Interviews: DGN open race at Detweiller's PND Invite UPDATED

Hayley Wagreich, Maggie Langland, Katie Cantlin, Fiona Cismesia and Meg Kelly discuss their performances in the open race at Peoria's Detweiller Park for the Peoria Notre Dame Richard Spring Invitational Saturday, Sept. 17.

Complete DGN open race results were (times, places unofficial):
24. Fiona Cismesia 20:59, 31. Meg Kelly 21:13, 46. Katie Cantlin 21:43, 47. Maggie Langland 21:44, 48. Hayley Wagreich 21:45, 57. Maggie Tierney 21:52, 68. Annie Panico 22:03, 74. Regan Merkin 22:09, 106. Destiny Ortiz 22:48, 109. Rebecca Maniskas 22:50, 114. Abby Pfeiffer 22:59, 115. Lindsay Pluister 22:59, 123. Lauren Egan 23:05, 133. Madison Venckus 23:13, 134. Kristina Barsketis 23:14, 140. Brooke Peters 23:19, 148. Lucie Boyd 23:24, 162. Analisa Chudzik 23:34, 167. Katie Velasquez 23:37, 207. Rachel Sprague 24:18, 218. Morgan Lynch 24:29, 222. Sophia Kartsounes 24:33, 236. Riley Wagner 24:47, 241. Lauren Isenman 24:55, 243. Rachel Kanarski 24:56, 249. Nicole Wisz 25:01, 262. Erin Callaghan 25:11, 273. Lillian Ein 25:24, 278. Janae Small 25:33, 306. Abigail Murphy 25:57, 310. Emily Dwyer 26:02, 362. Brenda Duran 27:30, 364. Alexandra Panos 27:34, 399. Angela Wong 29:09, 417. Madison Bentel 30:58

Complete varsity and frosh-soph girls and boys results are available at this link: http://shazamracing.com/richard-spring-invitational-peoria-il/

Hayley Wagreich
48th, 21:45 (No. 5 team finisher)

How would you evaluate your performance? How did it compare to your expectations?
“I was happy with my performance overall, but I did not do as well as I had expected. This is my first year of cross country and I was told that Peoria was the place to PR (get a personal record) so I was disappointed that I did not, but I think, comparatively, I was happy with how I placed and the effort that I put into the race.” 

Did the muddy course conditions and size of the competition field (at least 421 finishers) affect your race?
“I had never run in conditions like that before and it was a little daunting. The mud definitely played a huge role in my run, but I think that most of it was mental. I tried to avoid the mud or I ran through the slippery terrain, both of which I think could have slowed my time down a little, but if I had been more aggressive and less apprehensive about the course, I could have run a better race. I think that the size of the race was good for me because I always felt like I had people around me to race against and push me, but it did get a little hazardous at some of the tight spots, which could have also prevented me from running my best race. The conditions were a new experience for me, but I am happy to have made it through another challenging race having done the best that I could.”

Are there any positives you take from your race?
“I learned that I can still run a race that I'm happy with even in bad conditions. I can use this to overcome some of the mental blocks that come with a less than ideal day and focus my energy on running a strong race rather than the bad parts of the run.” 

Is there anything you particularly like about the Detweiller course?
“I liked the energy and excitement that came with the Detweiller course. It was a big race and people had come to run their best so it was cool to be able to play off of that energy. The course also felt really short so that made for a good run for a lot of people. I would love to see what kind of times people can get on a cooler day when the course is a little less torn up.”

Is there anything you enjoyed most with the annual trip, including things beyond the race itself?
“This was my first time running at Detweiller Park, but I really enjoyed the experience. The long bus ride was a good way to relax and focus my mind and energy on the race to come. After the meet was a lot of fun because I had the chance to talk to everybody about their races and we all got to relax and have fun at lunch and on the bus ride home.” 

Did you, Katie and Maggie run together most of the race?
“Katie, Maggie, and I sometimes run together but it usually is not a focus for us during races and training. I surprised myself when I was able to keep Katie and Maggie in my sight while I was running and decided to try and catch up to them at the finish. They are usually far ahead of me but I think that, in future races, I can make it a goal of mine to stick with them.” 

Maggie Langland
47th, 21:44 (No. 4 team finisher)

How would you evaluate your performance? How did it compare to your expectations? 
“I would say I came in a good position and I raced very hard, although my time was not ideal. I thought I would come in a lot faster, knowing how fast Peoria usually goes, but I am still very satisfied with how I did, especially in the end of the race on the last stretch.”

Did the muddy course conditions and size of the competition field (at least 421 finishers) affect your race?
“I would say the mud helped me. Other girls told me not to be afraid to run in it. Other coaches told their girls to stay on the outside and avoid it, but since I went through it I avoided traffic and got from point A to point B faster. As far as the amount of girls, for me, that just means more people to see ahead of you and pass up, more motivation.”

