2022 IHSA State XC Championships Preview - 1A Girls

 

By Michael Newman

 

Class 1A Individual Runners to Watch

Mabry Bruhn, Monticello; Molly Farrell, Marshall; Sundara Weber, Sandwich; Louisa Wilson, Williamsville;  Ahry Comer, Pope County; Kaitlyn Hatley, Father McGivney; Jolene Cashmore, Johnsburg; Kate Ahmari, Urbana University; Elena Rybak, Father McGivney; Emily Decker, Tolono Unity; Brooklyn Bender, Marshall; Savanna Franzen, St. Joseph-Ogden; Grace Erb, Winnebago; Eden Mueller, Mercer County; Marissa Roggensack, Winnebago; Erica Woodard, Tolono Unity; Nora Brady, Bloomington Central Catholic; Ariana Niesen, Liberty; Kaylee Woolery, Winnebago; Tessa Bowers, Shelbyville; Emily Downing, Cambridge.

 

Class 1A Individuals Preview

The opening race of the day could be the most interesting of the meet. Molly Farrell won over Mabry Bruhn by five seconds on this course three weeks ago. Bruhn pulled away from Farrell last week to win by more than 10 seconds. Bruhn has been running great of late and has her eyes on a state championship on her final try. Sundara Weber and Ahry Comer could be the wildcards in this race spoiling this matchup going for the win. Louisa Wilson ran great in this race last year. She could end up winning Saturday morning.

 

IL XC Speed Ratings State Meet Projections

 

Class 1A Teams

 

Tolono (Unity)

Sectional Runners – Emily Decker SO; Mackenzie Pound FR; Erica Woodard JR; Olivia Shike JR; Reagan Stringer JR; Camryn Reedy SO; Josie Cler SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5= :49; 1/3= :11; 1/4 = :20

Regional Splits – 1/5= 1:25; 1/3 = :17; 1/4 = :54

Overview – The Rockets enter the 1A Meet as the big team favorites and favorites to repeat as state champions. Unity has gone undefeated this season with a top seven lineup that are all underclassmen. They are interchangeable in the top five positions. Erica Woodard was the team’s top runner in the regional meet at Shelbyville. Emily Decker stepped up leading the team last week at sectionals. The team’s top five split at regionals was 1:25 but that was with five runners finishing in the top nine. Unity will get themselves in position in Saturday’s race and just roll from that point.

 

Eureka

Sectional Runners – Laurel Munson SR; Meika Bender SO; Natali Roth JR; Adeline Hubert FR; Naomi Wegner JR; Cora Strawn JR – Claire Albertson JR did not run sectionals, was #3 regional runner

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:50; 1/4 = 1:22

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:20; 1/2  = :09; 3/5 = :27

Overview – It was a little bit of a surprise that Eureka finished second at the Elmwood Sectional by 11 points behind a good Pleasant Plains team. Part of that finish had to do without their normal #1 to #3 runner Claire Albertson not scoring. There was a 30 second split between their top five of 30 seconds between regionals and sectionals. Laurel Munson and Meika Bender are runners that will be up front for the Hornets possibly both runners finishing in the top 25. Albertson will be a key. If she is healthy, Eureka could be challenging for a trophy. If not, then Eureka will be a top five team, perhaps a team in trophy territory.

 

Winnebago

Sectional Runners – Grace Erb SR; Marissa Roggensack SR; Kaylee Woolery SR; Reese Erdahl JR; Morgan Capriola FR; Emma Woolery SO; Sydney Longanecker SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:59; 1/3 = :10; 3/4  = 1:45; 4/5 = 1:04

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:32; 1/3 = :31; 3/4  = 1:41; 4/5 = :20

Overview – The Indians finished second at state last year and again are in position to win a team trophy once again. There was doubt at the beginning of the year about Bago’s top five split would prohibit them to get to state as it was near four minutes. It is in a position now where they will be in the mix for a trophy. Grace Erb, Marissa Roggensack, and Kaylee Woolery lead this team, and all should finish within the top 15 places. The three runners stayed close to each other last week staying within 10 seconds of each other. It could be a little bigger this week. The split should be near 100 seconds before their fourth runner Reese Erdahl crosses the line. The emergence of freshman Morgan Capriola has been a big plus for the team in the last two meets. The closer Capriola is to Erdahl, the better for Bago.

