17 Meets to watch during the Illinois High School XC Conference Weekend - October 14, 2021

By Michael Newman

[email protected]

We take the step into championship racing seasons with so many conference meets that will take place over the next couple of days. Some of these meets have already taken place. We give you a glimpse of some of the meets that will take place on Friday and Saturday across Illinois.

West Suburban Conference – Silver @ Lyons Township South Campus, Western Springs

Preview – This is the toughest of all the meets this weekend in Illinois. Six of the top seven teams in the conference are ranked in the top 15 in Class 3A in the Girls Varsity Race. #1 York is the team that should roll to the win in this race. Katherine Klimek has stepped up as the team’s top runner and will challenge for a top 5 finish in this race. York could place their top 6 runners in the first 10 on Saturday and could have a split again under 30 seconds. There is no team in this field that can match that. #4 Hinsdale Central took a huge step-up last Friday dominating the field at Loyola. Catie McCabe is one of the runners that you can see challenge for a top 5 finish. The Red Devilettes will need 5 runners in the top 20 to solidify a second-place finish. It is anyone’s guess who will place in the next four spots. #8 Oak Park-River Forest has individual favorite Josephine Welin leading this team. The Huskies could have 3 runners in the top 13, 5 in the top 30 to put their team in the third position. #10 Glenbard West does have Audrey Allman who will be one of the top runners in this race. They will need to keep their 2 to 5 split under 30 seconds and all their scorers in the top 26 to be in that third spot. #11 Lyons Township will have Caroline Sommerfeld challenging for a top five finish. Their 2 to 5 pack could be within 3 seconds in this race. That could get the Lions third if they can place their top 5 in the first 23. #15 Downers Grove North has a solid pack led by Ashley Novak and Claire Pyne. Getting their top five split under 40 seconds and 5 runners in the top 25 can place them in the top half of the standings.

The Boys Varsity race is just as strong as 5 teams are ranked. Four of those teams are ranked among the top 10. #4 Hinsdale Central is coming off a win last Wednesday at the Naperville Twilight Invitational. Daniel Watcke will be one of the runners to watch in the front in this meet. Colby Revord continues to improve and could be among the top 10 in this race along with Grant Miller. Keeping 5 runners in the top 15 with a split under 50 seconds could get this team the win. #5 York did not run a great race in Indiana two weeks ago but still ran a 36 second split on their scorers. Ethan Summer will be one of the individual favorites in this race. Jeff Luka and Garrett Schwan are possibilities in the top 5. York needs their top 3 in before Hinsdale’s second runner, then 5 in the top 15 to guarantee the win. #7 Lyons Township continues to move up and again is peaking at the right time. Charlie McLawhorn could come away with the individual win. Hayden Constas could finish in the top 10. Their 3 to 5 pack needs to move up into the top 20 for the Lions to win on their home course. #10 Downers Grove North has Roy Llewellyn who should be among the top 5 individuals. Topher Ferris and Karan Shetty fell behind last week in Naperville. Staying close to Llewellyn could mean grandiose things for the Trojans. They will need 5 runners in the top 17 to challenge for the win.

DuKane Conference @ Lake Park East Campus, Roselle

Preview – Four teams should battle it out for the championship in the Girls Varsity race. #19 St. Charles East has a solid pack led by Morgan Sandlund and Marley Andelman. The team will need a top five split under 45 seconds to claim the conference title. #20 Wheaton-Warrenville South has come on strong in the past few meets and could be a team to claim the win. They will need top five finishes from Nicole Poglitsch and Annie Macabobby to get them close for the win. #18 Batavia is led by Katrina Schlenker who will challenge for the individual win. Keeping the pack behind Schlenker to under 42 seconds with 5 in the top 22 will be something to watch for. #16 St. Charles North could get top 10 finishes from Bella DiCrosta and Norah Dorrance to get them close to win this meet. The North Stars will need their first 5 runners in the top 20 for the win. Grace Schager of Glenbard North has run under 17-minutes twice this fall including 16:57 at the Harvey Braus Invitational in September. She will be pushed by Katrina Schlenker for the individual win.

