2022 IHSA State XC Championships Preview - 1A Boys

 

By Michael Newman

 

Class 1A Individual Runners to Watch

Gavin Genisio, Benton; Daniel Winkelman, Harvest Christian Academy; Isaac Teel, Pinckneyville; Akili Parekh, Latin School; Tommy Murray, Riverdale; Bryson Grant, Iroquois West; Weston Forward, Rockford Christian; Logan Beckmeier, Arthur-Lovington; Josiah Hortin, Tuscola; Jackson Barrett, Tuscola; Mac Kittrell, DePaul Prep; Landis Musser, Riverdale; Aidan Sosnowski, Rockford Christian: Gabriel McLain, Benton; Patrick Hilby, Aurora Central Catholic; Sam Springer, Delavan; Ben Gibson, Latin School; Ethan Hogan, Columbia, Mason Hart, Normal University; Isaiah Hill, Elmwood.

 

Class 1A Individuals Preview

This could be one of the better races of the six being held on Saturday. Gavin Genisio and Isaac Teel ran equivalent to a 14:10 last week in the Benton Sectional. Weather conditions could slow the pace down. Daniel Winkelman is a big meet racer in which we could see his tactics especially if the course slows this race down. Akili Parekh and Tommy Murray I could also see in the front pack.

 

IL XC Speed Ratings State Meet Projections

 

Class 1A Teams

 

Port Byron (Riverdale)

Sectional Runners – Tommy Murray SR; Landis Musser SR; Peyton Sand SR; Braeden Bode FR; Mitchell Hasenour SR; Cael Hinde JR; Andy Murray SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:27; 1/3 = :48; 3/5 = :39

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:24; 1/3 = :50; 3/5 = :34

Overview – The Rams move to the top heading into this weekend after a convincing win at the Oregon Sectional ahead of a good Rockford Christian team. Riverdale was dominant winning their regional race placing 5 runners in the top 11. This is a senior oriented team with four of their top five runners. There were expectations in last year’s state race where they finished 11th. Tommy Murray has been running strong all season. His sectional win demonstrated that he could be among the top five runners in the Class 1A State race. Landis Musser has also improved where he could finish in the top 15. Peyton Sand has stepped up possibly placing in the top 40. The addition of freshman Braeden Bode has given Riverdale a boost in the top five along with Mitchell Hasenour. Their splits in the top five have been consistent in which if Murray and Musser finish where expected, the team could be in line for the program’s first state team title.

 

Normal (University)

Sectional Runners – Mitchell Hayes JR; Mason Hart JR; Landen Alcorn JR; Brandt Henderson SR; Sean Kaeb FR; Connor Hartman SO; Jonah Kaeb JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :49; 1/4 = :32; 4/5 = :17

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :59; 1/4 = 22:; 4/5 = :37

Overview – U-High has been among the top teams in Class 1A most of the season. The Pioneers come into this meet on Saturday again as one of the team favorites after winning their sectional last week at Elmwood. The question for this team is where this pack will start in the race? The split on their top four runners in their sectional was 32 seconds with that split 10 seconds faster in the regional race. Mason Hart was the top runner at regionals. Mitchell Hayes was the team’s top runner last week. Landen Alcorn and Brandt Henderson are also a part of the pack. The freshman Sean Kaeb has settled in as the team’s fifth runner. Hayes, Hart, or both runners could be among the top 25 on Saturday. Perhaps more than that. Kaeb is the anchor for this team. He was closer to the pack last week than in previous meets. That would be a good thing if that repeats Saturday morning. Their top five split needs to be at or under 50 seconds for this team to win the state title.

