CHARLESTON — The hotel industry deserves an assist for helping to create one of the state’s best distance runners in Sandwich junior Sunny Weber.
Initially, she was actually resistant to running. But in fifth grade at Sandwich Middle School, Weber qualified for the Illinois Elementary School Association’s state cross country meet in Normal.
In a roundabout way, she warmed up to it.
“It didn’t really stick with me like cheer or gymnastics and at first I absolutely hated it,” Weber said. “I wanted to quit, but right before the state meet, I thought it would be cool to go into a hotel.
“So I tried my best, and ever since then, I fell in love with it.”
A few years — and hotel stays — later, Weber has been a Sunny delight for Sandwich.
On Saturday, Weber pulled off a a sweep at the Class 3A girls track state meet, winning both the 1,600 and 3200-meter runs at O’Brien Field on the campus of Eastern Illinois.
The other area champions were Rosary junior Katie Kostro, who won the 2A high jump with a leap of 5-7, and Somonauk sophomore Alexis Punsalan, who won the 1A pole vault with a 12-0.
Weber’s time of 4:41.90 in the 1,600 beat the 2A state record of Woodstock’s Kayla Beattie, who ran a 4:43.65 in 2011.
Earlier in the day, Weber won the 3,200. She also won the 2A state title in cross country in the fall, and the public-address announcer excitedly talked about her trying to win the triple crown.
“I try to block it out,” Weber said of the outside noise. “I don’t let it get too much in my mind. I try to think about it like it’s any other race and I try not to get myself worked up.
“I try to go out there and just run.”
Down the stretch, Weber confirmed she was eyeing the record in the 1,600.
“It was pretty tough, especially after running the 3,200 before,” she said. “I could feel it in my legs. I knew they were going to be heavy, but I knew I was capable, so I just pushed through it.”
It was the third girls track state title for Weber, who also won the 3,200 last season. She made it look easy Saturday in the 3,200, winning in 10:29.04.
She didn’t even look tired after the race.
“I felt pretty good,” she said. “I just try to feel relaxed. That was the main goal.”
Even though she accomplished a lot last year, Weber strived to work on her craft to get better.
“Last year, I wasn’t in as good of shape as I am now,” she said. “I was tired and exerted more. But I was happy with how I did this year.”
So, what’s the tougher of the two? Winning a state title in cross country or in track?
She chose cross country.
“There are so many more people running in cross country,” she said. “The course is much harder and there are less people in the audience cheering. Here, the audience cheering pushes me a lot.”
Kostro, meanwhile, enjoyed winning her state title in the high jump.
“It was kind of a surprise for me,” Kostro said. “I’ve been working hard during the season, and seeing my growth from last year to this year, I’m just really proud of myself.”
She also was proud she could send off Victor Mead, who’s retiring as Rosary’s coach, with a state championship.
“He put me in the high jump and helped me succeed this year,” Kostro said of Mead. “He got me interested in jumping and I just stuck with it.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
