2A-
Delaney Appino won decisively on the Detweiller course at the FTTF back in early September (Steve Bugarin photo)
The qualifying teams: #1 Dunlap, #2 Belvidere North, #3 Vernon Hills, #4 Crystal Lake Central, #5 Maple Park (Kaneland), #7 Chicago Northside Prep, #8 Metamora, #9 Normal (University), #10 Mahomet-Seymour, #13 Riverside-Brookfield, #14 Grayslake Central, #16 Chatham-Glenwood, #18 Peoria (Notre Dame), #19 Urbana, #22 Aurora (Rosary), #23 Chicago (Latin), #24 Lemont, #25 Springfield; Chicago Payton, Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep), Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South), Mascoutah, River Forest (Trinity), Waterloo, West Chicago (Wheaton Academy)
-TOP FOUR TEAM OUTLOOK-
Dunlap-
Head Coach: Chris Friedman
2015 Finish: 6th
Pre season rank: #3
Final regular season rank: #1
Possible starting line up:
| Franny Verville (Jr.) | 1 | 17:44 |
| Abby Johnson (So.) | 3 | 17:58 |
| Andrea Copeland (Jr.) | 5 | 18:15 |
| Kate Piper (Jr.) | 6 | 18:16 |
| Jena Brooks (Sr.) | 7 | 18:16 |
| Ayah Aldadah (Jr.) | 11 | 18:39 |
| Abby Banister (Fr.) | 27 | 19:21 |
Belvidere North-
Head Coach: Ken Husser
2015 Finish: State Runner Up
Pre season rank: #1
Final regular season rank: #2
| Jenna Lutzow (Sr.) | 1 | 16:58 |
| Madison Diercks (Fr.) | 4 | 17:50 |
| Gianna Sagona (Fr.) | 6 | 18:02 |
| Alexandria Reza (Fr.) | 22 | 18:43 |
| Sabrina Elder (Jr.) | 23 | 18:48 |
| Olivia Zaluckyj (Fr.) | 27 | 19:00 |
| Remy Bice (So.) | 53 | 19:52 |
Being #2 in the rankings is not important right now. Not when you think the Blue Thunder's only blemish was a 20-point loss to Dunlap at FTTF without top runner Jenna Lutzow. Coach Husser and his troopettes have waited patiently for this weekend. That is what's important on Saturday. Lutzow will do her part with the low stick. Madison Diercks and Gianna Sagonna have offered assistance at #2 and #3. They will need more on Saturday.
Vernon Hills-
Head Coach: Suzanne Curry
2015 Finish: 3rd
Pre season rank: #3
Final regular season rank: #3
| Payton Makowskyj (So.) | 11 | 18:16 |
| Lauren Katz (Jr.) | 15 | 18:24 |
| Katie Wilkowski (So.) | 18 | 18:32 |
| Leah Wilkowski (So.) | 19 | 18:32 |
| Hannah Ray (So.) | 26 | 18:58 |
| Ryan Schofield (So.) | 32 | 19:11 |
| Lily Blase (Fr.) | 60 | 20:02 |
-Pack running is the key for sustained success for the Cougars. The 43 second split was good enough to finish a strong second ahead of Crystal Lake Central at the Belvidere Sectional. Payton Makowskyi is the team leader and four others have broken 19:00 on the season. Don't forget that Vernon Hills have lost several top runners to graduation yet they will be fighting for another trophy. Imagine that.
Crystal Lake Central-
Head Coach: Brett Willhoit
2015 Finish: 4th
Pre season rank: #2
Final regular season rank: #4
| Janine Orvis (Sr.) | 8 | 18:08 |
| Kelly Doerr (Sr.) | 10 | 18:13 |
| Katelyn Smith (Jr.) | 16 | 18:29 |
| Avani Flanagan (Sr.) | 25 | 18:51 |
| Stephanie Doerr (Jr.) | 34 | 19:17 |
| Debra Tomlinson (Sr.) | 50 | 19:45 |
| Maddie Hollander (Jr.) | 72 | 20:21 |
Take a moment and think about coach Willhoit's pre-season thoughts regarding his team: "we are looking to contend for the conference title again this year. We are also looking to be a competitive team in the state series." The Tigers have done much more than be competitive this season, even against tough 3A foes.They placed sixth at the winner takes all Richard Spring Invite where they beat the likes of Maine South, York, Stevenson, and of course Vernon Hills. Janine Orvis and Kelly Doerr are the leaders of a veteran team that is poised to grab a trophy. All they have to do is keep the scoring split around 1:15 and they are in good company.
Key teams to watch: Chicago Northside Prep, Maple Park (Kaneland), Metamora, Normal U High, Mahomet-Seymour