By Michael Newman

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Clifton Central’s Boys and Tolono Unity Girls are the top ranked 1A teams heading into this weekend’s five 1A sectional meets. By the end of the day on Saturday, we will know the 25 teams (or more) that will be packing their bags for next weekend’s state meet in Peoria.

The top Sectional Meet appears to be at Elmwood where 16 ranked teams total will compete in the Boys and Girls race. Top ranked Clifton Central should be the big favorite in the Boys race at the Lisle Sectional. Two-time defending champion Tolono Unity faces area rival St. Joseph-Ogden at the Decatur St. Teresa Sectional.

Here is a look at each of the five sectionals that will take place on Saturday morning across the state.

 

Photo: Clifton Central after their win at the Amboy Columbus Day Invitational (Mike Newman Photo)

 

ILXCSPEEDRATINGS.COM SECTIONAL PROJECTIONS

 

Decatur St. Teresa Sectional @ Hickory Point GC, Decatur

 

Girls Race – 10:00 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #1 Tolono Unity, #3 St. Joseph-Ogden, #11 Monticello, #13 Urbana University, #18 Teutopolis, #25 Decatur St. Teresa, Lawrenceville, Shelbyville, Litchfield, Effingham St. Anthony, Staunton, Neoga, Tuscola, Toledo Cumberland, Carlinville, Auburn, Fithian Oakwood, Moweaqua Central A&M, Newton, Robinson, Altamont.

Team Notes – The next step for Tolono Unity in their quest for a third state title in four years is qualifying from Decatur. That should be no problem for Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden which are locks to make it back to Peoria. Unity looked stronger in their regional win at Tuscola where they placed all their scorers in the top 10 as well as being ahead of St. Joseph-Ogden’s second runner. Jordan Harmon missed all of track season due to an injury. She’s back and leading the Rockets pack with Caroline Bachert. Harmon and Bachert should be among the top five finishers but will need their top five in the first 16 to solidify a sectional title.

St. Joseph-Ogden has a good pack behind their top runner Cassidy Bagby who will also challenge for a top five place. The pack led by Hannah Rajlich and Hope Rajlich will need to keep their second through fifth runners within 25 seconds of each other. Moving their pack into the Tolono pack could move the Spartans within 25 points of the Rockets.

Monticello is somewhat of a mystery. The Sages have not had their top runner Alyssa McPike in the lineup due to injury until last week. McPike, who ran 17:36 at SJO on September 22, ran 19:59 to finish 16^th last week at Tuscola. A healthy McPike in the top 10 or perhaps top five makes qualifying for state more of a solid bet. Their split of freshman Rachel Koon last week was 80 seconds. Keeping that split under 60 seconds punches their ticket to Peoria. Urbana University, back in Class 1A after a two-year success factor exodus to Class 2A, has a good chance to make it to Peoria. The Illineks will need their top runner Anika Kimme among the top 15 in this race. Their second through five runner pack has been tight in their last couple of meets and will need to be within 20 seconds of each other on Saturday. Five runners in the top 35 would be a good sign for this team.

It would not surprise me if Teutopolis finishes ahead of U-High in this race especially if Morgan Mette finishes in the top ten and they can get Jessica Rundle in the first 16 runners. A thing to watch for the Lady Shoes is where their fifth runner Abby Bloemer finishes. She was 21^st last week in Teutopolis Regional win at Robinson. She was 58 seconds behind their fourth runner. With more runners in this race, getting five runners in the top 50 will be something to watch for.

St. Teresa finished fifth in the powerhouse Tuscola Regional and will need a strong race from their pack to get to the Detweiller Park starting line next Saturday. Veronica Hein will be among the top runners in this race. The Bulldogs will need to have their pack start around 40^th with a 40 second split to make it into the team top five.

