York freshman Karlin Janowski is the Suburban Life girls cross country Athlete of the Year

Winning by 28 seconds in the Aug. 28 season opener, freshman Karlin Janowski immediately showed her impact for the York girls cross country team.

After a few meets, Janowski earned a nickname from her teammates – the Big Dog.

“It’s something I’ve gotten used to,” Janowski said. “I think it definitely contributes to, I guess, my personality, who I represent to the team.”

Janowski came up big throughout the season, especially taking second in the Class 3A state meet Nov. 9 at Peoria’s Detweiller Park (16:30.6 for 3.0 miles).

The Dukes also finished second (131 points), one point behind champion Barrington and one ahead of third-place Downers Grove North for their fourth straight top-two state finish. Junior Sophia Galiano-Sanchez was an all-state 17th.

“I think I’m most proud of my state meet because of how well I performed. Also the most fun I had at a meet, spending time with the team afterward – and how well the team performed,” said Janowski, the Suburban Life Newspapers 2024 Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.

“I’m just grateful for all of the experiences I got to go through in meets and practices. I think cross country was probably the favorite part of my day.”

At state, Janowski posted York’s second-fastest 3.0-mile time in program history to when then-senior Emma Fisher took second at 3A state in 2012 (16:15).

“As any freshman, she’s still gaining experience and I think she thrives off competition,” York coach Lauren DeAngelis said.

“She obviously wanted to do well (at state) but she was really focused on how well the team did. So much talent all over the state of Illinois. For her to be second, let alone as a freshman, was amazing.”

Janowski took first in six of her nine major races. When she won the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Oct. 19 at York’s Berens Park home course, Janowski became the Dukes’ first freshman conference champion since 1983. Janowski also won the Lake Park Sectional, Elk Grove Regional and Peoria Notre Dame Invite Sept. 21 at Detweiller in a then personal-best 16:45.3.

Her three second-place finishes were to Barrington sophomore Mia Sirois, the 3A state champion in 15:53.4. Competing with York teammates at the five-state Nike Cross Regionals Nov. 17 in Terre Haute, Ind., Janowski was 11th (17:33.2 for 5,000 meters/3.1 miles) as the No. 3 Illinois finisher.

“I was just really excited and proud but also really surprised of the fun I had along the way, the traditions with the team I got to do and be a part of,” Janowski said. “I hoped for being on varsity but never thought of getting second in state freshman year. I hopefully use this as motivation.”

Janowski already had shown potential when she began attending York’s summer running camps as a Sandburg Middle School seventh grader.

Even then, she kept pace with many top York runners. DeAngelis had to keep the enthusiastic Janowski from overtraining.

“I was truly amazed by her. But we had no idea how great a runner for York and to get the state runner-up, she is truly just an outstanding athlete,” said senior Sofia Stoddard, York’s No. 6 state finisher (96th).

“She thinks (Big Dog is) so funny because she just came into this program and had such a powerful impact.”

Janowski appreciates the great training and the bonding from those summer days. She believes that made this season successful as an athlete and teammate.

“I liked it more than any running camps I’ve done. More than anything, it helped me become a better runner and that was the year I truly understood how it was a mental sport,” Janowski said.

“(This season) I knew pretty much everyone in my group. I definitely feel very supported by them and it’s kind of nice knowing that. They definitely have older things I don’t understand but I always have people to talk to for cross country. And it’s not just a team. It’s more like a family.”

The smaller Janowski jokes about often wearing the large, heavy chain York runners use during award ceremonies at major races. It sometimes gave her neck cramps.

“We really got to know more of her personality when she came in as a freshman,” Stoddard said.

“She literally never fails to put a smile on your face and has this warm vibe that’s so welcoming. She’s like that little sister you always wanted and I love hanging out with her and talking to her about stuff outside of cross country. She’s going to achieve great things the next three years.”

Girls cross country All-Area team

* -- Previous All-Area selections

Kyla Babb, junior, Westmont*; Audrey Casten, senior, Downers Grove North; Lily Eddington, junior, Downers Grove North**; Hannah Farley, freshman, Lemont’ Sophia Galiano-Sanchez, junior, York*; Juliana Gamboa, sophomore, Fenwick*; Sydney Gertsen, junior, Montini*; Ava Gilley, senior, Downers Grove North*; Kathleen Hardy, freshman, Nazareth; Delilah Helenhouse, senior, Benet; Erin Hinsdale, sophomore, St. Francis; Karlin Janowski, freshman, York; Elena Mamminga, sophomore, St. Francis Alexa Novak, junior, Glenbard West; Amelie Ojeda, senior, Willowbrook*; Nicole Poglitsch, senior, Wheaton Warrenville South***; Maggie Quinn, junior, York**; Maddie Romaine, senior, Wheaton North*; Alayna Todnem, senior, Downers Grove North*; McKenzie Willard, senior, Downers Grove North*