2021 IHSA Class 1A XC Regional Preview

By Michael Newman [email protected]

Regional action starts in Class 1A on Friday afternoon at Lincoln Park in Chicago and then 14 other locations across Illinois on Saturday. Here is a glimpse of what you might see in these meets.

The first seven (7) placing teams and the first five (5) runners who are not members of the advancing teams in each regional will advance to sectional competition at the site to which they are assigned.

Lisle Sectional

Latin School Regional

Girls – The only regional meet in the state on Friday starts with this race. #14 DePaul College Prep is the big favorite after finishing fourth last week at the GCAC Championship. The Rams could place five runners in the top seven in this race. Lorelei Travers will lead her team and should be the individual favorite. Amanda O’Donnell of Chicago University could be the one runner that could break into DePaul’s top five.

Boys – This could be one of the top 1A regional races between two of the top 1A teams in the state. #2 Latin School has the power in the front led by Akili Parekh, Ryan Hardiman, and Ben Gibson possibly sweeping the first three spots. #7 DePaul’s Mac Kittrell could break up the pack with Charlie Richardson and Owen Flom close behind. The key in this race is how Latin’s fourth and fifth runners finish compared to DePaul’s. The Rams could have the advantage and place their top 6 in the top 10. Latin will need their fourth runner in before DePaul’s sixth runner. The two teams should be within five points. Chicago University and Francis W Parker are solid next two teams that should advance to sectionals. Latin’s Parekh and Hardiman along with DePaul’s Kittrell will be challenged by Kieran Subra of Lycee Francis de Chicago for the individual championship.

Harvest Christian Academy Regional

Girls – Eight teams should fight for the seven qualifying teams. #7 Rosary and #8 IC Catholic Prep were close together in their conference race last week. It should not be different in this race. Liana Surtz of Rosary and Carly Manchester of IC Catholic Prep were within five seconds of each other last week in Elmwood Park. They will be pushing each other for the win. #13 Wheaton Academy has been coming on strong in the past few meets and could challenge the two schools. #30 Timothy Christian won the Red Division at MSC and should advance along with Willows Academy. Aurora Central Catholic, Regina Dominican, and Harvest Christian Academy look close together on paper and will challenge for the final two qualifying spots.

Boys – It should be close in this team race with #17 Northridge Prep, Wheaton Academy, Harvest Christian Academy, and Aurora Central Catholic to challenge for the win separated by only 20 points. It could be Wheaton Academy that takes home the Regional title if Sheldon Powell and Westen Myers finish in the top five. Northridge Prep has been running strongly this month led by Max Elder and Mark Masaka and could win this meet. Timothy Christian should also advance. Daniel Winkelman of Harvest Christian Academy is the big individual favorite in this race.

Kankakee McNamara Regional

Girls – The team race in this regional is wide-open with eight teams challenging for the seven advancing spots. #17 Joliet Catholic has been a solid top 30 teams all year. They could place 3 runners in the top 10 in this race led by Claire Blotnik and Ella Farris. #25 Chicago Christian will challenge for the win led by Anna Enderle finishing in the top five. Westmont and Montini Catholic had good races last week on should be on the verge of finishing in the top seven teams. It is too close to call for the final three spots with Pontiac, Beecher, Herscher, and Kankakee McNamara all within 10 points of each other. Joliet Catholic’s Blotnik and Farris should be challenged by Jaden Lucas of Pontiac for the individual regional title.

Boys – This is any easy individual preview to write. Drew Rogers of Herscher is the big favorite in this regional and could win by 50 seconds or more if he pushes the pace. Bryson Grant of Iroquois West has run great races at Amboy, his conference meet, and Peoria Heights and will lead the pack behind Rogers. Where there were eight Girls teams challenging to qualify in this regional, there could be up to 10 teams challenging for sectional spots in the Boys race. #13 Herscher has the talent to win this team title led by Rogers. #24 Pontiac, led by Aidan Lee, could end up winning if they place their scorers in the top 25. McNamara will be on their home course and could challenge in this race with 4 in the first 15 led by Chase and Christian Provost. It could be Montini Catholic that should advance, nevertheless. Joliet Catholic is a lock for a top five spot. Westmont and Chicago Christian have the edge for the final two advancing spots with Iroquois West, Leo Catholic, and Beecher angling for those spots.

