The transition for Megan Safranski was as seamless as her All-State performance was accomplished.
The junior focused on soccer during her first two years at Burlington Central.
“I had never done running before,” Safranski said.
But she decided to come out for cross country last fall and the results were impressive: two All-State performances for the school year.
“It was something I had an aptitude for,” Safranski said.
Indeed. She finished 20th in the Class 2A state cross country meet and followed that up by taking ninth in the Class 2A 3,200 meters at state track in the spring.
“It was kind of on a whim,” Safranski said of her introduction to running sports. “My uncle (Mike Schmidt) is the (boys) track coach at our school.”
Safranski, the Rockets’ lone state qualifier last fall, enters the upcoming season with an emphasis of having company from her teammates in the postseason.
“We have a solid top five, even top seven,” Safranski said.
Burlington coach Vince Neil is optimistic the emergence of Safranski and healthy runners will make the Rockets a team to watch this fall
Chloe Bilyk missed virtually the entire season last year with a knee injury after qualifying for the sectional as a freshman.
“Losing (Bilyk) killed us last year,” Neil said.
Natalia Rodriguez is back in the fold for the Rockets after a promising freshman season.
Seniors Kylie Ganziano and Kailee Buttice have designs to advance as well.
Neil is equally intrigued by the potential of freshmen Emily Stark and Jenna Dinges.
“I am ecstatic for this upcoming season,” said Bilyk, fully healed from a right knee injury. “Megan pushes me so much. She is remarkable. She will keep up with the boys. She has the drive and she has the talent.”
Safranski relishes the chance for a healthy Bilyk to return to the fold.
More Top Picks Best Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 3d Printer Deals 2026 Sale
“It’s going to be fantastic to have Chloe back,” Safranski said. “With such a small girls team, every girl counts.”
Safranski, ranked second in her class academically, will supplement team aspirations with an improved individual finish at the state meet.
“We are definitely going for All-State,” Neil said. “We would like to be in that top 15, even top 10, range. She put in a great summer. There is intelligence in running that comes with experience.”
Bilyk has plans to join her teammate in Peoria come November.
“I would love to make it to state,” she said.
On the much larger local Class 3A landscape, St. Charles North junior Audrey Ernst, an elite triathlete on the national level in her age group, is in a league of her own.
The North Stars’ two-time All-State competitor was eighth last year in the largest division.
Kevin McGavin is a freelance writer for the The Courier-News.