2023 ILXCTF.com IHSA/Illinois XC Previews - Class 1A Boys Individuals

 

By Michael Newman

 

The question in Class 1A this fall is will lightning strike twice for Gavin Genisio of Benton? It could have been last year since it was raining so hard during the state race. The Benton senior will be driving his team to challenge for a state title. He will also be defending his title than he won in the rain.

 

Isaac Teel of Pinckneyville finished second behind Genisio at state last year. He appears to have recovered from an injury that sidelined him at the end of the track season. Teel looked good at Detweiller at Dark in July. The two runners will face each other a number of times this season. The first is Wednesday at the Murphysboro Invitational.

 

Graduations and the shifting of schools out of Class 1A have thinned out some of the talent in this classification. Tommy Murray has graduated. Ethan Hogan is now in Class 2A. The door is wide open for fresh faces to show up in Class 1A this fall.

 

Here is a showcase of some of the runners that you could see up front this season in races that have 1A schools in it.

 

1 Gavin Genisio – SR – Benton

2023 Bests: 800: 1:54.17; 1600m – 4:08.68m; 3200m – 9:09.42; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – State Champion

 

Notes – It does not seem like Gavin Genisio is entering his senior season. It feels like he just got here. His look of astonishment as he crossed the line to win a state title last year seems to give him more confidence heading to track last year and then again this fall. He was almost perfect last fall finishing second to Isaac Teel at Murphysboro to start the year and then finishing second to Dylon Nalley at the Peoria Invitational at the end of September. He was unbeatable from that meet on. Genisio finished sixth as a sophomore in 2021. Genisio would like to get his second state title and maybe importantly the team taking home a state championship trophy. His track season last year could be prelude of what he will try to do a state his senior year. He ran 9:09.42 indoors for 3200-meters. Genisio won his first state championship on the track in the 1600 Meter Run missing the State Meet record by three tenths of a second. “Gavin has increased mileage as does everyone as they move up in class,” said Coach Brent McLain. “Gavin is more fit that previous summers and have other great runners from Southern Illinois around we race (Isaac Teel, Dylan Nalley and Ethan Hogan) we have to be ready every weekend.”

 

2 Isaac Teel – SR – Pinckneyville

2023 Bests: 800m – 1:57.86; 1600m – 4:20.59; 3200m – 9:24.3; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 2nd place

 

Notes – Isaac Teel’s track season did not finish as he planned. He was the defending state champion in the 1600 Meter Run. He was all-state in 2022 in the 3200 Meter Run. He won the 1600 earlier in March in the 1600 Meter Run. Teel never made it to sectionals. “Isaac had a broken bone in his ankle, and we didn't know it,” said his coach, Ryan Bruns said. “We were treating it like a sprained ankle, and it was just not getting any better.  He anchored our 4x800 at sectionals to help advance that group but couldn't go after that.  That's when he decided it was time to get it x-rayed.  The kid's pain tolerance has to be out of this world.” He is two for two finishing among the leaders at the state meet. He finished fifth as a sophomore in 2021. Teel finished seven seconds behind Genisio in the rain to finish second. Teel was undefeated last fall except for finishing behind Genisio at the Benton Sectional and then state. Teel showed he was healthy for this fall running 15:16 to finish third in Detweiller at Dark.

 

3 Weston Forward – SR – Rockford (Christian)

2023 Bests: 1600m – 4:29.21; 3200m – 9:25.70; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 25th place

 

Notes – Forward has been all-state twice during the cross-country season placing 19 in 2022 and 25 last fall. A top 10 finish should be within his reach in November. Forward showed his fitness in his first race of the year running 15:14 to win at Rock Falls on August 21. Forward has also been all-state twice on the track in the 3200 Meter Run. He ran 9:25.70 to finish fourth last May. He also qualified for state last year in the 1600 Meter Run. “Weston Forward's greatest athletic talent is his discipline,” said his coach, Randy Moore. “He greatest personal characteristic is his integrity. This combination of traits makes him easy to coach, a loyal friend, and an exceptional team leader. Weston is also on pace to hit the most summer miles in program history (right about 800 miles).  What does that mean for him this fall? I'm not sure. We like to focus on the process and let the results take care of themselves.”