 

Chicago (DePaul College Prep)

Sectional Runners – Mac Kittrell SR; Charlie Richardson SR; Bryan Malkowski JR; Elias Roldan SO; William Beebe SO; Patrick Costello SR; Maddux Bailey JR. – Owen Flom SR did not run sectionals; #3 at regionals.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:16; 1/4 = 1:12; 1/2 = :40

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :38; 1/4 = :26; 1/2 = :08

Overview – The Rams finished fourth at last week’s Harvest Christian Academy without #3 runner Owen Flom was held out of the sectional. DePaul the week before edged Latin School by eight points in their regional meet. Mac Kittrell is their top runner and could finish among the top 10 runners on Saturday. Charlie Richardson and Flom were only separated by 12 seconds in the regional race. If Flom runs, those two runners could finish in the top 25. Bryan Malkowski and Elias Roldan give this team a solid fourth and fifth runners. Their sectional split was beyond two minutes. That will not help them finish in the top five. With Flom racing, the team’s split was just 38 seconds. The Rams remembered finishing third in the 2021 State Meet. They would like and could better that finish if healthy in Saturday’s race.

 

Chicago (Latin School)

Sectional Runners – Akili Parekh SR; Ben Gibson SO; Daniel Goodman SO; Jackson Ballard SR; Matthew Kotcher SR; Miles Daly SO; Will Del Hierro SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:48; 1/4 = 1:14; 2/4 = :43

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:29; 1/4  = 1:01; 2/4 = :28; 2/5 = :53

Overview – The Romans missed a sectional title by just one point last Saturday behind host Harvest Christian Academy. They did that last week without regional #4 runner Jack Lyons. The sophomore in the race would have changed the sectional outcome. The same could happen when Lyons races on Saturday. Akili Parekh is the top runner for Latin School and will be in the hunt for the individual title. Ben Gibson was all-state last season. He was 21 seconds behind Parekh last week and could be among the top 15 runners in this race. Daniel Goodman, Jackson Ballard, and Lyons were separated 41 seconds in the regional race with Goodman just 12 seconds behind Gibson. He was 33 seconds behind Gibson last week. I still would not count out Goodman finishing in the top 30. Latin School is the defending 1A State Champions and are hungry to repeat. Gibson just needs to stay within 15 to 20 seconds behind Parekh with the pack 40 seconds behind Gibson for a repeat of a state championship.

 

Decatur (St. Teresa)

Sectional Runners – Evan Cook SO; Caleb Kernaghan SR; Martin Velchek SR; Cameron Kernaghan SR; Gus Striglos JR; Matt Auburn SO; Diego Hernandez SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:13; 1/3= :25; 3/5 = :48; 3/4 =:41

Regional Splits – 1/5: 1:01; 1/3 = :08; 3/5 = :53; 3/4 = :51

Overview – The Bulldogs are also in the hunt for a state trophy after a strong showing in their win at the St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional. This team lives and dies off pack running with Evan Cook, Caleb Kernaghan, and Martin Velchek leading the team. The second pack of Cameron Kernaghan and Gus Striglos strengthened as Diego Hernandez was a second behind Striglos with Matt Auburn another six seconds off Hernandez. This packing will get the Bulldogs in position for a state trophy especially the first three runners are within 20 seconds of each other and are among the top 30 finishers.

 

Benton

Sectional Runners – Gavin Genisio JR; Gabriel McLain SO; Cole Buchanan SO; Mason Tieffel JR; Seagar Sanchez FR; Parker Johnson SO; Jack Bacon JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:28; 1/3 = 1:21; 3/4 = :47; 3/5 = 1:07

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:32; 1/3 = 1:25; 3/4 = 1:29; 3/5 = 2:07

Overview – The Rangers do have the talent to be in trophy contention especially after a strong race last week in the sectional win on their home course. Gavin Genisio is their top runner gunning after a state individual title on Saturday. Gabriel McLain and Cole Buchanan are solid 2-3 runners for the team. The two were separated by 46 seconds last week. Their sectional field is not the strongest so their low point total to win will go up significantly especially if the top five split is at or above three-minutes. With Genisio running close to 14-minutes, that type of  split still could be acceptable for this team to finish in the top five.

