Girls Cross Country Headed to State for First Time in Over a Decade

The EPHS girls cross country team has qualified for the Class 2A IHSA State Finals! The Tigers achieved that feat by placing among the top seven teams at the Fenton Sectional on Saturday, Nov. 1, in Bensenville.

EPHS earned the final team-qualifying spot when they finished seventh in a field of 15 teams and 110 runners. The Tigers’ score of 163 put them 50 points ahead of their closest competitor for the final spot, Amundsen, who placed eighth with 213 points.

The EPHS girls will compete Saturday, Nov. 8, in the 2A Finals at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Their race will begin at 11 a.m., with an awards ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m.

At sectionals, senior Hailey Rivera led the way for the Tigers, placing 22nd overall. She covered the three-mile course in 20 minutes, 41.86 seconds.

Two other Tigers joined Hailey among the top 30 runners: freshman Natalie Kopacz at 26th and sophomore Oliwia Aleksandrowicz, who returned from an injury, at 30th. Both Natalie and Oliwia achieved personal records with their times.

The final results for the EPHS girls at the Fenton Sectional were:
• 22nd: Hailey Rivera, 20:41.86
• 26th: Natalie Kopacz, 20:50.99 (pr)
• 30th: Oliwia Aleksandrowicz, 21:08.82 (pr)
• 43rd: Oliwia Krynska, 21:37.05
• 45th: Sarah Scheidt, 21:37.51
• 70th: Sonia Iversen, 23:01.01
• 72nd: Nicole Gorka, 23:06.53

This is the first time since 2013 that an EPHS girls cross country team has advanced to state. It’s also the first time that an EPHS team in any IHSA sport or activity has qualified for state as a team since competitive cheer advanced in February 2022.

Congratulations to head coach Kendal Ahlmann and all of her runners! Good luck in Peoria! Enjoy our fun hype video below & go Tigers!