2021 IHSA Class 1A Cross Country Sectional Previews

By Michael Newman [email protected]

Some great races will take place on Saturday. The fact is it will be great that we have real sectional meets. The fact is that these sectionals will qualify runners and teams to a real state meet.

By Saturday night, 105 Boys and 100 Girls Teams will be whittled down to 30 teams (or more if ties) that will know if they have one more week to the season.

Here is a look at each of the four sectionals that will take place on Saturday.

Note: Teams were re-ranked after the regional races that took place on October 23.

Class 2A Sectional Preview | Class 3A Sectional Preview

Decatur (St. Teresa) Sectional – Hickory Point Golf Course, Decatur

Girls – 10:00 AM

Teams - #2 Tolono (Unity), #4 Monticello, #6 St. Joseph-Ogden, #7 Urbana (University), #12 Robinson, #17 Marshall; #24 Clinton, Newton, Shelbyville, Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Fithian (Oakwood), Champaign (St. Thomas More), Tuscola, Argenta-Oreana, Effingham (St. Anthony), Decatur (St. Teresa), Salem, Dieterich, Neoga, Paris, Villa Grove

Preview - Seven ranked teams are in this race. If there is no tie for sixth, one of those teams will not race next week in Peoria. The race for the team championship should be interesting our ranked teams in the top seven. If Monticello is at full strength, it could be dead even between them and Illini Prairie Conference rival Tolono Unity. Monticello has been without one of their top runners Estella Miller for the past three meets. Getting the junior racing up front with teammate Mabry Bruhn could put the Sages in contention to win. The individual field is loaded so getting both runners in the top 10 will be a key. Rachel Koon and Sylvia Miller will be in the top 20. Keeping the split between their fourth and fifth runner will be a key especially if they are in full strength. Tolono Unity is coming off a win last week at Chrisman and will contend for the team title led by Erica Woodard. She could be in the top 10 with Reagan Stringer and Olivia Shike should be close behind. The Rockets getting their top 5 runners in the top 20 could get them the sectional title. Urbana University ran a nice pack last week led by one of the individual favorites Kate Ahmari. The Illineks should make it to Peoria. They could place higher than third. St Joseph-Ogden did not run their best race at Chrisman last week. They should be ready for this race especially if Savanna Franzen and Ava Knapp can finish in the top 10 and could place in the top three. Robinson and Marshall have been close together in their last two meets at the Little Illini Conference and Robinson. Brooklyn Bender leads Marshall and could have 3 runners in the top 12. Robinson has the pack to counter the Marshall front runners. Clinton has a good team and is ranked led by Lexi Lord and Claire Holland. They will need their top race and one of the six teams ahead of them to be off for a chance to get one of the six sectional qualifying spots.

Individual Preview - There are no big favorites in this race. This is a deep and talented field where we could see anything happen. Kate Ahmari and Mabry Bruhn were separated by four seconds at the St. Joseph-Ogden Classic on September 25 with Ahmari winning. They will be challenging for the sectional title on Saturday. SJO’s duo of Ava Knap and Samantha Franzen along with Unity’s Erica Woodard will be among the leaders. Brooklyn Bender with her teammate Isabel Arthur will be among the front pack. Aleigha Garrison of Judah Christian, Trixie Johnson of Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Rylea Borgic of Newton, Macie Russell of Fithian Oakwood, and Gabby Moreman of Bismarck-Henning are some of the runners that you should see in the front.

Boys – 11:00 AM

Teams - #1 St. Joseph-Ogden, #5 Arthur-Lovington, #13 Newton, #14 Monticello, #16 Paxton-Buckley-Loda, #18 Decatur (St. Teresa); #19 Bismarck-Henning, #23 Shelbyville, #25 Tuscola, #27 Urbana (University), Tolono (Unity), Georgetown (Notre Dame de La Salette), Robinson, Heyworth, Fairfield, Marshall, Salem, Clinton, Effingham (St. Anthony), Broadlands (Heritage), Toledo (Cumberland)