Micah Wilson of St. Charles East and Michael Atkins of Wheaton-Warrenville South raced on this course in September with Wilson claiming a 6 second win. Wilson has run 14:37 since and should be the favorite in his final conference race. There are three teams that are head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the teams in this eight-team field. #9 St. Charles East could repeat as conference championships if Mitch Garcia can be in the top five along with Wilson and put 5 runners in the first 15. #16 Wheaton-Warrenville South could be close but will need big races from Atkins, Nathan Virginelli, and Michael Macabobby to achieve that. Wheaton North could be the surprise in this meet. They have a strong front three with Ryan Schreiner and Ryan Zydek in the top five and Caleb Youngstedt in the top 10. Their top five split needs to be under 75 seconds to claim the win.

Southwest Prairie Conference @ Channahon Park. Channahon (Friday)

Preview – Five teams stand ahead of the rest in the Girls Varsity race. #2 Minooka comes off a strong race at Naperville Twilight and could win this race even without their top frosh/soph runners running in the lower-level races. Audrey Boles, Jocelyn Host, Gabrielle Kics, and Gabriella McCollom should all be in the top 7 in this race. #12 Yorkville will challenge for the second spot led by Anna Hunter in the top five and possibly Makenna Edwards and Margaret Hunter in the top 10. #29 Oswego East will also challenge for the second spot with a solid pack led by Angeles Mendoza and Ana Barroso. The Wolves will need 5 runners in the top 18 to surpass Yorkville. Oswego and #30 Plainfield North will go after the fourth spot. Oswego’s Audra Soderlind could be the favorite for the individual title with Anna Hunter and the Minooka pack in pursuit.

#6 Oswego should be the big favorite in the Boys Varsity race especially if they keep their tight pack running in this meet. Do not be surprised if the Panthers run 5 runners in the top 10 led by Ethan Forsell and Benjamin Huey. There are six more teams that will challenge for a spot in the top 5. #26 Plainfield South leads that pack but will need 5 in the top 23 to accomplish that led by Camryn Viger. #12 Minooka should have Zachary Balzer and Daniel Schalk in the top 10. The Indians will need a split under 60 seconds to catch Plainfield South. #14 Plainfield North has one of the individual favorites with Oliver Burns. The Tigers need a their top 5 in the first 30 spots to capture second. #28 Oswego East has power in the front with Parker Nold and Alex Das in the top five. Their 3-5 pack needs to be under 60 seconds within their front 2 to stay in the top five. Plainfield Central has improved and could be a surprise in the top five. Yorkville is also a team to keep an eye on. Marcellus Mines of Joliet West won the East Division title last year and should be the favorite Friday in this race. Oswego East’s Das and Nold along with Burns and Ethan Forsell will push Mines for the individual win.

DuPage Valley Conference @ Waubonsie Valley HS, Aurora

Preview – #3 Naperville North has a stranglehold on the Girls Varsity race since the change to this six-team conference lineup. It could be closer between them and crosstown rival #5 Naperville Central on Saturday. Lucy Westlake is the runner that you should see in the front for the Huskies. North will need their top 5 in the first 10 spots to secure the win. Naperville Central ran another great race last week at Naperville Twilight and could be the surprise here. The Redhawks will need top five finishes from Liv Philips, Kate Tueting, and Ava Hendren for starters. Central needs to put their top 5 in the first 13 to get close for the win. #21 Metea Valley and Neuqua Valley should challenge for the next 2 spots. Westlake, Philips, and Sarah Maggio of Metea Valley will the runners that you will see in the front for the win.

#7 Waubonsie Valley and #13 Neuqua Valley were separated by nine points last week at the Naperville Twilight Invitational and that was with Waubonsie Valley’s top five runner Aidan Oster held out due to an injury. Oster will not run again this Saturday. It should be close between the first 2 teams. With less runners in this race, Neuqua Valley could have the edge. Waubonsie Valley will need a top five finish from Angel Solis and their first four runners within 20 seconds of each other. Their fifth runner needs to be at 20 or a higher finisher to capture the conference crown. Neuqua will need top 5 finishes from Noah Schalliol and Ryan Palmer along with 5 runners in the top 15 to reclaim the conference title. #24 Naperville North will need a solid 2-5 pack to secure the third spot ahead of DeKalb and #22 Naperville Central. Riley Newport of DeKalb is having a great season and will be the favorite to win the individual title. Gabe Ryan of Naperville North will be his closest competition and could win.

