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Illinois High School XC - Roadmap to the Weekend - September 14, 2018Published by
By Michael Newman
Minooka’s Flight Invitational is the top meet of the weekend outside of the Richard Spring Invitational in Peoria. If you can’t make it to Channahon Park for the Minooka Meet, head to Kaneland for their invitational with some top- flight racing expected. Edwardsville’s Invitational on SIU-Edwardsville’s challenging course as well as the Bureau Valley Invitational are some of the meets to invest time in watching some great cross-country running on Saturday if you are in those areas. ILXCTF’s Roadmap to the Weekend gives you an idea of some of the top meets for the weekend in Illinois with previews for some of those meets. Information for the Richard Spring Classic can be found here.
Minooka Invitational Boys Ranked – 3A #3 Lyons Township (JV/FS), #8 Downers Grove North, #14 Maine South, #15 Minooka, #16 Batavia, #20 Whitney Young, #23 Waubonsie Valley. 2A: #15 Lakes Community. 1A: #4 El Paso-Gridley Boys Entered – Bolingbrook, Hoffman Estates, Conant, Lockport Township, Moline, Lincoln-Way Central, Plainfield North, Andrew, Willowbrook, Yorkville. Girls Ranked – 3A: #3 Yorkville, #6 Minooka, #7 Batavia, #8 Lyons Township, #20 Plainfield North. 2A: #1 Belvidere North, #3 Lakes Community. 1A: #9 El Paso-Gridley Girls Entered – Bolingbrook, Hoffman Estates, Conant, Moline, Andrew, Willowbrook Notes – This flight meet showcases some of the top individual runners in the state. The Girls Championship race features last week’s First too the Finish Race winners Katrina Schlenker of Batavia and Brooke Stromsland of Lakes Community (based off projections from Roland Hopkins of Illinois Speed Ratings – ilxcspeedratings.com). Schlenker ran 16:42 last week at Detweiller Park and could go after the championship and course record set by Skyler Bollinger in 2013 (17:13). Dry conditions for Saturday hint that Schlenker could surpass that time. Helena Kleronomos of Yorkville finished third behind Schlenker last Saturday and could push for the individual win. Madison Diercks of Belvidere North, Julianna Stogsdill of Plainfield North, Vivian Van Eck of Minooka, and Kate Dickman of Lyons Township are some of the runners in this loaded field that could challenge for top five finishes. The Boys championship race matches the depth of the Girls race with Zach Dale’s meet and course record of 14:46 at Channahon Park possibly going down. Jack Roberts of Downers Grove North ran 14:26 last week at Detweiller Park and has the fastest seasonal best time of this talented group. Tommy Brady of Maine South is healthy and ready for this race challenge with Roberts. Brady pushed the pace (while ill) last week at First to the Finish and is determined for a better outcome on Saturday. Both runners could push each other to a fast time on this course…maybe 14:40? Tyler Cushing of Bolingbrook finished third last week at Peoria and will challenge for a top finish. Sam Rivera of Whitney Young and Jared Kries of Lincoln-Way Central also looked impressive in their Peoria race and will push for a top three finish. Jadon Conroy of Huntley, Wes Beitler of Waubonsie Valley, and Jason Hoffman of Minooka are some of the runners that you could see in the top five. Lyons Township will be in this meet. The Lions will just have runners in the Junior Varsity and Frosh/Soph races.
Kaneland Invitational Boys Ranked – 3A: #4 Glenbard West; 2A: #2 Benet Academy, #5 Kaneland, #8 Burlington Central, #10 Sycamore, #18 Belvidere North, #22 Crystal Lake Central Boys Entered – Jacobs, DeKalb, Hampshire, Rockford Auburn, Freeport, Grayslake North, Marengo, Rochelle, Rockford Boylan, Timothy Christian. Girls Ranked – 3A: #11 Benet Academy. 2A: #12 Kaneland, #18 Burlington Central, #25 Sycamore Girls Entered – Jacobs, Aurora West, DeKalb, Hampshire, Crystal Lake Central, Freeport, Grayslake North, Rochelle, Rockford Boylan, Timothy Christian. Notes – The Boys Varsity race will be the featured race in this meet with Glenbard West, led by Rory Cavan and Stephen Moody, the team favorites. Watch for the Hilltoppers to work on their pack running which is something that can be improved in this meet. Six 2A ranked teams are in this field led by #2 Benet Academy and #5 host Kaneland. Cavan has the fastest 3-mile time in the nation entering this weekend. Watch him as the favorite. Benet Academy ran great at St. Viator last Thursday and bounced back less than 48 hours later to finish second at Royal/Cadet. The Redwings will display some good pack running in this race possibly with seven in the top 12 in the Girls race. Katherine Olsen of DeKalb and Rachel Richtman of Kaneland will race side-by-side in the individual race with Kelli Tosic of Grayslake North a runner that could surprise for the win.
