2022 IHSA State XC Championships Preview - 2A Girls

 

By Michael Newman

 

Class 2A Individual Runners to Watch

Tatum David, Richland County; Rachel Soukup, Prairie Ridge; Hadley Ferrero, Crystal Lake Central; Becca Heitzig, Lincoln; Annika Swan, St. Ignatius; Lucia Ton-That, Northside Prep; Mia Kotler, Latin School; Zoe Carter, Normal University; Colleen Zeibert, Rochester; Natalie Bierbaum, Normal University; Julie Bach, Normal West; Colette Kinsella, Nazareth Academy; Isabella Gonzalez, Crystal Lake South; Ava Heine, Grayslake Central; Josephine Dziedzic, Payton Prep; Sophia Ramirez, Washington; Joy Dudley, Morris; Hannah Meister, Bethalto Civic Memorial; Paige-Elicia Caruth, Lakes Community; Sara Armstrong, Grayslake Central; Ashlyn Chopra, Chatham-Glenwood; Isabella Marsico, Lake Forest; Becca Runyan, Lakes Community; Bella Daley, Fenwick; Jocelyn Onstot, Cary-Grove; Rachel Behrens, Chatham-Glenwood.

 

Class 2A Individuals Preview

Tatum David is the overwhelming favorite in this meet especially after her win last week at Chatham-Glenwood. Rachel Soukup has been the hot runner in Class 2A in the last month and could push David. Annika Swan has been undefeated in the last month. Will she try to stay with David? Becca Heitzig, Mia Kotler, and Colleen Zeibert could also be in that front pack.

 

IL XC Speed Ratings State Meet Projections

 

Class 2A Teams

 

Grayslake (Central)

Sectional Runners – Ava Henne FR; Sara Armstrong JR; Jordan Sutter FR; Katie Armstrong SR; Bella Domier JR; Sofia Witt JR; Victoria Piela SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:12; 1/2 = :25; 2/5 = :47

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:39; 1/2 = :27; 2/5 = 1:12

Overview – The Rams have been tested in their past three meets on the way in defending their 2021 State title. They won by two points ahead of Lakes Community at both the North Lake County Conference and Lakes Regional Meet. There was a little more of a margin in last week’s sectional meet at Deerfield where they won the sectional title by 16 points over a talented St. Ignatius Prep team and 20 points ahead of third-place Lakes Community. In a bigger race more runners in the race situation, the split for the Rams went down to 72 seconds on their top five runners. It shows that this team is ready for the challenge responding to the competing runners near them. Ava Henne has stepped up as the team’s top runner and could finish among the top 10 runners in this race. Sara Armstrong has been within 25 seconds of Henne. She could also finish among the top 25 runners. Two freshmen have giving this team’s top five a boost with Henne and Jordan Sutter who ran as the team’s third runner last week. The Rams pack from three to five have been difference making with Katie Armstrong and Bella Domier running within 29 seconds of Sutter. This team has their sights on another state championship. Putting five runners in the top 60 could lock up another state trophy.

 

Lake Villa (Lakes)

Sectional Runners – Becca Runyan SR; Paige-Elicia Caruth JR; Madison Twarling JR; Madison Perez SR; Hannah Rojas SO; Brianna Gara SO; Rachel Colwell JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:30; 1/3 = :42; 3/5 = :48; 2/5 = 1:00

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:37; 1/3 = :42; 3/5 = :55; 1/2 = :01; 2/5 = 1:36

Overview – The Eagles have been lurking around the top five teams in Class 2A most of the season even ranked at the top at some points. Lakes will be a team to watch in this loaded team race in which they could win the state championship or perhaps as low as sixth on Saturday. Paige-Elicia Caruth and Becca Runyan have been a solid 1-2 up front for the team with the dup finishing in the top 10 in most meets. The two runners could finish in the top 15 in this race. Madison Twarling is a solid third runner that was only 12 seconds behind Runyan last week. The junior could be the third Lakes runner to finish in the top 25. Madison Perez and Hannah Rojas give this team a solid fourth and fifth runners. Perez was 31 seconds behind Twarling last week. That gap needs to close down in this race for this team to experience success and a team trophy. The Eagles split lowered just seven seconds from regionals to sectionals. It needs to lower another eight seconds on Saturday to finish among the top three. The team has been tested for the last three meets. Those tests will help Lakes in Saturday’s state race.