 

Eureka

Sectional Runners – Charlie Bardwell SR; Carson Lehman JR; Andrew Perry JR; Brady Monk JR; Tucker Hinkle SO; Gabriel Gerber SR; Luke Rinkenberger SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:10; 1/2 = :23; 3/5 = :25

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :52; 1/2 = :08; 3/5 = :12

Overview – The Hornets are a team to keep an eye on in the top five in this Saturday’s meet. Eureka ran a fair race in their conference meet, and good races in their two state series races. They finished second in the Elmwood Sectional. Charlie Bardwell and Carson Lehman are solid up front to lead their school in this race. Bardwell ran away with the sectional crown last week and will look for a high finish on Saturday. Their pack, led by Andrew Perry and Brady Monk were separated just by 25 seconds. Their top five split last week was at 70 seconds with 22 seconds separating the front two and then the next three runners. Eureka could finish in the top five with their possibilities for all state up front and their pack behind staying within arm’s length of each other.

 

Tuscola

Sectional Runners – Josiah Hortin JR; Jackson Barrett JR; Will Foltz JR; Bryce Graves JR; Xander Neamtu SO; Mason Veach SR; Carson Smith JR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:13; 1/2 = :00; 1/3 = :34; 3/5 = 1:39

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:52; 1/2 = :01; 1/3 = 1:04; 3/5 = 1:48

Overview – Tuscola has the runners to finish in the top five in Saturday’s state meet. The Warriors finished second at the St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional placing three runners in the top five. Josiah Hortin and Jackson Barrett run next to each other in every race. They finished 1-2 together last Saturday with the same time. Will Foltz was just 34 seconds behind the two finishing fifth. Hortin and Barrett should finish in the top 10. Foltz should make all-state in this race. The low numbers up front give this team a shot at a trophy or a top five finish at the least. The split between the top three and the pack behind them has to come down. It was 1:27 last week. That might be too big of a gap to be close to a finish in the top five.

 

Rockford (Christian)

Sectional Runners – Weston Forward JR; Aidan Sosnowski SR; Tyler Nalley SR; Andrew Kurien SO; Noah Shook SR; Reece Wesseln SR; Cameron McGonigal JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:01; 3/5 = :39; 2/3= 1:16

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:05; 3/5 = :52; 2/3 = 1:07

Overview – The Royal Lions will effort to finish in the top 10 once again after finishing second last week at the Oregon Sectional. Rockford Christian could have one of the best combos up front in the program’s history. Weston Forward and Aidan Sosnowski should both be among the top 15 in this State Meet. What could hurt for RC is the gap between the pack and third runner is 76 seconds. Their split on their top five has been consistent near two minutes. Going under that split neat 1:45 would be a plus. Tyler Nalley and Andrew Kurien moving closer to the top two will keep the Royal Lions in the top 10 and perhaps closer to a top five finish.

 

El Paso-Gridley

Sectional Runners – Sam Bushert SR; Dean Witzig JR; Isaac Porzelius SO; Lukas Holderby JR; Payton Romersberger SR; Nicholas Harston JR; Pierson Romersberger SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:10; 1/2 = :34; 2/5 = :36

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:01; 1/2 = :08; 2/5 = :53

Overview – The Titans will go for a top 10 finish on Saturday after finishing third at the Elmwood Sectional. Sam Bushert and Dean Witzig have been the team’s top runners all season and could be among the top 25 runners in this race. Bushert could finish in the top 15. EPG ran a 70 second split in their top five last week. Witzig was eight seconds behind Bushert in the regional race. Having a split under 60 seconds with Witzig close to Bushert and the pack within 34 seconds of their top two will put them first in the top five and perhaps closer to the top five.

 

Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy)

Sectional Runners – Daniel Winkelman SR; JJ Gonnam JR; Luca Bryja FR: David Peterson SR; Jimmy Bernaeyge JR; Matthew McLoughlin FR; Jack Welsh FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:29; 2/4 = :03; 4/5 = :26

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:18; 2/4 = :13; 4/5 = :39

Overview – Harvest Christian Academy likes to stay out of the spotlight every season until the time is right to pop out. They are peaking again at the right time winning their regional race and then last week when they edged highly ranked Latin School by one point to win their own sectional. Daniel Winkelman is one of the top runners in Class 1A and has his eyes on winning an individual state title. What has improved this team is the pack behind their top runner. The group led by JJ Gonnam last week was 60 seconds behind Winkelman. That pack of three runners were just separated by three seconds. The split to their fifth runner was 26 seconds with a 2-5 split of 29 seconds. There are two ways that this team could finish. The Lions should be among the top 10 runners in this race. If they run the splits they have run in the past two meets, HCA could contend and surprise some more in reach of a state trophy.

