A slew of talent graduated in the class of '08, but this fall won't be without it's super stars in Illinois. Despite only eleven of the top 45 returning from last year's state cross country meet, the talent Illinois shows year in and year out never disappoints. While the depth isn't as strong on paper heading into the season as last year, that may mean that 2008 will ultimately be close from top to bottom, creating some surprises. Read who the top 21 AAA returnees are. You might be a little surprised.

*Note: We've included the top 17 finishers in last year's state race, with another four that could finish in the top 12 if they take that next step.

Top 21 AAA Individuals

(Alphabetical Order)

Aaron Beattie (Jr., Neuqua Valley) - He's the top junior returnee after placing 13th as a sophomore at the state cross country meet.  He traveled with teammates to the Arcadia Invitational in California this past spring and ran 9:24.55.  He's been a bit overlooked after being number four on the depth chart at points last fall.  However, one just gets the feeling that 2008 is Beattie's time to shine.  With training partner and teammate Danny Pawola to work with this fall, do not be surprised to see Beattie place top five at Detweiller come November.

Chano Bernardo (Jr., Palatine) - The little runner that could.  That should be the tag line of an article this fall on Bernardo.  The 5'2" incoming junior stands far shorter than most of the other top runners in the state, but despite his small stature, Bernardo shows big heart and earns big finishes.  Despite spraining his ankle before the state meet last season, Bernardo finished 36th overall and returns this season as the tenth returnee.  While he lacks the leg speed of some of the other top competitors, he still ran 9:31 for 3200m this past spring.  With captains Mat Smoody and Kevin O'Brien graduated, this is now Bernardo's team to lead.

Adam Cecil (Jr., York) - Inconsistency has been Cecil's downfall over the past year.  After a great freshman season, Cecil fell a bit during the '07 cross country season.  While expectations were a bit higher, Cecil still managed to finish 63rd at state, however his track personal best at 3200m this spring showed he is capable of much more.  During the spring he ran 9:27.55, but missed qualifying for state in the event.  If Cecil can find the consistency this fall expect York to be the pre-state meet favorites come late October.

Nico Composto (Jr., Loyola) - One of a half dozen juniors on the Top 21 list, Composto will look to take another leap in his racing this fall.  Last year Composto earned a trip down state and finished 57th overall.  The spring season saw him run a 9:27.48 for 3200m and place 25th in the state 3200m run.  This fall Composto should be shooting for a possible top twelve finish and will be looking to guide his team down state.

Kyle Gibson (Sr., Naperville North) - Last fall Gibson seemed primed and ready to make a run at a top ten finish. However, the then junior fell ill the night before the race and finished a somewhat disappointing 24th place. Using that as fuel for the fire this past spring, Gibson charged ahead and laid down some serious performances, including a personal best of 9:10.31 for 3200m. While he may not be labeled the favorite heading into the season, Gibson has as good as shot as anyone to bring home the top prize at Detweiller come November.

Chris Hayek (Sr., Prospect) - Foot speed seems to be what Prospect High School is known for.  For years the school has produced some of the best 4x800m relay squads, but they've also had their fair share of cross country success.  Hayek looks to further the harrier success, eyeing a top ten finish this season, the first earned by a Prospect athlete since the memorable finish in 2005, which saw Ryan Craven place second while getting outleaned by a diving Steve Finley at the finish line.  Hayek finished 32nd in '07 and is the ninth returnee this fall.  He ran a 4:22 1600m personal best this spring and will contend up top assuming he can stay healthy.

Jordan Herbert (Sr., York) - In 2007 Herbert was considered the most important runner on the York squad by many. His rise to being one of the key scorers on the squad was unseen until mid-season. As if York needed another "average runner that works hard and becomes great" success story, Herbert now seems to fill that role. His 30th place finish in '07 ranks him as the eighth returnee, and with new PR's of 4:31 (1600m) and 9:41 (3200m) under his belt, Herbert should be feeling good about his chances at a top ten finish this season.

Tyler Jermann (Jr., Naperville North) - Many anticipated last fall that Jermann was one of the best sophomores in the state. With a 31st place finish on the Detweiller course last November, Jermann finished as the number two sophomore and returns this year as the seventh returnee. However, his spring saw him run 9:38 for 3200m, significantly slower than the likes of fellow incoming juniors Aaron Beattie, Chano Bernardo, Adam Cecil, Pat Lesiewicz and Nico Composto. Jermann will need to step up his training and racing if he hopes to finish in the top ten this fall. If he can accomplish that feat, his team will be looking good to take home a team trophy.

Andrew Karas (Sr., Plainfield) - A very quiet spring has kept Karas under the radar after his top fifty finish at state last cross country season. At the '07 state meet Karas finished 47th overall, ahead of Top 21 athletes such as Anthony Manfrin, Ryan Shea and David McWilliams. In order to improve upon his accomplishments of last fall Karas is going to need to show his fitness early and prove he belongs with the top all-state runners this season.

Andrew Larson (Sr., Marmion) - Who? The name doesn't necessarily sound familiar to those in AAA, and rightfully so. Last fall Larson competed for Montini, a class AA team, which saw him earn all-state with a tenth place finish. While he missed making state in track, Larson still ran 9:27.87 for two-miles at the Midwest Distance Gala. The Marmion squad always has excellent coaching and this incoming senior's chance to shine among the best in the state is now upon him.