Oregon Sectional

Peru-St. Bede Regional

Girls – Evelyn O’Connor of Seneca should be the runner to watch in the front on this race challenged by Maggie Jewett of Ottawa Marquette and Kennady Anderson of Wethersfield. O’Connor leads a #26 Seneca team that is favorited to win this regional title with Ashley Alsvig joining her in the top 5. 5 runners in the first 20 gives this team the win. Stark County, Sandwich, and Amboy are interchangeable for the next three spots. Wethersfield, Ottawa Marquette, and Princeton may be the team favorites to snare the final three spots with Henry-Senachwine and Peru-St. Bede possibly the teams on the outside looking in.

Boys – Less than 10 points could separate #15 Amboy and Sandwich from the regional championship. Amboy has been running strong down the stretch winning their own invitational and a strong race in Peoria. Sandwich has taken advantage of the move down to Class 1A and could win this regional and possibly advance to the state meet the following week. Seneca is a lock to also advance. It’s too close to call between Mendota, Bureau Valley, Kewanee, Henry-Senachwine, and Stark County for the final four spots. Brock Loftus of Amboy is having a great senior season and should be the runner to watch in this race pushed by Wyatt Miller of Sandwich for the individual win.

Rock Falls Regional

Girls – Should be a close race in the front between #12 Mercer County and host #18 Rock Falls. Mercer County is peaking at the right time led by Eden Mueller in the front. They will need their scorers in the top 15 to claim the title. Rock Falls, led by top five contenders Tayli Hutlin and Hana Ford, could win but need to win the match-up race with Mercer County. Sherrard, Rock Island Alleman, Erie, and Cambridge should advance with ease. Rockridge, Polo, and Sterling Newman are too close to decide who finishes seventh. Rock Falls Hutlin and Ford, Mercer County’s Mueller along with Miranda Reed of Cambridge are the runners to watch in the front vying for the individual win.

Boys – #8 Riverdale should be the team to watch in this race with the possibility of placing 5 runners in the top 10. #19 Newman Catholic and Erie will challenge for the second spot. Rock Island Alleman, Rock Falls, Mercer County, and Sherrard are all good bets also to advance. A strong race by Orion in this race could get them into an advancing sectional spot. Tommy Murray of Riverdale is one of the top 10 Class 1A runners this fall in the state. He will be the runner to watch to win in this race.

Winnebago Regional

Girls – Top ranked Winnebago is the lock to win their own regional placing their top 6 runners in the top 7. Kelly Giardina of Rockford Christian looks to be the only non-Winnebago runner in that top seven. Grace Erb is coming off a Big Northern Conference win and should be pushed for the win by teammates Marissa Roggensack and Kaylee Woolery. Johnsburg, Rockford Christian, and Byron are interchangeable for the second spot. It will be tight for the final three team sectional spots that include Durand, Richmond-Burton, Rockford Lutheran, Genoa-Kingston, and Stockton.

Boys – #5 Rockford Christian is the class of the Boys race possibly scoring fewer than 20 points. Royal Lions runners Weston Forward and Ethan Walsh should battle for the win. Marengo and Byron could be more than 90 points behind Rockford Christian but will battle for the second-place position. Durand, Winnebago, and East Dubuque are solid choices for the next three places. Richmond-Burton and Marian Central Catholic could challenge for the seventh place and final sectional qualifying position.

Elmwood Sectional

Eureka Regional

Girls – #5 Eureka should be rude hosts in dominating their own regional in this race. The Hornets have been one of the top five Class 1A schools most of the year and should roll in this meet led by individual favorite Anna Perry. 5 runners in the top 15 should be something to watch for from this squad. El Paso-Gridley, led by freshman Nellie Melick, have stepped up as one of the surprise teams in this class and should be easy advancers out of this regional. #21 Stanford Olympia is a certainty to make it out of this regional. #22 Illinois Valley Central, Tremont, Deer-Creek Mackinaw, and Bloomington Central Catholic look to be the other teams to also advance. Downs Tri-Valley could be a surprise in the top seven with a great team race.