Preview - This race is loaded with eight ranked teams. There are two teams that are certainties to make it Peoria and challenge for the sectional win in this race. The pack running over the last month has been fabulous for top ranked St. Joseph-Ogden. The split on their top five in their win at Chrisman was 30 seconds. That was done without one of their top five runners Carson Maroon in their lineup. The Spartans have solid leadership with Charlie Mabry and Luge Stegall in front of the pack. SJO can win this sectional race packing it up and keeping their top five split between 25 to 30 seconds. Arthur-Lovington has the strength up front to challenge St. Joseph-Ogden led by Logan Beckmeier. Their front four runners are within 40 to 45 seconds of each other. What could hurt this team is their split from their pack to the fifth runner is close to a minute. That won’t halt them from qualifying for state. It could prevent them from winning on Saturday. There could be up to seven teams that will challenge for the other four state qualifying spots. Newton has been hot in the last month led by Nick Zwilling and has a good shot of making it. Monticello has the tradition of making the Peoria trip. Leadership up front by Ed Mitchell could make that happen again on Saturday. Paxton-Buckley-Loda has the individual favorite of Ryder James in front. Their pack is improving and getting closer to James. That could mean bad news for the other sectional teams. Decatur St. Teresa has surprised some throughout this year and is in the running for one of those six spots if they can have two runners in the first 15 with a split under 60 seconds. Bismarck-Henning could surprise some by advancing to state with Eli Mojonnier leading the way. Shelbyville and Tuscola both had good regional races last week. Improving on that just a little bit gets one of these teams in the top six.

Individual Preview - There is no doubt that Ryder James will be the favorite in this race. He ran 14:21 at St. Joseph-Ogden at the end of September. He ran 14:46 two weeks ago at Detweiller Park. He is ready to roll for state. This race could be a tune-up for that state effort. Eli Mojonnier, the 1A *00m Champion from last spring, ran 15:00 in that SJO race and could push James at Hickory Point. Isaac Sanford of Flora could be the sleeper up front and could challenge Mojonnier for the next spot along with Henry Laufenberg of Urbana University. Nick Zwilling, Logan Beckmeier, and Austin Wesley of Robinson will be challenging for top spots. Martin Velchek of St. Teresa, Ed Mitchell of Monticello, Josiah Horton of Tuscola, and Phoenix Firnhaber of Shelbyville can be challenging for top 15 spots along with the packs from St. Joseph-Ogden and Arthur-Lovington.

Elmwood Sectional – Maple Lane Country Club, Elmwood

Girls – 10:00 AM

Teams - #3 Eureka, #16 Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin), #19 Elmwood, #21 Williamsville, #22 Stanford (Olympia), #25 El Paso-Gridley; #28 Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central), #29 Princeville, Deer Creek-Mackinaw, Tremont, Bloomington (Central Catholic), Pleasant Plains, Quincy (Notre Dame), Astoria, Franklin, Macomb, Petersburg (PORTA), Athens, Liberty, Beardstown

Preview - Eureka is the top ranked team in this race and should roll to the win on this course. Anna Perry is the big individual favorite and could lead Laurel Munson and Elle Knapp to top 10 finishes. The Hornets could put their top 5 runners in the top 22. They might win by close to 100 points. They are a lock to advance to state if they run their normal race. There are seven other ranked teams in this field. Only five (at least) of those teams will make the trip to Peoria next weekend. Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin has been out of the spotlight most of the season but do have the runners to make the state trip with Kaitlyn Lee and Vivian Rahmel. El Paso-Gridley has been a team on the rise all season especially with the emergence of freshman Nellie Melick leading them. Elmwood has the home course advantage and could make it to Peoria with Addie Symonds leading them and a team that can get their top 5 in the top 50. Williamsville also has a freshman leading them in Louisa Wilson. The Bullets need their top three runners in the top 30 and then hope their fourth and fifth runners are across the line before 60th place. Abby Litwiller leads a strong Olympia team that is near a 90 second split in their top five runners. Keeping that split with all five runners in before 48th place gets them one of the top six spots. Illinois Valley Central and Princeville will need their best races of the year to break into this tough first six. Otherwise, they could be on the outside looking in.

Individual Preview - I don’t see anyone getting close to Anna Perry. In last week’s regional race on her home course, Perry ran 17:20 to win over Nellie Melick by 55 seconds. They could be the top two runners in this race. Louisa Wilson will challenge for a top five finish as well as Nora Brady of Bloomington Central Catholic, Assunta Esposito and Cherokee Duewer of Franklin, Kaitlyn Burge of Deer Creek-Mackinaw, Elle Knapp and Laurel Munson of Eureka, and Meg Simmons of Astoria.

