Eastern Illinois cross country head coach
Erin Howarth has announced the addition of three runners for the Panther women's program this fall. Set to join the EIU roster are Kathryn Cichon, Rachel Koon and Julia Monson.
Cichon competed for four seasons in track and cross country at Minooka HS. She advanced to the IHSA Class 3A State Championships in cross country during three available seasons as the junior championship was canceled due to COVID. This past season as a senior she helped her team finish fourth in the state at the 3A State Championships. Cichon placed 112th at the state meet with a 3-mile championship time of 18:25.6. She would also compete at the NXR Midwest Regional Championships competing in the 5K distance. Her best finish at the state championships came during her freshman season with a time of 17:51.4 while placing 67th. As a track athlete Cichon advanced to the IHSA Class 3A State Track Championships as a senior in the 800 meter run and 4x800 meter relay. She helped her 4x800 meter relay team post an 8th place finish as a junior at the IHSA 3A Track Championships.
Koon competed for four seasons in track and cross country at Monticello HS. She advanced to the IHSA Class 1A State Championships in cross country during three available seasons as the junior championship was canceled due to COVID. This past season as a senior she placed 13th at the Class 1A State Championship with a 3-mile time of 18:13.4. As a sophomore Koon placed 19th at the State Championships helping lead Monticello to a 1A State Runner-Up finish. Koon had a championship time of 17:51.5 on the 3-mile course. She placed 28th at the state championships as a freshman. As a senior in track advanced to the IHSA Class 2A State Championships in the 4x800 meter relay with team placing eighth in the state with a time of 9:49.78.
Monson competed for four seasons in track and cross country at O'Fallon HS. She advanced to the IHSA Class 3A State Championships in cross country three available seasons as the junior championship was canceled due to COVID. This past season as a senior she placed 73rd at the IHSA Class 3A State Championships with a 3-mile finals time of 18:03.2. Her best finish at the IHSA State Championships was as a freshman when she finished 69th with a finals time of 17:55.9. Monson has twice competed at the NXR Midwest Regional Championships in the 5,000 meter run. In track Monson competed in the 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter distance events. She advanced to the IHSA Class 3A State Championships in the 3,200 meter run as a junior.