 

El Paso-Gridley

Sectional Runners – Nellie Melick SO; Caroline Wettstein FR; Sophie Hinthorne FR; Myli Ehrhardt FR; McKayla Harms SO; Piper Zimmerman FR; Madi Ehrhardt SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:09; 1/2  = :15; 2/3 = 1:02; 3/5 = :52

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:30; 1/2  = :32; 2/3 = :58; 3/5 = 1:00

Overview – There are 6 to 7 teams that could challenge the first three teams for a trophy. The Titans are one of those teams despite finishing fifth last week at the Elmwood Sectional. The week before at the Eureka Regional they were within 17 points of Eureka. The split will be wider if Nellie Mellick is challenging for a top 10 spot or be in the middle challenging for a top 25 finish. Caroline Wettstein has stepped up in her freshman to be a solid #2 runner for this team. This team is young with four freshman in the top seven. That inexperience in a big meet like this could be a difference on Saturday. Their third to five pack needs a split under 50 seconds keeping the split the same up front for the Titans to surprise some teams in this meet.

 

Stanford (Olympia)

Sectional Runners – Amelia Kistner SO; Emma Swartzendruber SO; Chrystal Cornwell SR; Abby Litwiller SR; Cam Lawson SR; Anna Bieber SR; Kaylie Dare SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:15; 2/5 = 1:09; 1/3 = :24; 3/4 = :50

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:37; 2/5 = 1:09; 1/3 = :51; 3/4  = :24

Overview – Another team to keep on for a finish in the top five in this meet. The Spartans finished within 12 points at regionals two weeks ago. Olympia finished fourth last week at Elmwood but just 19 points away from a sectional championship. The top five split was larger in the regional meet when Amelia Kistner finished fourth. We could see this sophomore in the top 25 on Saturday. Anna Bieber was the team’s sixth runner in their sectional meet. She was #3 in the regional race. The closer that Bieber is to Emma Swartzendruber, the better for this team. A team with a chance for a trophy if they have an all-state runner keeping their top five split under 80 seconds.

 

Marshall

Sectional Runners – Molly Farrell FR; Brooklyn Bender SR; Bethany Jones JR; Isabel Arthur SR; Marlee Heighton FR; Sophie Smith JR; Libby McFarland JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 4:20; 1/3 = 2:39; 3/5 = 1:41

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 4:52; 1/3 = 3:04; 3/5 = 1:48

Overview – There are a few variables for this team to challenge for a trophy or finish in the top 10. The Lions had a solid race at sectionals finishing second behind Tolono Unity. The week before, they were the Chrisman Regional champions. Marshall is one of those teams that will not challenge for the smallest split in this meet. That has to do with their top two runners. Molly Farrell has emerged at the beginning of October as one of the top runners in Class 1A. She will be challenging for a state title Saturday. Brooklyn Bender is not too far behind and could also be in a position to challenge for a finish in the top 20. Isabel Arthur was closer to the group but missed two meets. She is closer now to third runner Bethany Jones. The trend shows that this team will finish in the top 10 especially with the two low sticks in the front. Arthur and Jones closing the gap could get the Lions into the top five teams when all is said and done.

 

Chicago (DePaul College Prep)

Sectional Runners – Lorelei Travers SO; Grace Moller JR; Gabrielle Walker JR; Abigail Arseneau SO; Piper Houghton SO; Alexis Hallgren SR – Allison Tabellione SR DQ in sectional race; was team’s sixth runner in regionals.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :48; 2/5 = :24

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :56; 2/5 = :19

Overview – The Rams have the components on this team to leave Detweiller Park with a trophy. DePaul finished third within 14 points of Rosary at the Harvest Christian Academy Sectional. The week before they swept the first seven places in winning the Latin Regional. Abigail Arseneau and Lorelei Travers were the team’s top runners in their last two meets. Any of their top five runners who break away to be DePaul’s top runners in this meet. You can expect one all state runner from the Rams in this race. Their split behind their top runner has been consistent in their final three meets. A tight pack with a runner in the top 25 up to the first 35 puts this team in trophy contention.