Fox Valley Conference @ McHenry County Park, McHenry

Preview – This is a good conference though most onlookers can’t see how good it is. Both varsity races should be dynamite. 2A #1 Crystal Lake South comes off a great race at Peoria two weeks ago and could have the edge. Isabella Gonzalez, Abby Machesky, and Addie Frisch will lead this team and could be in the top 10 in this meet. Keeping their top 5 runners in the top 8 will be a key for this team to win this meet. Jacobs could be a team that catches the Gators. The Golden Eagles have a solid top 4 led by Kelly Carpenter and Elisabeth Kania that will need to be in the top 13. Their fifth runner needs to be around 25th for this team to win. 2A #11 Prairie Ridge could also be in the mix with Rachel Soukup as the team’s top runner. The Wolves need their top 5 in before 23rd place to claim the win. Huntley and #7 Crystal Lake Central are solid in the top five. Crystal Lake Central could be a surprise. They have been running strong the last few meets led by freshman Hadley Ferrero. The individual race is wide-open with Rachel Soukup, Breanna Burak of Huntley, Isabella Gonzalez, and Hadley Ferrero all going after the win.

It could be three 3A schools in front in the Boys Varsity race. Jacobs is one team to watch with Aidan DeMuth the team’s top runner. 5 runners in the top 20 will be needed for a win for the Golden Eagles. Hampshire has possible top 10 runners Aidan Gonzalez and Owen Cuplin leading the way for them. A simple equation of placing their fifth runner ahead of Jacobs’ fifth gives the Whips the win. Huntley could be a surprise if they can place 3 runners in the top 10 led by Tommy Nitz. 5 runners in the top 25 gives this team in the mix for the win. Yusuf Baig of Burlington Central is the favorite in the Boys race. Ian Barnes of Cary-Grove, Aidan Gonzalez of Hampshire, Will Gelon of Prairie Ridge, and Tommy Nitz are some of the runners to watch in the front.

Mid-Illini Conference @ Detweiller Park, Peoria (Friday)

Preview – The first of three meets held at this venue for the weekend features two of the top 2A teams in the state. 2A # Dunlap should be the class of field in the Girls Varsity race. Freshman Kate Robertson leads the Dunlap team in this race that could have their top 5 runners in the first 8 spots. 2A #16 Morton is their closest challenger with Emma Skinner and Adeline Smith as top five possibilities. Metamora could be the closest team to Morton in this meet. Skinner and Robertson are the runners to watch in the front in this race.

2A #1 Morton should also dominate in the Boys Varsity race. Josh Weeks, Cade Zobrist, and Yonas Wuthrich should lead 6 Potters’ runners in the first 10 positions. 2A #25 Metamora, 2A #27 Dunlap, and Pekin should be the teams to watch challenging for the second spot. It should be all Wilson Georges of Limestone as he goes after another individual conference title. Georges has the fastest individual time by close to half a minute ahead of the field and should roll to the win in this race.

Big Northern Conference @ Byron HS

Preview – 1A #1 Winnebago showed at Amboy on Monday that they will be the team to beat in Peoria in November. They take their first step in this meet where they should be the favorite in the Girls race. Grace Erb and Marissa Roggensack are the top runners for the Indians. Bago did not have one of their top 5 runners Kaylee Woolery running at Amboy. They still could have 5 runners in the top 10 in this race. 2A #22 Dixon should be the closest team to the front led by Emma Smith and Emily Conderman. 1A #19 Rock Falls and 1A #22 Rockford Christian will be the teams going after the second-place spot. Erb, Roggensack, and Smith are the runners to watch in the front for the individual title.