 

Rochester

Sectional Runners – Colleen Zeibert SR; Ashley Zeibert FR; Natalie Nichols FR; Brooke Zeibert SO; Ella Kieffer FR; Myra Gibson FR; Addi Schmedeke SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:59; 1/3 = :34; 3/5 = 1:25; 1/2 = :33; 2/5 = 1:26

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:09; 1/3 = :51; 3/5 = 1:18; 1/2 = :48; 2/5 = 1:21

Overview – The Rockets first time racing on the state meet course at Detweiller Park will be Saturday morning for the Class 2A race. Rochester has been hidden in the shadows most of this season before the state series hit them. This team has been challenged the past three weeks winning a tough Central State Eight Conference race, running strong in a tight Taylorville Regional where they won with three teams within eight points of each other, and then last week finishing third at Chatham-Glenwood just six points behind for the win. This team was boosted this season with the addition of four freshmen into their top seven. Colleen Zeibert has been on a mission this season after not qualifying for state a year ago. The senior should be one of the top 10 runners in the 2A race. Freshmen Ashley Zeibert and Natalie Nichols have run close to each other most of the season. One second separated them last week. Both could earn all-state honors. Brooke Zeibert and Ella Kieffer round out this team’s top five. That split on their scorers dipped under two minutes last week. It needs to come down even more with so many quality runners in this race. The gap between Nichols and Brooke Zeibert was 42 seconds last week and will look to lower another 5 to 10 seconds in this race. Colleen and Brooke Zeibert along with seventh runner Addi Schmedeke are the only Rochester runners that have experience running on this course. I don’t think it will bother this team on Saturday as they have been pointing towards this moment on the starting line.

 

Washington

Sectional Runners – Sophia Ramirez FR; Olivia Nordheilm SO; Jayne Hermann FR; Madeline James FR; Sophia Nordhielm SR; Allison Woolever SO; Caylie Ahten FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:33; 1/2 = :50; 1/3 = :54; 2/5 = :43

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:20; 1/2 = :56; 1/3 = 1:06; 2/5 = :24

Overview – Here is another team that have been influenced by freshmen in their top seven. The Panthers had three freshmen among their top four runners as they won the Metamora Sectional. Sophia Ramirez has been running hot down the stretch winning the Mid-Illini and Peoria Notre Dame Regional meets. She finished second last week at Metamora. She should be among the top 15 runners in this race. The key for Washington is second and third runners Olivia Nordhielm and Jayne Hermann who were four seconds within each other in the sectional. If they can stay a little bit closer to Ramirez, they could end up finishing between 23rd place or 10 places back. Their pack behind Ramirez stayed within 43 seconds of each other. That group a little closer to their top runner puts this team in state trophy territory. I would not sleep on this team in this meet.

 

Crystal Lake (Central)

Sectional Runners – Hadley Ferrero SO; Brynn Matthaei SO; Annie Ferrero SR; Emma Mackie JR; Gwenyth Brickey SR; Hope Ferrero JR; Leila Czysczon SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:54; 1/2 = :59; 2/3 = :08; 3/5 = :47

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:29; 1/2 = :57; 2/3 = :17; 3/5 = 1:15

Overview – The Tigers have continued to improve in October running better in every race. Crystal Lake Central tied their crosstown rivals Crystal Lake South for the Kaneland Sectional title with 93 points but tiebreakers shuffled them down to second. This team could be in the top five or perhaps outside of the top 10 if their split goes over two minutes. Hadley Ferrero finished fourth last year individually and will be in the mix again for a top five finish. Brynn Matthaei and Annie Ferrero racing close together is a good thing for Central. The two runners should finish in the top 35 in this race. The team’s top five split needs to stay under two minutes if the Tigers want to finish as a top five state team.

