Girls cross-country: Mundelein’s Perreault navigates trip to state meet

As Marissa Perreault navigated through the IHSA Class 3A Schaumburg Sectional on Saturday, she worked hard to enter the regret-free zone.

The Mundelein High School junior did everything in her power to wipe out what had been a tough start to the postseason.

After sweating out the numbers, Perreault is headed to State. She was the final qualifier from the sectional, placing 27th in 18:43.74. The last stretch was crucial to her survival, as Cary-Grove freshman Talia Duzey was 28th in 18:44.25.

“Marissa struggled in conference and regional, but she ran absolutely fantastic (Saturday),” said Mustangs coach John Osmanski.

“I didn’t want to have any regrets,” Perreault said. “I wanted to give it all I had and see what happens. I knew I had to pass a bunch of people to have a chance to qualify. I was able to pass a bunch at the end.”

Osmanski eagerly watched it all unfold.

“Marissa was flying home,” Osmanski said. “She ran the middle part of the race much better and she closed well.”

A measured approach may have helped Perreault in the third mile.

“We didn’t go out as hard (team-wise) as we usually do,” Perreault said. “We wanted to stay conservative and start passing people.”

Perreault will compete in the Class 3A state meet, beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Mundelein finished ninth in the sectional with 227 points. Other Mustangs placers were Claire Naughton (35th, 18:52), Stephanie Johnson (40th, 19:04), Ellie Palacios (49th, 19:12) and Emily Schlebecker (80th, 19:42).

Mundelein boys

The Mustangs had three runners compete in sectionals. Adam Fell led the trio, placing 108th in 16:49. He was followed to the chute by Nitesh Kumar (136th, 17:06) and Liam Mellon (141st, 17:12).

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