 

Elmwood

Sectional Runners – Isiah Hill JR; Aiden Faulkner FR; Mika Nelson SO; Brendan Williams SR; LJ Higgs JR; Reed Florey SO; Garrett Webster FR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:02; 1/2 = :45; 2/5 = :17

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:01; 1/2 = :36; 2/5 = :25

Overview – Elmwood has the tradition of starting out slowly at the start of the season and then finishing their final race on the Detweiller Park state course. The Trojans looked the past two state series races winning the Macomb Regional and then finished fourth in their home sectional 10 points behind El Paso-Gridley. This is a young team with just one senior among the top seven. Isaiah Hill finished fourth in his last two races and should be among the top 25 on Saturday. The team has a nice 2-5 split of 25 seconds two weeks ago and then again 17 seconds last Saturday led by Aiden Faulkner and Mika Nelson. Hill should be all-state but where will he finish? In the top 15? In the top 20? Their split won’t change that much spanning any where from 60 to 65 seconds. A great race puts the Trojans among the top 10 teams in this state race.

 

Niles (Northridge Prep)

Sectional Runners – Brady Kataoka JR; John Kipp JR; James Barder SO; Max Elder SR; Peter Kipp FR; CJ Pronek JR; Tommy Hansen SO.

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

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :41; 1/4 = :08; 4/5 = :33

Overview – A team that could finish anywhere in the top 15 on Saturday. The Knights finished third in the Harvest Christian Academy just two points ahead of DePaul College Prep. Northridge Prep two types of races in each state series race. They packed it up at regionals with an eight second split on their top four runners led by Max Elder. The Knights also ran well in their sectional race this time with a 53 second top five split off Brady Kataoka who finished in the top 10. A tight pack up front moving forward throughout the race will put this team near the top 10 Saturday morning.

 

Newton

Sectional Runners – Clay Bergbower SR; Luke Weber JR; Nick Shamhart SR; Brock Probst JR; Owen Mahaffey SR; Ben Street SR; Luis Zavala SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :45; 1/2 = :11; 2/5 = :34

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:14; 1/2 = :24; 2/5 = :50

Overview – Great pack running put the Eagles in the state meet winning their own regional and finishing third last Saturday at the St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional. Newton won their regional easily and only needed a 74 second on their top five. Clay Bergbower again was the top runner in their sectional race as the team only had a 45 second split with the pack starting in 16th place. The Eagles will need a similar type of race this weekend. A runner in the top 40 along with a split between 43 to 51 seconds will keep this team in the middle of the overall team standings.

 

Pinckneyville

Sectional Runners – Isaac Teel JR; Landen Boman FR; Landen Carter SO; Brendan Conway SO; Christian Queen FR; Brody Wilt FR; Andrew Wagner SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:37; 1/2 = 2:16; 2/5 = :21

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:14; 1/2 = 1:15; 2/5 = :59

Overview – The Panthers were supposed to have a tough time in making it back to state meet especially graduating the core of their top seven. Nobody told Pinckneyville that. Three freshman and two sophomores have picked this team up and helped get this team back to Peoria after finishing second last week at the Benton Sectional. Isaac Tell finished second at Benton last week and could be among the top runners in the state race. Ignore this top five split especially with Teel slaying dragons up front. Freshmen Landen Boman and Christian Queen were the second and fifth runners that were only separated by 21 seconds. That pack was over two minutes behind Teel last Saturday. That split needs to come down for Pinckneyville to get among the top 15 teams.