 

Normal (Community West)

Sectional Runners – Julie Bach FR; Renee Warren FR; Ashleigh Horton SR; Amanda Warren FR; Sammy Lehr SR; Ava Starkey SR; Madison Schweizer SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:59; 1/2 = :45; 2/5 = 1:14

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:12; 1/2 = 1:01; 2/5 = 1:11

Overview – The Wildcats were one of the big surprises in last weekend’s sectional meets. West won the Chatham-Glenwood Sectional by four points ahead of the host school after finishing a “distant” fourth the week before at the Taylorville Regional. This is another Class 2A team that has been influenced by freshmen in their top seven. West has three frosh runners in the top four led by Julie Bach who could be among the top 10 in this race. Part of West’s success is the gap between Bach and Renee Warren dropped from 65 seconds to 45 last week as Warren became the second runner. Horton was 61 seconds behind Bach last week. This week it was 65 seconds. A key is keeping their first three runners at or under 60 seconds with an overall split under 100 seconds.

 

Chatham-Glenwood

Sectional Runners – Ashlyn Chopra FR; Ava Gorrie JR; Ally Knudson FR; Rachael Behrens SO; Delaney Kyes SO; Mady Iwanicki JR; Carly Wilcoxen SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:28; 1/2 = :26; 1/4 = :48; 2/5 = 1:02

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:07; 1/2 = :02; 1/4 = 1:02; 2/5 – 1:05

Overview – The Titans are another of those team that could leave Peoria with a state trophy or finish in the top 10. Chatham-Glenwood is running strong finishing second in their past three meets. Ashlyn Chopra and Rachel Behrens were the top two runners in their regional meet separated by just two seconds. Chopra was the top runner last week 26 seconds ahead of a pack including Ava Gorrie, Ally Knudsen, and Behrens that were separated by just 21 seconds. Kamryn Robbins was the team’s fifth runner at the Taylorville Regional. The sophomore did not run last week. Robbins in the top seven on Saturday could give this team a boost. Their top five opened up a little up 20 seconds. The split on five staying near 60 seconds will benefit the Titans in a big way.

 

Crystal Lake (South)

Sectional Runners – Isabella Gonzalez SR; Abby Machesky JR; Olivia Pinta SO; Gianna Pinta SR; Victoria Pinta SO; Anna McDermott SR; Brieannah James JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:12; 1/2 = :44; 2/5 = :28

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:03; 1/2 = :32; 2/5 = :31

Overview – The Gators are another one of these top 10 teams that could finish anywhere in that group. South finished second in last year’s state meet with hopes of duplicating that in Saturday’s race. They won the Kaneland Sectional last week on a sixth runner tiebreak. They also won the Belvidere Regional by 11 points ahead of Crystal Lake Central. This team consists of Isabella Gonzalez in the lead and a good pack behind her. Gonzalez finished ninth in last year’s state meet and will look to better that after finishing fourth last week. The 2-5 pack behind Gonzalez is solid led by Abby Machesky and Olivia Pinta. Machesky was within 32 seconds in regionals. It would be great for the Gators if she stays closer in this race. That 2-5 pack split was at 28 seconds last week. If the gap closes on Gonzalez with that same pack split, Crystal Lake South could be among the teams that will challenge for a top five finish.

 

Normal (University)

Sectional Runners – Zoe Carter SO; Lana Alcorn FR; Reagan Bull SO; Lynnae Wollenweber SR; Eve Whitlow SO; Talia Luallen JR; Grace Hany JR – Natalie Bierbaum FR was team’s #2 runner in regionals

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:55; 1/2 = 1:45; 2/5 = 1:10

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:04; 1/2 = :35; 1/3 = :58; 3/5 = 2:06