 

Anna-Jonesboro

Sectional Runners – Brodie Denny SR; Kenzie Miller FR; Reese Jones FR; Raegan Jones FR; Zoe Jones SO; Kaylee Stover SR; Bree Hazelrigg JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:45; 2/5 = :20

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:17; 2/5 = :47

Overview – The addition of three freshmen to the Wildcats top seven has taken this team that would be a team advancing to a sectional to a team making it to the state meet as sectional champions. Anna-Jonesboro was impressive in their win last week with a 20 second split on their second through fifth runners. Brodie Denny is the team’s top runner that could be among the top 15 runners in this race. The pack behind Denny was impressive at 20 seconds. The regional race the week before had a split of 47 seconds. Don’t be surprised if this team is close to a trophy on Saturday especially if they run a race similar to the one they ran last week.

 

Pleasant Plains

Sectional Runners – Caroline Willenbourg FR, Jaidlynn Albers SR, Alaina Hawker FR, Teagan Galloway SO; Joanna Harvey SO; Jazmyne Albers FR; Megan Derrick SR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:16; 2/5 = 1:27; 1/3 = :56

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:41; 2/5 = :40; 1/3 = 2:07

Overview – The Cardinals are another team in this tight pack of teams that could leave Detweiller Park with a trophy especially after winning the high powered Elmwood Sectional by nine points ahead of Eureka. They had finished third the week before at PORTA but that was with one of their top runners Jaidlynn Albers disqualified because she made a wrong turn. Albers finishing 16th at sectionals made a difference. Caroline Willenborg finished in the top five in both state series races and could be all-state in this race. Albers and Hawker could be among the top 40 in this race. Keeping that split from their second to fifth runners should be staying under 75 seconds to get this team into trophy contention.

 

Elmwood

Sectional Runners – Addie Symonds JR; Olivia Stage SO; Chloe Kelly SR; Natalie Babcock FR; Ashley Wolcott SR; Addy Turner FR; Bre Turner SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:50; 2/5 = 1:04; 1/3 = 1:17

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 4:27; 2/5 = 2:51; 2/4 = :06

Overview – The Trojans have run strong down the final part of this season winning the Macomb Regional and then coming back last week to finish an impressive third in their own sectional. Addie Symonds is the top runner for Elmwood finishing sixth last week and the possibility of running all-state at Detweiller Park. Olivia Stage did not run in regionals but her presence as the team’s second runner last week made a difference. There will be a gap between Symonds and Stage. Their pack split behind Symonds going under 60 seconds staying within 35 seconds of their top runner moves this team closer to the top five.

 

Aurora (Rosary)

Sectional Runners – Chiara Surtz SO; Vivian Wyller JR; Olivia Kunio JR; Natalie Goettsch SO; Ana Hathaway SR; Amelia Whitacre FR; Christina Ferraro JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:09; 1/4 = :32; 2/4 = :17; 4/5 = 1:37

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:50; 1/4 = 1:16; 1/3 = :24; 2/4 = 1:02; 4/5 = 1:34

Overview – The key for the Royals all season has been their gap between a group of four good runners and then their fifth runners. Rosary won the high powered Amboy Invitational more than two weeks ago against Eureka and Winnebago. The larger number of runners in this field will make a difference. Rosary won the Harvest Christian Academy Sectional by eight points over a good Chicago Christian team last week. The Royals had a split over two minutes in that race. The split was just 1:50 in their regional race. Chiara Surtz was the team’s top runner all season and should be all-state in this week’s race. A key is keeping  Vivian Wyller, Olivia Kunio, and Natalie Goettsch close together. It was 32 seconds last week. Kunio slipped back to fourth runner in regionals, and it was just over a minute. Hathaway has been consistently just over 90 seconds behind the pack this season. Closing that gap while having a tight 2-4 pack gets this team into the trophy conversation.

