DeKalb – DeKalb junior Kelsey Schrader knows what it feels like to lead a state championship cross country race, and she knows what it’s like to have designs on winning the Class 2A championship with just half a mile to go.

The adrenaline pumped through her veins last year at Detweiller Park in Peoria as hundreds of fans lined the path to watch her battle with Crystal Lake Central freshman Sami Staples for the lead. Schrader was exhausted after pushing too hard too early, and she dropped off in the last 600 meters in the race, finishing behind Staples by four seconds.

This year, Schrader is going back to Peoria for the state finals, but this time she’ll be running in Class 3A. She’s glad she has the experience of leading the Class 2A race in tow.