1A #5 Rockford Christian should be the clear favorite in the Boys race and could put their top 6 runners in the first 9 places. Weston Forward and Ethan Walsh are the top runners for the Royal Lions and will be the individual favorites in this race. Dixon and 1A #27 Rock Falls look to be the teams challenging for the next spot behind Rockford Christian.

Chicago Catholic League / Girls Catholic Athletic Conference @ Lewis University, Romeoville

Preview – It will be interesting to see how this GCAC Girls race plays out. Morgan Mackie of Loyola Academy has missed the past two meets for Loyola with her last race coming at Palatine on September 25. She should be the favorite if she runs in this race. Bella Daley of Fenwick along with Loyola’s Ellie Grammas and Jane Lynch should be the runners to watch n the front. Mackie not being in the lineup could make the team championship a little closer. #14 Loyola has the depth up front with Grammas, Lynch, and Maeve Gordan all possibilities in the top five. Mackie running in this race gives the team a lock for the title. 2A #14 St. Ignatius could be the team to surpass Loyola if Mackie is not racing. The Wolfpack would need  3 runners in the top 10 with Megan Semmer finishing in the top 5 to be close. Mother McAuley is a solid third but will be chased by Trinity, 1A #10 DePaul Prep and 2A #29 Fenwick for that spot.

The CCL Boys race should be deceptively good. 2A #2 Fenwick is on a hot streak and could claim the league title on Saturday morning led by Grayden Rill and Nathaniel McKillop. The Friars should have 4 runners in the top 10. Having 5 runners in the top 14 could give them the title. #30 Loyola has the possibility of Aidan Simon and Spencer Werner in the front in this race. Their top 4 needs to be ahead of Fenwick’s top 4 as well as their fifth runner coming in before Fenwick’s fifth. #21 St. Ignatius Prep could challenge for the win if Zack and Nick Kiley can lead 4 Wolfpack runners in the first 11. 5 in the first 15 gets this team closer to the win. 1A #7 DePaul Prep should be in the top four but could be a surprise challenging for the top 3 with James MacKittrell and Owen Flom placing in the top 15. Werner had some down races earlier in the year but came back to win last week on his home course. The problem was that Simon fell back in that race. Rill should challenge the 2 Loyola runners for the win.

Chicago Public League Championships @ Washington Park, Chicago (Saturday / Sunday)

Preview – This meet has turned into a two-day meet at Washington Park with the Girls meet going first on Saturday. Lane Tech could be the team to beat on Saturday as long as they can keep their top five split under 40 seconds. The Indians could get a huge plus if Kate Roarty and Kylie Shraiberg finish in the top 10. Jones Prep and 2A #20 Payton should be close for the second position. Jones will need their scorers in the top 20. It will help that they have Evelyn Hett leading them in the front. Payton should have a top 5 finishing runner with Josephine Dziedzic. The Grizzlies could overtake Jones with 5 runners in the top 19. Northside Prep, Whitney Young, and Mather will challenge for a top five finish. Evelyn Hett’s finish at Naperville Twilight puts the junior in the favorite’s role in this meet with Elia Ton-That of Northside Prep, Nikki Chopra of Whitney Young, Jocelyn Bautista of Mather, and Dziedzic pushing her.

#26 Jones Prep looks to retain their city championship on Sunday and could place 5 runners in the first 11 in the process. Samuel Berlinghof, Alan Menninger, and Alex Papadopoulos finishing in the top five could secure the win if that happens. Chicago perennial power Lane Tech is the one team that will challenge for the win if they place 3 runners in the top 6 led by Hunter Whitney. 2A #22 Payton, 2A #28 Mather, and Whitney Young should be the teams challenging for a third-place finish. Whitney has taken the next step up the mountain and could claim the city individual crown to himself. Jones’ Berlinghof and Menninger could be his chief competition.