Boys – Two similar type teams will challenge for the title in this regional. #9 Normal University has come on strong this season after a move down to Class 1A led by the front-running of Sachit Munduli and Brandt Henderson. The Pioneers putting 4 runners in the top 10 with their fifth runner in before 25th gets them the win. #10 Stanford Olympia has a nice pack similar to U-High led by Owen Dare and Carter Phillips. The Spartans putting in four runners in before U-High’s fourth will help. Their fifth runner near 20th gets them close to U-High. #22 El Paso-Gridley and #25 Eureka are close to locks to un in sectionals as well as Minonk-Fieldcrest and Deer Creek-Mackinaw. Lowpoint-Washburn and Prairie Central should battle for the final sectional qualifying position. Mason Stoeger of Fieldcrest is a top 10 Class 1A runner and should win this race by at least 20 seconds. Munduli and Henderson could finish second and third challenged by Brecken Fahrenkrug of Illinois Valley Central.

Farmington Regional

Girls – It will be close for the team championship as #29 Williamsville and #16 Elmwood could be separated by less than five points. The name of the game is to see which team will get five runners in first and in the top 20. #27 Princeville could be a surprise in the front if they can get their top four in before 14th and their fifth in before 22nd. There are no other real uncertainties. Astoria, Macomb, Petersburg PORTA, and Athens look to be the other teams to advance. Louisa Wilson of Williamsville is having a great freshman season and could win big in this race. Meg Simmons of Astoria and Addie Symonds of Elmwood look to be the runners that will push to get to that top spot.

Boys – The story will be the same in the Boys race with #11 Elmwood and #26 Williamsville challenging for the win. Elmwood has a solid top 2 with individual favorites Thomas Harmon and Isaiah Hill. The Trojans placing 4 runners in the top 10 could solidify their win. Williamsville will need top five finishes from Daniel Giacomini and Jonathan Janssen in this race. They will need to get their fifth runner in before Elmwood gets five runners across to be close for the regional championship. Petersburg PORTA, Monmouth-Roseville, and Princeville are solid choices to advance to the Elmwood Sectional next week. Macomb, Astoria, Havana, and Monmouth United will challenge for the final two sectional spots.

Liberty Regional

Girls – #15 Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin is the favorite in this race led by Vivian Rahmel, Kaitlyn Lee, and Ava Hancock who could all finish in the top five. The Cyclones placing 5 runners in the top 12 is a good possibility. #28 Pleasant Plains could be the closest team to SHG. Quincy Notre Dame and #23 Franklin are also expected to advance. Only eight squads could have five scorers in this race. Auburn, Liberty and Beardstown could also make it to Elmwood. Franklin’s Assunta Esposito and Cherokee Duewer along with Abigail Wolters of Pleasant Plains are the individual runners to watch in the front.

Boys – #6 Hamilton-West Hancock should take home the regional title led by individual race favorite Miles Sheppard. They have a solid five that could finish in the top 13 in this race. #30 Pleasant Plains will be the closest challenger. Franklin, Quincy Notre Dame and Liberty should all push for the third spot.

Decatur St. Teresa Sectional

Chrisman Regional

Girls – Solid pack running from #2 Tolono Unity puts them in position to win this regional race. Erica Woodward, Reagan Stringer, or Olivia Shike could be the team’s top runner on Saturday. Stringer was the team’s #1 runner last week at Peoria. Look for this team to place all of their top 7 runners in the first 15 in this race. #3 St. Joseph-Ogden continues to get stronger as we get closer to the state series. Freshman Savanna Franzen along with Ava Knap could drive 5 Lady Spartan runners in the first 15. #9 Urbana University will also advance to Decatur led by individual race favorite Kate Ahmari. Aleigha Garrison of Judah Christian and Trixie Johnson of Paxton-Buckley-Loda are some of the other runners that you could see in the front.

Boys – Top ranked St. Joseph-Ogden should be the favorite in this race with some strong pack running led by Carson Maroon, Charlie Mabry, and Luke Stegall. The Spartans could score under 33 points with five runners in the top ten. #18 Paxton-Buckley-Loda, #23 Bismarck-Henning, #27 Urbana University, Notre Dame de la Salette, and Tolono Unity are close to locks to make it to next week’s sectional race. Ryder James of Paxton-Buckley-Loda is the individual favorite in this race after running 14:21 earlier in the year on the roads at St. Joseph-Ogden and 14:46 last week at Detweiller Park. Eli Mojonnier of Bismarck-Henning and Henry Laufenberg of Urbana University should be the runners leading the pack behind James.