Overview – U-High is one of the mystery teams in this race on Saturday. One of their top runners Natalie Bierbaum did not run in their conference meet or last week at Chatham-Glenwood. The Pioneers just advanced to the state meet finishing seventh at sectionals. The previous race at Taylorville, U-High finished third just eights away from Rochester. Carter was the team’s top runner last week finishing fifth overall. She should be among the top 10 runners in this race. Bierbaum is a mystery heading into this race. She finished 35 seconds behind Carter in the regional race. Two weeks before that at Metamora, Bierbaum finished 17 seconds ahead of Carter. Bierbaum in the lineup and healthy could keep U-High in the top 10 and maybe closer to the top five. Without the freshman running, this team could finish in the mid-teens. Lana Alcorn should step up as a solid #2 runner for this team if Bierbaum is not racing. Alcorn has been a solid third runner all season.

 

Chicago (St. Ignatius Prep)

Sectional Runners – Annika Swan FR; Ella Hwang JR; Courtney Beatty FR; Haley Fitzgerald SR; Lexi Noonan SR; Olivia Stern JR; Emma Valencia JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:24; 1/2 = :59; 2/5 = :25

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :19

Overview – The Wolfpack ran their best race of the season last week finishing second at the Deerfield Sectional 16 points behind Grayslake Central and four points ahead of Lakes Community. Anything could happen with this team in this race coming home with a trophy or finishing among the top 10 in this loaded race. Annika Swan has emerged as one of the top freshman runners in the state this fall. Swan won the individual race at last weekend’s sectional race. She will be among the top runners in this race. Their pack running has improved and will be a big factor in this race. Their split on their second through fifth runners in the GCAC Championships two weeks ago was 55 seconds with their split on their second through fourth runners at just 15 seconds. It changed dramatically last week with that split on 2-5 at just 25 seconds. The gap between Swan and the group was near 60 seconds last week. If that gap decreases by 5 to 8 seconds, this team could be among the top three trophy teams if Swan stays in the top five in this race.

 

Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge)

Sectional Runners – Rachel Soukup SR; Brenna Benjamin FR; Olivia McPherson JR; Alexis Soukup SR; Nella Robinson SO; Lydia Jensen SO; Ali Storz JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:54; 1/2 = 1:31; 2/5 = 1:23

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:44; 1/2 = 1:16; 2/5 = 2:28

Overview – The Wolves made it out of a tough Kaneland Sectional finishing fourth to advance back to the State Meet. Rachel Soukup is running great races at the right time and will be among the top runners in this race. Their split is close to three minutes on their top five but just 83 seconds on the pack behind Soukup. This could be a top 10 team with Breanna Benjamin and Olivia McPherson staying with 70 seconds of Soukup and the pack staying under 75 seconds.

 

Dunlap

Sectional Runners – Saniya Mathew SR; Abbie Gleason JR; Abby Tudeen SO; Kate Robertson SO; Claire Sack FR; Mia Williams FR; Morgan Phillips JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :56; 1/4 = :18; 4/5 = :36

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:58

Overview – I would not count this team out of finishing in the top 10 in this race with a good run Saturday morning. A great race gets the Eagles into the top five. Dunlap finished second at the Metamora Sectional to make the short trip to Detweiller Park. Dunlap finished fifth in the Peoria Notre Dame Regional not running some of their top five runners. There are four runners that could be the team’s top runner in this race. Senior Saniya Mathew was the team’s top runner in the sectional with Abbie Gleason just five seconds back. The split on their top four runners was just 18 seconds. Closing that gap between their fourth and fifth runners could get the Eagles closer to a top five finish.

 

Cary-Grove

Sectional Runners – Ada Saletnik SR; Jocelyn Onstot SR; Alissa Penrod FR; Kate Aniolkowski JR; Juliana Ferrara SR; Zoe Hubka JR; Aeryn Costello JR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:50; 1/2 = :05; 1/3 = 1:07; 3/5 = :43

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:33; 1/2 = :01; 1/3 = :59; 3/5 = :34

Overview – Cary-Grove has showed themselves well with good races in the Fox Valley Conference and then in the state series. The Trojans finished fifth in the tough Kaneland Sectional just five points behind conference rival Prairie Ridge. Ada Saletnik and Jocelyn Onstot have traded off the top spot all season. Last week, Saletnik was five seconds ahead of her teammate. Both runners could finish in the top 25 on Saturday. The team’s top five split was near two minutes last week. Cutting that time down gets Cary-Grove closer to the top 10.