Edwardsville Invitational Boys Ranked – 3A #21 Edwardsville; 1A: #22 Father McGivney Boys Entered – Alton, Collinsville, Bethalto Civic Memorial, Colombia, Highland, Jacksonville, Jersey, Waterloo, Litchfield. Girls Ranked – 3A: #18 Edwardsville; 2A: #11 Waterloo Girls Entered – Alton, Collinsville, Bethalto Civic Memorial, Highland, Jacksonville, Jersey, Litchfield Notes – Waterloo hopes for no bus problems entering this meet. Their bus had a flat tire on the way to Peoria last week and could not run. The Bulldogs looked good in the Girls race last Tuesday at Sparta with Jenna Schwartz running 18:48 on the mostly trail 5k course. Edwardsville will look to sweep the team titles with Roland Prenzler the favorite in the boys individual race. It should be a good showdown on the SIU-Edwardsville hills between Schwartz and Edwardsville’s Abby Korak for the Girls Individual title.
Dunlap Invitational Boys Ranked – 2A: #6 Metamora Boys Entered – Normal West, Dunlap, Galesburg, Morton, Macomb, Rock Island Alleman, Tremont, Williamsville Girls Ranked – 2A: #8 Dunlap, #19 Morton. 1A: #12 Williamsville, #17 Tremont, #19 Macomb Girls Entered – Normal West, Galesburg, Metamora, Rock Island Alleman Notes – Adam Gilbreath-Glaub of Metamora did not run last Saturday in Peoria and last Tuesday at the MIC Preview Meet. Do not be surprised if he races this Saturday. Charlie Wetzel of Normal West finished 11th last week at Peoria running 14:58 and could be the runner to watch in the Boys race. Metamora, without Gilbreath-Glaub, will be the Boys team to watch. Aspen Gordon of Morton will be on a college visit this weekend and will not be in the Girls race. Abby Johnson of Dunlap could be back soon, but not expected to run this Saturday. Dunlap will be the Girls team to watch. Macy Pries of Dunlap could be the top runner and could win on her home course.
Warren Blue Devil Invitational Boys Ranked – 3A #11 Hinsdale Central, #19 Rolling Meadows. Boys Entered – Cary-Grove, Evanston Township, Glenbrook South, Warren, Glenbrook North, Fremd, Rockford East, Round Lake, Wheeling, Zion-Benton, Antioch, Fenton, Crystal Lake South, Grayslake Central, Carmel Catholic, Wauconda, Johnsburg Girls Ranked – 3A: #19 Cary-Grove, #21 Fremd. 2A: #7 Crystal Lake South, #13 Grayslake Central Girls Entered – Buffalo Grove, Evanston Township, Glenbrook South, Warren Township, Mundelein, Glenbrook North, Fremd, Rockford East, Rolling Meadows, Round Lake, Niles West, Zion-Benton, Antioch, Carmel Catholic, Wauconda, Johnsburg. Notes – Rolling Meadows comes off a good race last week at Peoria finishing ninth and entering the 3A rankings for the first time. Watch for them to duplicate that performance on this fast course. Rolling Meadows’ Eddie Lennon, who ran 14:58 in Peoria, and FTTF 2A race champion Charlie Smith of Antioch should produce a fantastic individual race. 3A ranked Hinsdale Central is in this field and was scheduled to run their JV runners. With illness and injuries preventing some of their runners in the Peoria race last week, will we see some of their varsity runners in this race? Fremd and Crystal Lake South are Girls teams to watch. Both squads were off last weekend and will challenge Cary-Grove and Grayslake Central in what could be a close team battle. Glenbrook South’s Kate Jortberg finished fourth last week at Wauconda and could be the runner to watch for the individual Girls title in this meet.
Bureau Valley Invitational Boys Ranked – 1A: #3 Stanford Olympia, #6 Eureka, #9 Elmwood-Brimfield, #11 Rock Falls, #14 Sterling Newman Boys Entered – Amboy, Bloomington Central Catholic, Illinois Valley Central, Erie-Prophetstown, Mid-County, Kewanee-Wethersfield, Bureau Valley, Princeville, Spring Valley Hall, Rockridge, Westmont Girls Ranked – 1A: #2 Eureka, #6 Rock Falls, #8 Stanford Olympia, #23 Stark County Girls Entered – Amboy, Bloomington Central Catholic, Illinois Valley Central, Elmwood-Brimfield, Kewanee-Wethersfield, Bureau Valley, Princeville, Sterling Newman, Westmont Notes – This could be the top 1A meets of the weekend. Eureka enters this race after winning last weekend at Peoria. The Hornets will be challenged by 1A top 10 teams Rock Falls and Stanford Olympia. The individual race should be fun to watch led by defending 1A state champion Emma Argo of Eureka challenged by Karlie Hey of Sterling Newman. Hey finished fourth in last fall’s IHSA 1A State Meet. Pack running will be the thing to watch in the Boys race as Stanford Olympia, who won the 1A team title last week in Peoria, is the top ranked team in this field. Eureka and Elmwood-Brimfield are also ranked in the top ten and should challenge for the team win. Dawson Smith of Rock Falls finished third in Peoria last week and will look for redemption in this race. Kyle Johnson of Eureka and Shay Hafner of Sterling Newman should be Smith’s chief competition.