Robinson Regional

Girls – The two regional favorites here, #20 Marshall and #10 Robinson, faced off last week at the Little Illini Conference Meet with Robinson winning by one point. It should be just as close this week on Robinson’s home course. Marshall has the power in the front with individual race favorite Brooklyn Bender along with Isabel Arthur and Cailin Morris all able to finish in the top five. Moving their fourth and fifth runners closer to the front will be something to watch for. Robinson has run great in their last two meets including a strong performance last Saturday at Peoria. The Maroons should have Katelyn Jones in the lead pack but will need 5 runners in the first 13 to win this title. Newton could be a surprise with Rylea Borgic in the top five runners in the top 14.

Boys – #14 Newton is the team to beat in this regional after a strong win last week in the Little Illini Conference Meet. A big plus will be Nick Zwilling and Clay Bergbower in the top five with their top seven runners in the first 14. Robinson is a good bet to finish second. Marshall, Effingham St. Anthony, and Salem are among the teams that will fight for the third spot. Zwilling along with Isaac Stanford of Flora should be the individual favorites in this race.

Tuscola Regional

Girls – #4 Monticello should score under 27 points in this meet with or without one of their top runners Estella Miller who has not raced in their past two meets. The Lady Sages should still sweep the top three places led by individual favorite Mabry Bruhn followed by Rachel Koon and Sylvia Miller. #24 Clinton and Shelbyville are good bets to advance to sectionals. Five teams will battle for the final four spots led by Tuscola and Sullivan.

Boys – It could be closer than people expect in this race. #4 Arthur Lovington has a strong four runner pack in the front led by Logan Beckmeier and Jace Green. What could hurt them is that their fifth runner has tended to be more than a minute behind that group. #20 St. Teresa is having a strong season and could get close for the win behind their top runners Martin Velchek and Caleb Kernaghan. #12 Monticello will also be in the mix led by Ed Mitchell. #28 Tuscola and #29 Shelbyville should also advance. Heyworth and Lincoln should also make it into the top seven teams. Beckmeier, Mitchell, and Josiah Hortin of Tuscola are the runners to watch in the front.

Trenton-Wesclin Sectional

Benton Regional

Girls - #11 DuQuoin is the team favorite in this regional led by individual favorites Olivia Phillips and Lauren Heape. #19 Pinckneyville has a good front runner with Vanessa Teel that will be up in the top five in this race. Breese Mater Dei and Christ Our Rock Lutheran are having good seasons and also should advance along with host Benton. Hamilton County, Okawville, and Breese Central are teams that will challenge for the final two spots. Maddie Karcher of Hamilton County should be up front in this race along with Teel, Phillips, and Heape.

Boys - #3 Benton use the next two weeks tuning up for the state meet as the top ranked team in this sectional. Gavin Genisio should win this race along with his teammates putting four runners in the top ten. Isaac Teel of #16 Pinckneyville finished 20 seconds behind Genisio in their conference meet and should push Genisio again on Saturday. There should be no surprises in the top seven with Bluford Webber, DuQuoin, Trenton-Wesclin, Breese Mater Dei, and Nashville the five teams that should advance.

Belleville Althoff Catholic Regional

Girls – This should be a great individual race with Elena Rybak of Father McGivney and Eris Nelson of Althoff Catholic facing off. #6 Father McGivney is peaking at the right time and will be favorite in this meet and could place their top five runners in the first 18. Freeburg and Alton Marquette should advance. Columbia and Roxana look like solid picks to make it to Trenton-Wesclin next week. Gillespie, Carlinville, and Litchfield are teams that will challenge for the final spot.

Boys – Freeburg and Althoff Catholic have been close together in meets most of this season. The two teams will challenge for the win in this meet. Both teams should have 5 runners in the first 15. The team that has their top four runners in first will claim the win. Father McGivney should lead Litchfield, Carlinville, and Columbia to sectional positions. It is up in the air who finishes seventh. Camden Quarton of Litchfield and Jack Hiller of Althoff Catholic will be the runners to watch in the front for the individual win.

Carterville Regional

Girls – This could be one of those regional races that every team that puts five runners across the line will also qualify for the sectional meet. This regional and the teams in it have a history of doing that. Host Carterville, led by Molly Robertson, looks to be the favorite in this race with Murphysboro, Anna Jonesboro, and Sparta close behind. Ahry Comer of Pope County ran 18:03 on the sectional course at the beginning of the month and should be the big favorite in this race.

Boys -  Steeleville is the big team favorite in this meet with the possibilities of scoring under 25 points and winning by more than 40 points. Their top runner Christian Rees should be the individual favorite in this race. Carterville should be the closest team in the standings.