The Roadmap to the Illinois HS XC Weekend - September 30, 2022

By Michael Newman [email protected]

The end of September / beginning of October traditionally in this state has a number of large invitational meets. There are more meets next week including the Naperville Twilight Invitational that extend that weekend. For most of these teams, it gives us a final look in a big meet on how they perform before we head into conference week and then the state series.

Some of the top teams in the state will head to Terre Haute, Indiana for Saturday’s Nike XC Town Twilight Invitational. There are a number of meets that will have a large number of teams attending.

The Peoria Invitational used to be the only regular season meet that was run on the state meet course at Detweiller Park. Now there are four if you include the Patriot Invitational in two weeks. The number of teams running Saturday morning will be lower than the past, but there are four good races that will peak most everyone’s interest.

It will be an interesting Friday and Saturday. Here is a listing of teams in some of these invitationals as well as some brief notes about some of those meets.

Peoria Central Invitational

1A/2A Girls – 2A: #2 Crystal Lake South, #7 Normal University, #8 Dunlap, #10 Chatham-Glenwood, #13 Normal West, #18 Waterloo, #25 Mt. Zion, Bartonville Limestone, Belvidere, Bethalto Civic Memorial, Bloomington, Carbondale, Centralia, Champaign Central, Charleston, East Peoria, Galesburg, Grayslake North, Highland, Mascoutah, Metamora, Mt. Vernon, Carmel Catholic, Fenwick, Peoria, Peoria Richwoods, Springfield, Sterling, Urbana 1A: #9 Sandwich, #18 Stanford Olympia, Beardstown, Benton, Carlinville, Hope Academy, Freeburg, Manual, Pontiac, Princeton, Rockford Christian, Sandwich

1A/2A Boys – 2A: #2 Marion, #16 Chatham-Glenwood, #17 Brother Rice, #18 Carmel Catholic, #22 Champaign Central, #23 Normal West, #29 Sterling, #30 Sterling, Bartonville Limestone, Belvidere, Fenton, Bethalto Civic Memorial, Bloomington, Carbondale, Centralia, Charleston, Hinsdale South, East Peoria, Galesburg, Grayslake North, Highland, Mascoutah, Metamora, Mt. Vernon, Mt. Zion, Peoria, Peoria Richwoods, Springfield, Urbana, Waterloo  1A: #2 Normal University, #5 Rockford Christian, #7 Benton, #16 Pontiac, #23 Sandwich, Beardstown, Carlinville, Hope Academy, Freeburg, Manual, Stanford Olympia

1A/2A Notes – Nine ranked teams lead the Girls field in this division. It was a close team race a year ago and should be close to that on Saturday. Crystal Lake South ran their best race of the year last week at Bartlett and could duplicate that effort in this meet. Three other top 10 2A teams with Normal University, Dunlap, and Chatham-Glenwood. Natalie Bierbaum has run some fast times in her freshman season including 17:16 on this course on September 10. She could have company in the front led by her teammate Zoe Carter, Isabella Gonzalez of Crystal Lake South, and Hannah Meiser of Civic Memorial. Dylon Nalley of Marion leads the #2 ranked Wildcats to this meet as the big favorite. The junior has put up some fast times this fall and is ready to make a statement in the Boys race.

3A Girls – 3A: #7 Maine South, #9 Huntley, #13 Edwardsville, #17 Rockton Hononegah, #22 Jacobs, Alton, Aurora East, Aurora West, Belleville East, Belleville West, Decatur (COOP), East Moline United, Edwardsville, Homewood-Flossmoor, Glenbrook South, Granite City, Warren Township, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Joliet Central, McHenry, Mundelein, Normal Community, Glenbrook North, Fremd, Maine East, Pekin, Wheeling  2A: #30 Morton, Mather

3A Boys – 3A: #5 Maine South, #7 New Trier, #8 Neuqua Valley, #16 York, #21 Huntley, #22 Jacobs, Alton, Aurora East, Aurora West, Belleville East, Belleville West, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Decatur (COOP), Downers Grove South, East Moline United, Edwardsville, Homewood-Flossmoor, Glenbrook South, Granite City, Warren Township, Hoffman Estates, Joliet West, Benet Academy, McHenry, Mundelein, Neuqua Valley, Normal Community, Glenbrook North, Fremd, Maine East, Pekin, Rockton Hononegah, Rolling Meadows, St. Charles East, Zion-Benton  2A: #7 Morton, #12 Mather

