ILXCTF 2024 Individual Runners Season Previews: Class 1A Boys

By Michael Newman

 

Only eight runners who were all-state in Class 1A are back. We will see some new names in the top 25 in November. There are two runners we will see that will challenge for a state championship.

 

A new state champion for two-time state champion Gavin Geneseo who graduated and is now at the University of Tennessee. The top returning runner is Genisio’s former teammate, Gabriel McLain. McLain followed his fourth place finish last fall by helping Benton finish fourth in the 2A 4x800 Meter Relay and then third in the 1600 Meter Run.

 

Nicholai Martino appears to be his chief competition. Martino had a standout track season finishing third in the 3200 Meter Run and second in the 1600 Meter Run. Martino finished seventh last fall and is the second returning runner.

 

Here is a look at some of the Class 1A runners to keep an eye on in this upcoming season.

 

Class 1A Boys Runners – 8 Top 25 Runners Returning

1 Gabriel McLain – SR – Benton

XC: 4-1A, 9-1A (’22). TF: 3-2A 1600, 4-2A 4x8; 8-2A 1600 (’23). Season Bests: 1:58.02, 1:56.0s, 4:15.63, 9:09.71.

 

2 Nicholai Martino – SR – Winnebago

XC: 7-1A. TF: 3-1A 3200, 2-1A 1600. Season Bests: 1:59.15i, 4:18.13, 9:31.16

 

3 Cole Buchanan – SR – Benton

XC: 13-1A, 15-1A (’22). TF: 4-2A 4x8. Season Bests: 1:58.99, 1:58.7s, 4:33.74.

 

4 Will Fuson – JR – Cerro-Gordo (Bement)

XC: 12-1A. TF: 5-1A 800, 6-1A 1600. Season Bests: 1:56.89, 4:26.04 15:12 at Det 24

 

5 Andrew Kurien – SR – Rockford (Christian)

XC: 14-1A: TF: 2-1A 4x8, 14-1A 800 pre. Season Bests: 2:00.04, 1:56.15s, 4:26.94.

 

6 Ellijah Teefey – JR – Pleasant Plains

XC: 18-1A. TF: 3-1A 4x8, 8-1A 1600. Season Bests: 2:01.6, 2:00.72s, 4:27.32, 9:32.22.

 

7 Chaz Oberkfell – JR – Gillespie

XC: 21-1A. TF: 7-1A 1600, 10-1A 3200. Season Bests: 2:02.90, 4:27.90, 9:53.81.

 

8 Maxwell Kirby – SO – Peoria (Notre Dame)

XC: 20-1A. TF: 13-2A 1600. Season Bests: 4:35.18, 9:40.42

 

9 Blake McLeese – JR – Tuscola

XC: 30-1A. TF Season Bests: 2:06.02, 4:36.02, 9:44.36.

 

10 Jack Swiatek – JR – Aurora (Central Catholic)

XC: DNR Varsity. TF Season Bests: 2:05.46, 4:28.0.

 

11 Evan Cook – SR – Decatur (St. Teresa)

XC: 59-1A, 18-1A (’22). TF: 7-1A 3200, 11-1A 1600; 3-1A 4x8 (’23); Season Bests: 2:10.86, 4:29.86, 9:40.27i.

 

12 Lucas Hollinshead – SO – Williamsville

XC: 29-1A. TF: 20-1A 3200. Season Bests: 2:05.02, 4:37.36, 9:51.32.

 

13 Joseph Erb Jr. – JR – Winnebago

XC: 34-1A. TF Season Bests: 2:06.11s, 4:56.24.

 

14 Tim Starwalt – JR – Byron

XC: 32-1A. TF: 21-2A 1600 pre. Season Bests: 4:28.25, 10:29.78.

 

15 Nolan Ferris – SR – Lombard (Montini)

XC: 35-1A, 34-1A (’22). TF: 25-2A 3200, Season Bests: 4:38.39, 9:53.00.

 

16 Luca Bryja – JR – Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy)

XC: 37-1A. TF: 7-1A 4x8, 19-1A 1600 pre. Season Bests: 2:02.96, 2:02.3s, 4:32.70, 9:54.74i.

 

17 Aiden Faulkner – JR – Elmwood

XC: 40-1A. TF: 9-1A 4x8. Seasonal Bests: 2:05.21, 4:46.54, 10:39.49.