 

Williamsville

Sectional Runners – Daniel Giacomini SR; Avery Glascow SR; Nolan Bates SR: Jonathan Janssen JR; Luke Milnes FR; Ethan Grebner SO; Nicholas Donelan SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:27; 1/2 = :17; 2/5 = 1:10

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:13; 1/2 = :31; 2/5 = 1:42

Overview – The Bullets were fifth in the Elmwood Sectional last Saturday making it to the state meet. Williamsville ran a good race to make it to Detweiller Park with 17 seconds separating their top two runners Daniel Giacomini and Avery Glascow; It won’t be a surprise if one or the other finishes in the top 25. The two through five split was at 70 seconds. You could see it dip lower in this upcoming race.

 

Aurora (Central Catholic)

Sectional Runners – Patrick Hilby JR; James Stolfe SR; Armando Acosta SR; Kevin Lillwitz JR; Matthew Gay SR; James Digate JR; David Valencia SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:43; 1/3 = :36; 3/5 = 1:07

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:39; 1/3 = :25; 3/5 = 1:14

Overview – The Chargers did what they needed to do to make it to Peoria placing their top three runners in the top 20 to finish fifth at the Harvest Christian Academy Sectional. The success of this year’s team has been led by Football turned Cross Country runner Patrick Hilby who has been the team’s top runner all season. He should be all-state in this race. James Stolfe and Armando Acosta are a solid 2-3 pack 20 to 25 seconds behind Hilby last week. This team should be in the top 20 in this meet. Maybe closer to the top 10 than the top 20.

 

Pontiac

Sectional Runners – Aidan Lee JR; Cam Fenton SO; Fernando Daily JR; Jaxen Paine JR; Logan McCabe FR; Tyler Hanson SO; Jake Dewald SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:26; 1/2 = 1:05; 2/5 = :22

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:57; 1/2 = :48; 2/5 = 1:09

Overview – Pontiac punched their ticket to Peoria by finishing third at the Oregon Sectional. The Indians ran a good race the week prior in winning the Seneca Regional behind the regional champion Aidan Lee. This top seven includes all underclassmen. Pontiac stepped it up in this meet with Lee finishing sixth overall and within reach of finishing in the top 25 on Saturday. Their pack came together at the right time as only 21 seconds separated the next four runners led by Cam Newton. A similar race in Peoria could mean big improvements for this team.

 

Pleasant Plains

Sectional Runners – Jack Willenborg JR; Elijah Teefey FR; Nathan Dahl SR; Zach Powell SR; Cole Payne SO; Ethan Griminger SO; Hunter Tabb SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :56; 1/2 = :32; 2/5 = :24

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :34; 1/2 = :04; 2/5 = :30

Overview – The Cardinals were a comfortable sixth in qualifying for state at the Elmwood Sectional. A team that should be among the top 20 at the end of the !A race. Jack Willenborg has been a strong top runner for this team this fall and could be among the top 40 runners in this race. Elijah Teefey leads a pack that had a 30 second split in their regional race and only 24 seconds last week at Elmwood.

 

St. Joseph-Ogden

Sectional Runners – Jack Fisher SO; Lance Retz FR; Carson Maroon JR; Aden Armstrong JR; Mason Guido SO; Ethan Blackburn SR; Holden Jones JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :33

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:15; 1/2 = :36; 2/5 = :39

Overview – Tight pack running secured a trip to the State Meet for this team as they finished fourth in their own sectional meet. The Spartans did not run their full top five in their regional meet when they finished second with a 75 second split. Jack Fisher and Lance Retz ran together in the sectional and punched that ticket with the team only having a 33 second split. SJO has that tight pack that will move up in their Saturday race. Finishing near or beyond the top 15 is not out of the question.

 

Georgetown (Notre Dame de la Salette)

Sectional Runners – Marco Cruz FR; John Brauner SO; Luke Pedry SR; Andrew Gross FR; Daniel Sullivan SO; Joseph Mackin SO; John Reen JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:10; 1/2 = :22; 2/5 = :48

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:09; 1/2 = :40; 2/5 = :29

Overview – The Lions advanced into an IHSA Sectional for the first time in 2021 where they finished 13th out of 20 teams. The second time they made it into the sectionals was last week and advanced to their first state meet after finishing sixth at the St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional. NDDLS won the Chrisman Regional the week before that. This is a team that will only get better with six of their top seven runners underclassmen. Freshman Marco Cruz has been the top runner the last two races and leads this team. John Brauner was the closest team runner behind last week within 22 seconds of the freshman. This team has a solid top five split of 69 seconds in their regional race and 70 seconds to help them advance for their first race at Detweiller Park.