3A Notes – Six ranked teams are in the Girls race headed by top 10 teams Maine South and Huntley. Individual race is wide open led by Caroline Schoen of Homewood-Flossmoor, Sofia Arcuri of Maine South, Juliet Frum of Glenbrook North, Emily Nuttall of Edwardsville, Breanna & Brittney Burak of Huntley, and Danielle Jensen of McHenry. The Boys race in this division features three top 10 teams including Maine South, New Trier, and Neuqua Valley. Maine South finished second last week at Palatine and will look for the championship in this race. Neuqua Valley finished fifth in Minnesota last week. This race could be a tune-up for next Wednesday’s Naperville Twilight Invitational. Marcellus Mines did not run last week at Palatine but is entered for Saturday’s race. Zac Close of Neuqua Valley will be one of the runners with Mines in this race.

Wheaton North Falcon Classic at St. James Farm, Wheaton

Girls – 3A: #1 York, #10 Hersey, #18 Oswego East, #20 Loyola Academy, #21 Glenbard West, #24 Wheaton North, #28 Benet Academy, #29 New Trier,#30 St. Charles East, Geneva, Lincoln-Way East, Lockport Township, Loyola Academy, Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley  1A: #3 Rosary

Notes – This flight race meet features the individual runner and features the top ranked team in the state York. 10 of the 16 teams entered in this meet are ranked. The championship flight features the top two runners from last week’s race at Palatine, Anna Harden of Hersey, and Bria Bennis of York. Jane Lynch of Loyola, Louisa Diamond of Benet Academy, and Morgan Dick of Oswego East will make the championship flight interesting.

St. Charles North Invitational at Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve, St. Charles

Girls – 3A: #5 Downers Grove North, #23 Batavia, #26 Sandburg, Addison Trail, Aurora West, Bartlett, Bolingbrook, Downers Grove North, Elgin, Grant Community, Highland Park, Huntley JV, Jacobs JV, Lincoln-Way Central, Lyons Township JV, Metea Valley, Rockford Auburn, Rockton Hononegah JV, St. Charles North, South Elgin, Streamwood   2A: #12 Cary-Grove  1A: Aurora Christian

Boys – 3A: #6 Sandburg, #13 Wheaton-Warrenville South, Addison Trail, Aurora West JV, Bartlett, Batavia, Elgin, Geneva, Glenbard North, Grant Community, Huntley JV, Jacobs JV, Lyons Township JV, Metea Valley, Naperville Central JV, Rockford Auburn, St. Charles East JV, St. Charles North, Schaumburg, South Elgin, Waubonsie Valley   2A: #3 Prairie Ridge, #4 Belvidere North, #6 Marmion Academy, Cary-Grove   1A: Aurora Christian

Notes – Downers Grove North has a split squad between this meet and Solorio. They will run their top seven in this race and should be the Girls team favorite. Batavia finished 14 last week at Roy Griak and will look to bounce back from that race. It could be a close team Boys race between Sandburg and Wheaton-Warrenville South. 2A teams Prairie Ridge, Belvidere North, and Marmion Academy will look to finish in the top five in the varsity race.

Lisle Mane Event at Lisle Community Park

Girls – 3A: Andrew, Aurora East, Dundee-Crown, Elgin Larkin, Hampshire, Joliet West, Plainfield East, Reavis, West Chicago   2A: #23 St. Francis, #27 Riverside-Brookfield, #28 Kaneland, Evergreen Park, Glenbard South, IL Math & Science Academy, Kankakee, Plano   1A: #6 Chicago Christian, #25 Herscher, #26 Joliet Catholic, Aurora Central Catholic, Chesterton Academy, Elgin St. Edward, Harvest Christian Academy, IC Catholic Prep, Iroquois West, Joliet Catholic, Kankakee McNamara, Lisle, North Shore-Country Day, Peotone, Timothy Christian, Wheaton Academy, Wilmington