 

4 Jackson Barrett – SR – Tuscola

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:05.81; 1600m – 4:20.01; 3200m – 9:15.85; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 12th place

 

5 Josiah Hortin – SR – Tuscola

2023 Bests: 800m – 1:54.89; 1600m – 4:18.51; 3200m – 9:15.17; 2022 State XC Finals – Class 1A – 17th place

 

Notes – The dynamic duo of Class 1A Cross Country in Illinois. The two runners were close together in basically all the meets they competed in last fall. They were separated by 12 seconds in the rainy state race with Barrett 12th and Hortin 17th. “Barrett and Hortin are very good friends and I believe they enjoy races more when they run side by side in them<” said Coach Neal Garrison.  “I think it is a result of them coming from a small school where they didn't have a lot of training and racing partners in track and cross country. So, they developed one by just having a friend to run with.” The two ran together in the 2021 State Meet with Barrett finishing 55th and Hortin placing 59th. Both runners earned all-state in two events last May in Charleston. Barrett started the state finals by running 9:24.18 to finish third in the 3200 Meter Run. Hortin ran 1:54.89 to finish third in the 800 Meter Run. Both runners competed in the 1600 Meter Run. Hortin led the way running 4:25.80 to finish sixth, Barrett followed his teammate finishing eighth and running 4:26.14.     

 

Runners to Watch (Listed in Alphabetical Order)

 

Cole Buchanan – JR – Benton

2023 Bests: 800m – 2:01.49; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 15th Place

 

Notes – Third all-state runner for Benton at last year’s state meet. He could be among the top 10 individuals at state in November. Buchanan concentrated on the 800 during track season running a 2:01.49 best at Herrin in April. “Cole had an amazing summer and is mentally and physically ready to be prove himself,” said his coach Brent McLain.

 

Evan Cook – JR – Decatur (St. Teresa)

2023 Bests: - 800m – 2:04.17; 1600m – 4:34.78; 3200m – 9:44.59; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 18th place

 

Notes – Cook is the ultimate team runner having run the second leg for St. Teresa as they finished third in 1A 4x800m Relay. He sacrificed himself for his teammates instead of running two individual events. He scratched out of the prelims in the 1600 Meter Run. The relay hurt his chances in the 3200 Meter Run as he finished 25th. His improvement from his freshman year is dramatic. Cook finished 111th as a freshman to 18th last fall. “Even though he was top 20 at state last year, I don't really hear his name mentioned at all, trying to decide whether that's a good thing or not,” said St. Teresa Coach Todd Vohland.  “What I do know is that he is determined to finish higher at Detweiller this season.  But I'm fine if people overlook him, I know his goals and the work he is putting in.”

 

Marco Cruz – SO – Georgetown (Notre Dame de la Salette)

2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 102nd place

 

Notes – His school does not have a track program and they are the newest cross-country programs in the state that made it to Peoria. Cruz gave his team a big boost. He raced only four times in 2022. The big surprise was at the Chrisman Regional where he won the individual title. His top 20 finish at the sectional meet was also impressive. I would kind of ignore his state performance especially since this was his first race at Detweiller Park, and it was very wet. He should have an outstanding sophomore season and continue to pick up more experience.

 

Andrew Elward – SR – Peoria (Notre Dame)

2023 Bests: 1600m – 4:46.8; 3200m – 9:52.96; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 2A – 72nd place

 

Notes – Elward should be the top runner for the Irish now in Class 1A for the next 2 seasons. He has a good chance to finish among the top 30 1A runners. Elward’s best race came last October in the Big 12 Conference Meet where he ran 16:12. He did run in the state meet in 2021 finishing 185th. He did run 9:52 for 3200-meters qualifying for the Class 2A State Meet last May. “Andrew has been up in the 60-mile per week range including in July in Spain as he studied abroad while running at altitude and high temperatures,” said his coach, Dan Gray. “He’s become very strong and has worked hard at overcoming some of the mechanical issues with his form that inhibited him in the past. He has some lofty goals and is excited for this season.”

 

Nolan Ferris – JR – Lombard (Montini)

2023 Bests: 1600m – 4:41.57; 3200m – 10:05.19; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 34th place

 

Notes – Ferris had a huge improvement from 2021 to 2022 that will give him confidence to finish in the top 25 this season. He was 115th in the 1A Meet in 2021 as a freshman moving to 34th last year. Montini runs in Class 2A in track. His times dropped during last track season with his 3200 dropping to 10:05 to end the season. “Nolan has had a terrific summer and has maintained his consistency this summer,” said Coach Eric Brechtel. “Nolan has a very clear goal of finishing All State this Cross Country season.”