Boys – 11:00 AM

Teams - #7 Normal (University), #9 Warsaw (Hamilton-West Hancock), #10 Stanford (Olympia), #12 Elmwood, #24 Eureka, #26 El Paso-Gridley; Williamsville, Petersburg (PORTA), Pleasant Plains, Deer Creek-Mackinaw, Franklin, Lowpoint-Washburn, Fairbury (Prairie Central), Princeville, Quincy (Notre Dame), Liberty, Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin), Monmouth-Roseville, Monmouth (United), Astoria, Auburn

Preview – This was an interesting race to analyze. There are six ranked teams in this race. Four of those teams are close to locks of advancing to Detweiller Park next weekend. Normal University has moved down to Class 1A for the next two years. They could have their eyes on a sectional championship in this race led by possible top 10 finishers Sachit Munduli and Brandt Henderson. The Pioneers could have 5 in the first 20. Keeping a 55 second off Munduli may be a key in their win. Hamilton-West Hancock has not run the toughest of schedules. They do have the performances that warrant a top 10 ranking. Miles Sheppard will be the individual favorite and could have teammate Noah Stout join him in the top 10. They have a nice three to five pack behind the two front runners. The pack needs to be within 20 seconds of each other and within 60 seconds of Sheppard and Stout to challenge for the win. Olympia has a strong top four, led by Owen Dare and Anthony Ragland, which could land in the top 15 in this race. The Spartans will need their top 5 in the first 25 runners to win this meet. Elmwood has a strong top two with Thomas Harmon aiming for a top 5 finish and Isaiah Hill with his sights on a top 15 place. The Trojans could have 4 runners in the first 30 but will need their fifth runner in before 52nd to challenge for a team win. Eureka and El Paso-Gridley are both ranked and have the inside track for the fifth and sixth qualifying spots. Williamsville and Petersburg (PORTA) could be the teams to challenge for a spot in the first six.

Individual Preview - Miles Sheppard has not been really challenged in his races this fall. He could be tested in this race. Sheppard showed he is ready to go for the state series running a course record of 14:46 at Liberty last week. His challenge could come from Mason Stoeger of Fieldcrest on Saturday. The senior has been coming on strong in recent weeks with a win at Amboy and then winning by 23 seconds ahead of U-High’s Sachit Munduli last week at Eureka. Cannen Wolf of Liberty is a runner that you should see challenging for a top five finish. Also look for Sam Springer of Delavan, Thomas Harmon running on his home course for the final time, Brecken Fahrenkrug of Illinois Valley Central, Jake Gutzman of Franklin, and Owen Dare.

Lisle Sectional – Community Park, Lisle

Girls – 10:00 AM

Teams - #5 Aurora (Rosary), #10 Elmhurst (IC Catholic Prep), #11 Joliet (Catholic Academy), #14 Chicago (DePaul College Prep), #20 West Chicago (Wheaton Academy), #26 Palos Heights (Chicago Christian); Elmhurst (Timothy Christian), Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy), Westmont, Chicago (University), Beecher, Herscher, Pontiac, Kankakee (Bishop McNamara), Wilmette (Regina Dominican), Chicago (Marine Leadership Academy), Chicago (Hope Academy), Evanston (Beacon Academy)

Preview - Rosary and IC Catholic Prep meet for the fourth straight week with Rosary holding the advantage in the previous three. Rosary looked good in their win last Saturday and have hopes to take home the sectional title led by individual favorite Lianna Surtz. Her sister Chiara could finish in the top five. Rosary placing all their top five in the top 20 is a good possibility. IC Catholic Prep does have Carly Manchester to challenger Surtz for the win. The return of Kennedy Calcagno after an injury sidelined her most of the season could compliment freshman Graziella Narcisi in the top 10. Joliet Catholic is the one team that can challenge IC Catholic Prep for the second spot especially if Claire Blotnik and Ella Farris finish in the top 10 individuals. DePaul College Prep were not challenged in their regional win. They could get close to second in this meet with Lorelei Travers in the top 10 with their other four scorers in the top 30. Wheaton Academy and Chicago Christian are slid choices for the fifth and sixth spots. Timothy Christian will look to bonce back after a so-so regional run. Harvest Christian Academy could also challenge with Timothy Christian and Willows Academy for the top six sectional qualifying positions.