 

Individuals to Watch – Lydia Roller, Staunton; Ailey Mitchell, Shelbyville; Fran Hendrickson, St. Thomas More; Caroline Bachert, Tolono Unity; Jordan Harmon, Tolono Unity; Cassidy Bagby, St. Joseph-Ogden; Gabrielle Spain, Shelbyville; Veronica Hein, St. Teresa; Morgan Mette, Teutopolis; Alyssa McPike, Monticello.

Individual Notes – This should be a great race from individual runners that we will see near the front next week at the state meet. Lydia Roller showed she is ready for state after a strong race in winning the Carlinville Regional. Roller ran 17:46 to win by 47 seconds ahead of Ailey Mitchell. The two runners should be closer together in this race.

Fran Hendrickson and Roller were within two seconds of each other at Richard Spring in September. Hendrickson is undefeated against 1A runners with the exception of finishing behind defending state champion Emma Argo at East Peoria. Hendrickson will be close to Roller in this race. Alyssa McPike has been out with an injury for almost a month and should be in this race. The regional race was a rust buster for the senior. If she is back to 100% health, we could see McPike challenging for one of the top spots.

 

Boys Race – 10:45 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #2 Monticello, #6 Robinson, #8 Urbana University, #20 St. Joseph-Ogden, #22 Toledo Cumberland, #23 Tolono Unity, Marshall, Carlinville, Effingham St. Anthony, Tuscola, Teutopolis, Shelbyville, Neoga, Lawrenceville, St. Thomas More, Cowden-Herrick, Arthur-Lovington, Auburn, Altamont, Moweaqua Central A&M, East Alton-Wood River.

Team Notes – It should come down to three teams as certainties to make it to Peoria if they just run their average races on Saturday. The next two spots are up for grabs with up to four teams challenging for the top five.

Urbana University edged Monticello 54 to 57 last week at Tuscola but that was without Monticello’s Garrett Dixon in their lineup resting him for the next two weeks. Dixon, who should be the race favorite, gives the Sages that low number up front. Add the pack led by Luke Sokolowski and Morgan Dixon, Monticello could roll to a win in this meet. Keeping that pack split to 25 seconds with five runners in the top 20 will be a good tune-up for their race next week at Peoria.

U-High is a strong team that could make some noise next week in Peoria. Aryan Lalwani should be among the top five runners in this race. They will punch their ticket to state if they can keep their top five runners in the first 36 places. Robinson is the third team that should be a lock to make it to Peoria. Negus Bogard was the Robinson Regional champion and will be up front in this race where his team placed fiver runners in the top 15. Their second runner Maverick Wright will need to be among the top 15 on Saturday. Their team split needs to be under 95 seconds off Bogard with their top five in the top 45.

Toledo Cumberland could be a lock on the fourth spot if they can have just a good race. This team has gone through some up and down races this fall. This Saturday needs to be one of those up ones. Kort McClellan should be among the top 10. Five runners in the first 40 with Blake Sutherland among the top 20 will be something to watch for. St. Joseph-Ogden has been a team on the rise over the past month and could be in position to finish in the top five. Isiah McCune leads the Spartans and will need to finish in the top 10. SJO is young with three freshman in their top seven. Three runners in the top 30, five runners in the first 55 could be the formula to get this team back to Detweiller Park.

Tolono Unity could be among the top five teams especially if Cameron Woodard and Jarrett Cox are among the top 10 finishers. Their split on five was over two minutes last week at Tuscola and will need to be under 98 seconds in the sectional race. Carlinville has a solid pack that could run a 30 second split on their scorers. Having one of those runners in the top 25 gets this team closer to a state berth.

 

Individuals to Watch – Garrett Dixon, Monticello; Negus Bogard, Robinson; Aryan Lalwani, Urbana University; Jackson Stewart, St. Teresa; Cameron Woodard, Tolono Unity; Layton Hall, Arthur-Lovington; Reece Johnson, Neoga; Kort McClellan, Toledo Cumberland; Isiah McCune, St. Joseph-Ogden; Noah Probst, Teutopolis.