 

Patrick Hilby – SR – Aurora (Central Catholic)

2023 Bests: 400m – 49.62; 800m – 1:48.81; 1600m – 4:18.84; 3200m – 9:44.8; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 20th place

 

Notes – Patrick Hilby went up two levels after his first season where he fully concentrated on running instead of playing football in the fall. The big improvement came on the track in the 800 Meter Run where he started at the state meet running 1:50.49 to set a new state meet record in the Class 2A 800 Meter Run. Five days later, he ran at Festival of Miles to run against 3A champion Dan Watcke. Instead of stepping down to 1:49, he took another step down and ran 1:48.81 to finish second behind Watcke. He did not better that two weeks later in Philadelphia, but he did run 1:48.87 to earn All-American honors to finish fourth. The sky is the limit for Hilby in 2023-24. He definitely could be in the top 10 at Detweiller Park. We will talk about track in 2024. “Patrick Hilby is from another planet,” said his coach, Troy Kerber said. “His rapid ascension as a U.S. Number 2 has happened so quickly for him, however coming into last season, based on his ability, racing tenacity, his interval postings, and ability to work hard, we were targeting a sub 1:50 for him, that was predicated on the right race situation and conditions, as we know he accomplished that and then some as he parlayed into becoming a 1:48.81 800 meter runner!  He is looking to dramatically improve his standing in Cross Country as a returning 1A All-state runner this season! His leadership with the team is tremendous and we continue to be very excited about his future in the sport.”

 

Isaiah Hill – SR – Elmwood

2023 Bests – 800m – 1:54.26; 1600m – 4:19.93; 3200m – 9:30.37; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A - 32nd place

 

Notes – The large improvements that Hill had during last spring’s track season indicate he should be among the top 10 runners at state, maybe higher. Hill had a fantastic meet at Charleston last May helping Elmwood finish fifth in the 4x800m Relay and then came back to finish fourth. He ran a personal best in his third race as he ran 4:19.93 to finish second. He did not run the 3200 in 2022. He dropped the time down to 9:30 last year as he has built up even more endurance. Hill finished 65th at Detweiller Park as a sophomore in 2021. He cut that finish in half last fall. Let’s see how fast he runs in 2023.

 

Dylan Howell – SR – Cerro Gordo-Bement

2023 Bests – 800m – 2:16.07; 1600m – 4:43.43; 3200 – 9:58.90; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 65th place

 

Notes – Howell has qualified for state twice with his 42 finish the 2021 State Meet his best. He ran a personal best of 9:58.90 at the Macon-Piatt County Meet in the middle of April. He ran 10:09, 10:04, and then 10:08.86 to finish 19th at the state meet. He started the season Saturday at Clinton running 1622 to finish 11th.

 

Brady Kataoka – SR – Niles (Northridge Prep)

2023 Bests – 1600m – 4:23.59; 3200m – 9”52.28; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 27th place

 

Notes – Missed the end of 2021 season due to an injury. His 27 place finish at last year’s state meet shows that he could be among the top 25 at Detweiller Park in November. His 1600 Meter Run time dropped dramatically last spring. Brady ran 4:35 to end the indoor season. He picked it up outdoors which included running 4:23.59 for ninth in the Class 2A race and becoming an all-state runner. It is just the beginning as he enters his senior season.

 

Carson Lehman – SR – Eureka

2023 Bests – 400m – 51.36; 800m – 2:00.05; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 67th place

 

Notes – Lehman finished 143 at state as a sophomore in 2021 and then 67 place last year. He will be part of a tight top 3 pack that could put them in position for a trophy this November. Lehman concentrated on the middle distance events during the past track season. He was all-state on the two qualifying relay teams. Lehman was on the squad that finished second in the 4x800m Relay. He led off Eureka’s quartet in the 4x400m Relay in which the Hornets finished seventh in the finals. Lehman also qualified in the 400 Meter Dash.

 

Nicolai Martino – JR – Winnebago

2023 Bests – 800m – 2:07.15; 1600m – 4:38.33; 3200m – 9:58.82; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 38th place

 

Notes – A runner that I would keep an eye on. He finished 68 as a freshman in 2021 improving that showing to 38th place in the rain last November. Finishing third in his regional and seventh last year in sectionals shows he is ready to run up front. Martino made it to state last spring in the 3200 Meter Run. The week before, he ran under 10-minutes for the first time (9:58.82) qualifying for state. He finished 15 in the Class 1A State Finals. His 1600 time dropped from 5:08 as a freshman to 4:38 last spring. “Nicolai  had a great summer getting in some great miles for a base and racing a few local races,” said his coach, Janet Erb. “We stressed working hard and getting in miles.”