Boys – 3A: Aurora East, Benet Academy JV, Dundee-Crown, Hampshire, Plainfield East, Romeoville, West Chicago  2A: #5 Glenbard South, #9 Riverside-Brookfield, #20 St. Francis, #21 Kaneland, Evergreen Park, IL Math & Science Academy, Kankakee, North Shore-Country Day, Plano  1A: #11 Aurora Central Catholic, #13 Harvest Christian Academy, #27 Herscher, #28 Wheaton Academy, Chesterton Academy, Chicago Christian, Elgin Academy, Elgin St. Edward, IC Catholic Prep, Iroquois West, Joliet Catholic, Kankakee McNamara, Leo Catholic, Lisle, Manteno, Peotone, Timothy Christian, Walther Christian, Westmont, Wilmington

Notes – The Boys individual race should be a great one with Cooper Marrs of Riverside-Brookfield, Daniel Winkelman of Harvest Christian Academy, Evan Nosek of Kaneland, and Patrick Hilby of Aurora Central Catholic all capable of winning the title.

The Rest of the Illinois Meets This Weekend…

Locktoberfest Invitational at Dellwood Park, Lockport

Boys – 3A:#20 Lincoln-Way East,  #25 Naperville North, #29 Wheaton North, BC Morton, Bolingbrook JV, Bloom Township, Downers Grove South JV, Elk Grove, Glenbard West, Joliet Central, Jones Prep JV, Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way West, Lockport, Neuqua Valley JV, Oak Lawn, Plainfield North JV, Plainfield South JV, Shepard, Stevenson, Waukegan, Wheaton North, Whitney Young   2A: Lemont, Richards

Elmwood Invitational

Girls – 2A: Canton   1A: #5 Eureka, #12 El Paso-Gridley, #21 Elmwood, #23 Pleasant Plains, Abingdon-Avon, Astoria, Bloomington Central Catholic, Bushnell Prairie City, Deer Creek-Mackinaw, Delavan, Downs Tri-Valley, Elmwood, Farmington, Franklin, Havana, Illini Bluffs, Illinois Valley Central, Kewanee, Kewanee Wethersfield, Knoxville, Lewistown, Lowpoint-Washburn, Macomb, Manito Mercer County, Midwest Central, Minonk Fieldcrest, Monmouth-Roseville, Monmouth United, Peoria Christian, Peoria Heights, Petersburg PORTA, Princeville, Rock Island Alleman, Sherrard, Taylor Ridge Rockridge, Toulon Stark County, Tremont

Boys – 1A: #8 Eureka, #10 El Paso-Gridley, #15 Elmwood, #26 Pleasant Plains, #29 Mercer County, Abingdon-Avon, Astoria, Bloomington Central Catholic, Bureau Valley, Bushnell Prairie City, Deer Creek-Mackinaw, Delavan, Downs Tri Valley, Farmington, Franklin, Havana, Illinois Valley Central, Illini Bluffs, Kewanee, Kewanee Wethersfield, Knoxville, Lowpoint-Washburn, Macomb, Manito Midwest Central, Minonk Fieldcrest, Monmouth-Roseville, Monmouth United, Peoria Christian, Peoria Heights, Petersburg PORTA, Princeville, Rock Island Alleman, Sherrard, Taylor Ridge Rockridge, Toulon Stark County, Tremont

Pat Savage Invitational at Niles West

Girls – 3A: Argo, BC Morton, Bradley-Bourbonnais, Downers Grove South, Elk Grove, Evanston Township, Glenbard East, Glenbrook North JV, Glenbrook South JV, Lake Park, Leyden, Lincoln Park, Machesney Park Harlem, New Trier JV, Niles North, Niles West, Oswego, Prospect JV, Round Lake, Stagg, Taft, Von Steuben, Whitney Young, Willowbrook   2A: #14 Lake Forest, #17 Vernon Hills, #19 Deerfield, De La Salle, Hinsdale South, Marian Catholic, Ridgewood, St. Laurence, St. Viator, Trinity, Wauconda, Woodstock, Woodstock North  1A: #7 DePaul College Prep, Cristo Rey Jesuit, DePaul College Prep, FW Parker, Horizon-McKinley, Lake Forest Academy, Montini Catholic, Oswego, Regina Dominican, Resurrection, Willows Academy 

