Regan Weidner regaining her identity

Regan Weidner is going back to state. And she’s taking her little sister, Haley with her.

After an injury-riddled past year and a half, Regan Weidner, a Bureau Valley senior, has worked her way back into being a state-caliber runner, qualifying with a ninth-place finish at the Oregon Sectional. The 2012 state runner-up and two-time All-State medalist did not make state a year ago.

The freshman, Haley Weidner, makes her first state appearance having placed at Oregon. A third Bureau County runner, Hall senior Al Baldonado, who was the sectional runner-up, will join them along with Amboy sophomore Megan Grady.

Regan Weidner has been motivated in getting her name back in the dyestat.com rankings, where she was before the injuries, and it’s shown in her work ethic, BV coach Dale Donner said.

“We are very proud of Regan and what she has done,” Donner said. “She has gone through so much over the past 16-18 months with injuries. Most people would have given up; Regan has continued to work, almost to the extent that she overworks.”

Donner has tapered Weidner’s workouts, banning treadmills and lowering her mileage on the road, but picked up her intensity. She has been helped having her sister to train with.

“The key with Regan is that she does not overwork herself. It is a nice problem to have ... having an athlete who we have to try and hold back. Usually we are begging kids to run more,” Donner said. “Every weekend she would ask what was acceptable for her to run over the weekend. She is a great kid with a spectacular work ethic. She is a role model not just for our team, but for our entire school. I can not put in words how proud I am of her.”

The younger Weidner has fast made a name for herself as one of the elite runners in Northern Illinois. While Haley guesses her times are not as fast as Regan’s times were in her freshman year, Donner has not bothered to compare times. He said they are two completely different running styles.

Haley Weidner joked she was happy for her sister but sure didn’t want to lose to her at state.

“I would have to say as long as they are both All-State, I am guessing it will be a fun ride home with the Weidners,” Donner said. “They are close as sisters and close as friends. Neither would be as successful this year if it was not for the other. We talked Saturday about (how) they both need to thank each other for pushing each other to succeed.”

Grady placed sixth at Oregon. She looks to move into All-State finish, having placed 35th as a freshman.

Hall’s Al Baldonado has been a man on a mission. He repeated as regional champ and came in second by just one second at Oregon. He is primed to improve on his 17th place showing of a year ago.

“This is the weekend he has been focused on since last November. I know he has some goals in the back of his head for this Saturday, and I would put nothing past him in regards to reaching them,” Hall coach Tom Keegan said. “I’ve said it before; he is in a great spot physically and mentally. He has been in the spotlight all season and has delivered every weekend, even with some lofty expectations placed upon him.

“We can sit here and try to do all the comparative times and so forth from all the other sectionals but it comes down to how Al performs on Saturday. I will take my chances with him, for sure.”

The Class 1A girls race starts at 9 a.m. with the 1A boys to follow at 10 a.m.

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