Notre Dame Invite on 9/20.
Week 1 Team Rankings 9/7/2008 #16. St. Charles East -the host Saints had a more successful season debut this time around than they did in ’07 despite superstar Lizzy Hynes not winning. The immediately improved Saints placed second behind Geneva with 89 pts. Lizzy Hynes placed second and far ahead of teammates, but her supporting cast ran strong. Holly Robertson, Dayna White, and Grace Gordon all placed in the top 25; Peoria Woodruff Invite on 9/13.
Preseason:
#24. St. Charles East-
Coach: Denise Hefferin
’07 final finish: 11th- Schaumburg sectional 287pts
Top returnees: Lizzy Hynes (Sr.), Dayna White (Sr.), Grace Gordon (Jr.), Lauren Comstock (Jr.), Gina Bartindale (So.), Morgan Ketterling (So.), Rachel Rawson (So.).
Outlook: it’s sometimes hard to predict how a team will perform, especially for a team that has been in a lull the last few years. Coach Hefferin is a former team state champion for the Saints (’97 & ’98). That experience should bold well with an experienced line up that includes Lizzy Hynes. Hynes is a candidate for individual state honors. White is another experienced runner who had a solid spring in the middle distance races. In addition to all of the summer miles put in by the girls, Coach Hefferin feels incoming freshman Mallory Abel will be a welcoming factor for the unit along with junior Holly Robertson - she ran on the state team two seasons ago. All in all it should be a new and exciting season for the Saints. Key meet (s): 9/6- St. Charles East Leavy Invite; 9/20- Peoria Notre Dame Invite; 10/4- Wheaton North Classic.
Preseason - Lizzy Hynes is ranked #2 in Illinois.
"2. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hynes Sr, St. Charles East -
The top perch has been waiting for Lizzy since she burst on the scene as a freshman with all-state honors. Last year Hynes placed 3rd and now has the potential to be the best ever from St. Charles and dethrone the legendary Tera Moody."
West Aurora "Stampede"
From the newspaper:
St. Charles East finished eighth as a team without standout Lizzy Hynes, who was on a college visit, but freshman Mallory Abel showed that there might just be a new freshman taking over for the Saints.
Abel finished fourth in a time of 17:49 and said that Hynes, who also excelled as a freshman, has helped her remain calm before the big meets.
"I'm just really excited to be here and run with Lizzy Hynes," Abel said. "She's been really helpful and always tells me to stay calm. They've all helped me so much and I just try not to think about it (the race)." Dayna White was 27th in 18:46 for the Saints. Read the article.
Wheaton North Falcon Classic - October 4th
Congratulations to the team on their 5th place win! It was an amazing day of races with 13 of Illinois' top 25 cross country girlsteams racing. This was the best place to see the top runners in the state without the 2.5 hour drive to Peoria.
( Wheaton North Falcon Classic results)
Energy was in the air as the 25th annual Wheaton North Flighted Invitational started. With over 2,000 competitors and nearly 4,000 spectators,
this year's classic had the makings for something special. The energy had transferred to the runners as the early flights took off to a cool and crisp day. Read the entire article...
STCE Varsity wins 5th place at Falcon Classic Holly, Mallory, Grace, Arielle, Dayna, Lizzy, Gina (not shown)
Outlook: The 25th running of the Wheaton North Flight Invite may go down as one of the best in the history of the event. It is for certain the biggest girls invite in the state and probably will be the most competitive girls only meet short of the state championship. This unique meet is pits runner vs. runner. In order words, it’s your best #5 runner against my best #5 runner. Basically, a showcase of individual talent will be on display- plus, everyone will get a spotlight view on the #7’s, #6’s, and #5’s. It may be more exciting for the top runners on the team see their teammates shine (and the parents too!). Read the entire preview...
Championship flight-
Outlook: this flight is an absolute must see, as it will be the state preview in hindsight. The future state champion will undoubtedly come from this race. In fact, it is possible that the top five runners are here. Read the entire preview...
2008 STCE Girls Cross Country Team
PEORIA INVITE
Varsity wins 5th place team trophy!
Lizzy, Holly, Grace, Arielle, Mallory, Lizzy, Dayna See SAINTS results
JV girls win 4th place team trophy:
Colleen, Kristin, Rachel, Morgan, Gina, Claire, Sonia See SAINTS results
Concession Stand - THANK YOU!
A BIG THANK YOU goes out to the parents who worked in the football game concession stand on Friday night.
We will be looking for girls parents to help out on three more concession dates during this school year.
"Lizzy Hynes of St. Charles East High School has been a staple on the Illinois girls’ distance scene for quite a while. In fact, she came in as touted freshman and placed 19th in the then AA class state XC meet. Hynes hasn’t failed to disappoint the masses. Over the years with steady improvement that has lead with last season’s third place at AAA state XC. Besides the swift 16:59 she produced on grass for 3m, Hynes has pretty good track credentials as well: 4:57.60-1600m, 10:54.00- 3200m. Now, in her senior year, Hynes is poised to stand on the top spot."
STCE Girls Varsity took second place with 4 girls finishing in the top 25.
Dayna, Lauren, Holly, Arielle, Lizzy, Grace, Lizzy (not shown) See Saints results.
STCE girls Frosh/Soph took second place with six girls finishing in the top 25.
Colleen, Claire, Rachel, Morgan, Mallory, Gina, Kristin See Saints results.
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) FUNDRAISER
With your involvement, we can help make a difference in the lives of all ALS patients and their families. Parents and friends of the team are welcome to donate. Our goal is to raise $750 for this great cause.
Thank you Parents & Team Members!
THANK YOU parents and team members who helped with the 2008 Saints Challenge. The Saints Challenge is our largest Track & Cross Country Fundraiser. You made it a success!
VOLUNTEERS, thank you for your amazing efforts in hosting the Sectional, Best and Leavey Invites. 
Please CLEAN out your student's meet bag today!
Preseason - Lizzy Hynes is ranked #2 in Illinois.
A BIG THANK YOU goes out to the parents who worked in the football game concession stand on Friday night. 
