Illinois HS XC Roadmap to the Weekend - September 15, 2023

 

By Michael Newman

 

Here is a look at some of the meets that will take place this weekend. Preview of the Richard Spring Invitational can be found here.

 

Minooka Flight Invitational @ Channahon Park

Girls Teams – #6 Naperville Central, #7 Minooka, #8 Batavia, #13 Lyons Township, #14 Yorkville, #17 Huntley, #19 Plainfield North, 2A #6 Normal University; Joliet Central, Payton Prep, St. Laurence, Willowbrook

 

Boys Teams – #3 Plainfield North, #8 Lyons Township, #26 Lincoln-Way Central, #29 Yorkville, 2A #2 Normal University, Batavia, Hinsdale South, Huntley, Lockport, Maine South, Minooka, St. Laurence, Waubonsie Valley, Willowbrook

 

Notes – The set up for this meet is simple with the top runner of each team running against each other, second runner against second runner, etc. etc. The Girls Flight races should be great especially the championship races. Liv Phillips of Naperville Central was on a college visit last week and did not race in Peoria. She will be among the favorites in that championship race. Nicole Bierbaum of Normal University finished second in the Peoria 2A race but ran an electric 17:05. Maya Ledesma of Minooka and Huntley freshman Haley Rahman should be among the leaders. Ranked Boys teams Plainfield North and Lyons Township will not be running some of their top runners in the Varsity Flight races. Tommy Nitz of Huntley won last week at Lake Park and will be the favorite in this race. Owynn Garrelts of Maine South, Jake Younger of Yorkville, and Evan Jensen of Lincoln-Way Central could be Hitz’s chief competition.

 

Larry Eddington Invitational @ Kaneland HS, Maple Park

Girls Teams – #15 Hampshire, 2A #10 Benet Academy, 2A #15 Rockford Boylan, 2A #16 Dixon, 2A #23 Morris; Aurora Christian, Aurora East, Belvidere North, Burlington Central, Chesterton Academy, Crystal Lake Central, DeKalb, Elgin Larkin, Freeport, Jacobs, Kaneland, Marengo, Rockford Auburn, Rockford Guilford, Rockton Hononegah, Saint Viator, Sycamore, Timothy Christian

 

Boys Teams – #1 Downers Grove North, #20 Jacobs, 2A #4 Benet Academy, 2A #10 Kaneland, 2A #21 Crystal Lake Central, 2A #23 Dixon, 2A #26 Burlington Central, 2A #29 Sycamore; Aurora Christian, Aurora East, Belvidere North, Burlington Central, Chesterton Academy, DeKalb, Elgin Academy, Freeport, Glenbard West, Hampshire, Marengo, Morris, Rochelle, Rockford Auburn, Rockford Boylan, Rockford Guilford, Saint Viator, Timothy Christian

 

Notes – State #1 Downers Grove North headlines this field  in the Boys Varsity race after dominating their race last week in Peoria. North will not race in a major invitational until Naperville Twilight in October. You may see a few of their top runners in this race. This meet is named after longtime Kaneland Coach Larry Eddington. You could see his grandson Ryan Eddington along with teammate Caden Weber finish 1-2 in this race. Benet Academy won last week at Joliet, but their performances were tainted with some of their runners going an extra quarter mile due to a wrong turn. Finn Richards will be their top runner and someone you should see in the top five. Evan Nosek of Kaneland, Brandon Lawson of Rockford Guilford, and Andrew Beyer of Jacobs  are some of the runners that you could see within the purple pack of Downers Grove North. Crystal Lake Central, and Benet Academy could be the teams that chase after an ever improving Hampshire team in the Girls race. Hampshire’s Hudson Szymonik ran under 18-minutes for the first time last week in Peoria and will be one of the favorites. She could be chased by Makensi Martin of Morris, Bailey Schwartz of Jacobs, and Hadley Ferrero of Crystal Lake Central in this race.

 

Dunlap Invitational @ Dunlap HS

Girls Teams – 2A #1 Chatham-Glenwood, 2A #8 Dunlap, 2A #12 Morton, 2A #30 Metamora, 1A #4 Eureka, 1A #6 Knoxville, Abingdon-Avon, Bartonville Limestone, Galesburg, Heyworth, Illini Bluffs, Lincoln, Monmouth-Roseville, Monmouth United, Normal West, Peoria Heights, Peoria Richwoods, Rock Island Alleman, Stanford Olympia

 

Boys Teams – 2A #5 Morton, 2A #19 Chatham-Glenwood, 1A #4 Eureka;  Abingdon-Avon, Bartonville Limestone, Dunlap, Galesburg, Heyworth, Illini Bluffs, Lincoln, Metamora, Monmouth-Roseville, Monmouth United, Normal West, Peoria Heights, Peoria Richwoods, Rock Island Alleman, Stanford Olympia

 

Notes – Three ranked teams in the Boys race headlined by Morton. Josh Weeks should be the favorite in this race. The girls race is loaded headlined by 2A top ranked Chatham-Glenwood with Dunlap and Morton possibly close behind. Becca Heitzig’s kick gave her the win last week in Peoria. She will be the favorite in this meet.