Central State Eight Conference @ Community Park, Rochester

Preview – The pack running that 2A #2 Chatham-Glenwood exhibited in Peoria two weeks ago puts them in the role as favorite in the Girls Varsity race. The Titans could have 5 runners in the top 10 led by Nia Gibson and Ava Gorrie. Their split from four to five in Peoria was close to 50 seconds. It should not matter with fewer runners in this race. 2A #9  Normal University has the strength in the front with Delaney Fitzgerald and Zoe Carter who should be among the top runners in this race. Their third through fifth runners need to be close to the top 10 for the Pioneers to challenge for the team title. Colleen Zeibert of Rochester should be the runner to watch on her home course with U-High’s Fitzgerald and Carter also possibilities to win this race.

The Boys race comes down to three teams to challenge for the conference title. 1A #3 Normal University is one of those teams with Sachit Muduli and Brandt Henderson in the mix for top 5 finishes. The Pioneers will need a split under 78 seconds with 5 runners in the top 18 to claim the title. 2A #14 Springfield’s tight pack running could give the Senators the team title if 3 runners place in the top 9 led by Nick Hanning and Ethan Sommers. Keeping their top five split under 29 seconds could give them the win. 2A #16 Chatham-Glenwood could make it a sweep along with the Girls team if they can place their top 7 in the first 18 and Samson Dessalines and Drew Verenski finish in the top five. Muduli is having a great sophomore season and could claim the individual title with Decatur Eisenhower’s Cale Smith and U-High’s Henderson close to the front.

Mid-Suburban League @ Busse Woods, Schaumburg

Preview - #13 Prospect has run without top five runner Cameron Kalaway their past two meets. The Knights still should be the favorite in the Girls team race. Prospect placing 5 runners in the top 15 should secure the team win. #17 Barrington is one of the teams to keep an eye on in the front. Scout Storms should be among the front runners in this race. The Fillies could challenge for the win if they have 2 runners in the top 10 along with 5 runners in the top 16. #22 Hersey will have Anna Harden as the team’s top runner and will need 5 runners in the top 22 to challenge for a second team spot. #28 Palatine is improving and could be in the top three led by freshman Abigail Jordan. Prospect’s duo of Lily Ginsberg and Hailey Erickson could take the top 2 places individually. Harden, Storms, and Brenda Torres of Wheeling all have the talent to win the league title.

#11 Palatine’s pack running through the season will payoff when they get to the state series. It could start with the league win in the Boys Varsity race. Mason Krieg, Jack Casaccio, and Mukal Vermal lead this team and could finish in the top 10. The Pirates placing 5 runners in the top 20 could secure them the league win. Three teams are possibilities in the second spot. #18 Prospect is coming off a strong race at Loyola and could be one of those teams with TJ Garland and Luka Kuzmanovic that could finish in the top 10. #19 Hersey is ready for championship racing season and could be in contention for the league title if Sean Safford and Connor Oiler finish in the top five and they keep their top five split under 64 seconds. #23 Barrington could move up to the second spot if Joey Furlong and Zach Daniel are in the top 10 with 5 runners in the top 17. The individual race should be close with Safford having the edge ahead of Garland Krieg, and Oiler.

North Suburban Conference @ Shiloah Park, Zion

Preview – The Girls Varsity race should be close with four teams capable of leaving with the conference title. 2A #6 Lake Forest might have the edge with Isabella Marasco and Sophia Lane able to finish in the top five. The Scouts will need 5 runners in the top 20 to win this race. #24 Libertyville could win especially with Bree Ponchak and Sheila Tucker in the front pack. Getting their scorers in the top 20 and especially Margaret McGormley in the top 10 could get the Tigers the win. Warren has a solid top three with Mia Pasha a possibility of finishing in the top 5 and Emma Leung and Victoria Higgins finishing in the top 10. Lake Zurich is strong in the front with Brooke Johnston and Kristin Loftus. The Bears could win if their top 5 runners place in the first 25 spots. Johnston is the hot runner in the state and should be hard to stop in this race. Marasco, Loftus, and Pasha should be in the lead pack behind Johnston with Ponchak and Audrey Luell of Zion-Benton close behind.