Individual Notes – It could come down to a two-runner race for the sectional title. Garrett Dixon has emerged as one of the top 1A runners and will have his eye on the sectional title. Negus Bogard, who ran 15:06 earlier this year at Detweiller Park, should be the closet to Dixon. Aryan Lalwani leads the individual pack that could be 12 to 18 seconds in this race behind Dixon and Bogard.

 

Elmwood Sectional @ Maple Lane CC, Elmwood

 

Girls Race – 10:00 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #2 Eureka, #5 Pleasant Plains, #8 Williamsville, #10 Stanford Olympia, #15 Knoxville, #16 El Paso-Gridley, #20 Elmwood-Brimfield, #22 Tremont, #23 Macomb, Bloomington Central Catholic, Athens, Quincy Notre Dame, Downs Tri-Valley, Delavan, Liberty, Prairie Central, Havana, Hamilton/Warsaw, Monmouth-Roseville, Petersburg PORTA.

Team Notes – The bad thing about this sectional there are nine good ranked teams that could be on the line on November 3 at Detweiller Park. It is a shame that four of those schools will be left behind in this sectional.

Eureka is the top team in this sectional and could be at least 40 points ahead of the next closest team in this race. Emma Argo will be the individual favorite in this race and could have teammate Alexi Fogo finish in the top five. All the Hornets need to do is keep their top five runners in the first 30 and they could leave Elmwood with some extra hardware.

Pleasant Plains has come on at the right time at the right time and could be the closest team to Eureka. Caroline Jachino should be among the top eight runners in this race. The addition at the beginning of the season of transfers Bernadette and Brigid Tournoux have given the Cardinals a boost. Five runners in the top 35 could give this team a lock for state. Williamsville has run close to Pleasant Plains losing by three to them in their conference meet last week at the Liberty Regional. This team has a solid pack led by Caroline Gwaltney that will need to have a runner in the first 20. The Bullets could make it back to state but will need their scorers in the first 50 places.

Stanford Olympia should be among the top five in this meet with Savanah Beavers and Payton Wille as possible top 10 finishers on Saturday. The Spartans will just need their top five in the first 35 to receive the state meet ticket. Knoxville has come on strong and could find a state meet trip in their immediate future. Bailey Harris and Breena Shreeves could be among the top 15 in this race. The Blue Bullets have the strength in the front with three runners most likely in the top 30. Getting their fourth and fifth runners closer to the pack will be a key to watch.

It is uncertain if El Paso-Gridley’s top runner Kate Atkins will race on Saturday. She has missed the past three weeks due to injury. Without Atkins in their lineup, it could be tough for the Titans to make it into the top five teams. Sophia Allen could be among the top 10 runners but will need the pack to be in the first 50 for this team to have a chance. Tremont has a solid 1-2 punch with Lizzy Freidinger among the top five with teammate Tressa Scheuermann a shoe in for a top 20 finish. All the Turks need is to get their scorers in the top 45 for them to have a chance of qualifying for state. Elmwood will need a tight pack with one runner in the top 20 and their pack finishing before 48 to get that qualifying spot.

 

Individuals To Watch – Emma Argo, Eureka; Payne Turney, Clinton; Katelyn Robbins, Liberty; Savannah Beavers, Stanford Olympia; Caroline Jachino, Pleasant Plains; Maya Stovall, Macomb; Lizzy Freidinger, Tremont; Alexi Fogo, Eureka; Katie Springer, Delavan; Bailey Harris, Knoxville.

Individual notes – Defending 1A champion Emma Argo will have all eyes on her when she starts this race on Saturday. Argo has gone undefeated this season. It is a good chance that her winning string will continue beyond Saturday. Payne Turney finished 50 seconds last week at the Farmington Regional and will be chasing after Argo again in this race. Expect her to be closer on Saturday. Katelyn Robbins is healthy and should be close to Turney along with Caroline Jachino, Maya Stovall, and Savannah Beavers.

