By the time she crossed the finish line at DeSales University, Jim Thorpe freshman Logan Gillespie had done far more than earn a medal.

She had reclaimed something that once felt out of reach — her strength, her confidence, and her joy for running.

“I didn’t even think I was going to place at leagues,” Gillespie said. “So to get fourth at districts — I did not expect that at all.”

After months of uncertainty, the race marked the start of something new — not just a return, but a rediscovery.

Her steady climb this fall has carried her all the way to Hershey. After missing months of training while recovering from illness earlier this year, Gillespie will make her PIAA Cross Country Championship debut on Saturday — a milestone that once seemed uncertain, if not impossible.

A Comeback in Motion

When Gillespie was finally cleared to run in mid-September, she started small. Short walks turned into bike rides with her dad. Those rides became short runs, and those runs — measured in half-mile increments — eventually grew into full training sessions.

“I just kept adding a little more every day,” she said. “It was only a few days after I ran three miles for the first time that I was able to race again.”

Her first meet back came on Sept. 30 at Palmerton, where she finished third in 22:06.20.

A week later, she ran 21:23.41 at Northern Lehigh — again placing third.

By the Colonial League Championships, she had dropped her time to 20:27.4 for a fifth-place finish.

Then, at districts, Gillespie returned to DeSales University and lowered her mark another 20 seconds, crossing in 20:07 to finish fourth and qualify for states while also helping Jim Thorpe place fifth as a team in Class 2A.

Mile by Mile

Coach Marie Rosahac watched every step of Gillespie’s return. The freshman trained on her own at first, rebuilding her strength and confidence before joining full practices with the Olympians.

“She basically took it mile by mile,” Rosahac said. “Once she got back to about two and a half miles, we started having her run with the team. I just told her to go at her pace, to feel it out — and she did. Every race she ran, she improved her time.”

After her first meet back, Gillespie realized she wasn’t as far behind as she thought. Each race brought a little more confidence — and the belief that a trip to states might actually be possible.

“I think what’s surprised me most is just how good I’ve done,” said Gillespie, who also competed at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in eighth grade. “I didn’t expect to be where I am right now. I’m just really proud of how far I’ve come.”

Backed by Belief

Through months of uncertainty, the Jim Thorpe running community — and beyond — never stopped believing in her.

Purple shirts worn by teammates and hair ribbons made by Stacy Bos became symbols of the team’s love and solidarity. Friends and classmates checked in constantly. Her Immaculate Conception Church family prayed for her recovery, while coaches, runners, and families from other programs offered words of encouragement at meets.

“For months there wasn’t a day that went by that someone wasn’t checking in,” said her mother, Loren Gillespie. “The cross country community, her coaches, teammates, church, school — everyone was amazing. That support meant the world to her.”

Even when she couldn’t run, she was never far from the sport. Camp Kresge organizers, where she’d attended running camp for years, invited her to bonfires and team nights — small reminders that she still belonged.

“Everybody constantly told me I’d be right back at it — and I was,” she said.

That kindness carried the Gillespie family through long weeks of recovery and uncertainty. It was seen and felt at every meet — in the shirts, the signs, the ribbons, and the cheers — proof of how many people were inspired by her determination and strength.

A New Chapter

Now healthy and focused, Gillespie is grateful for every stride — and for the lessons that came with them.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Gillespie has maintained top marks in the classroom. Rosahac noted that she’s “an A student” who approaches academics with the same discipline and determination that define her training.

“I’ve just learned to appreciate running more,” said Gillespie, who has been involved with running since kindergarten. “When I was out, I missed it so much. I’m thankful that I get to do what I love again.”

Rosahac said Gillespie’s maturity and perspective have been just as impressive as her results, describing her as determined, positive, and driven by a genuine love for the sport.

Looking Ahead

As she prepares for her first trip to Hershey, Gillespie isn’t focused on times or placement. For now, it’s about gratitude — for her health, her faith, and the people who helped her return to what she loves most.

“I’m just really happy with how far I’ve come,” she said. “I want to go out there, have fun, and just enjoy the experience.”

Gillespie already has her sights set on continuing to improve, both on and off the course — with new goals ahead for track season and the years to come.

And as she steps to the starting line in Hershey, she’ll do so with the same quiet strength that carried her through — and with a crowd of family, friends, and teammates who never stopped believing she would get there.

PIAA Championships

Several other area runners will also compete Saturday at the PIAA Cross Country Championships, which will be held on the Parkview Course in Hershey.

Below is a list of times for each race along with the area runners and teams competing.

Girls races:

• 1A — 9:30 a.m. (Marian’s Teaghan Biros and Anna Keer; Weatherly’s Alexia Kehler)

• 2A — 10:15 a.m. (Jim Thorpe’s Logan Gillespie; Northwestern’s Rosalia Nestor; Northern Lehigh’s Emma Heil; Lehighton’s Claudia Pagotto; Tamaqua’s Shaylee Gormley)

• 3A — 11 a.m.

Boys races:

• 1A — 11:45 a.m. (Marian’s team of Wade Eroh, Achilles Fitzpatrick, Jacob Berlanda, James Gelatko, and Darren Paulino; Weatherly’s Alex Best)

• 2A — 12:30 p.m. (Palmerton’s Connor Hibell; Tamaqua’s Aidan Elston; Northwestern’s Noah Griffith; Lehighton’s Elijah Pagotto and Quinn Heimbach)

• 3A — 1:15 p.m.

Medals and Trophies:

Awards presentations will take place behind the start area immediately following the start of the next race.

• 1A Girls — 10:15 a.m.

• 2A Girls — 11 a.m.

• 3A Girls — 11:45 a.m.

• 1A Boys — 12:30 p.m.

• 2A Boys — 1:15 p.m.

• 3A Boys — following the presentation of 2A Boys awards

The championship and runner-up teams in each class will receive trophies. Members of the champion and runner-up teams will receive medals (10 per team), while the top 25 individual finishers in each race will also receive medals.

Meet results, including times, places, and team standings, will be available at www.piaa.org, www.runhigh.com, and www.penntrackxc.com.