 

18 Xander Neamtu – SR – Tuscola

XC: 74-1A. TF Season Bests: 2:10.38, 4:39.15, 9:55.09.

 

19 James Barder – SR – Niles (Northridge Prep)

XC: 39-1A, 45-1A (’22). TF: 5-1A 4x8; Season Bests: 54.31, 2:02.33s, 4:59.06

 

20 Braeden Bode – JR – Port Byron (Riverdale)

XC: 192-1A, 57-1A (’22). TF: 8-1A 3200. Season Bests: 2:07.61, 4:37.26, 9:48.57.

 

Other 1A Boys Runners to Watch

Ben Bohr – SO – Aurora (Central Catholic)

XC: 41-1A. TF: 37-2A 1600 pre, 17-2A 4x8 pre, 4-NBNO 1 Mile Frosh Season Bests: 1:59.2s, 4:22.45c, 9:46.34.

 

James Baisden – JR – Auburn

XC: 50-1A. TF: 17-1A 1600 pre, 14-1A 4x8 pre. Season Bests: 2:02.96, 2:02.62s, 4:29.39.

 

Karson Shrum – SR – Kewanee (Wethersfield)

XC: 44-1A. TF: 6-1A 3200, 18-1A 1600 pre. Season Bests: 2:05.35, 4:36.44, 9:47.30.

 

Landen Boman – JR – Pinckneyville

XC: 47-1A. TF: 19-2A 3200. Season Bests: 2:13.57, 4:41.72, 9:50.46.

 

Jaxon Dalby – SR – Bluford-Webber

XC: 76-1A. TF: 30-1A 4x8 pre. Season Bests: 56.53, 2:06.39.

 

Mika Nelson – SR – Elmwood

XC: 42-1A. TF: 11-1A 3200. Season Bests: 2:06.88, 4:42.19, 10:00.66.

 

Peter Kipp – JR – Niles (Northridge Prep)

XC: 49-1A. TF: 5-1A 4x8, 23-1A 1600pre, 4x4 pre. Season Bests: 2:02.30, 2:01.72s, 4:33.88, 10:03.18.

 

David Valencia – SR – Aurora (Central Catholic)

XC: 69-1A. TF: 17-2A 4x8 pre. Season Bests: 2:05.46, 2:02.6s, 4:42.18.

 

Grant Jennette – JR – Fairfield

XC: 54-1A. TF: 17-1A 3200, 31-1A 1600 pre, 4x4 pre. Season Bests: 2:12.37, 2:11.6s, 4:42.86, 10:08.86.

 

Anthony Kelson – SR – Mendota

XC: 57-1A. TF Season Bests: 2:24.98, 4:48.70, 18.27HH, 44.63IH.

 

Jack Fisher – SR – St. Joseph-Ogden

XC: 52-1A. TF Season Bests: 2:33.96i, 4:39.31, 10:17.50.

 

Reed Florey – SR – Elmwood

XC: 51-1A. TF: 9-1A 4x8, 24-1A 1600 pre. Season Bests: 2:02.9, 2:01.15s, 4:38.95, 10:17.38.

 

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

XC: 64-1A, 102-1A (’22) NOTE – School does not have a track team.

 

Cameron Roedl – SO – Toledo (Cumberland)

XC: 58-1A. TF: 26-1A 4x8 pre. Season Bests: 2:05.23, 4:43.24.

 

John Brauner – SR – Georgetown (Notre Dame de la Salette)

XC: 65-1A, 142-1A (’22). NOTE – School does not have a track team.

 

Kaden Blades – JR – Benton

XC: 62-1A. TF Season Bests: 2:10.22, 4:41.24, 10:32.00.

 

Clark Roland – SO – Broadlands (Heritage)

XC: 66-1A. TF: 28-1A 4x8 pre. Season Bests: 55.76, 2:08.87s.

 

Jackson Kruse – SO – Herscher

XC: 67-1A. TF Season Bests: 2:14.71, 4:42.89, 10:43.39.

 

Evan White – JR – Rockford (Christian)

XC: 73-1A. TF: 2-1A 4x8, 11-1A 4x4 pre: Season Bests: 52.30, 2:00.64, 1:59.45s, 4:36.38.

 

Ryan Driskill – JR – Pleasant Plains

XC: 63-1A: TF: 20-1A 3200. Season Bests: 2:13.18, 4:39.5, 10:01.89i.