Are there any positives you take from your race?
“This race has really showed me that even in less than ideal situations, I can still give my best effort forward, go out there run a good race and still do very well -- an “anything is possible” sort of attitude.”

Is there anything you particularly like about the Detweiller course?
“I like that the course does not involve three loops of the same thing so it is a nice change of scenery. I also like that the straightaway to the (finish) shoot is fairly long so you start sprinting and have to stay sprinting for longer than you would like, but it really helps your time.”

Is there anything you look forward to most regarding the annual team trip to Detweiller, including things beyond the race itself?
“I have competed at Detweiller twice so far. If there is anything I really enjoy, it is the very long nap you get to take to and from the course.”

Did you, Katie and Hayley run together most of the race?
“Actually, for most of the race I ran with Maggie Tierney (57th, 21:52). It was in the very end I pulled up ahead of Hayley, Regan (Merkin, 74th) and Katie. Then Katie passed me in the very end. But all three girls I passed had been far in front of me the entire race.”

Katie Cantlin
46th, 21:43 (No. 3 team finisher)

How would you evaluate your performance? How did it compare to your expectations? 
“I definitely would say this was not my best race.  I had high hopes going in as it is always a fast and exciting course to run, but my time was not where I was hoping it would be.”

Did the muddy course conditions and size of the competition field (at least 421 finishers) affect your race?
“The course didn't really get to me because I just always think to myself that everyone is running under the same conditions, so I can't let it get in my head or affect me. Also, I knew that there were going to be a lot of runners, as there always is at this meet, so going into the race and while running, that did not affect me.”

Are there any positives you take from your race?
“This race is always a good self-evaluating course as you get further into the season because it's right in the middle. So, I take away from this race that I need to keep working hard and improving in order to get my times where I want them and to finish out the season strong.”

Is there anything you particularly like about the Detweiller course?
“I like the layout of Detweiller because it always makes the race itself feel fast. I think it is because you aren't doing a single loop multiple times. It's basically a big loop and a couple small loops and it's over.  It always seems quick even if the times don't show it for me!”

Is there anything you look forward to most regarding the annual team trip to Detweiller, including things beyond the race itself?
“This was my third time competing at Detweiller and I always like it because of its environment. I don't know if it’s because it’s the state course, but it always has a good feel to it when you're there. I also like taking the trip down with my team because it feels like you are going on a road trip with all your best friends.”

Did you, Maggie and Hayley run together most of the race?
“I actually had no idea Maggie and Hayley were as close to me as they were until the end of the race.  We do workouts together, but do not always run altogether during runs at practice.  However, meets like this are nice when you are right around your teammates because then you know who is good to train and work with that is a similar pace to yours.”

Fiona Cismesia
24th, 20:59 (No. 1 team finisher) 

How would you evaluate your performance? How did it compare to your expectations? 
“I would say I was pleased with my performance given the weather conditions and the mud.” 

Did the muddy course conditions and size of the competition field (at least 421 finishers) affect your race?
“Due to the large number of people I was definitely concerned in the beginning of the race about getting in a good position, but I think having a faster start helped my time overall.” 

Are there any positives you take from your race?
“From this race I learned that try harder to get in a good position at the start of the race, like I did on Saturday.” 

Is there anything you particularly like about the Detweiller course?
“I like the flatness of the course and the long, straight finish at the end. Both of these factors help the race go by faster.” 

Is there anything you look forward to most regarding the annual trip to Detweiller, including things beyond the race itself?
“This was my second time competing at Detweiller. I look forward to the course because it is generally pretty straightforward, but what I look forward to most, which is true for all races, is spending time with my teammates.” 

As a senior, what is your greatest Detweiller race or memory?
“One of my favorite things about running at Detweiller is after the race the team goes out the lunch together, where we all reflect on our performances and spend time together.” 

Meg Kelly
31st place, 21:13 (No. 2 team finisher)

How would you evaluate your performance? How did it compare to your expectations? 
“I was happy with my performance overall. I had trouble with the finish and I usually die out the last 300 or so meters so I wasn't extremely proud of my finish. I think I met the expectations I had for myself going into the meet.”

Did the muddy course conditions and size of the competition field (at least 421 finishers) affect your race?
“The mud on the course was difficult to run through at times but I just went right through the mud, which helped me if the other competitors chose to go around it, which wasted their time. I personally like larger races because it guarantees that there will always be someone to run with.”

Are there any positives you take from your race?
“From this race I realized that I really need to work on my finish and I'm hoping to improve it by the end of my season.”

Is there anything you particularly like about the Detweiller course?
“I really like that that the course is only 1 1/2 laps because it makes it feel a lot shorter.”

Is there anything you look forward to most regarding the annual team trip to Detweiller, including things beyond the race itself?
“I have competed in Peoria all four years of my cross country career. I really like the feeling of a big meet and constantly hearing people cheer you on.”

As a senior, what is your greatest Detweiller race or memory?
“My favorite feeling of any Peoria race is the finish because there are people lined up on either side of you for 300 meters cheering you in.”