By Mike Clark
Before Lulu Ton-That heads off to a college gymnastics career, she has some unfinished business to take care of.
And after dealing with a hip/knee injury earlier this fall, the Northside senior is rounding into form for her cross country farewell tour.
On Oct. 19, she easily defended her Public League title, running 18:27.3 for three miles in perfect conditions at Washington Park.
Ton-That won by more than 30 seconds, with Lane’s Ainsley Carter taking second in 18:58.1. The Champions had five of the top seven finishers to win the team title, 20-69 over Northside. Payton (83), Jones (87) and Young (101) rounded out the top five.
The injury is just a memory, according to Ton-That.
“I’m all good now,” she said.
And just in time, with the three-week state series up next.
“I’m proud of myself that throughout the seasons, I’ve been able to peak at the right time,” she said. “Our goal is definitely to make (state) as a team this year. I think we have a lot of good seniors with the experience, and we have some amazing freshmen.”
Ton-That’s distance running days are winding down, and that’s a bittersweet feeling.
“I’ve definitely chosen gymnastics — in the past year or so — as my main sport,” she said. “But I’m still very committed to running and I still enjoy it.”
She plans to run outdoor track in the spring, but this will be it for cross country.
“I think I’m gonna miss it more than I think I will,” she said. “But it’s been good. … I know the season as a whole didn’t go how I wanted (because of the injury). But I (want) to close it out well, close it out strong.”
How does Ton-That juggle running, gymnastics and school?
“I ask myself that every day,” she said with a laugh. “I ask myself every year, ‘Oh my God, how am I going to do it all again?’
“But I think I really care a lot about this sport and this team. And my other sport and other team and school, of course. I find a way.”
So does Lane, whose other scorers were Lucy McNally (third, 18:59.1), Sydney Van Aken (fifth, 19:15.1), Greta Trinter (sixth, 19:25.4) and Amy Herzog (seventh, 19:26.3).
It was a dominant day for Lane, which won all four girls titles and had perfect 15-point scores in the freshman, frosh-soph and open races.
“Our two freshmen (Trinter and Herzog) really stepped up,” Lane coach Kris Roof said. “It was a great team effort. We’re definitely a program on the rise.
“The future looks bright. They’re hungry. They’ve got an outside shot at (qualifying for) state.”
Also in the top 10 individuals were Lincoln Park’s Ayah Zenati (fourth, 19:18.5), Northside’s Sarah Chae (eighth, 19:39.0), Young’s Xochitl Lopez (ninth, 19:41.1) and Jones’ Frida-Sofia Gallick (10th, 19:44.1).
Photos by Andrew Rosenthal/OSA
Varsity Girls
