Campbell Petersen saw her present, past and future collide on the same afternoon last spring.
“Naperville North was also with us, so that’s really cool,” Petersen said.
Petersen was referring to the final day of the girls track season at Eastern Illinois in Charleston.
Petersen completed a sensational freshman season for downstate Dunlap by winning the Class 2A state title in the 1,600 meters. She also finished second in the 3,200.
Dunlap crushed girls track power East St. Louis 102-51 to repeat as 2A state champions.
It capped a great year for Petersen, who also was the runner-up in the 2A cross country state meet.
Earning valuable points from its own distance runners, Naperville North turned back Homewood-Flossmoor 53-47 for the track program’s first 3A state title.
The Huskies equaled Dunlap’s achievement of winning both cross country and track state titles.
Now, Petersen is a sophomore transfer at Naperville North as the Huskies have cemented their status as the state’s top program.
The only team to beat Naperville North last fall was upstate New York powerhouse Fayetteville-Manlius — by five points — at the Nike Cross Nationals.
Naperville North senior Alex Morris, who finished seventh last fall at Detweiller Park in Peoria, knows Campbell will help.
Only two-time defending state champion Katelynne Hart of Glenbard West is ranked ahead of Morris.
“Campbell is going to be a really good addition to our team,” Morris said.
“It certainly doesn’t hurt us,” Naperville North coach Dan Iverson said about Petersen.
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Petersen said she realizes the greater competition of moving from the Peoria area to the western suburbs.
“There are fast girls, so many, in 3A,” Petersen said. “In 2A there was a lot of (talent), but not nearly as much as in 3A.”
“I am definitely better at speed stuff, in my opinion. I try to add surges in the race. I like both (sports) equally. I’m still trying to figure out which one I’m better at.”
Iverson has no plans to rush Petersen.
“You can’t have too many good kids — you can’t have too many fast kids,” Iverson said. “(Petersen) is obviously helpful on both accounts. It’s a big move, to go from a small school to a big school. There are a lot of areas for transition. We will take our time and be patient.”
“It’s definitely really different,” Petersen said.
Senior Claire Hill and North’s other top runners are thrilled with the added flexibility Petersen brings to the team.
“(Petersen) will definitely make us stronger and help us training-wise,” Hill said.
Petersen is just anxious and excited to make her mark at her new school. She has set her goals high.
“I definitely want to get top four at state,” she said.
Kevin McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.