Sports

Jane Addams 8th Grader Natalia Hernandez Qualifies for IESA State Finals

In sectional at Bolingbrook's Central Park, Jane Addams eighth-grader Natalia Hernandez covers 2 miles in 13 minutes to gain her second straight berth in the IESA state cross country finals.

No, her shoes were not on fire.

Yes, Jane Addams Middle School eighth-grader Natalia Hernandez was running red hot in the Illinois Elementary School Association sectional cross country meet Saturday at Bolingbrook's Central Park.

Hernandez was clocked in 13 minutes for 2 miles and qualified for a return trip to the IESA state finals at Maxwell Park in Normal. She first qualified as a seventh-grader a year ago.

Two other Jane Addams contestants narrowly missed advancing to state—eighth-grader Manny DeLeon and sixth-grader Joseph Balas each fell two places short of advancing, according to a Valley View School District news release.

Adam Thas is the cross country coach at Jane Addams Middle School.


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