 

Dixon

Sectional Runners – Kate Boss FR; Emma Smith JR; Emily Conderman SR; Kamryn Rogers FR; Keeley Mick JR; Kait Knipple SR; Hannah Steinmeyer SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :50; 1/3 = :06; 3/5 = :44

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:21; 1/3 = :42; 3/5 = :39

Overview – The Duchesses ran a strong race last week at the Kaneland Sectional finishing third but just 12 points behind the top two teams. Dixon easily won the Sterling Regional the week before. The sectional race was their best race of the season. Emma Smith was the top runner for the team all-season up until the sectional race. Smith was part of a pack with Kate Boss and Emily Conderman that was separated by just six seconds. Smith could be expected to go out and challenge for a finish in the top 25. The split at sectional was 50 seconds compared to 81 seconds the week before. It depends how their pack holds up this week and what race strategy Dixon uses at Detweiller Park.

 

Waterloo

Sectional Runners – Cameron Crump SO; Ava Rau SO; Angelynn Kanyuck JR; Danielle Mudd JR; Calla Espenschied FR; Kamryn Rader SO; Chloe Aubuschon JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:32; 1/4 = :29; 4/5 = 1:03

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:01; 1/4 = :49; 4/5 = 1:12

Overview – The Bulldogs advanced out of a tough race on Saturday finishing fifth at the Chatham-Glenwood Sectional. Waterloo was the regional champion the week before at Highland. Their top four pack again this season brings them success. Cameron Crump led that pack last week that included Ava Rau, Angelynn Kanyuck, and Danielle Mudd. The quartet was separated by just 29 seconds in that race. The Bulldogs could finish in the top 14 of this race but will need to keep their top five split under 82 seconds.

 

Lake Forest

Sectional Runners – Isabella Marsico JR; Lucy Schlachtenhaufen JR; Sophia Lane JR; Alexandra Fontana SR; Shalini Krishnaswamy SO; Olivia Marsico JR; Paige Gibbons JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:23; 1/2 = :49; 2/5 = 1:34

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:19; 1/2 = :13; 2/5 = 1:06

Overview – The Scouts ran well in finishing fourth in last week’s Deerfield Sectional making it back to the State Meet. Isabella Marsico has been the top runner this season and will be in the hunt to finish in the top 15 in this race. Lucy Schlachtenhaufen and Sophia Lane give Lake Forest a solid second and third runners. Lane has given this team a boost missing the first half of the season due to an injury. A team that could be a surprise in the top 10 if their top five split dips under two-minutes.

 

Mt. Zion

Sectional Runners – Sofia Munoz SR; Ellie Fritzsche JR; Camille Mavis JR; Renee Ballard JR; Avery Sommer FR; Alexia Finch SR; Brooke Doyle JR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:40; 1/2 = :38; 2/5 = 1:02

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:18; 1/2 = :53; 2/5 = :25

Overview – The Braves ran great last week finishing fourth at the Chatham-Glenwood Sectional. That was after finishing fifth the week before at the Taylorville Regional. Sofia Munoz is running great at season’s end having finished eighth in last week’s sectional meet. Ellie Fritsche leads the pack behind Munoz. The four runners were separated by 25 seconds in the regional race. That split bumped up over one-minute last week.

 

Vernon Hills

Sectional Runners – Anna Todd SR; Reina Hill SR; Ashlee Shoemaker SR; Jori Ellen SO; Daniela Gomez-Anez SO; Hannah Thomas SR; Jillian Leuck FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:57; 1/2 = :50; 2/4 = :20

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:24; 1/4 = 2:20

Overview – Vernon Hills overcame a season that had some injuries involved in their top five. The Cougars again will make the trip down to Peoria after finishing fifth at the Deerfield Sectional scoring the same number of points with Lake Forest. Anna Todd has been the team’s top runner all season and could repeat all-state honors. Reina Hill has missed time this season due to injuries. She came back to run in her league meet but was held out of the regional race. She came back last week and was the second runner at Deerfield. Hill was part of a 20 second split on their second through fourth runners last week that will pay dividends in Saturday’s state race.