 

Palos Heights (Chicago Christian)

Sectional Runners – Anna Enderle SR; Grace Mullin JR; Kaylee O’Sullivan JR; Kihra Moes FR; Haley Van Til FR; Mia Caporale FR; Katie Steinhagen SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:52; 3/5 = :51; 1/3 = 1:01

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:29; 3/5 = 1:08; 1/3 = 1:21

Overview – Chicago Christian has emerged as a team that was not among the top 10 to start the season to become a possible top 10 team in this state meet. The Knights had a strong sectional race scoring 72 points to finish eight points behind Rosary. The addition of their three freshmen that are the fourth, fifth, and sixth runners have helped them to get to this position. Anna Enderle has been the team’s top runner all season. The senior won the sectional title and should be among the top 10 runners in this race. Grace Mullin and Kaylee O’Sullivan give the Knights a strong second and third runners. Chicago Christian could place three runners in the top 60 on Saturday. The pack moving closer to the first three runners pushes this team in the top 10.

 

Glen Carbon (Father McGivney)

Sectional Runners – Kaitlyn Hatley JR; Elena Rybak SO; Jane Cummins SO; Alyssa Terhaar SR; Sofia Luna SR; Isabella Harris SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 4:13; 1/3 = 1:24; 3/5 = 2:49

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 5:21; 1/3 = 1:41; 3/5 = 3:44

Overview – It is hard to see where the Griffins will be in this meet. They could challenge for a top 10 finish in this meet or be in the middle of the pack. Father McGivney finished fourth last week at the Benton Sectional. The Griffins finished second behind Breese Mater Dei the week before at the Trenton-Wesclin Regional. Kaitlyn Hatley stepped into the top spot down the stretch and could finish in the top 10 at state. Elana Rybak was more than a minute behind her teammate in the sectional race. That gap was only 17 seconds the week before. She should be in the top 25 in this race if she can be near Hatley. Jane Cummins staying closer to Rybak could give this team a boost into the top 10.

 

Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)

Sectional Runners – Vivian Rahmel SR; Grayson Hady JR; Kaitlyn Lee SR; Reese Watson SO; Emma Johnson FR; Paige Mattiuz SR; Karigan Books FR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:49; 1/3 = :10; 1/4 = :20; 4/5 = 1:29

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:19; 1/3 = :20; 1/4 = :31; 4/5 = 1:48

Overview – The Cyclones make it back to Detweiller Park for the state meet after finishing sixth in the ultra-tough Elmwood Sectional. That sectional race could have been their best of the season heading into Peoria. Their pack between Vivian Rahmel, Grayson Hady, and Kaitlyn Lee has been tight throughout the season. It was only 10 seconds in the sectional race. Reese Watson moving into the group gives SHG a boost. She was 11 seconds behind in regionals. Their split on the first four runners went from 31 seconds to just 20 seconds. It is hard to tell but a top half of the finishers definitely could happen for this team.

 

Monticello

Sectional Runners – Mabry Bruhn SR; Estella Miller SR; Sylvia Miller SO; Joe Walker JR; Olivia Gerdes FR; Mylin Bruhn FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 4:42; 2/5 = 2:05

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 5:46; 2/5 = 2:44

Overview – The Sages got healthy mid-way through the season, and it has helped as they approach state. They only have six runners on their team. They made it back to state by finishing fourth in the St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional. Mabry Bruhn is having a super senior season and will be one of the favorites in the individual race. Ignore the top five split for the Sages especially with Bruhn so far in the front. Estella Miller leads the pack that will need to be within two minutes of their top runner to finish among the top 15 teams in Class 1A.