 

Aledo (Mercer County)

Sectional Runners – Derek Coulter SR, Corbin Sturgill JR; Lucas Arnold SR; Blair Wilkerson SR; Jack McKnight SO; Brody Clark FR; Carlos Pollock JR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:24; 1/2 = :01; 2/3 = :17; 3/5 = 2:06

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:13; 1/2 = :15; 2/3 = :10; 3/5 = 1:48

Overview – Mercer County’s trip to the state meet included finishing second behind Riverdale at the Rock Falls Regional and then finishing fifth last week at the Oregon Sectional. Derek Coulter and Corbin Sturgill finished within a second of each other in that sectional race. Sturgill was the team’s third runner in the regional race 25 seconds behind his teammate. Lucas Arnold reversed spots with Sturgill in the regional and sectional races. Their top five split in the last two meets has been over two minutes. It could make it tough for the Golden Eagles to find their way into the top 20 at Detweiller Park.

 

Effingham (St. Anthony)

Sectional Runners – Griffen Elder SR; Julius Ramos FR; Aidan Braunecker JR; Conlan Walsh SR; Giovanni Bucio SR; Noah Flaig SO; Vincent Vogel SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:38; 1/2 = :39; 2/5 = :59

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:49; 1/2 = :43; 2/5 = 1:06

Overview – The Bulldogs advanced to the state by way of the Newton Regional where they finished  second and at the St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional where they placed fifth. Griffin Elder just missed all-sectional last week finishing 11th. He could be among the top 40 runners in this race. St. Anthony lowered their top five split 11 seconds last week down to 98 seconds. Lowering it even further can get this team among the top 20 teams on Saturday.

 

Sandwich

Sectional Runners – Wyatt Miller SR; Dayton Beatty SR; Max Cryer JR; Hudson Wills SR; Josh Schaefers SO; Alex Walsh FR; AJ Parkison FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:37; 1/3 = :32; 3/5 = 1:05

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:23; 1/3 = :52; 3/5 = 1:31

Overview – Sandwich joins their Girls team in Peoria and make a repeat trip after finishing fourth at the Oregon Sectional. Wyatt Miller and Dayton Beatty were within eight seconds of each other last week which benefitted this team. There was also improvement with their top five split as it decreased down to 97 seconds from a split over two minutes. The Indians will surprise some teams this weekend if their improvement in races continues.

 

Sterling (Newman Catholic)

Sectional Runners – Lucas Simpson JR, Lucas Schaab JR, Ken Boesen SR, Wyatt Widolf SO, Ryan Welty FR, Espen Hammes JR, Carver Grummert JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:26; 1/3 = :31; 3/5 = :55

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:40; 1/3 = :49; 3/5 = :51

Overview – The Comets just made it to the state meet earning the final spot at the Oregon Sectional finishing sixth. Newman Catholic made the climb to state even after finishing fourth the week before at the Rock Falls Regional. Lucas Simpson and Lucas Schaab are the team’s top runners and ran within 10 seconds of each other in the sectional race. Ken Boesen leads the pack as the team’s third runner and will need to move closer to the front tow runners. The team’s split in this meet could dip down even more from the 86 second split that they had last week.

 

Freeburg

Sectional Runners – Evan Schlichting JR, Colin Van Pelt SR, Mark Rozhon FR; Josh LaChance SR; Lawrence Somosa SO; Daniel Obernuefemann SR; Zachary Duffie FR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :18

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :46; 1/2 = :13; 2/5 = :33

Overview – Freeburg has run strong in the state series winning the Trenton-Wesclin and then making it back to the state meet by finishing third in the Benton Sectional. It was a strong performance as the Midgets had a 74 point edge before the fourth-place team in that meet. Evan Schlichting has been the team’s top runner in both state series races. He finished seventh in the regional race where the team ran a good 46 second finish. Schlichting followed that up at Benton finishing 29th overall. The fifth runner in that meet Lawrence Somosa finished 42nd. The team had a spectacular team split of only 18 seconds.

