ILXCTF 2024 Individual Runners Season Previews: Class 2A Boys

By Michael Newman

 

The top four Class 2A State Meet have graduated led by two-time champion Dylan Nalley. It leads the door wide-open for a new Class 2A champion. Finn Richards and Evan Nosek appear to be the runners to keep an eye on. We will see some new faces landing in the top 25 this season with only nine all-state runners back from last season.

 

Finn Richards, who finished fifth last year, and Evan Nosek of Kaneland, who finished sixth are the top two returning all-state runners back. Dylan Gehl of Geneseo finished seventh last year but went through injuries during the track season. He has recovered during the summer and could be the runner that could surprise people the most.

 

Here is a look at some of the runners to watch for this season in Class 2A.

 

Class 2A Boys

1 Finn Richards – SR – Lisle (Benet Academy)

XC: 5-2A, 45-3A (’22). TF: 21-3A 3200 (won Sec1); Season Bests: 2:03.83, 4:25.20, 9:22.43.

 

2 Evan Nosek – SR – Maple Park (Kaneland)

XC: 6-2A, 7-2A (’22), 21-2A (’21). TF: 9-3A 3200, 6-2A 3200 (’23). Season Bests: 1:59.58, 4:21.20i, 9:12.54.

 

3 Dylan Gehl – SR – Geneseo

XC: 7-2A, 66-2A (’22). TF Season Bests: 2:12.79, 4:51.50, 9:48.82i.

 

4 Caleb Mathias – JR – Champaign (Central)

XC: 16-2A; 24-2A (’22). TF: 2A 4x8 pre. Season Bests: 2:01.07, 4:27.20i, 9:27.57.

 

5 Aaron Conderman – SR – Dixon

XC: 18-2A. TF: 14-2A 3200. Season Bests: 4:27.41, 9:41.14i.

 

6 Tom Jochum – SO – Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South)

XC: 15-2A. TF: 2A 1600 pres. Season Bests: 2:01.27, 4:21.12, 9:36.66.

 

7 Raphael Greer – SO – Marion

XC: 17-2A. TF: 12-2A 3200. Season Bests: 4:34.74i, 9:38.78.

 

8 Aiden Hulett – SR – Lisle (Benet Academy)

XC: 26-2A. TF Seasonal Bests: 4:33.23, 9:56.59.

 

9 Cuyler Swanson – SO – Morris

XC: 21-2A. TF: 8-2A 3200. Season Bests: 2:09.30, 4:32.98, 9:35.07.

 

10 Luis Flores – SR – Burbank (St. Laurence)

XC: 25-2A. TF: 5-2A 3200; Season Bests: 2:10.71i, 4:21.16. 9:23.06i.

 

11 Gabriel Greer – SO – Marion

XC: 28-2A. TF Season Bests: 4:35.34i, 9:41.63i.

 

12 Evan Whidlin – JR – Maple Park (Kaneland)

XC: 36-2A. TF Season Bests: 2:07.53, 4:32.71, 9:50.90.

 

13 John Daffenberg – SR – Aurora (Marmion Academy)

XC: 31-2A. TF: 13-2A 800 pre; Season Bests: 1:58.20, 4:30.00i, 9:54.15i.

 

14 Ben Gorsage – SO – Washington

XC: 29-2A. TF Season Bests: 51.67.

 

15 Max Weber – JR – Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

XC: 53-2A, 72-1A (’22). TF: 11-2A 3200; Season Bests: 2:05.2:03.53, 4:35.51i, 9:37.54.

 

16 Daniel Kasperan – SR – Chicago Heights (Marian)

XC: 33-2A, 28-2A (’22). TF Season Bests: 2:03.55, 4:38.03, 10:31.33.

 

17 Zach Born – SO – Metamora

XC: 37-2A. TF: 8-2A 800, 9-2A 4x4. Season Bests: 52.00, 1:55.48, 4:22.59, 10:05.84.

 

18 – Liam Bettis – SO – Taylorville

XC: 44-2A. TF: 17-2A 1600 pre. Season Bests: 2:02.17, 2:00.8s, 4:24.53, 9:40.04i.

 

19 – Tra’Monti Williams – JR – Chicago (Payton Prep)

XC: 39-2A. TF: 9-2A 800, 1-2A 4x8, 5-NON 4x8; Season Bests: 51.26, 1:55.54, 1:53.9s, 4:26.48.

