After a long and exciting senior season, Johanna Rudolph secured her spot at the IHSA State Finals in cross country for the second time in her high school career.
Rudolph placed 22nd at the IHSA Sectional Meet at Lakes High School on November 1, 2025, with an 18:21.32.
“It feels really exciting to make state for the last time in my high school career, and I am really excited to get one final time to run at such a competitive race, and see how I can place among everyone,” said Rudolph.
Rudolph has been running cross country for Head Coach Shane Orlow for eight years: four at Freeport Middle School, four at Freeport High School, and two as a state qualifier.
“I’ve been coaching her since 5th grade, so it’s been a gradual process, and it’s actually been pretty easy because she is a very dedicated student, she’s very hard working, and she’s gotten to the point where she actually kinda coaches herself, so it’s been fun,” Coach Orlow said.
That dedication showed this summer when Johanna ran 600 miles over 3 months, saying this was where most of her training was done.
“The season has had its highs and lows. I started sick, and had some pretty rough races. I finally got my legs underneath me for the Rock River Run and placed well there. Otherwise, training went pretty well, and I enjoyed another injury-free season,” Rudolph said.
As a senior and team leader, Rudolph would tell her teammates to have fun with it and not put pressure on themselves.
The IHSA State Finals will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. in Detweiller Park in Peoria.