 

Boys Race – 11:00 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #3 Elmwood-Brimfield, #4 Athens, #5 Stanford Olympia, #9 Eureka, #10 Pleasant Plains, #11 El Paso-Gridley, #24 Deer Creek-Mackinaw, Tremont, Clinton, Illinois Valley Central, Macomb, Knoxville, Williamsville, Havana, Riverton, Quincy Notre Dame, Franklin, Hamilton/Warsaw, Princeville, Lewistown, Pittsfield.

Team Notes – The same situation in this race as the Boys race. Six of the top 11 1A teams in the state will compete in this sectional. One of those teams will not make it (unless there is a tie for fifth).

Host Elmwood is peaking again at the right time as they usually do. The defending 1A state champions have reloaded and their pack running is showing as evidenced in their regional race at Macomb. The Trojans placed six runners in the first 11 for an easy win along with a 30 second split off top runner Griff Inskeep. It is hard to see an Elmwood runner in the top ten in this race. If Inskeep and Thomas Harmon can finish in the top 20 with a 30 second split in the group, it could be tough to beat Elmwood.

Stanford Olympia has showed their pack running all season. The difference with Elmwood is that they will have some runners in the front 10 led by Jon Neville and Logan Wheeler. The Spartans won at Farmington using a 51 second split on their top five. That split needs to be under 40 seconds with five runners in the top 25 in order for this team to win. Athens started out the season slow battling through some injuries. The Warriors seem to be ready for a top three state run after a convincing win last week at Liberty. Noah McIntyre led five runners in the top 13 in that race. McIntyre should be among the top ten on Saturday. Their split on five needs to be under 71 seconds (it was 84 seconds in the regional race) with their top five with their pack finishing before 55^th place to make it back to Peoria.

Eureka finished behind Olympia last week and could make it to state if either Kyle Johnson and Jack Cook finish in the top ten with the other runner finishing in the top 15. Five runners in the top 40 secures a trip to the state meet. Pleasant Plains has a good 1-2 of Steven Melin and Braden Moore that will need to be in the top 15 in this race. The Cardinals make it to Peoria they can place three runners in the top 30, their fourth near 50^th place with their fifth runner placing 65^th or better.

El Paso-Gridley had a 16 second split on their second through five runners last week in their third-place finish at Farmington. Their pack was 48 seconds behind front runner Noah Smith. If Smith is among the top 10 with the pack 30 seconds back in the top 45 could get the Titans to the state meet. Deer Creek-Mackinaw has Colby Johnson leading them. He could be among the top 10. Dee-Mack could get close to the top five but will need to have their pack in the top 48 to make things interesting in the standings.

 

Individuals to Watch – Leland Sumer, Tremont; Noah Smith, El Paso-Gridley; Jon Neville, Stanford-Olympia; Shane Yamco, Riverton; Logan Wheeler, Stanford Olympia; Colby Johnson, Deer Creek-Mackinaw; Kyle Johnson, Eureka; Noah McIntyre, Athens; Elias Bergman, Illinois Valley Central; Miles Sheppard, Hamilton/Warsaw, Shane Yamco, Riverton.

Individual Notes – This individual race is wide-open. Leland Sumer looks to be the runner to watch, but Noah Smith and Jon Neville could be right on his side. Shane Yamco finished sixth at FTTF in September and fourth last week at Liberty. He could be a surprise in this race. Also watch for Miles Sheppard. The freshman has finished no worse than third individually this season including two second-place finishes behind fellow Fiker Rosen in September. After winning last week at Macomb, Sheppard could be the surprise in this race.

 

Benton Sectional @ Benton City Park

Girls Race – 10:00 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #12 Freeburg, #16 DuQuoin, #21 Pinckneyville, Belleville Althoff Catholic, Nashville, Benton, Roxana, Okawville, Carterville, Anna-Jonesboro, Breese Central, Red Bud, Hamilton County, New Athens, Massac County, Carmi-White County, West Frankfort, Fairfield, Steeleville, Harrisburg, Pope County.