Boys – 3A: #18 St. Ignatius Prep, #19 Oswego East, Argo, Bradley-Bourbonnais, Buffalo Grove, Evanston Township, Glenbard East, Glenbrook North JV, Glenbrook South JV, Lake Park, Leyden, Lincoln Park, Loyola Academy, Maine South JV, New Trier JV, Proviso West, Round Lake, Taft, Von Steuben, Whitney Young,   2A: #10 Woodstock,  #11 Deerfield, #14 Vernon Hills, De La Salle, Fenwick, Marian Catholic, Marist, Niles North, Niles Notre Dame, Niles West, Ridgewood, St. Laurence, St. Patrick, St. Viator, Wauconda, Woodstock North  1A: #1 DePaul College Prep, #14 Northridge Prep, Christo Rey Jesuit, FW Parker, Horizon McKinley, Lake Forest Academy, Montini Catholic, Southland Prep

Loyola Lakefront Invitational at Montrose Harbor (Friday)

Girls – 3A: Juarez, Lane Tech, Mother McAuley, Schurz, Thornwood   2A: #4 Lakes Community, #20 Payton Prep, Amundsen, Chicago University, St. Laurence, Burlington Central, Kenwood, Lake View, Latin School, Lindblom Academy, Northside Prep, Senn, Sullivan   1A: Chicago Academy, Chicago Noble-UIC, Rickover Naval

Boys – 3A: #23 Lane Tech, Juarez, Reavis, Schurz  2A: #25 Payton Prep, Amundsen, Burlington Central, Chicago University, Kenwood Academy, Lake View, Lakes Community, Lindblom Academy, Marist, Northside Prep, St. Laurence, Senn, Sullivan  1A: #3 Latin School, Chicago Academy, Daystar Academy, Chicago Noble-UIC, Rickover Naval   Out of State: Northville MI

Solorio Sun Warrior Invitational at Marquette Park, Chicago

Girls – 3A: #15 Wheaton-Warrenville South, Curie, Downers Grove North JV, Hubbard, Kennedy, Oak Lawn, Prosser, Rolling Meadows,  Shepard, Steinmetz  2A: #5 St. Ignatius Prep, #22 Marist, #24 Nazareth Academy, Agricultural Science, Chicago Washington, Elmwood Park, Hancock, Kelly, Little Village, Mather, Solorio Academy, Westinghouse Prep  1A: Acero/Garcia, Acero/Soto, Back of the Yards College Prep, Chicago Academy

Boys – 3A: Curie, Kennedy, Prosser, Steinmetz, Willowbrook  2A: Brother Rice, Agricultural Science, Chicago Washington, Elmwood Park, Hancock, Kelly, Little Village, Mather JV, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth Academy, Solorio Academy  1A: Acero/Garcia, Acero/Soto, Back of the Yards College Prep, Chicago Academy

Dan Moy Jacksonville Invitational

Girls – 3A: Belleville East, Collinsville   2A: #16 Rochester, Chatham-Glenwood (JV), East St. Louis-Senior, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield, Springfield Lanphier, Springfield Southeast, Taylorville   1A: #8 Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, East Alton-Wood River, Williamsville

Boys – 3A: Collinsville  2A: #26 Lincoln, Chatham-Glenwood (JV), East St. Louis-Senior, Jacksonville, Rochester, Springfield JV, Springfield Lanphier, Springfield Southeast, Taylorville  1A: #20 Williamsville, Auburn, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, Williamsville

Freeport Invitational at Highland Community College

Girls – 3A: Moline, Rockford East, Rockford Jefferson  2A: Freeport, Geneseo, Rochelle, Rockford Boylan, Sterling  1A: #2 Winnebago, #10 Rock Falls, Dakota, Durand, East Dubuque, Lanark Eastland, Oregon, Polo

Boys – 3A: Machesney Park Harlem, Moline, Rockford East, Rockford Jefferson  2A: #28 Geneseo, Freeport, Rochelle, Rockford Boylan, Sterling JV  1A: #18 Winnebago,  Dakota, Durand, East Dubuque, Lanark Eastland, Oregon, Polo, Rock Falls, Stockton