Pat Lesiewicz (Jr., Schaumburg) - Year after year the Mid-Suburban League produces talent that finishes in the top ten at state. Last year saw Kevin Havel and Mat Smoody grab top five finishes. In 2008 a quartet of conference talent will eye top ten finishes, one of those athletes being Lesiewicz. While he wasn't the most talked about runner during the spring, the incoming junior put up perhaps the best sophomore track season in the state. His 9:29 3200m and 4:21 1600m times rank him high up the lists and with one of the best coaches in state history providing his training plan, Lesiewicz could become the next Schaumburg great.

Emmett Lorenz (Sr., Waubonsie Valley) - A 37th place finish last fall came as a bit of a surprise to some, but make no mistake, Lorenz knows he belonged. Despite track PR's a bit slower than many on the Top 21 list, the Waubonsie Valley standout knows he is a strength runner and should be feeling confident that he can push for a top ten finish if he can stay healthy. As the 11th returnee, Lorenz is right on the cusp of jumping to that top-tier of Illinois distance runner, and with the extra incentive of needing to score a low point total for his team, expect some big finishes from him this fall.

Anthony Manfrin (So., Dundee-Crown) - The man. That should be Manfrin's new nickname. It is a rare sight to see a freshman run the way Manfrin did this spring. Already establishing himself as the top freshman in the state during the cross country season, where he finished 51st overall, Manfrin took his running to the next level, breaking 4:20 in the mile at the Midwest Distance Gala and winning the Nike Outdoor National freshman mile race. The next step is to test his strength over the grassy courses throughout the state. If his leap during cross is anything like the leap he made on the track, expect Manfrin to compete for a top ten finish.

David McWilliams (Sr., Naperville North) - Overshadowed a bit by teammates Kyle Gibson and Tyler Jermann, and the fact that he plays baseball in the spring instead of doing track, McWilliams could be the X-factor for North. Last fall he finished a very respectable 48th place overall, bringing him back this year as a 13th returnee. Depending on his summer training and what type of jump he can make, McWilliams should be hoping to finish in the top 15.

Andrew Nelson (Sr., Geneva) - Geneva's been looking for their front runner and Nelson may be that athlete this fall. After a solid spring of racing, Nelson continued his season post-state at the Midwest Distance Gala. In a race that saw the seventh fastest mile time ever run, Nelson latched onto the pack and ran 4:14.43. Not only did his time place him among the best in the state, but also should have shown him a new level of competition. A team leader after helping his team place third in the 4x800m relay at state, Nelson has the darkhorse label written all over him. He'll be overlooked during much of the season, but don't underestimate him.

Danny Pawola (Sr., Neuqua Valley) - The rapid rise of Pawola last year was no surprise. He'd shown talent throughout his sophomore year, especially during the track season. During the '07-'08 track season Pawola finished eighth overall in cross country, only to come back during track to place sixth in the 3200m in a new personal best of 9:13.28. Last season Pawola was able to follow the lead of state champion Chris Derrick, while this year he'll have to set his own path with teammate Aaron Beattie and lead the squad. His role may have changed, pushing expectations higher than ever, but Pawola knows how to deal with pressure and will look to win his own individual state title come November.

Ryan Shea (Sr., Waubonsie Valley) - Similar to teammate Emmitt Lorenz, little was heard about Shea during the track season. While he didn't stand out above some other area runners, he still put together a fine spring of a 3200m best of 9:47 and a 1600m best of 4:33. As the eleventh returnee Shea will be looked to challenge for a top ten spot this fall, and if he can accomplish that it will help his team push toward a team trophy. Team is the focus this fall at Waubonsie Valley, but keep an eye on Shea to impress individually as well.

Erik Stanton (Sr., Hersey) - The odd man out. That was Stanton's finish last year at state cross country, finishing in the dreaded 26th position. Despite lingering stomach problems that have plagued him his entire high school career, Stanton should have high expectations after a great track season. The tipping point from good to great for Stanton came in the state 1600m prelims, where the incoming senior beat the field in his heat, already helping his team to advance to the final in the 4x8 earlier in the day. If Stanton can get his stomach under control look for him to make a top five push.

Steve Sulkin (Sr., York) - It's been a while since York hasn't had a runner be considered a top three favorite heading into the season. Well, this year will be no different as Sulkin starts his push towards an outstanding senior campaign. He will be dubbed as the pre-season favorite after his fifth place finish in '07 and a third place finish in the 3200m in state track. In both instances he placed as the top junior. Sulkin will be counted on to lead his team this year, hoping to bring home two state titles...one individual, one team.

Jeff Thode (Sr., Conant) - As a top five returnee, you better believe Thode has had visions of winning a state title running through his head all summer. While showing talent early on, Thode tranformed himself into a top-tier runner last fall. Finishing 15th overall in '07 despite a summertime injury, Thode took his talent one step further during the track season, finishing second in the 1600m run and running one of the top junior times in the country with his 4:10 1600m conference win. Leg speed certainly isn't a concern, and if he can match the strength of athletes like Sulkin and Pawola, the Conant senior could very well end up on top.

Aaron Werths (Sr., Granite City) - Looking over the list, every athlete until Werths lives in the Chicagoland area. While a large part of this is due to AAA being mostly northern Illinois teams, Werths also shines regardless of location. Last fall Werths finished 46th overall, coming back this season as the 12th returnee. His track season was strong, complete with a top 20 finish in the 3200m, beating such Top 21 notables as Chano Bernardo and Nico Composoto. Every year it seems an athlete from southern Illinois makes their case as one of the state's best, and this year Werths seems to be that person.

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