The storylines of the four races are different for Saturday’s meet

By Michael Newman

[email protected]

In some meets, there will be similarities in each of the races. For Saturday’s Peoria Invitational, look at each of the four races and you will find a different storyline. The 1A/2A Girls race showcases two of the top runners in the 2A Classification Brooke Stromsland and Jenna Schwartz. The Boys race in that classification features a great team race with four of the top five 2A teams in the race.

The 3A Girls race is the mystery of mysteries with only two ranked teams in the field. The 3A Boys race is all about which team’s pack will come away with the win?

The weather looks to be perfect for distance running on Saturday morning with no precipitation and temperatures near 60 degrees.

Here is a look at each of the four races that will take place Saturday morning at Detweiller Park.

Box Assignments

9:00 AM – 1A/2A Girls Race

Ranked Teams – 2A: #3 Lakes Community, #6 Waterloo, #7 Crystal Lake South, #10 Chatham-Glenwood, #12 Normal University, #14 Morton, #15 Dixon, #22 Peoria Notre Dame, #24 Springfield; 1A: #11 IC Catholic Prep, #15 Freeburg, #24 Althoff Catholic.

Teams Entered – Bartonville Limestone, Fenton, Benton, Bloomington, Carbondale, Carlinville, Centralia, Champaign Centennial, Champaign Central, Danville, Decatur MacArthur, Dominican WI, East Peoria, Effingham St. Anthony, Galesburg, Galva-Mid County, Mattoon, Metamora, Mt. Vernon, Mt. Zion, Mundelein Carmel, Peoria, Peoria Richwoods, Pontiac, Princeton, Rock Island, Rock Island Alleman, Roxana, Springfield, Sterling, Troy Triad, Urbana.

Notes – This is the first chance for Waterloo to run as a team at Detweiller Park. Their first trip for the First to the Finish Invitational was postponed when a flat tire on their bus cancelled the trip. The Bulldogs could come away from this meet with a win especially with Jenna Schwartz and Ella King expected in the top 10. Lakes Community finished sixth at FTTF at the beginning of the month but should be at full strength for Saturday’s race. Brooke Stromsland was the individual in that race and will look for her second win on the state course. A pack split behind Stromsland of under 60 seconds will be something to watch for Lakes. Having three runners under 19-minutes would be a huge plus.

Crystal Lake South continues to quietly improve and could be the team that walks away with the team championship in this class. Mackenzie Aldridge and Olivia Beckwith are possibilities to finish in the top 10 individually. The Gators will need to get their next three runners within 40 seconds of the front two runners and stay within 15 seconds of each other in order for the first-place team finish.

Chatham-Glenwood looked strong two weeks ago when their “varsity team” finished third on the Frosh/Soph level at the Richard Spring Invitational. A top three finish, led by freshman Nia Gibson, is a possibility. Normal University steps on this course for the third time this fall and has the chance to finish among the top teams if they can get their top three runners in the first 15 places. Morton could have three runners in the first 20 as well as Dixon. The splits on their top five will need to be low for that to happen.

Individuals to Watch – Brooke Stromsland, Lakes Community; Jenna Schwartz, Waterloo; Aspen Gordon, Morton; McKenzie Aldridge, Crystal Lake South; Ella Bittner, Normal University; Macie Madix, Normal University; Olivia Beckwith, Crystal Lake South; Teagan Cover, Peoria Notre Dame; Nia Gibson, Chatham-Glenwood; Meagan Moreno, Morton; Jade Miller, Dixon; Amelia McLain, Benton; Sarah Carr, St. Anthony; Breanna Chandler, Freeburg;

Notes – It is possible that this race is a state-meet preview between two of the top three 2A runners in the state. Brooke Stromsland ran away with the FTTF 2A race title at the beginning of the month with a final strong mile of the race. Jenna Schwartz finished seventh in that race. It was her first race of the season. Schwartz has been coming on strong as of late running 17:46 for a solo win last week at Freeburg. The conditions will be perfect for racing Saturday morning at Detweiller. We could see a spectacular race from these two runners.

Aspen Gordon is coming off a second-place finish last week at East Peoria and could be a factor in this race. Teagan Cover won the Frosh/Soph race two weeks ago at the Richard Spring Invitational. A top ten finish would not be out of the question for this Notre Dame freshman.

9:45 AM – 1A/2A Boys Race

Ranked Teams - 2A: #1 Chatham-Glenwood, #2 Bloomington, #4 Dixon, #5 Benet Academy, #8 Centralia, #10 Danville, #12 Troy Triad, #13 Springfield, #17 Waterloo, #18 Metamora, #19 Lakes Community, #21 Woodstock, #24 Peoria Notre Dame; 1A: #4 Freeburg, #9 Benton, #18 Rock Island Alleman, #23 Carlinville.