Individual Preview - Lianna Surtz and Carly Manchester are the class of this field by what could be over a minute. Surtz won by five seconds two weeks ago in their conference meet. The difference in the Surtz win last week at Harvest Christian Academy was 35 seconds. Look for the two runners to be closer together in this race. Chiara Surtz will be joined by fellow freshmen Graziella Narcisi and Jaden Lucas of Pontiac. Isabella Orozco of Aurora Central Catholic, Lily Lebo of Wheaton Academy, and Lorelei Traves are some of the runners you could see in the front pack behind Surtz and Manchester.

Boys – 11:00 AM

Teams - #2 Chicago (Latin School), #8 Chicago (DePaul College Prep), #15 Herscher, #20 Niles (Northridge Prep), #22 Pontiac, #29 Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy); Lombard (Montini Catholic), Kankakee (Bishop McNamara), West Chicago (Wheaton Academy), Aurora (Central Catholic), Elmhurst (Timothy Christian), Joliet (Catholic Academy), Chicago (University), Westmont, Beecher, Elmhurst (IC Catholic Prep), Chicago (Hope Academy), Chicago (Francis W Parker), Winnetka (North Shore Country Day), Evanston (Beacon Academy), Chicago (Marine Leadership Academy)

Preview - Latin School and DePaul College Prep last week at Lincoln Park in Chicago with Latin coming away with a 23-39 against their fellow Chicago school. It could be even closer in this meet. Latin School  has the power in the front with Akili Parekh, Ryan Hardiman, and Ben Gibson all able to finish in the top five. Their fourth and fifth runners were closer to the pack in that race. They could be closer on Saturday. DePaul has a trio in Mac Kittrell, Owen Flom, and Charlie Richardson that if they get between the Latin pack, they could make it closer to win the sectional title. The other four ranked teams in this race are good bets to advance to the state meet. Herscher has Drew Rogers leading them and a pack that is getting closer to the front in races. Northridge Prep’s has rebuilt their team led by Max Elder and Mark Masaka and could make a return trip to Peoria. Aidan Lee leads a tough Pontiac team that could make that state trip. Harvest Christian Academy should qualify and could sneak up on some teams led by Daniel Winkelmann. Montini, Kankakee McNamara, and Wheaton Academy are close enough where they could be one of the six qualifying teams.

Individual Preview – Drew Rogers and Daniel Winkelmann met on this course at the beginning of the month with Rogers coming away with a two second win in what was a tactical race. The two will push each other to fast times in this race. Kieran Subra of Lycee Francais de Chicago surprised some last week in Chicago as he won the regional meet ahead of Ryan Hardiman and Akili Parekh. We should see him in the top five in this sectional race. Bryson Grant of Iroquois West has been running strong in October. He should be in the front pack along with Sheldon Powell of Wheaton Academy, Ben Gibson, and the DePaul pack of Richardson, Kittrell, and Flom.

Oregon Sectional – Park West, Oregon

Girls – 10:00 AM

Teams - #1 Winnebago, #13 Aledo (Mercer County), #18 Rock Falls, #23 Seneca, #30 Rockford (Christian), Byron; Sherrard, Rock Island (Alleman), Cambridge, Sandwich, Henry-Senachwine, Erie-Prophetstown, Richmond-Burton, Princeton, Rockford (Lutheran), Amboy, Durand, Toulon (Stark County), Johnsburg, Polo, Oneida (ROWVA)

Preview - Let’s just state this clearly. Top ranked Winnebago is the team to beat in this meet even though no team should get close to them in this race. Their regional race on their home course was an indication of how good this team is. The Indians ran a 43 second on their top five with 7 runners in the top 8. Grace Erb, Kaylee Woolery, and Marissa Roggensack were the top runners for Bago in this race. Winnebago could have their top five runners in the first 10 and all 7 runners 20th or better. Rock Falls and Mercer County were separated by just one point in last week’s regional race at Rock Falls with the host school winning. Both teams should advance to Peoria from this race. Mercer County has been running strong in recent weeks led by Eden Mueller. Tayli Hutlin and Hana Ford could be top 10 finishers to help Rock Falls make it back to state. Seneca and Rockford Christian are both ranked. The two teams should both finish in the top six with “average-type” races. The sixth spot is hard to determine but it should be close between Byron, Sherrard, and Rock Island Alleman.