 

Peoria (Notre Dame)

Sectional Runners – Julia Mingus SO; Grace Yontz SO; Eileen Zopel SR; Sarah Couri SO; Maya Zopel FR; Meghan Zopel SO; Olivia Finch SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:10; 1/2 = :17; 2/5 = :53

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:16; 1/3 = :18; 3/5 = :58

Overview – The Irish made it out of the Metamora Sectional fairly easily placing third overall. Julia Mingus has been the top runner for PND all season. The sophomore could be among the top 40 finishers in this race. Grace Yontz led a three runner pack with a split under 18 seconds last week. A race similar to last week could push the Irish to the top half of the team standings.

 

Morris

Sectional Runners – Joy Dudley SR; Makensi Martin SO; Jadyn Bertram SO; Danica Martin SO; Paityn Valentine SO; Leah Ortiz SO; Moriah Mayberry SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 3:40; 1/2 = :49; 1/3 = 1:50

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 3:32; 1/2 = :46; 1/3 = 1:24

Overview – Morris is a complex team with a number of runners on this squad participating in two sports. The Redskins advanced to state by finishing fifth at the Metamora Sectional by individual sectional champion Joy Dudley. The senior became the first Morris runner to win a sectional title. Dudley should be among the top 12 runners in this Saturday’s State Meet. Makensi Martin also ran great at Metamora finishing third overall. She will be a runner to keep an eye on in this race.

 

Morton

Sectional Runners – Kerrigan Vandel JR; Ava Burgess FR; Taygen Beyer JR; Brielle Hopkins FR; Sophie Krueger JR; Ryleigh Pulcher SR; Cali Fitzgerald SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:04; 1/2 = :42; 2/5 = :22

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:12; 1/2 = :35; 2/5 = :37

Overview – Morton will make the short trip across the Illinois River to Saturday’s State Meet by finishing fourth at the Metamora Sectional to qualify. Kerrigan Vandel transferred to East Peoria this summer and has stepped into the top spot for the Potters. Vandel could be among the top 30 individuals in this race. A good pack has developed behind with Ava Burgess and Taygen Berger with a pack within 22 seconds of each other last week and within 4o seconds of Vandel. This could be a team to watch in 2023 with all of their top five runners coming back.

 

Springfield

Sectional Runners – Madeline Kim SR; Phoebe Barnes FR; Mia Volpert SO; Payton Heise SR; Josie Ralph JR; Melia Muschinske SR; Keziah Toran SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:33; 1/2 = :19; 2/5 = 1:14

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

Overview – The Senators make their first trip to the state meet since 2017 after finishing sixth last week at the Chatham-Glenwood Sectional. Madeline Kim finished 12 while Phoebe Barnes finished 17th as the top runners for Springfield. Both runners could finish among the top 40. Springfield some teams this fall. They could surprise more on Saturday finishing in the top 20.

 

LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy)

Sectional Runners – Colette Kinsella SR; Jane McNamara JR; Hannah McCarthy JR; Sarah Owen SO; Alayna Plahm SO; Samantha Rozmus JR; Neeve Olson JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:26; 1/2 = 1:20; 2/5 = 1:06

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:58; 1/2 = 1:28; 2/5 = 1:30

Overview – The Roadrunners make a return trip back to Peoria. They made that trip possible by finishing seventh at the Kaneland Sectional. Colette Kinsella is a two time all-state runner and will look for a third all-state finish after finishing third in sectionals. Their split has been big for Nazareth all season. Their top five split dropped under 2:30 last week. Continuing to lower that split this week could push this team closer to the top 20.

