Torree Scull finds herself itching to accelerate her workout mileage this week, even though she knows better.

There’s no need to go overboard as Saturday’s Class 3A IHSA girls cross country state meet approaches, something the St. Charles East sophomore learned after finishing 29th last season.

Still, when you’ve had the recent stretch Scull has, wanting to hit the road – or in this case, Peoria’s Detweiller Park – is a good thing. Scull wasn’t so eager when the state series began last month.

“At conference, I felt amazing, and then after regionals, I’ve never felt so bad after a race. And I’ve never felt so awful while racing,” she said. “This week, I’ve felt really good. Tried to get more sleep, eat better, just keep workouts down so I feel the best for state.”

It turned out a virus was the culprit as Scull labored to an 18:39, ninth-place run at regionals one week after winning the individual Upstate Eight Conference River Division title at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in a personal-record 17:32.

Scull’s parents, Monica and Brad, urged their daughter to see a doctor as they noticed her fatigue. Both would know something about an illness’ impact on competition after athletic careers at NCAA-Division II Ferris State in Big Rapids, Mich.

Returning to LeRoy Oakes, the Saints’ home course, for sectionals last week, Scull finished in 17:42 and took 13th. With a shift in the weather, the familiar layout wasn’t nearly as sloppy as the regionals course at St. James Farm in Wheaton, where Scull nearly lost her footing a few times.

“I’m really happy with my season so far,” Scull said. “Even though at regionals and sectionals I wasn’t running my best, it’s been a learning experience that’s made me mentally stronger.”

East coach Denise Hefferin happily has seen Scull embrace other off-course running components, namely taking an increased leadership role.

A year after benefiting from the tutelage of Saints veteran Mallory Abel, now a Northwestern freshman, Scull organizes more warm-up drills and hasn’t been shy about speaking up in the starting box when it’s necessary.

While seniors such as Lizzie Deutsch, Jessica Evans, Sarah Hill and Maddie Westerhoff took turns sparking the Saints this fall, Scull remained the team’s No. 1 after swapping that role with Abel during the 2011 postseason. East narrowly missed qualifying for state as a team – St. Charles North secured the final spot at sectionals by 13 points – but Scull has inspired younger runners such as freshman Anastasia Honea to eliminate that gap next season.

“Torree is a lot more open to the team, more comfortable with the other girls on the team,” Hefferin said. “She’s seeing the benefit of running with the group and getting that level of maturity.”

It’s a good base to have, especially as Scull works on maintaining her patience.

“She was getting to the point where she was saying, ‘I want to go run more. I want to go run more,’” Hefferin said. “But she’ll get that chance on Saturday.”

Descending on Detweiller

Here's a look at the Chronicle-area athletes who are part of the field at Saturday's six state cross country meets at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Times for each race are in parentheses.

BOYS

CLASS 3A (2 p.m.)
Mike Bianchina, Geneva, Sr.
Nick Borger, St. Charles North, Sr.
Kevin Davis, St. Charles North, Jr.
Spencer Gray, St. Charles North, Sr.
Trevor Hollis, Batavia, Sr.
Ryan Joyce, St. Charles North, Sr.
Nathan Klair, St. Charles North, Jr.
Ryan McSweeney, St. Charles North, Sr.
Keane O'Kelley, St. Charles North, Sr.

CLASS 2A (Noon)
Luis Acosta, Kaneland, Jr.
Adrian Alviar, Aurora Central Catholic, Sr.
Daniel Aquino, Aurora Central Catholic, So.
Danny Cady, St. Francis, So.
Kyle Carter, Kaneland, Jr.
Mike Deaton, St. Francis, Jr.
Andrew Hallett, St. Francis, Jr.
Brandon Huber, Kaneland, Sr.
Justin Jerwers, Aurora Central Catholic, Sr.
Conor Johnson, Kaneland, Sr.
Matt Knapp, Aurora Central Catholic, Jr.
Nathaniel Kucera, Kaneland, Jr.
Patrick Lefevre, Aurora Central Catholic, Jr.
Matt Lorish, St. Francis, Jr.
John Lyons, St. Francis, Sr.
John Meisinger, Kaneland, Sr.
Matt Meyers, Aurora Central Catholic, Sr.
Widi Moestopo, Wheaton Academy, Sr.
Javier Montelongo, Aurora Central Catholic, Jr.
Ryan Paulson, Kaneland, Sr.
Scott Stiff, St. Francis, Sr.
Nick Vilimek, St. Francis, Jr.

CLASS 1A (10 a.m.)
Jake Gehman, Aurora Christian, Sr.

Note: St. Charles North, Kaneland, St. Francis and Aurora Central Catholic are team entries. Each school's seven sectional finishers are listed.

GIRLS

CLASS 3A (1 p.m.)
Kathryn Adelman, Geneva, Jr.
Shelby Artman, St. Charles North, Fr.
McKenzie Altmayer, Geneva, Fr.
Ashley England, St. Charles North, Jr.
Sydney Geils, Geneva, Jr.
Marin Leone, Geneva, So.
Nicole Lopez, St. Charles North, Jr.
Emma McSpadden, Geneva, Fr.
Elle Murata, St. Charles North, Sr.
Brooke Nusser, Geneva, So.
Nina Olshever, St. Charles North, Fr.
Fabiola Ortiz, St. Charles North, Sr.
Dakota Roman, Batavia, Fr.
Torree Scull, St. Charles East, So.
Mackenzie Williams, Geneva, Sr.
Kaylee Wessel, St. Charles North, Jr.

CLASS 2A (11 a.m.)
Brianna Bower, Kaneland, Fr.
Maggie Brundige, Kaneland, Sr.
Victoria Clinton, Kaneland, So.
Jenna DiValerio, St. Francis, Sr.
Abby Dodis, Kaneland, Sr.
Kara Kalisz, Rosary, Sr.
Liz Karina, Aurora Central Catholic, Fr.
Jenna Koerner, Aurora Central Catholic, Sr.
Amanda Lesak, Kaneland, Sr.
Aislinn Lodwig, Kaneland, So.
Kate Martin, St. Francis, So.
Tessa McKenna, St. Francis, Jr.
Meghan McShea, St. Francis, Jr.
Kate Roback, St. Francis, Sr.
Amanda Schmitt, St. Francis, Sr.
Sydney Strang, Kaneland, Jr.
Kate Vilimek, St. Francis, Fr.

CLASS 1A (9 a.m.)
Rebecca Wert, Aurora Christian, So.

Note: St. Charles North, Geneva, Kaneland and St. Francis are team entries. Each school's seven sectional finishers are listed.