Teams Entered – Bartonville Limestone, Fenton, Carbondale, Champaign Centennial, Champaign Central, Chicago Leo, Decatur MacArthur, Dominican WI, East Peoria, Effingham St. Anthony, Galesburg, Galva-Mid County, Hinsdale South, Marion, Mattoon, Morton, Mt. Vernon, Mt. Zion, Mundelein Carmel, Peoria, Peoria Richwoods, Pontiac, Princeton, Rock Island, Roxana, Sterling, Urbana.

Notes – This could be the top team race of the four races Saturday morning with four of the top five 2A teams in the state racing against each other. Top ranked Chatham-Glenwood could have three runners in the top ten with Dathan and Drey Maton along with Graham Turk. The three runners were separated by only two seconds last week at Springfield. Getting Cooper Peterson up with that pack could make this team tough to beat. Bloomington will have individual favorite Nick Doud in this race. He is coming off a third-place finish last week at East Peoria. Their split last week on their second through fifth runners was 47 seconds. That pack needs to get closer to the Chatham-Glenwood pack, as well as having seven runners in before Chatham-Glenwood’s fifth runner to have a chance for the team win.

Dixon dominated the last time they ran on this course winning the First to the Finish 2A Team Championship at the beginning of the month. Colin Grady will be among the leaders in the front. Five runners under 16-minutes in this race could get the Dukes closer to the team title. Benet Academy could sneak into the top three led by Connor O’Keefe. The Redwings will need to keep their top five split under 45 seconds in order to get that placing. This is a loaded team field. 17 1A and 2A ranked teams are entered in this race.

Individuals to Watch – Dathan Maton, Chatham-Glenwood; Nick Doud, Bloomington; Drey Maton, Chatham-Glenwood; Collin Grady, Dixon; Graham Turk, Chatham-Glenwood; Connor O’Keefe, Benet Academy; Eli Ward, Waterloo; Will Formea, Springfield; Chris Gilbert, Peoria Notre Dame; Brock Dregenberg, Dixon; Luke Manolakes, Centennial; Kyle Boughter, Springfield; Bradyn Olmstead, Bloomington; Michael Moreman, Danville; Ethan Cherry, Carbondale; Corbin Schwable, Freeburg.

Notes – We have not seen Metamora’s Adam Gilbreath-Glaub race in a meet yet this season. The junior has been sidelined by an injury. He is not 100% but will race on Saturday according to his coach Gene Jones. Otherwise, the individual race should be up for grabs. Nick Doud has finished no lower than third in his first four races of the season. He ran 15:11 on this course at Det at Dark in July and could be primed to run under 15-minutes. Dathan Maton ran 15:04 two weeks ago here and should push Doud along with his brother Drey. It is hard to pinpoint one runner that could challenge Doud for the win along with the Maton brothers. Colin Grady and Chris Gilbert could be two of the runners that could chase after the individual win.

10:30 AM – 3A Girls Race

Ranked Teams - #12 Prospect, #23 Edwardsville

Teams Entered – Jacobs, Alton, Aurora East, Aurora West, Belleville East, Belleville West, Buffalo Grove, Glenbard North, East Moline, Homewood-Flossmoor, Glenbrook South, Granite City, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Glenbard East, McHenry, Mundelein, Normal Community, Normal West, Glenbrook North, Fenwick, Fremd, Shepard, Maine East, Pekin, Plainfield North, Rolling Meadows, Wheeling.

Notes – Prospect and Edwardsville are the only ranked teams in this race. The two squads faced each other last week at Palatine with Prospect finishing fifth while Edwardsville ended up finishing 11^th. The key for Prospect winning will be another good pack run similar to last week’s Palatine race. The Knights had a 55 second split led by Julia O’Grady who should finish in the top ten in that race. Edwardsville will have individual favorite Abby Korak in this race. The Tigers will need to improve on their 82 second split on their second through fifth runners to get close to Prospect. Plainfield North was ranked early in the season but recently dropped out. The tigers could challenge these two teams led by Juliana Stogsdill. Belleville East was a surprise winner last week at Springfield. Could they duplicate that performance Saturday morning? Fremd, Glenbrook South, and Huntley could be among the teams that could finish in the top five.

