The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) oversees interscholastic athletic competitions across the state, including cross country. Official meet outcomes, including team scores and individual placements within each race, are meticulously recorded and disseminated. These records typically include details like runner names, schools, finishing times, and overall team rankings. For example, a meet outcome might list the top ten finishers in a girls’ varsity race, along with the scores and place of each competing team.
These documented outcomes are invaluable for a variety of stakeholders. Coaches utilize them to assess athlete and team performance, identify areas for improvement, and strategize for future competitions. Athletes can track their progress, compare their performances to others, and set personal goals. College recruiters often consult these records to identify prospective student-athletes. Furthermore, the archived results provide a historical record of athletic achievement, enabling comparisons across seasons and years, and offering insights into the evolution of competitive running within the state.