Team Notes – Although Freeburg is the top ranked team entering Saturday’s sectional race, It could be DuQuoin and Pinckneyville that everyone has their eyes on in this race.

DuQuoin won by 10 points ahead of Pinckneyville last week at the DuQuoin Regional as Gabrielle Algoni and Olivia Phillips finished in the top five. Both runners, along with Grace Algoni, could finish in the top 10 in this meet. Five runners in the top 30 locks them into a Peoria trip. Pinckneyville does not have the power that DuQuoin has in the front but does have a good pack behind front runners Taylor Kurtz and Dakota Krone that could keep them close to DuQuoin. Pinckneyville could be close to DuQuoin again in this race but need to have five runners in the top 25 to accomplish that.

I would not count out Freeburg in this three-team battle. Their split from the third through fifth runners was at 70 seconds last week which is larger than normal. It usually is near 50 seconds. Breanna Chandler should be among the top runners in this race with Jessica Shepherd in the top 10. Five runners in the top 31 could get the Midgets in line to win the team title.

The final two spots for a trip to Peoria could be close with the final teams for the fifth spot within 10 points of each other. Althoff Catholic has a good pack led by Tiffani Siekmann and Claire Hill that could have four runners between 20^th and 30^th. The key will be getting their fifth runner in before 45^th place. Roxana finished second behind Freeburg last week with Janelynn Wirth leading the way. The Shells need five runners in the first 50 to get close to the fifth spot.

Benton has the power up front with Amelia McLain the individual race favorite, Hailey Wallace finishing in the top 10, and Addisyn Miller a good possibility in the top 15. The distance between their pack and the fourth runner averages close to 70 seconds. Their fifth runner is another three minutes back. They could run this kind of split in smaller runner races. Their split has to come down if Benton wants to finish in the top five. Nashville could contend for the fifth spot if they can place their scorers in the first 45 with Brittnie Bartling finishing in the top 13. Okawville and Carterville could also be in position for a finish in the top five team finish.

 

Individuals to Watch – Amelia McLain, Benton; Breanna Chandler, Freeburg; Gabrielle Alongi, DuQuoin; Ansley Bailey, Massac County; Maddie Karcher, Hamilton County; Hailey Wallace, Benton; Brooke Biffar, Waterloo Gibault Catholic; Jessica Shepherd, Freeburg; Olivia Phillips, DuQuoin; Taylor Kurtz, Pinckneyville.

Individual Notes – It is hard to think that anyone, but Amelia McLain, will win this race unless she has an off day. Hard to imagine that since she has been untouchable with a 17:34 time at Detweiller and seven invitational race wins to her credit. Breanna Chandler should be her closest competition.

 

Boys Race – 10:45 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #7 Freeburg, #14 Father McGivney, #16 Steeleville, Benton, Roxana, DuQuoin, Pinckneyville, Nashville, Hamilton County, Marissa, Breese Central, Vienna, Trenton-Wesclin, Belleville Althoff Catholic, Sparta, Norris City-Omaha-Enfield, Pope County, West Frankfort, Massac County, Fairfield, Carrier Mills.

Team Notes – Freeburg enters this meet as the team to beat. Corbin Schwable, McKallen Smith, and Blake Hatter give them a good core group to work off. Evan Wilkerson did not race last week and should be near the top ten on Saturday. Schwabe and Smith should be among the top ten in this race. Five runners in the first 20 and keeping their split on Schwable near 50 seconds gets the Midgets back to the starting line at Peoria.

Father McGivney is on the verge of making it to the state meet in only their second year of the program’s existence. Tyler Guthrie and Zach Brasel lead this team and could be in the top ten individually. Four runners in the first 35 with their fifth near 58 gets them the Peoria trip. Benton has displayed a good pack most of the season. They did not have their entire top seven in last week when they finished second behind Steeleville at the DuQuoin Regional. The Rangers could make it to Peoria but will need Mason Wills and Joey Sample in the top ten with their top five in the top 30.