Olney Richland County Invitational Boys Ranked – 2A: #17 Olney Richland County. 1A: #7 Benton, #10 Robinson, #19 Lawrenceville Boys Entered – Breese Mater Dei, Centralia, Effingham, Marion, Mattoon, Mt. Vernon, Salem, Fairfield, Hamilton County, Teutopolis, Newton Girls Entered – Breese Mater Dei, Centralia, Effingham, Mattoon, Mt. Vernon, Olney Richland County, Salem, Benton, Lawrenceville, Hamilton County, Newton, Teutopolis Notes – Robinson will be without their top runner Negus Bogard who will be running Saturday morning in Peoria. Olney Richland County is on their home course and are better than people think. Benton is coming off a good performance in sloppy conditions at Forest Park in St. Louis and could surprise the host team. The Girls race is wide-open with Breese Mater Dei the team favorite. Amelia McClain of Benton won the Gold Division Individual race last week in St. Louis and will be the favorite in the Girls race.
Other Meets This Weekend
Tuscola Invitational Boys Ranked – 1A: #5 Urbana University, #16 Tolono Unity, #25 Roxana Boys Entered – Arthur-Lovington, Clinton, Cowden-Herrick, St. Anthony, Prairie Central, Hutsonville-Palestine, Neoga, Paris, Toledo Cumberland, Tuscola, Tri-Valley Girls Ranked – 1A: #1 Tolono Unity, #14 Urbana University, #21 Shelbyville Girls Entered – Clinton, Cowden-Herrick, Tri-Valley, St. Anthony, Prairie Central, Neoga, Parris, Roxana, Toledo Cumberland, Tuscola
Libertyville Invitational Boys Ranked – 3A #13 New Trier, #25 Jones College Prep. 2A: #21 Lake Forest Boys Entered – Northside Prep, Payton Prep, Taft, Highland Park, Libertyville, Prospect, Niles North, Niles West, St. Viator Girls Ranked – 3A: #16 Libertyville, #17 Prospect, #25 New Trier Girls Entered – Jones Prep, Northside Prep, Payton Prep, Taft, Highland Park, Lockport Township, Shepard, Niles North, Waukegan, Wheeling, Regina Dominican, Willows Academy
Byrne Invitational @ Woodstock Boys Ranked – 2A: #9 Rockford Christian, #14 Woodstock, #19 Vernon Hills Boys Entered – Dundee-Crown, McHenry, Illinois Math & Science Academy, Prairie Ridge, Richmond-Burton, Woodstock North, Marian Central Catholic, Harvard Girls Ranked – 2A: #2 Vernon Hills, #24 Woodstock. 1A: #10 Rockford Christian Girls Entered – Dundee-Crown, McHenry, Illinois Math & Science Academy, Prairie Ridge, Richmond Burton, Marian Central Catholic, Woodstock North, Harvard
Argo Invitational Boys Entered – Eisenhower, Reavis, Lincoln-Way East, Homewood-Flossmoor, Oak Lawn, Richards, Argo, Solorio Academy, Niles Notre Dame Girls Entered – Berwyn-Cicero Morton, Eisenhower, Reavis, Homewood-Flossmoor, Oak Lawn, Richards, Argo, Solorio Academy
TF North Invitational Boys Entered – TF South, TF North, Bremen, Marian Catholic, Oak Forest, Kankakee McNamara Girls Ranked – 1A: #25 Kankakee McNamara Girls Entered – TF North, TF South, Marian Catholic, Bremen, Oak Forest
Geneseo Invitational Boys Entered – Geneseo, LaSalle-Peru, Ottawa, Sterling, Streator Girls Ranked - #21 Geneseo Girls Entered – LaSalle-Peru, Ottawa, Sterling, Streator
Riverside-Brookfield Invitational (9/14) Boys Entered – Berwyn-Cicero Morton, Fenwick, Elmwood Park, Evergreen Park, Nazareth Academy, Lemont, Morris, Riverside-Brookfield Girls Ranked – 2A: #23 Lemont Girls Entered – Berwyn-Cicero Morton, Glenbard North, Whitney Young, Joliet Central, Fenwick, Elmwood Park, Evergreen Park, Nazareth Academy, Lemont, Morris, Trinity
Wheaton St. Francis Invitational Boys Entered – St. Francis Girls Ranked – 1A: #11 IC Catholic Prep, #15 Aurora Central Catholic Girls Entered – Glenbard South, St. Francis
Out of State Meets
Woodbridge XC Classic (CA) Boys Ranked – 3A #9 Mundelein Notes – Mundelein has not raced in a big invitational since the Lake County Invitational on August 29. The Mustangs will not be at full strength as injuries to top five runners Mike Parduhn and Aidan Alfonso keep them out of their lineup. The improvement of Carter Schoor and Trevor Werner should off set the two runners in the lineup. Watch for a big race from Robert St. Clair and Mundelein on this fast and flat California course. It will be interesting to see how the Mustangs run in this meet. The outcome by this Illinois team should be good.
Cape Central Invitational MO Boys Ranked – 2A #20 Carbondale
New Prairie (IN) Invitational Girls Ranked – 1A: #22 Beecher More news |