After the state series, the girls had more business to take care of. The week after the state meet, they traveled to Terre Haute, Indiana for Nike Cross Midwest Regionals, looking to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals.

Illinois is one of few states that runs a three mile race at their state championship, and the distance increases from 3 to 3.1 miles at the national level.

“It’s not that different,” senior Claire Hill said. “We just go out and treat it like a regular 3-mile race.”

The girls had no problem adjusting to the extra distance, as they won the meet and earned an automatic bid to nationals. Although only seven runners advanced to the national competition in Portland, Oregon, the team continued their journey together.

“We all have a watch party, and all the girls are invited that don’t go [to Portland],” senior Sophie Bruce said. “Everyone is there to support the top seven and we’re all really excited. We’re really excited when they come home with a trophy and we feel like we’re all a part of that.”

The Huskies ended their season with a second place finish at the meet for the second consecutive year, finishing right behind Central Oregon (Summit High School).

Boys soccer, unlike cross country, does not have a national tournament. Instead, they collect the best of the best for the All-American Game in Florida. Seniors Colin Iverson and Tom Welch were selected to play in the match.

"That game was a really cool experience, being able to head out to Florida with Colin and play against the best of the best was awesome. [It] would have been nice to get the win, but I'll never forget that experience," Welch said.

For the coaches, both Iverson and Konrad picked up national honors through the past three seasons. Coach Dan Iverson was inducted into the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame shortly after the girls' 2016 IHSA first place finish, and coach Jim Konrad recently was awarded the United Soccer Coaches National High School Coach of the Year, much to the delight of ESPN sportscaster John Buccigross (below).

The two champions this season have garnered a lot of attention, but after it was all said and done, the coaches had a more reminiscing perspective of the history that was just made.

“I can’t even begin to tell you what this means,” coach Konrad said. “I love this school more than life. To win a state championship in the place you played at, the place you coach, it’s euphoric. The first team to achieve a perfect season, 24-0, to put a state championship on top of that. I don’t think this team will ever be topped.”