 

Rock Falls

Sectional Runners – Hana Ford JR; Ariel Hernandez SO; Kat Scott FR; Ava Shank JR; Brooke Howard SR; Grace Rippy SR; Aniyah Thomas SR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:36; 3/5 = 1:22; 1/2 = :12

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:46; 3/5 = 1:21; 1/2 = :11

Overview – The Rockets are coming off a strong race at Oregon finishing second in the sectional 19 points behind Winnebago. Hana Ford and Ariel Hernandez give Rock Falls a solid 1-2 up front. The two runners finished 10-12 last week at Oregon. Both could finish in the top 40. Their top five split needs to stay under two minutes for Rock Falls to finish among the top 15 teams.

 

Shelbyville

Sectional Runners – Tessa Bowers FR; Lily Woolery SO; Anna Tynan JR; Caroline White JR; Greta Duke SO; Ellie Nohren SR; Sara Tynan FR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 4:14; 2/5 = 2:05; 2/4 = 1:01

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 4:36; 2/5 = 2:29; 2/4 = 1:16

Overview – The Rams qualified for state by finishing fifth at the St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional. This team is young with six of their top seven runners that are underclassmen. Tessa Bowers is having a great opening finishing second in her regional and third last week in the sectional race. She should be among the top 10 individuals in this race. The gap between Bowers and second runner Lily Woolery is near two minutes. A key for this team is keeping the split within the pack to under two minutes. It went down by 24 seconds from regionals to sectionals.

 

Breese (Mater Dei)

Sectional Runners – Isabella Hacker SO; Emma Diekemper FR; Avery Rahden SR; Alexis Kampwerth SR; Reid Emig FR; Ashtyn Wheeler FR; Julia Korte SR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:00; 2/5 = :57; 3/5 = :21

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:51; 2/5 = :45; 3/5 = :11

Overview – Mater Dei has run well throughout the season with their latest race in finishing second at the Benton Sectional. Isabella Hacker has been their top runner throughout the season and could be in all-state territory in this race. Emma Diekemper leads the pack behind Decker that was within 57 seconds of each other last week and within 63 seconds of Hacker. The Knights do have a good chance to make it into the top 10 the way they have been racing in their last three races. It will be a matter of closing the inner split on the pack by 10 seconds and staying withing 52 seconds of Hacker in an all-state spot.

 

Urbana (University)

Sectional Runners – Kate Ahmari SR; Edie Hoganson SR; Kara Mathias SR; Shriya Nagaraj FR; Ella Ylagan FR; Clara Wood SR; Eve Anderson FR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 3:24; 1/2 = 1:51; 2/5 = 1:33

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:50; 1/2 = 1:43; 2/5 = 2:07

Overview – The Illineks were thought at the beginning of the year as the outside team looking in because of the number of runners that they lost due to graduation. U-High proved some of their doubters wrong finishing sixth at the St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional and making it back to Detweiller Park as a team. Three freshmen stepped up and are now running in the top seven. Two of those freshmen are in the top five. Kate Ahmari again is the team’s top runner after finishing in the top five in her regional and sectional races. The senior should finish in the top 10 in this race. The gap between Ahmari and second runner has averaged 1:47 in their final three races. It could close down a little more on Saturday. The 2-5 pack lowered their split substantially to make it to state. Dropping it lower could move this team up in the final standings.

 

Carterville

Sectional Runners – Molly Robertson SO; Dani Williamson FR; Marcella Wood SO; Megan Fleege JR; Lexie Watts SO; Anna Balmforth JR; Lillian Carsrud SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 3:13; 1/2 = 1:18; 2/5 = 1:55

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:34; 1/2 = :59; 2/5 = 2:35

Overview – The Lions make it to the state meet after finishing third at the Benton Sectional. Molly Robertson had top five finishes in her last two races. The sophomore could be among the top 25 runners in this race. Freshman Dani Williamson and Robertson were separated by 78 seconds but just 59 seconds the week before. That split could be cut down in this race. The team’s 2-5 split was under two minutes last week. That trend could move Carterville near a top 15 finish.

