EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s been an eventful start to Isabella Keller’s junior cross country season.

She’s off to an undefeated start this season at meets, including an event featuring runners from multiple states in and around the Midwest.

Keller took first at the Nike XC Town Twilight meet in Terre Haute, IN with a top time of 16:52.92. A time just shy of a meet record.

She was able to put in an impressive performance despite some pre-race jitters.

“I had a little bit of nerves going into the race, but just excited nerves. It’s always good stuff,” Keller said. “I was pretty confident that I’d be able to compete at the top, and the other top girls, I’d raced them before my freshman year and sophomore year, so I kind of knew a little bit of how they like to race.”

“I’ve coached track for a long time and then came into cross-country, and it’s once in a lifetime you get an athlete like her who comes along,” St. Anthony cross country coach Art Geen said. “It’s pretty neat to see the work ethic, just the determination to win is amazing.”

Keller is now eligible for $1,500 cash prize we’ll give away to one boy and one girl at the end of the school year.

You can send in an athlete of the week nomination here.