My name is Cillian Henning and I run Cross Country and Track and Field at Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Illinois for the class of 2024. I placed 10th in the IHSA Class 3A State XC Championship running a 15:06 in muddy conditions. My current PRs as a junior are 14:51 for the 3 mile, 9:35 for the 3200m and 4:26 for the 1600m. My goals for my upcoming junior year track season are to run sub 4:18 in the 1600m and sub 9:18 in the 3200m and achieve All State for the 3A 3200m Championship. For my senior year, I aspire to place in the top 3 in the IHSA XC Championship in sub 14:22. I also hope to run sub 4:14 in the 1600m and place top 3 in the 3A 3200m Championship and run a sub 9:08. I recognize that these goals are not easily accomplished and am willing to put in the work to achieve them.

My freshman year at Lyons Township High School was not a normal one due to Covid-19. As I was new to running, I did not understand much about the sport. It was during my sophomore year that I realized what it takes to achieve success in this sport and how you need to work extremely hard to achieve your goals both physically and mentally. It also taught me that while you do need to work on your own goals, you also have to help your teammates achieve theirs. I personally enjoy supporting my teammates and offering advice to the younger runners. I experienced this type of coaching from my upperclassmen in my sophomore year and it not only helped me improve, but also made me realize how cross country and track truly are team sports. In addition to working hard in athletics, I also understand the importance of academics as I maintain a 3.785 GPA. I have participated in volunteer activities with my family in the past and am a member of the Leo Club which organizes community service events.

I am dedicated to achieving the goals I have set in Cross Country and Track both as an individual and as a team during the few seasons I have left at Lyons Township High School, and am excited for the fun and challenging years to come with the sport. Given the opportunity I would be extremely grateful to continue my athletic and academic career in college. For more information, please email me at cillianhenning2024@gmail.com.

NCAA ID: 2301749768