 

Sandwich

Sectional Runners – Sundara Weber FR, Emily Urbanski FR, Joanna Rivera SO, Errin Lissman SO; Hannah Treptow SO, Karlee Henkins FR; Emma White JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 6:26; 1/2 = 2:06; 2/5 = 4:41

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 5:53; 1/2 = 2:12; 2/5 = 3:41

Overview – The Indians make the state meet in 2022 with a strong third-place finish at the Oregon Sectional. This team is extremely young with all of their top seven runners underclassmen. Six of their top seven runners are either freshmen or sophomores. Sundara Weber has put herself into top five individual position this year after a convincing win in her sectional race. Joanna Rivera and Emily Urbanski are interchangeable between the second and third spots. The split on this team is huge over six minutes last week. Sandwich is a team that could be among the top 20 teams in this meet.

 

Robinson

Sectional Runners – Quinn Wesley JR; Sophie Stark SO; Mallory Mosbey FR; Rylee Young JR; Leighanna Welsh SR; Brynn Forman JR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:21; 1/3 = :28; 3/5 = :53

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 4:22; 1/3 = :31; 3/5 = 4:51

Overview – The Maroons are running strong at the right moment. Robinson surprised some by finishing third in last week’s sectional race at St. Joseph-Ogden. Moving their pack closer to the front in this race could be something to watch for. Their split last week was 81 seconds. Quinn Wesley, Sophie Stark, and Mallory Mosbey lead a pack in the front that have been separated by under 31 seconds in their last two races.

 

Pinckneyville

Sectional Runners – Vanessa Teel SO; Sofia Castellano JR; Zoey Conway SO; Madison Bruns FR; Michaela Skorch JR; Emily Baggett JR; Rori Wright SR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 3:40; 1/3 = 1:33; 2/5 = 2:43

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:07; 1/3 = :57; 2/5 = 2:14

Overview – Pinckneyville makes a return trip back to the State Meet after finishing fifth at the Benton Sectional. Vanessa Teel was the top runner for the Panthers in the sectional race. Sofia Castellano was the top runner in the regional race 53 seconds ahead of Teel. Teel was ahead of Castellano by 57 seconds in the sectional race. The split for the first three runners could be under 60 seconds in this race. It would be a good sign for Pinckneyville in the team standings if they get their top five across the line in under three minutes with a runner in the top 50 places.

 

Des Plaines (Willows Academy)

Sectional Runners – Francoise Lechner SR; Lucy James SR; Jane Potter SO; Isabella Avilla SR; Lola Keller SO; Helena Costanza SO; Emilia Kryczka FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:23; 2/5 = 1:14; 3/5 = :28

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:42; 2/5 = 1:25; 3/5 = :35

Overview- The Eagles just made it to the state meet after finishing sixth at the Harvest Christian Academy Sectional. This is their first trip to the state meet since 2015. The team closed their top five split to 2:23 behind Francoise Lechner’s fifth-place sectional finish. Lechner could be one of the top 30 runners in this race. Lucy James is a solid two runner will lead their pack behind Lechner in Saturday’s race.

 

Joliet (Catholic Academy)

Sectional Runners – Ella Heinen FR; Claire Blotnik SR; Annie Tibbot JR; Jordan Reeves JR; Erin Nash SR; Kathryn Hammel JR; Sophia Mihelich JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:44; 2/5 = 2:06; 1/3 = 1:07

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:53; 2/5 = 2:00; 1/3 = 1:09

Overview – There was some drama and some waiting for the Hilltoppers after Saturday’s sectional. One of their top five runners was disqualified placing the team in 11th. After a video review, the runner was reinstated moving Joliet Catholic to fourth overall and a trip to the state meet. The splits have been consistent for the Hilltoppers with freshman Ella Heinen leading the team up front. The freshman finished 14th in the sectional race.

