Tolono Unity repeats as Girls Class 1A State Champions
Bruhn’s final race at Detweiller Park awards her with individual state title
By Michael Newman
Peoria, Ill — The first race of the day on the Detweiller Park State Meet course provided the runners in the Class 1A Girls to stary the day with the best conditions of the six race day.
The course did not stay that way as rain fell down in the middle of the race starting the evolution for a place to run into a swamp. Lead vehicles on the course did not help to the cause.
It did not seem to effect Mabry Bruhm of Monticello and Tolono Unity’s Girls team as they persevered in winning state championships.
Bruhn had been waiting for this moment throughout her high school career. She has been all-state twice with her race last fall when she finished ninth. She finished third in the COVID year of 2020 at the ShaZam Club Championships when there was no state meet.
“I did not think this was possible at the beginning of the year. I had a rough junior season,” said Bruhn. “My goal was simply to better than I did last year. I changed a few things in my lifestyle. I think I exceeded my expectations.”
This race was not going to be about time considering the 25 mph winds from the south that shook the leaves from the trees or the rain that hit this 1A race midway through. It was about tactics and know when it was the right time to go. Bruhn did just that.
Bruhn had raced against Marshall’s Molly Farrell three times in the past four weeks. Farrell pulled away from Bruhn to win on this course by five seconds. Bruhn learned from race and responded last week by winning ahead of the freshman by 17 seconds. So when the lead pack went past the first mile in 5:40 and Farrell started to push the pace, Bruhn knew just what do staying on her shoulder and picking the right moment to go.
Bruhn did before coming back out on the main course. The pace slowed down as the rain started to hit but the Monticello had opened up a 13 second lead at two-miles ahead of Louisa Wilson of Williamsville and Sundara Weber of Sandwich. That was the race as the final mile for Bruhn was a victory lap of sorts trying to navigate the mud that was accumulating.
Her winning time was 17:08.5, a personal best for her, and amazing considering the conditions she had to run through.
“I liked the rain. It masked the pain I was feeling,” added Bruhn. “I could see for a…
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