Roxana and Steeleville look like solid picks to qualify in the two remaining spots. Cree Stumpf leads Roxana that could make it to Peoria if they could place five scorers in the top 40. Gavin Conway leads the Steeleville pack that could be within five points ahead of behind Roxana. They will just need Conway in the first 15 with the rest of their pack starting near 20^th and finishing around 44^th.

If any five of these teams have and off day, watch for DuQuoin, Pinckneyville, or Nashville to nudge close to the top five.

 

Individuals to Watch – Cree Stumpf, Roxana; Corbin Schwable, Freeburg; Camden Sadler, Althoff Catholic; Isaac Sinn, Sparta; Mason Wills, Benton; Tyler Guthrie, Father McGivney; Justin Mumford, Trenton-Wesclin; Blake Hatter, Freeburg; Joey Sample, Benton; Zachery Brasel, Father McGivney; Evan Wilkerson, Freeburg; Liam Oliver, Pinckneyville.

Individual Notes – It is hard to pick one runner to watch for. Cree Stumpf made a statement winning the Freeburg Regional winning by 20 seconds. The runner to watch for is Justin Mumford. The sophomore’s first race of the season was last week finishing second behind Stumpf. Mumford finished 6^th in the 1A State Meet last November. Isaac Sinn, Corbin Schwable, and Camden Sadler could also be near the front in what could be an extremely close race.

 

Oregon Sectional @ Oregon Park West, Oregon

Girls Race – 10:00 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #4 Rock Falls, #6 Winnebago, #14 Rockford Christian, #24 Aurora Central Catholic, Seneca, Kewanee-Wethersfield; Genoa-Kingston, Stark County, Harvest Christian Academy, Johnsburg, Orion, Oregon, Princeton, Bureau Valley, Erie-Prophetstown, Sherrard, Rockridge, Spring Valley Hall, Peru St. Bede, Mendota, Fieldcrest.

Team Notes – Rock Falls and Winnebago were separated by one point at the Big Northern Conference Meet two weeks ago with Rock Falls winning. It could be that close again on Saturday. Rock Falls appears to be growing stronger with every race and could be peaking at the right time. The Rockets could place their top five in the first 20 spots led by Bailee Fortney and Alex Gomez. A top five split under 70 seconds could get Rock Falls back to Peoria. Winnebago has a good 1-2 pack with Natalia Martino and Katie Erb finishing in the top five. Getting their third runner in ahead of Rock Falls’ fourth runner with five runners in the top 30 puts the Indians ahead of Rock Falls.

Four teams could challenge for the other three qualifying spots. Rockford Christian finished six points behind Winnebago in last week’s regional led by Madison Franseen and Kelly Giardina. The Royal Lions running a similar race like last week, with a 60 second split, could get this team to Peoria. Aurora Central Catholic finished a distant third in that regional race. The Chargers will need to keep their split under 72 seconds with Lesley Viveros finishing in the top 10 to have a chance to qualify for state. Seneca is running with confidence after their win at Peru St. Bede. Freshman Audrey Jenkins will be among the runners in the front. The Irish will need their top five in the first 40 places to be one of the top five qualifying teams. Wethersfield could make it to Peoria but will need Rachel Gomez among the top 10 with their top four in the top 30. Their fifth runner was almost three minutes behind the pack last week. That gap needs to close down. Harvest Christian Academy and Genoa Kingston, who finished fourth and fifth at Winnebago are teams not to be counted out for teams to be considered among the top five teams.

 

Individuals to Watch – Karlie Hey, Sterling Newman; Audrey Jenkins, Seneca; Natalia Martino, Winnebago; Katie Erb, Winnebago; Bailee Fortney, Rock Falls; Madison Franseen, Rockford Christian; Alex Gomez, Rock Falls; Olivia Frail, Stark County; Rachel Gomez, Kewanee-Wethersfield; Lesley Viveros, Aurora Central Catholic, Margaret Vaessen, Amboy.