 

Geneseo Invitational @ Richmond Hill Park, Geneseo

Girls Teams – #18 Wheaton-Warrenville South, 2A #24 Sterling, 2A #25 Geneseo; East Moline United, Moline, Rock Falls, Rock Island

 

Boys Teams – 2A #12 Geneseo, 2A #18 Sterling, East Moline United, Moline, Pleasant Valley IA, Rock Falls, Rock Island

 

Notes – It is a guarantee that this meet will be over before you know it. Eights races take place and should be over in 75 minutes as each runners by year in school will compete against each other. Nicole Poglitsch of Wheaton-Warrenville South has started out strong this season with a tenth place finish at Peoria last week her latest. The one runner that could be close to her is Ariel Hernandez of Rock Falls in the Junior race. Dale Johnson of Sterling will be the overwhelming favorite in the Boys Seniors race. Johnson ran 14:28 for win the 2A race last week in Peoria. Dylan Gehl of host Geneseo has run this fall and will be the Junior race favorite.

 

Tuscola Classic @ Wimple Park

Girls Teams – 1A #1 Tolono Unity, 1A #3 Shelbyville, 1A #12 Marshall, 1A #15 Clinton, 1A #20 Effingham St. Anthony;  Argenta-Oreana, Arthur-Lovington, Cerro Gordo-Bement, Downs Tri-Valley, Fairbury Prairie Central, Hoopeston Area, Maroa-Forsyth, Moweaqua Central A&M, Neoga, Paris, Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Sullivan, Tuscola, Urbana University, Villa Grove

 

Boys Teams – 1A #1 Tuscola, 1A #19 Urbana University, 1A #20 Clinton, 1A #25 Cerro Gordo-Bement, 1A #27 Toledo Cumberland, 1A #30 Tolono Unity; Argenta-Oreana, Arthur-Lovington, Broadlands Heritage, Cerro Gordo-Bement, Cowden-Herrick, Downs Tri-Valley, Effingham St. Anthony, Fairfield, Hoopeston Area, Maroa Forsyth, Marshall, Moweaqua Central A&M, Oakland, Paris, Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Shelbyville, Sullivan, Toledo Cumberland, Tolono Unity, Urbana University, Villa Grove

 

Notes – Both Class 1A #1 teams (Tuscola, Tolono Unity) in this meet. Molly Farrell was not entered for Marshall. Possible great Girls individual race with Isabella Keller, Kate Foltz, and Tessa Bowers.

 

Other Meets to Watch

 

Bill Dawson Invitational @ Warren Township-O’Plaine Campus Course

Girls Teams – #24 Evanston Township, #30 Warren Township, 2A #9 Lakes Community, 2A #22 Antioch, 2A #26 Mundelein Carmel; Buffalo Grove, Cary-Grove, Conant, Crystal Lake South, Elgin Larkin, Fremd, Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South, Grayslake Central JV, Grayslake North, Maine East, Maine South, Manitowoc Lincoln WI, Mundelein, Niles North, Niles West, Rolling Meadows,  Round Lake, Streamwood, Zion-Benton

 

Boys Teams – #28 Evanston Township, 2A #22 Lakes Community, 2A #25 Antioch, Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South, Elgin Larkin, Elk Grove Village, Fremd, Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South, Grayslake Central, Grayslake North, Maine East, Manitowoc Lincoln WI, Mundelein , Mundelein Carmel, Niles North, Rolling Meadows, Round Lake, Schaumburg, Streamwood, Warren Township, Zion-Benton.

 

Bremen Invitational (Friday) @ Midlothian Meadows

Girls Teams – Agricultural Science, Bremen, Crete-Monee, De La Salle, Homewood-Flossmoor, Shepard, Thornridge, Thornton

Boys Teams – Agricultural Science, Bremen, Brother Rice, Crete-Monee, De La Salle, Homewood-Flossmoor, Intrinsic Charter, Thornridge, Thornton

 

Dale Donner Invitational @ Bureau Valley JH, Walnut

Girls Teams – 1A #8 Williamsville, 1A #9 Delavan, 1A #11 Elmwood, 1A #14 Sherrard, 1A #18 Lowpoint-Washburn, 1A #19 Seneca, 1A #22 Cambridge;   Amboy, Bureau Valley, Cambridge, East Dubuque, Erie, Forreston, Forreston, Henry-Senachwine, Illinois Valley Central, Kewanee, Kewanee-Wethersfield, LaSalle-Peru, Mendota, Mercer County, Minonk Fieldcrest, Morrison, Oregon, Orion, Peru-St. Bede, Princeton, Princeville, Sandwich, Savannah West Carroll, Spring Valley Hall, Sterling Newman, Stockton, Taylor Ridge-Rockridge, Toulon Stark County, Tremont, Westmont