 

Gabriel McLain – JR – Benton

2023 Bests – 2:02.11; 1600m – 4:22.69; 3200m – 9:56.7; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 9th place

 

Bests – McLain’s rise from his freshman year to last season is indescribable. What we could see in this upcoming season could top that. He was all-state last year in the rain after finishing 75 at state as a freshman. His personal bests had a steep drop last spring on the track going from 11:00 to 9:56 in the 3200 Meter Run and 4:48.30 down to 4:2269 in the 1600 Meter Run where he finished eighth in the 2A State Meet. “Gabe missed 2 weeks this summer, but training is going great and will be ready to be a top runner in 1A,” said his coach and father, Brent McLain.

 

Drew Moser – SR – Clinton

2023 Bests – 800m – 2:06.25; 1600m – 4:35.53; 3200m – 9:54.53 – 2022 State XC Finish – 108th place

 

Notes – Moser finished well coming to last year’s state meet finishing eighth at the Shelbyville Regional and then 12 at his sectional at St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional. He did not have his best race in the mud at Detweiller finishing 108th. Moser did make it to Charleston for the first time for the Class 1A State Meet. Moser had a close race Saturday night on his home course finishing second by less than a second. “Drew has had a truly outstanding running story,” said his coach, Rache Lyons.  “He was recruited his freshman year to our team despite never running but being an excellent distance swimmer. Drew embraced the motto that consistency is key and laid a blueprint for the rest of our team to follow. His freshman year, his PR was 19:11, his sophomore year 17:07 and ended his junior year with a 15:51 and qualified for state, ending a 23 year drought for Clinton boys at the state meet. The exciting part is that this summer has been his best summer of training to date. He proved that at Detweiler at Dark, opening up his season at 15:56 and finishing 16th (he ran 17:28 last year at Detweiller at Dark). He is a phenomenal leader and has changed the culture of our team.”

 

Andrew Perry – SR – Eureka

2023 Bests – 1600m – 4:32.34; 3200m – 9:47.65; 2022 State XC Finish – Class – 1A – 58th place

 

Notes – Perry will be one of the senior leaders for Eureka this fall. He made huge strides this fall going from 162nd place as a sophomore up to 58th place last November. His times dropped in a big way in track. His personal best dropped down 17 seconds to 4:32 in the 1600 Meter Run. His time dropped 28 seconds to 9:47 in the 3200 Meter Run. Perry qualified for state in the 3200 Meter Run where he finished 13th overall.

 

Camden Quarton – SR – Litchfield

2023 Bests – 800m – 2:05.2; 1600m – 4:28.28; 9:42.23; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 64 place

 

Notes – We will hear a lot about Camden Quarton. There were a number of runners that did not have their best race at Detweiller Park in the 1A race. Quarton was one of those runners as he finished 64. This was after he was all-state as a sophomore in 23rd place in 2021. He had a great track season. His 3200 Meter Run time dropped 33 seconds when he finished sixth in the Class 1A race. He also made the finals in the 1600 Meter Run. “Camden’s training went well,” said his coach, Jeremy Palmer.  “He had a good spring track season and is building upon that.  Do Not Be Content is the message I stress with him.”

 

Tim Starwalt – SO – Byron

2023 Bests – 1600m – 4:32.02; 3200m – 12:30.0; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 74th place

 

Notes – His focus was just on the 1600 Meter Run and his times dropped during the season running 4:57 in his first race indoors and ending by with a 4:32.02 time in the prelims of the 1600 at state. He finished 74th at Detweiller a year ago.  Let’s see how much closer to the front he gets this fall. His first race will be at Oregon on September 2.

 

Dean Witzig – SR – El Paso-Gridley

2023 Bests – 1600m – 4:46.04; 3200m – 9:48.57; 2022 State XC Finish – Class 1A – 69th place

 

Notes – Witzig will be one of the top runners for EPG this season as the Titans chase after a state trophy. The senior earned all-state honors in the spring finishing ninth in the Class State Meet. “Deano is a man of many talents,” said Coach Michael Melick.  “He had a solid spring and Coach Ludy really set up some nice training and racing plans that Deano executed to perfection in the spring track season, snagging him the last All State spot in the 3200.  He supplemented his summer running with some serious cycling miles (including his first century), so his cardio engine should be quite large coming in.”