 

20 – Adan Cordova – JR – Grayslake (Central)

XC: 38-2A; 21-2A (’22). TF Season Bests: 2:03.69, 4:34.71, 9:49.19

 

Other Class 2A Boys Runners to Watch

Gavin O’Connor – SR – Chicago (Brother Rice)

XC: 50-2A. TF Season Bests: 2:06.88, 4:32.07i, 9:28.52.

 

Jiberil Lesman -SR – Chicago (Lake View)

XC: 42-2A. TF: 27-3A 3200; Season Bests: 2:04.03, 4:31.74, 9:28.06.

 

Preston Ellis – SR – Chicago (Payton Prep)

XC: 46-2A. TF: 5-800 2A, 1-2A 4x8, 5-NON 4x8. Season Bests: 53:09, 1:54.86, 1:54.1s, 4:32.61.

 

Simon Lane – SR – Chicago (University)

XC: 59-2A. TF: 9-2A 3200. Season Bests: 2:00.6s, 4:24.96, 9:35.30

 

Sean Kaeb – SR – Normal (University)

XC: 72-2A. TF: 10-2A 3200. Season Bests: 4:33.48, 9:35.43.

 

Dean Geiger – SO – Dixon

XC: 87-2A. TF: 40-2A 1600 pre. Season Bests: 2:02.31, 4:30.75, 9:53.99.

 

Declan Slavin – JR – Chicago (Payton Prep)

XC: 49-2A. TF: 1-2A 4x8, 5-NON 4x8. Season Bests: 52.91, 1:55.3s, 4:26.32, 10:20.9.

 

Drew Twyman – SR – Troy (Triad)

XC: 79-2A, 40-2A (’22). TF: 7-2A 800. Season Bests: 1:55.20, 4:27.43, 9:47.94.

 

Averick Wiseman – SO – Dixon

XC: 94-2A. TF: Did Not Run Track (’24).

 

Elias Roldan – SR – Chicago (DePaul College Prep)

XC: 56-2A, 40-2A (’22). TF Season Bests: 4:42.84i, 10:40.79.

 

Hugh Lynch – SR – Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep)

XC: 57-2A. TF Season Bests: 4:47.00, 9:54.60.

 

Christian Knobloch – SR – Highland

XC: 55-2A. TF: 35-2A 1600 pre, 2A 4x8 pre. Season Bests: 2:06.17, 2:04.5s, 4:33.53, 9:56.84.

 

Matthew Sullivan – SR – Aurora (Marmion Academy)

XC: 66-2A; TF: 15-2A 3200. Season Bests: 2:09.7s, 4:41.60, 9:47.15.

 

Zion Wilkins – JR – Carbondale

XC: 63-3A; TF: 18-2A 800 pre. Season Bests: 1:58.39, 4:39.38, 10:13.04

 

Jackson Summy – SR – Lake Villa (Lakes)

XC: 62-2A; TF: 3A 4x8 pre. Season Bests: 2:00.90, 1:58.6s, 4:20.83, 9:48.90.

 

Christian Harris – SR – Morton

XC: 99-2A: TF: 3-2A 4x8, 28-2A 1600 pre. Season Bests: 2:01.53, 1:58.3s, 4:19.02

 

Van Schneider – JR – Chatham (Glenwood)

XC – 103-2A. TF: 11-3A 800, 2A 4x8 pre. Season Bests: 1:54.74, 1:54.4s, 4:22.77.

 

Augustus Gaudio – JR – Mahomet (Seymour)

XC: 85-2A. TF: 44-2A 1600 pre. Season Bests: 4:24.73, 10:26.88.

 

Ben Gibson – SR – Chicago (Latin)

XC: Injured (’23), 16-1A (’22), 20-1A (’21). TF: 26-2A 1600 pre. Season Bests: 1:59.83, 4:25.36.

 

Charlie Borlin – SR – Washington

XC: 60-2A. TF Season Bests: 2:03.21, 4:44.62, 10:04.77.

 

Wojtek Gilarski – JR – Darien (Hinsdale South)

XC: 72-2A. TF Season Bests: 4:28.9, 9:53.89i.