Sydney Partyka from Taft High in Chicago finished 18th to qualify for the Illinois state meet on Saturday in Peoria. Partyka and other cross country runners from the Chicago Public Schools district have been at the center of a dispute involving the IHSA over postseason qualifying for state. The Chicago teachers were on strike at the time of the regional meets and the cross country athletes were not allowed to run, per IHSA rules. A lawyer for Jones Prep filed a last-minute injunction prior to the regional meets but a judge ruled against it. Then, at 7 p.m. on the Friday before the sectional races (Nov. 2), a judge's order opened the way for them to compete. One team (St. Viator boys) and 13 individuals qualified and are being allowed into the state meet, pending an IHSA appeal.