Individuals to Watch – Karlie Hey is coming on strong winning her last three races including at Peoria Heights and last week at the Rock Falls Regional. She will be the runner to watch but will be challenged by Audrey Jenkins. The freshman won at St. Bede and would like to get her fifth big meet win of the season. Natalia Martino has back to back wins in her conference and regional meets and could make it three race wins in a row.

 

Boys Race – 11:00 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #12 Rock Falls, #13 Pontiac, #15 Sterling Newman, #19 Seneca, #25 Erie-Prophetstown, Rock Island Alleman, Aurora Central Catholic, Winnebago, Fieldcrest, Galva-Mid County, Amboy, Orion, Byron, Spring Valley Hall, Cullom Tri-Point, Princeton, Genoa-Kingston, Peru St. Bede, North Boone, Rockford Lutheran, Oregon.

Team Notes – Eight teams fighting for five qualifying spots could make this team race interesting. Pontiac and Seneca had to go to a sixth-runner tiebreak to decide a winner last week at Peru St. Bede with Pontiac winning. Josh Davies and Ethan Schickel should be among the top 12 runners. They will need to have their pack in the top 50 for the win. Seneca has individual favorite Christopher Collett with Wyatt Baldauf and Billy Glasscock possibilities to finish in the top 15. Getting their fifth runner in before Pontiac’s fifth is something to keep an eye on.

Rock Falls was ahead of Sterling Newman by six points last week at the Rock Falls Regional. Dawson Smith and Matt Laws finished together in the top five in the regional race. Smith could be in the top five along with Laws in Saturday’s race.  Their third through five pack is similar to that of Pontiac and Seneca. It’s going down to the fifth runner for these three teams. Add in Sterling Newman who will have Spencer Mauch and Shay Hafner in the top five. Their top five needs to be in the top 60 to have a chance to make it to Peoria.

Rock Island Alleman could have their front runner Aaron Mickelson among the top runners. They have averaged a 10 to 15 second split on their second through fifth runners. Getting that pack in before 50^th could me a state meet bid for the Pioneers.

Aurora Central Catholic, Erie-Prophetstown, and Winnebago could be among the top five in this meet. Places four through seven could be separated by anywhere from 10 to 18 points. The possibility of a fifth-place tie could happen in this meet.

 

Individuals to Watch – Christopher Collet, Seneca; Dawson Smith, Rock Falls; Aaron Mickelson, Rock Island Alleman; Spencer Mauch, Sterling Newman; Shay Hafner, Sterling Newman; Caelin Foley, Galva Mid-County; Josh Davies, Pontiac; Lucas Hoffman, Ottawa Marquette; Matt Laws, Rock Falls; Koby Brackemeyer, Morrison.

Individual Notes – Christopher Collet, off his win last week at Peru, should be the runner to watch in this race. Dawson Smith finished fifth at Rock Falls. We could see him bounce back in this race. Spencer Mauch, Shay Hafner, and Aaron Mickelson would not be surprises in the second-place spot.

 

Lisle Sectional @ Community Park, Lisle

Girls Race – 10:00 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #7 IC Catholic Prep, #9 Herscher, #19 Beecher, Clifton Central, DePaul College Prep, Kankakee McNamara, Timothy Christian, Francis W. Parker, Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Willows Academy, Joliet Catholic, Westmont, North Shore-Country Day, Peotone, Chicago Acero/Garcia, Cristo Rey Jesuit.

Team Notes – Less than 10 points could separate the top two teams in this race. Both IC Catholic Prep and Herscher are locks to make it to Peoria. IC Catholic Prep surprised some early in the season but now have established themselves as a top 10 Class 1A team. The Knights might have the edge with Carly Manchester, Kennedy Calcagno, and Frankie Chaidez all possibilities in the top ten. IC Prep getting their scorers in before 20^th place could secure a sectional championship.

