1A Boys Team Cross Country Pre-Season Preview: #20-#11


Opening statement: Over in this tier of rankings, we have many cross country teams with a lot of returning veterans that look to place lower by the end of the season. There are other teams listed that have proven themselves worthy of state competition (time and time again in some cases) but are just not cut a break in sectional placement, which we can all say is the flawed reality of the sectional system right now. But who is to say what the top 20 best teams are? It’s arbitrary and that’s why we have these rankings for!

20. Nashville
2013 final placement: 22nd place 1A state finals
Possible Roster: Jordan Love (Sr.) 16:47, Jackson Pierce (Jr.) 16:54, Ray Bailey (So.) 17:01, Derek Malawy (Sr.) 17:14, Ryan Kell (Jr.) 18:47, Patrick Neill (Sr.) 18:49, John Schroeder (Sr.) 19:12
Snap Analysis: This 22nd place team returns their whole pack of seven, so they should definitely step up at Detweiller from last year’s placing. In order to place better, however, either the Hornets need a fifth man pacing with their top four, or one of their front runners to have a breakthrough race.

19. Sparta
2013 final placement: 18th place 1A state finals
Possible Roster: Dylan Huether (Sr.) 16:33, Trevor Buckner (Jr.) 17:31, Izayah Miller (Sr.) 17:33, Drew Byington (So.) 17:36, Jordan Lee (So.) 17:37, Tommy Martinez (Sr.) 17:56
Snap Analysis: Unfortunately, Sparta lost their top Bulldog Kenny Heaton to graduation. But otherwise they return everyone back, including Heuther who looks to score some low points. The more contact their pack makes to Heuther, the better they will place at state

18. Carlinville
2013 final placement: 15th place Decatur sectional
Possible Roster: Cory Landon (Jr.), Nolan Kreipe (Jr.), Conner Schmidt (Jr.), Adam Rosentreter (Sr.), Jason Landon (Fr.)
Snap Analysis: Now this is just a hunch based on history being known to repeat itself with teams like this, especially in a class like 1A. Have one or two strong front runners and a team may not be so great. But add another to the mix and you’ve got a state qualifying team. Carlinville returns both Landon and Krepe could very conceivably both go under 16 minutes. Furthermore, the Cavaliers get another Landon who ran 11:11 at IESA 2A state. Very fortunate numbers on their side; maybe they’ll luck out and get placed in the southern sectional.

17. Olney
2013 final placement: 9th place Decatur sectional
Possible Roster: Matthew Devenicia (Sr.), Jona Wendling (Sr.) Dalyn Brach (Sr.), Natan
Demeyer (So.), Silven Stallard (Sr.), Michael Demeyer (So.), Adam Zuber (Jr.)
Snap Analysis: Here’s a team who unfortunately was in a tough sectional. After losing a lot of runners back from their glory days when they were at state (or got “cheated” out of state by being in this sectional), we see that the Tigers have rebounded very well. This year they will definitely have their sights set on going back to state. It could be easy, if they compete in the south as they have before, or hard, if they compete in Decatur as usual.

16. Beecher
2013 final placement: 23rd place 1A state finals
Possible Roster: Nathan Swanson (Jr.) 16:15, Josh Nehmer (Jr.) 17:13, Garret Toohey (Sr.) 17:26, Mitch Darabaris (Sr.) 17:49, Orlando Brown (Sr.) 18:09, Pat Barton (Sr.) 18:26 Adam Swanson (Fr.)
Snap Analysis: In addition to returning six, they get Nathan’s brother Adam, who ran will be a nice addition to the Bobcats. While this team will most likely not finish in the top ten, two low scorers should definitely keep them in the top 15 hunt, getting closer to the kind of success they had back in 2010.

15. Eureka
2013 final placement: 8th place Elmwood sectional
Possible Roster: Alan Zimmerman (Sr.), Tommy Standish (So.), Travis Dietrich (Jr.), Nik Erickson (Sr.), Malik Peterson (Jr.), Lane Young (Jr.), Matt Zacharias (Fr.)
Snap Analysis: We have ourselves another team that missed out on showcasing their Detweiller glory due to competing in the state’s toughest sectional. Hey just because you’re not in the Decatur Sectional does not mean you’re not in a rough sectional, and the Eureka Hornets can testify to just that over at Elmwood! On the bright side, they really responded well to the competition despite staying quiet last season. And the best part is they return six of seven and keep Zimmerman plus gain Zacharias to attain the low points that killed this pack last year.

14. Rock Falls
2013 final placement: 16th place 1A state finals
Possible Roster: Seth Williams (Jr.) 15:41, Brayden Hamblen (So.) 15:54, Cayden Erickson (Sr.) 16:29, Brodie Henson (Sr.) 18:04, Jevon Hey (Sr.) 18:13, Cameron Davis (Jr.) 18:38
Snap Analysis: Having strong front runners can really be convenient. Rock Falls made that statement last year by snagging that fifth spot and then go on to place 16th. With their front three, plus three more of their varsity back, the Rockets are not leaving the Detweiller scene anytime soon.

13. Tremont
2013 final placement: 6th place 1A state finals
Possible Roster: Wilson Pflederer (Sr.) 15:50, Colin Siedleck (Sr.) 16:48, Matt Henry (So.) 16:54, Daniel Smalley (Sr.) 17:20, Brock Holmes (Jr.) 17:29
Snap Analysis: The Turks lose both Connor Ehnle and Caleb Imig, who are not losses to be downplayed, but neither are they to be overplayed. Tremont will rebound, and, especially with Pflederer looking to step up as their low scorer, will be back for a ride over at Detweiller. The question is how low they will place.

12. Paxton (Buckley-Loda)
2013 final placement: 7th place 1A Decatur sectional
Possible Roster: Nick Porter (Jr.), Josh Brocato (Jr.), Corbin Riecks (Jr.), Kirk Vesely (Sr.), Dalton Cowan (Sr.), Kody Harrison (Fr.)
Snap Analysis: Ever since the new and improved coaching of coach Casten, the PBL Panthers have been the top notch high school team that they should with all the middle school talent they’ve been getting. Losing only Grant Iverson, the young squad returns six of their varsity seven, plus get yet another middle school all-star, Harrison. But ever since Pacey graduated, the sectional placement has not even given the panthers a single individual out of state. And that’s a real surprise considering the individual talent they have had over the years. But this season, it should change one way or another.

11. Sterling (Newman Catholic)
2013 final placement: 14th place 1A state finals
Possible Roster: Bryson Reyes (Sr.) 15:59, Drew Rosengren (Sr.) 16:11, Chris Ahlers (So.) 16:18, Cay Jungerman (Jr.) 18:57 Quincy Coomes (Sr.)
Snap Analysis: I ranked this team high mid-season last year and I stand by it. Newman went 15:40-16:35 at the Patriot invitational- which was right on par with all the other teams last year who were looking to trophy. Unfortunately, the Comets hit a late season bug that started at regionals when they lost their essential fourth man Coomes to injury who ran 16:16 prior over at Detweiller. This year, they lose two runners, including their valuable fifth man Trancoso. They also not only lose runners, but it seems as though coaching has changed hands from Val Gassman over to former assistant Patrick Warkins. Much luck to Warkins as he coaches this team with incredible potential! All things considered, if the pack finds a fifth man plus replicate last year’s peak performances at state, Sterling could be in contention for a trophy.