Individual Preview - This is a wide-open race with Grace Erb and her teammates Marissa Roggensack and Kaylee Woolery having the edge. Tayli Hutlin and Hana Ford should be in the front pack along with Eden Mueller and Caroline Bend of Indian Creek. Some of the other runners to keep an eye on in the front of the race include Miranda Reed of Cambridge, freshmen Evelyn O’Connor of Seneca and Maggie Jewett of Ottawa Marquette, Olivia Thomsen of Orion, Kennady Anderson of Kewanee Wethersfield, and Kelly Giardina of Rockford Christian.

Boys – 11:00 AM

Teams - #4 Rockford (Christian), #6 Port Byron (Riverdale), #17 Amboy, #21 Sterling (Newman Central Catholic), #28 Rock Falls, #30 Sandwich; Erie-Prophetstown, Rockford (Lutheran), Winnebago, Marengo, Byron, Rock Island (Alleman), East Dubuque, Aledo (Mercer County), Durand, Seneca, Sherrard, Manlius (Bureau Valley), Mendota, Henry-Senachwine, Kewanee

Preview - Two teams that have their sight set on a state trophy in a week will take care of business on Saturday chasing after a sectional title plaque. Rockford Christian rolled over the competition last week at Winnebago led by Ethan Walsh and Weston Forward as well as a 56 second slit on their top five runners. Riverdale has the strength up front with Tommy Murray and Landis Musser possibly finishing in the top two places. All 5 runners in the top 25 with their pack from two to five under 60 seconds could help this team to the win. The next four teams are close to locks in making it to Peoria for state. Amboy is having a great season and could punch their ticket with an average race led by Brock Loftus. Sterling Newman has a solid top three runner pack led by Lucas Simpson that could push this team to state if they finish in the top 15. Rock Falls and Sandwich are close together and will challenge for the fifth-place spot. Both teams should make it to Peoria with a good race. Erie-Prophetstown looks to be the one team in this race that could upset the form charts and finish in the top six teams with a great race.

Individual Preview - Tommy Murray ran 15:16 at the Patriot Invitational two weeks ag and has the inside edge in winning the sectional title. His teammate Landis Musser could be his closest competition with Brock Loftus also close to the front. Weston Forward and Ethan Walsh could finish in the top five to hep their team go after a sectional title. Some of the other runners to keep an eye on in this meet include Jose Gomez of Rock Falls, Ethan Daubman of Erie-Prophetstown, Wyatt Miller of Sandwich, Peyton Sand of Riverdale, Alessandro Bellini of Rockford Lutheran, Lucas Simpson and Tom Powers of Sterling Newman, Nicolai Martino of Winnebago, Aidan Sosnowski of Rockford Lutheran, and Ian Eller of Amboy.

Trenton (Wesclin) Sectional – Trenton Wesclin HS XC Course

Girls – 10:00 AM

Teams - #8 Glen Carbon (Father McGivney), #9 DuQuoin, #15 Pinckneyville, #27 Breese (Mater Dei), Centralia (Christ Our Rock Lutheran), Belleville (Althoff Catholic); McLeansboro (Hamilton County), Freeburg, Benton, Murphysboro, Carterville, Anna-Jonesboro, Roxana, Gillespie, Breese (Central), Litchfield, Columbia, Sparta, Vienna

