WMBD/WYZZ-TV - NORMAL, Ill. -- They are the ones making all the noise for Normal Community cross country.

Look for Marie O'Leary and you'll find Carly Pederson right with her.

"It's always exciting," said Pederson. "I think we do better when we're competing against each other."

Both are decorated runners heading to Saturday's state cross country meet on the coat tails of each other. Pederson is a former junior high state champ who won the Big 12 conference meet on her first try.

O'Leary is the runner who hit the tape first in Normal's regional and sectional races.

"It's more competitive," said O'Leary of running side by side wth Pederson.. "We've both had seasons where we had to run by ourselves a lot. It makes it fun with competition every race."

Lately, the two NCHS stars have been each other's best competition. They finished 1-2 at regionals and sectionals. They're hoping for similar results when they run against the state's best at the Illinois High School Association championship meet at Detweiller Park.

"It helps a lot (running together) because we never let up during the race, said O'Leary. "We know someone is right behind you or next to you. We'll be ready for state, pushing the whole way."

O'Leary and Pederson won't have their other teammates with them Saturday. The duo qualified for the state meet without the rest of their team.

"We use it to our advantage and encourage each other and push each other. It's nice to have someone right
there with me," said Pederson.

While the two are linked together this season, the state meet will be their final race together.

Peterson is a freshman, at state for the first time. O'Leary is a senior, at state for the final time.

"I want to do the best I've ever done. I want to run a PR (personal record)," said O'Leary. "And do the best I can."