Herscher also has that strength in the front led by Jillian Milton, Molly Raymond, and Josie Mendell. Milton and Raymond could finish between 5 to 8 in this race. Herscher will need five runners in the first 15 to edge IC Catholic Prep.

Beecher should advance led by top five runners Tori Fasano and Hailey Janssen. Clifton Central and DePaul College Prep appear to be the other two teams that could advance. Kankakee McNamara is a team that could be a surprise in the top five.

 

Individuals to Watch – Julia Wolke, Christian Liberty Academy; Carly Manchester, IC Catholic Prep; Kennedy Calcagno, IC Catholic Prep; Tori Fasano, Beecher; Hailey Janssen, Beecher; Evie Ellis, Paxton-Buckley-Loda; Jillian Milton, Herscher; Josie Mendell, Herscher; Gracie Battiato, Peotone; Molly Raymond, Herscher; Hope Clark, Timothy Christian, Audrey Shadle, Francis W. Parker.

Individual Notes – A runner that should step into the spotlight and this race is Julia Wolke. The freshman is not run in the major meets this fall. Her second-place finishes at Burlington Central and Benet Academy along with her win last week at Walther Christian could give her the edge. Tori Fasano, Kennedy Calcagno, and Carly Manchester are also runners to watch in the front.

 

Boys Race – 11:00 AM

Regional Team Qualifiers - #1 Clifton Central, #17 Niles Northridge Prep, #18 Paxton-Buckley-Loda, #21 Chicago University, Herscher, Joliet Catholic, Iroquois West, Chicago Christian, Timothy Christian, Westmont, Beecher, Leo Catholic, Walther Christian, Hope Academy, North Shore-Country Day, Marine Leadership Academy, Guerin Prep, Rickover Naval Academy, IC Catholic Prep, Chicago Acero/Soto, Roycemore Prep.

Team Notes – It is hard not go against Clifton Central is this race. The Comets have the runners to watch with possibly four runners in the top ten led by race favorites Isaiah Ditta and Jeremy Snejberg. Clifton Central scoring under 35 points and ahead of the rest of the pack by 75 points would not surprise me.

Northridge Prep scored a perfect 15 in last week’s Walther Christian Regional and should make it to Peoria led by good pack running led by Brian Walsh and Aidan Dunaway. Paxton-Buckley-Loda finished behind Clifton Central at Kankakee led by Ryder James and his third-place finish. PBL makes to state from their pack behind James. Their two through five split was only 31 seconds. Five in the top 30 gets them to Peoria.

Chicago University could finish second in this meet. Their top three could finish in the top 20 led by Abraham Zelchenko. The Maroons just need to get their fourth and fifth runners in before 40 to get to that place. Herscher, led by freshman Drew Rogers is not a solid bet to get into the top five, but they are close Rogers should be among the top five runners. Three runners in the top 25, five in the top 45 could secure a state meet trip.

Joliet Catholic and Iroquois West are close together but could be 55 to 60 points away from the top five teams. 

Joliet Catholic has a pack that could have a 20 to 25 split. They just need to move that pack up starting at 25^th place. Iroquois West has a solid front two, but there third through fifth pack would need to be up farther to get near the top five.

 

Individuals to Watch – Isaiah Ditta, Clifton Central; Jeremy Snejberg, Clifton Central; Ryder James, Paxton-Buckley-Loda; Drew Rogers, Herscher; Trevor Swanson, Clifton Central; Gabe Martinez, Bismarck-Henning; Matt Gedraitis, Westmont; Abraham Zelchenko, Chicago University; Clint Fincher, Timothy Christian; Nathaniel Rivera, Chicago Christian; Brian Walsh, Northridge Prep.

Individual Notes – Isaiah Ditta and Jeremy Snejberg are the runners to watch in the front with Ryder James or Drew Rogers capable of breaking up the 1-2 finish from the Clifton Central runners.