Preview - Father McGivney has been the surprise team in this area as well as statewide in this classification. It does help with the emergence of freshman Elena Rybak that should win this race and could be one of the individual favorites next week at state. Sophomore Kaitlyn Hatley took a big step up this fall and leads the pack behind Rybak. Both runners should finish in the top five. Their pack needs to finish in the top 35 for the team to win the sectional championship. DuQuoin is the one team that could challenge Father McGivney with Olivia Philips chasing Rybak for the title and Lauren Heape challenging for a spot in the top five. They do have a similar pack as the Griffins. The key in this race is that DuQuoin putting four runners in before Father Mac’s third runner crosses the line. Both teams are locks to make it to Peoria. Pinckneyville led by Vanessa Teel had a good race last week at Benton and are a solid third-place team in this meet. Breese Mater Dei and Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran have emerged in the past couple of weeks as teams that could make the trip to Peoria for state. Belleville Althoff Catholic has not had their star runner Eris Nelson n the lineup since early October. Nelson running makes her team a solid-state qualifier. If Nelson is not running, Althoff Catholic could still qualify but will have four teams in Benton, Murphysboro, Hamilton County, and Freeburg chasing after them for the sixth and final spot.

Individual Preview - Elena Rybak stepped into the state spotlight after she finished second in Peoria on September 11. She has gone undefeated in the six following races including running 17:20 at Freeburg on September 25. If anyone is going to finish ahead of her, it would be Olivia Phillips. The DuQuoin senior finished second behind Rybak in that Freeburg race. Phillips has gone undefeated after that with the exception of her second-place finish on this course to Ahry Comer of Pope County who will finish in the top five in this race and perhaps ahead of Phillips. Lauren Heape and Kaitlyn Hatley are possibilities to finish in the top five. If Eris Nelson is healthy and in this race, we should see her in the front as well. Brodie Denny of Anna-Jonesboro, Madison Missey of Columbia, Claire Nash of Althoff Catholic, Maddie Karcher of Hamilton County, and Sarah McKowen of Christ Our Rock Lutheran are some of the runners that you could see in the font in this sectional.

Boys – 11:00 AM

Teams - #3 Benton, #11 Pinckneyville, Freeburg, Steeleville, Breese (Mater Dei), Nashville; Belleville (Althoff Catholic), DuQuoin, Litchfield, Bluford (Webber), Carlinville, Glen Carbon (Father McGivney), Trenton (Wesclin), Red Bud, Columbia, Carterville, Anna-Jonesboro, Vienna, Marissa, Golconda (Pope County), O’Fallon (First Baptist Academy)

Preview - There are only two ranked teams in this sectional race but the two teams that will be in the spotlight on this course. Benton and Pinckneyville faced off last week at the Benton Regional with Benton having a slight four-point advantage when all was said and done. Benton has Gavin Genisio out front for them as well as a strong pack led by Mason Tieffel. Forget the top five split on this team especially the way Genisio is running now. Their top five split needs to stay under 50 seconds to secure a sectional title. Pinckneyville is up and coming and could leave this course on Saturday with a sectional title. Isaac Teel has chased after Genisio the past two races and will do so again in this sectional. The Panthers have a solid three runner pack led by Dylan Bledsoe that will give them an edge ahead of Benton. It was their gap of 74 seconds between their fourth and fifth runners in last week’s race that could hurt them. Closing that gap gets them the sectional win. There should be five teams that will be shooting for the four final sectional qualifying spots. The thing is that these five teams could be separated by 20-25 points. Freeburg, Steeleville, Nashville, Breese Mater Dei, and Belleville Althoff Catholic all have the teams and talent to make the trip up to Detweiller Park. Unfortunately, only six teams get to race from a sectional unless there is a tie for that final spot.

Individual Preview - This is Gavin Genisio vs. Isaac Teel Part 3 in this sectional race that will happen on the grounds of Trenton-Wesclin High School. Genisio is the hot runner in this state running 14:05 on his home 2.92-mile course last week to win the regional title. Teel was 20 seconds behind Genisio in that race but will look to close the gap in Saturday’s race. This is a quality field behind these two runners that could put up some fast times. Camden Quarton of Litchfield is having a great sophomore season and will look for a top five finish in this race. Jack Hiller of Althoff Catholic and Landon Swiney of DuQuoin could also be part of the top five in this race. Nick Fehr of Red Bud, Gavin Hill of Trenton-Wesclin, Seth Hamerski of Bluford Webber, John Venhaus of Breese Mater Dei, Grant Schleifer of Okawville, Mason Tieffel of Benton, and Josh LaChance of Freeburg are some of the runners that you could see in the front.