#3 Warren and #17 Lake Zurich will be the teams to watch in the Boys Varsity race. Warren came off a solid race at Peoria led by Luke Wiley and a solid pack led by David Lara and Cole Kaether. They could have a top five split near 90 seconds. Fewer runners in a seven-team field may not make that a factor in this meet. Lake Zurich has a solid pack that could have Danny Burns and Dylan Myers finishing in the top five. The Bears could have their top 5 in the top 10. So could Warren. This will be more of a dual meet than a multi-team meet for these two teams. Libertyville will lead the pack for the third-place spot. Luke Wiley ran 14:25 at Peoria. No one should be within 30 seconds of Wiley in this race.

North Lake County Conference @ Bulldog Athletic Complex, Fox Lake

Preview – 2A #12 Grayslake Central has not run their lineup in their last two meets. If they are at full strength on Saturday, it will be hard to not see the Rams win this Girls conference title. Bella Domier, Sara Armstrong, and Bryn Sato could all be top five finishers in this race. 5 in the top 12 could also happen if this team is at full strength. 2A #10 Lakes could be the closest team to Grayslake Central with Becca Runyan, Madison Perez, and Paige-Elicia Caruth top 10 finishers. It is hard to bet against Aly Negovetich of Grant as she races in her final high school conference meet,

2A #15 Grayslake Central should be also in control of the Boys Varsity race with Trey Sato the individual favorite. The Rams should have 5 runners in the top 15 with the possibility of scoring under 27 points in this meet. 2A #29 Lakes is a solid second in the team race with 3 runners in the top 10 led by Gavin Murrie.

Upstate Eight Conference @ Bartlett HS

Preview – This is the first championship meet in this conference since 2019 after COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 race. South Elgin has the depth to win the Girls Varsity race with Naomi Ruff, Angelica Harris, and Roberta Morales all able to finish in the top five. Glenbard East and Bartlett will challenge for the second-place spot. Ruff could win this race by 50 seconds and will be the overwhelming favorite. Jenna Buchanan of Bartlett and Heather Durrant of Elgin Larkin will be leading the pack behind Ruff.

2A #10 Glenbard South has emerged as a top 10 team in Class 2A and should be the Boys team favorite in this race. The # Raiders should place five runners in the top 10 paced by Caleb Walker and Ethan Woods. South Elgin should be challenged by Bartlett and West Chicago for second. Carter Eid of Bartlett is the favorite for the individual race with Dylan Angel Lainez of South Elgin Eid’s closest competition.

West Suburban Conference – Gold @ West Leyden HS, Northlake

Preview – Does the streak end for Downers Grove South team in the Girls Varsity race? Not likely. The #6 Lady Mustangs should win the 23 straight divisional title on Saturday with Sophia McNerney and Holly Johnson leading the way. Isabella Garcia of Morton could break into South’s top seven in the individual race. Hinsdale South appears to be the second team in this field.

#20 Downers Grove South should also dominate the Boys race with the possibility of placing all of their top 7 in the first 10 runners. Morton should be the closest team to the Mustangs. Tim Neumann of Downers Grove South will be the clear favorite in this race with Morton’s Daniel Chavez and Alex Bacci his closest competition.

Southwest Suburban Conference @ Lockport HS East Campus

Preview – Lincoln-Way East has quietly had a good season and will be one of the favorites in the Girls race along with host Lockport. Kara Waishwell and Kate Guderjan lead this team and could finish in the top five. Lockport has Kayla Shea and Samantha Weisner that could finish in the top 10. Sandburg, with Ava Giblin and Lily Molloy, and Lincoln-Way West, led by Gianna Arizzi, will challenge for the third spot. Caroline Schoen of Homewood-Flossmoor just missed going under 17-minutes last week at the Naperville Twilight Invitational. She will be the big favorite in this race.

#1 Sandburg should dominate in the Boys Varsity race with Declan Tunney leading their top 5 in the top 7 places. It will not be a surprise if they score under 20 points in this race. Bolingbrook was ranked early in the year. The Raiders will challenge for the second spot along with Lincoln-Way Central. Tunney or any of Sandburg’s top five could win this race. It could also be Caden Simone of Lincoln-Way Central that could break through the Sandburg top 5.