 

Elmhurst (Timothy Christian)

Sectional Runners – Ryan McKenzie SO; Gio Molina JR; Tyce Plaisier JR; Luke Hubbard SR; Rich Meszaros SO; Alex Becker SR; Josh Bemister JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:06; 1/4 = :28; 4/5 = :38

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :40; 1/4 = :30; 4/5 = :10

Overview – The Trojans were ranked ninth in the Harvest Christian Academy Sectional the week before the meet after finishing fifth at the Lisle Sectional. Timothy Christian made it to state finishing sixth just seven points ahead of seventh-place Chicago University. The Trojans were at full strength in the sectional race after their fourth runner Luke Hubbard was not in their regional lineup. Ryan McKenzie has been the top runner for this team that had only a 28 second split on their top four runners and 66 seconds on their top five. The pack moving up in the race and their split on their fourth to fifth runner cutting down from 38 seconds will keep this team within the top 25 teams.

 

Glen Carbon (Father McGivney)

Sectional Runners – Liam Schmidt FR, Connor Schmidt FR; Liam Boeving SO; Riley Stack SR; Levi Huber SO; Nolan Shearer SR; Evan Rybak SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :46; 1/4 = :10; 4/5 = :36

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :51; 1/4 = :25; 4/5 = :26

Overview – The Griffins punched their ticket to the state meet by finishing fifth at the Benton Sectional. This team has prospered with a good pack up front leading them. Freshman brothers Liam and Connor Schmidt led a 1-4 split of only 10 seconds in the sectional race with an overall split of just 46 seconds. This will be a team to keep an eye on the next two years. Father McGivney’s top five consists of four runners that are either freshmen or sophomores.

 

Edwardsville (Metro-East Lutheran)

Sectional Runners – Max Weber FR; Carter Pryor JR; Grayson Wyatt SR; Gavin Rodgers FR; JJ Lostutter SO; Jack Shank FR; Adam Broekemeier JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:26; 1/3 = 1:03; 3/5 = 1:23

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:48; 1/3 = :45; 3/5 = 1:03

Overview – The Knights were a surprise team in the state series first finishing third at the Trenton-Wesclin Sectional and then just making it into the state meet finishing sixth at Benton ahead of seventh-place Roxana by just three points. EMEL is one of those up and coming teams in the Metro St. Louis area with six of their top seven runners underclassmen. Max Weber is the freshman that made the step up as the team’s top runner in the state series and this season. Weber finished 12th in the sectional race and could finish in the top 50 on Saturday. The team’s top five split increased by 38 seconds from regionals to sectionals. Getting their spread on five back under two minutes will be something to watch for on Saturday.

 

Anna-Jonesboro

Sectional Runners – Matteo Vaca Diez JR; Lucas Hoehner JR; Lucas Vaca Diez SO; Yovani Carrillo SR; Zach Henry JR; Eric Chen SO; Logan Abernathy SO

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:08; 1/3 = :39; 3/5 = :29

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:09; 1/4 = 1:53

Overview – The Boys team joined the Girls team to the state meet by finishing a solid fourth-place at the Benton Sectional after finishing second the week before at the Carterville Regional. This team is young with three sophomores and three juniors a part of their top seven was higher. The Wildcats split narrowed by a minute from regionals to sectionals without their fifth runner Zach Henry in their lineup. Matteo Vaca Diez and Lucas Hoehner were within 13 seconds of each other in the sectional race and lead this team.

 

Class 1A Team Preview

Riverdale is the hottest team right now and could be the team to beat in this meet especially if they can get three all-state runners including two runners in the top 10. Normal University has been ranked #1 most of the season with four runners that run close together. Will that be enough to win a state championship? Harvest Christian Academy edged Latin School by one points last week. Do they repeat that race Saturday morning? Latin School and DePaul Prep ran without one of their top five runners last week. That could give these Chicago teams the boost to get into the top three teams. St. Teresa and Benton ran great in their sectional wins and could have a say on who finishes in the top three teams.