 

Wheaton (St. Francis)

Sectional Runners – Margaret Andrzejewski FR; Cate Earl SO; Alyssa Falco SR; Leann Ringsrud SR; Diya Khatau SO; Ashley Spahn FR; Nella Ksiag SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:38; 1/2 = :38; 2/5 = 1:00

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:17; 1/2 = 1:04; 2/5 = 1:13

Overview – The Spartans built through the season until last week when they made it to state finishing sixth at the Kaneland Sectional. The week before St. Francis finished second behind Dixon at the Sterling Regional. Margaret Andrzejewski has stepped in as a freshman as the top runner on this team and close her season with an all-state finish. Cate Earl has been the team’s second runner and could push the team’s pack closer to the front. St. Francis ran their best race of the season last week with a 98 second split. That number could be lowered this weekend.

 

Metamora

Sectional Runners – Lily Sturgell SR; Audrey Heil JR; Callie Sturgell SO; Alayna Rauch SR; Adi Sparry SO; Audrey Hodgen JR; Kassidy Mullins SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:11; 1/4 = :15; 4/5 = :56

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:39; 1/4 = :42; 4/5 = :57

Overview – Metamora advanced to the state meet on their home Black Partridge Park course finishing sixth overall. The team’s split on their first four runners was only 15 seconds with Lily Sturgell, Audrey Heil, Callie Sturgell, and Alayna Rauch a part of it. The Redbirds pack could be too far back and will need to move up if ambitions of finishing near the top 20 are realized.

 

Deerfield

Sectional Runners – Olivia Brown FR; Maya Garcia SO; Randi Tye SO; Lauren Barber SR; Maria Retelewski SO; Mira McManamna JR; Leah Ryan SR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :50; 1/2 = :03; 2/5 = :47

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:00; 1/2 = :20; 2/5 = :40

Overview – Deerfield finished sixth in their sectional on their home course to advance back to the state meet. Randi Tye and Olivia Brown have been the team’s top runners in their past two meets. Brown and Maya Garcia were the top 2 Deerfield runners in the sectional separated by just three seconds. This state meet will be a great learning experience for the Warriors with five of their top seven either sophomores or freshmen.

 

Antioch

Sectional Runners – Rosie Gonzalez SO; Piper Ispen SO; Angela Ortiz SO; Abby Sooley SO; Addison Lane JR; Annalise Lowrance SO; Nora Lubkeman JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:15; 1/3 = :18; 3/5 = :57

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:24; 1/3 = :42; 3/5 = :42

Overview – The Sequoits just advanced to the state meet by just one point ahead of Payton Prep to finish seventh overall. Antioch needed a tight pack to lead them, and they got it as Rosie Gonzalez, Piper Ipsen, and Angela Ortiz were separated by just 18 seconds. This race will also be beneficial to this team since all seven runners are expected to be back in 2023.

 

Chicago (Marist)

Sectional Runners – Caitlin O’Brien SO; Reilly Smith SR; Emma Collias JR; Rickie Roberts JR; Hannah McNeela FR; Aileen Ward SO; Mary Stokas FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:53; 1/3 = :23; 3/5 = 1:30

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:58; 1/3 = 1:25; 3/5 = :33

Overview – The Redhawks were the final team to advance from the Metamora Sectional finishing seventh last week. Marist were the Regional Champions on their home course the week before. Reilly Smith is the only senior in the top seven and has been one of the team’s top runners this season along with their #1 sectional runner Caitlin O’Brien.

 

Class 2A Team Preview

This team race is so up in the air on who could finish in the top three teams. Two of the favorites are Grayslake Central and Lakes Community who have raced together the last three weeks. Grayslake Central has had the edge in all three of those meets. They have the stuff to repeat as the state champions. So does Lakes who would like top leave Detweiller Park with a state championship.

 

Rochester and Washington with their freshmen core of runners could make it interesting on who will win the team title in this Class. St. Ignatius Prep ran a great the past three weeks and could sneak into the top teams as could Normal West with their great sectional win, Chatham-Glenwood, Dunlap, and Crystal Lake South. Keep an eye on Crystal Lake Central. They could be the surprise in this class.