WAUCONDA – Crystal Lake Central sophomore Sami Staples was not sure what to expect from her first competitive race in more than three months.

Staples had last run at the IHSA Class 3A track and field state meet in May, and had battled through a stress fracture in her right foot this summer. Staples and Central coach Anthony DeStephano agreed to take a cautious approach to the season for the defending Class 2A state champion.

“I just came out to run as fast as I can,” Staples said. “There was a lot of pressure on me after last year and it was getting to me. I love to run. I wanted to come out and run for fun.”