Individuals to Watch – Abby Korak, Edwardsville; Juliana Stogsdill, Plainfield North; Julia O’Grady, Prospect; Paige Arseneau, Pekin; Maddie Miller, Edwardsville; Kate Jortberg, Glenbrook South; Devon Thomas, Aurora West; Jenna Baltes, Prospect; Megan Sporny, Aurora West, Jordyn Miller, Mundelein.

Notes – Abby Korak’s fourth-place finish last week at Palatine makes her the runner to beat in this race. She ran 17:34 in that race. She could be under 17:30 in this meet. Juliana Stogsdill last raced at Minooka where she finished third in the championship race two weeks ago. This senior does have the talent to challenge for the win. Paige Arseneau and Kate Jortberg could be some of the runners to watch chasing after a top five finish. Also keep an eye on Mundelein’s Jordyn Miller. The freshman won the Frosh/Soph race at Palatine covering the 2.5-mile course in 15:17. She is capable of running under 18:15 in this meet.

11:15 AM – 3A Boys Race

Ranked Teams - #4 Lyons Township, #7 York, #9 Downers Grove South, #10 Sandburg, #12 Mundelein, #13 Maine South, #21 Edwardsville, #23 Naperville Central

Teams Entered – Jacobs, Alton, Aurora East, Aurora West, Belleville East, Belleville West, East Moline, Edwardsville, Homewood-Flossmoor, Glenbrook South, Granite City, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Joliet West, McHenry, Prospect, Normal Community, Normal West, Normal University, Glenbrook North, Fenwick, Maine East, Pekin, Rockford East, Hononegah, Rolling Meadows, Wheeling.

Notes – Lyons Township ran great last week winning the Culver Academies Invitational with only a 20 second split on their top five runners. The Lions will be the favorite in this meet after finishing second earlier in the month at the First to the Finish Invitational. Jack Ehlert leads the LT pack that will look to duplicate that pack again in this race.

York Coach Charlie Kern decided that this meet would be the right time to move up a good group of sophomores led by Collin Hill to the Varsity level. Ethan Kern and Daniel Klysh should be among the runners in the top 10 in this race. It will be the first varsity race for the sophomore group. We will see how they adapt in this big meet atmosphere. Their previous races show that this race could be a good one. Downers Grove South comes back from a good race at Palatine where they finished fifth. Eddie Siuda will be among the top runners in this race. James Weigel, who won the JV race at Palatine, will give the Mustangs a big push in the front.

Sandburg ran a tight pack on four runners on this course two weeks ago with only 15 separating that group. The smaller field will give the Eagles a chance to tighten up their pack running on Saturday. A top three finish is not out of the question. Mundelein had an off race last week at Palatine and will challenge for a top spot led by Dillon Blake and Robert St. Clair. Maine South finished just behind Mundelein at Palatine and will be led by individual favorite Tommy Brady. Edwardsville has a strong three runner pack in the front led by Roland Prenzler. Getting to their fourth and fifth runners closer will be a key. The same thing applies to Huntley led by Ian Geisler. Naperville Central has been riddled by illness. They hope to be healthy on Saturday with Thomas Shilgalis leading the way.

Individuals to Watch – Tommy Brady, Maine South; Ethan Kern, York; Dillon Blake, Mundelein; Andrew O’Keefe, Granite City; Roland Prenzler, Edwardsville; Eddie Lennon, Rolling Meadows; Charlie Wetzel, Normal West, Jack Ehlert, Lyons Township; Robert St. Clair, Mundelein; Eddie Siuda, Downers Grove South; Thomas Shilgalis, Naperville Central; Daniel Klysh, York; Joey Kasch, Maine South; Jadon Conroy, Huntley, Ian Geisler, Huntley; Jack Pifer, Edwardsville; Ben Giblin, Sandburg; Will Giblin, Sandburg; Jeremy Roe, Huntley.

Notes – In last week’s Palatine race, Tommy Brady caught Ethan Kern in the final on his way to a second-place finish. The dynamics of the race will be different with Josh Methner not in this meet. Who will make the first move in this race?

Andrew O’Keefe ran 14:51 on this course at the beginning of the month. The senior is coming off a great race at Springfield where he ran the ninth fastest time ever on the Lincoln Park course and could push Kern and Brady in this race. Thomas Shilgalis is the mystery. According to his coaches, Shilgalis is still recovering from an illness. Is he 100%? We will find out on Saturday morning.

Eddie Siuda, Roland Prenzler, and Eddie Lennon lead the next pack that could have 10 or more runners under 15-minutes in this race.

Photo: Ethan Kern and Tommy Brady close together at the Palatine Invitational on September 22.