 

Boys Teams – 1A #5 Elmwood, 1A #14 Erie, 1A #21 Delavan, 1A #29 Princeville; Amboy, Bureau Valley, Cambridge, Delavan, East Dubuque, Erie, Henry Senachwine, Illinois Valley Central, Kewanee, Kewanee Wethersfield, LaSalle-Peru, Lowpoint-Washburn, Mendota, Mercer County, Minonk Fieldcrest, Morrison, Oregon, Orion, Peru St. Bede, Princeton, Sandwich, Savanna West Carroll, Seneca, Spring Valley Hall, Sterling Newman, Stockton, Taylor Ridge-Rockridge, Tremont, Westmont, Williamsville

 

Du-Pec Invitational @ Pecatonica Middle School

Girls Teams – Dakota, Durand, Lanark Eastland, Rockford East, Rockford Lutheran, Rockford Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Boys Teams – Dakota, Durand, Lanark Eastland, Rockford East, Rockford Lutheran, Rockford Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

 

Edwardsville Invitational @ SIU-Edwardsville “Mud Mountain” XC Course

Girls Teams – #11 Edwardsville, Alton, Belleville East, Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran, Collinsville, Duchesne MO, Dupo, East St. Louis-Senior, Edwardsville Metro-East Lutheran, Francis Howell MO, Gillespie, John Burroughs MO, Maryville Christian, Mascoutah, Parkway West MO, Springfield Southeast, Staunton, Woodlawn

 

Boys Teams – #25 Edwardsville, 2A #17 Mascoutah, Alton, Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran, Christian Brothers College MO, Belleville East, Collinsville, Duchesne MO, Dupo, East St. Louis-Senior, Edwardsville, Edwardsville Metro East Lutheran, Fort Zumwalt West MO, Francis Howell MO, Gillespie, John Burroughs MO, Maryville Christian, Parkway West MO, Springfield Southeast, Staunton

 

Highland Invitational @ Fireman’s Park

Girls Teams – 2A #7 Waterloo, 2A #29 Champaign Central; Alton Marquette, Belleville West, Breese Mater Dei, Cahokia, Carbondale, Columbia, East Alton-Wood River, Herrin, Highland, Jacksonville, Jerseyville-Jersey, Litchfield, Roxana

 

Boys Teams – 2A #24 Waterloo, 2A #30 Champaign Central, 1A #22 Roxana, Alton Marquette, Belleville West, Breese Mater Dei, Cahokia, Carbondale, Columbia, East Alton-Wood River, Herrin, Highland, Jacksonville, Jerseyville-Jersey, Litchfield, Roxana

 

Julian Urbina Memorial Invitational @ Riverfront Park, South Holland

Girls Teams – 1A #13 Chicago Christian; Bloom Township, CH Marian Catholic, Chicago Washington, Kankakee, Kankakee McNamara, Manteno, Oak Forest, Rich Township, Southland College Prep, Thornton Fractional North, Thornton Fractional South

 

Boys Teams – Bloom Township, CH Marian Catholic, Chicago Christian, Chicago Washington, Hillcrest, Hope Academy, Kankakee, Kankakee McNamara, Leo Catholic, Manteno, Oak Forest, Rich Township, Thornton Fractional South

 

Olney XC Invitational @ Olney Central College

Girls Teams – 2A #21 Effingham, Altamont, Breese Central, Carterville, Casey-Westfield, Centralia, Dieterich, Fairfield, Freeburg, Hutsonville-Palestine, Lawrenceville, Louisville North Clay, Marion, Mattoon, McLeansboro Hamilton County, Mt Carmel, Mt. Vernon, Newton, Odin, Olney Richland County, Robinson, Salem, Teutopolis

 

Boys Teams – 2A #16 Mt. Vernon, 1A #11 Georgetown Notre Dame de la Salette, Altamont, Breese Central, Carterville, Casey-Westfield, Centralia, Dieterich, Effingham, Fairfield, Freeburg, Hutsonville-Palestine, Lawrenceville, Louisville North Clay, Mattoon, McLeansboro Hamilton County, Mt. Carmel, Newton, Odin, Olney Richland County, Robinson, Salem, Teutopolis

 

Woodstock Byrnefest XC Invitational @ Emricson Park (Varsity Flights)

Girls Teams – 2A #11 Lake Forest, Aurora IMSA, Dundee-Crown, Plano, Prairie Ridge, Senn, Wauconda, Woodstock, Woodstock North

 

Boys Teams – 2A #3 Woodstock, 2A #9 Prairie Ridge, Aurora IMSA, Dundee-Crown, Harvard, Plano, Rockford Jefferson, Senn, Wauconda, Woodstock North