 

Sherrard

Sectional Runners – Hailie Shemek SR; Tori Browning FR; Sarah Gibson SR; Beth Churchill SO; Nadia Anderson SO; Grace Tucker FR; Alli Nielsen SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:29; 1/2 = :16; 2/5 = 1:13

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:36; ½ = :51; 2/5 = 1:45

Overview – Sherrard was one of the six teams to advance out of the Oregon Sectional finishing fifth in that meet. The Tigers the week before at the Rock Falls Regional finished second. Hailie Shemek and Tori Browning give the team a solid 1-2 in front for them. The two were only separated by 16 seconds last week. The two were separated by 51 seconds the week before when Shemek finished sixth at Rock Falls. Sherrard could be a top 20 team but need to move their pack up while maintaining a top five split of 90 seconds or faster.

 

Seneca

Sectional Runners – Evelyn O’Connor SO; Gracie Steffes JR; Lily Mueller FR; Keeli Pumphrey SR; Ashley Alsvig SR; Natalie Misener SO; Ruthie Steffes FR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 3:49; 1/2 = 2:25; 2/5 = 1:24

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:45; 1/2  = 3:08; 2/5 = :37

Overview – The Irish also made it out of the Oregon Sectional finishing fourth just six points ahead of Sherrard. Evelyn O’Connor will be one of the runners to watch in the front pack in Saturday’s race possibly finishing in the top 15. There is over a two minute gap between O’Connor in the pack. 84 seconds separated the 2-5 pack last week. Both splits need to narrow for Seneca to be near the top 20.

 

Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy)

Sectional Runners – Caitlyn Terrien JR; Emma Leslie JR; Cynthia Ortega FR; Lizzy McCloughlin FR; Daphne Brown SO; Leslie Uriostegui FR, Cherry Blick SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:33; 1/4 = :27; 4/5 = 1:06

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:02; 1/4  = 1:09; 4/5 = 1:13

Overview – The Lions were a surprise making out of their own regional after being ranked #10 heading into the meet. HCA finished fifth in their sectional meet. This is a pack team led by Caitlyn Terrien and Emma Leslie the past two meets. The two runners led a 27 second split on their top four runners. The pack worked well in a smaller meet last week. They need to move up in the state race to finish in the top 25.

 

Richmond-Burton

Sectional Runners – Alexa Spatz SO; Savannah Wells FR; Emerson Wold FR; Olivia Popp FR; Camila Mendez SR; Lahey O’Connor JR; Beth Hillier SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 3:49; 1/2 = 1:13; 2/5 = 2:26

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:30; 1/2  = 1:04; 2/5 = 2:26

Overview – The Rockets just made it to Peoria finishing sixth at the Oregon Regional. Richmond-Burton finished third the week before at Winnebago. A good team to watch in this meet and next year with three of their top four runners freshmen. Alexia Spatz, a sophomore finished 17 in her sectional race is a runner that could be a surprise in the top 50.

 

Freeburg

Sectional Runners – Elizabeth Cox SR; Grace Trentman FR; Alexis Geluck SO; Rosie Trautman JR; Jazmyn Harmon SR; Malania Hickey JR; Jordyn Spanley FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :39; 2/5 = :13

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:13; 2/5 = :22

Overview – The Lady Midgets came on strong at the end of the year especially last week at the Benton Sectional when they qualified for the state meet placing sixth. Freeburg ran a great race running a 39 second top split off their #1 runner Elizabeth Cox. Grace Trentman led the pack last week as their 2-5 split was only 13 seconds. A good team that finish in the top 25 if their top five moves up.

 

Class 1A Team Preview

Tolono Unity is set to defend their 1A State title especially the way they have been running all season. They are undefeated and it looks like it will stay that way.

 

Eureka could be the closest team to Unity. Winnebago has three great runners that could finish in the top 15. We will have to wait and see where their fourth and fifth runners will finish. The gap between the two groups has decreased in the past month. Rosary has four good runners that should finish in the top 30. Will their gap between four and five keep them from winning a trophy. DePaul Prep has nice packing capabilities that could get them in the top three. El Paso-Gridley, Stanford Olympia, and Anna-Jonesboro could find their way to finish in the top five.