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This may be the most exciting Class A championship in many years (Steve Bugarin photo)
preview by Alex Goodlad (agmoneymeister@gmail.com)
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The Qualifying Teams:
#1 St. Joseph Ogden, #2 Tolono Unity, #3 Liberty, #4 Richmond Burton, #5
Monticello, #6 Williamsville, #7 Palos Heights Christian, #8 Litchfield, #9
Freeburg, #10 Stanford Olympia, #11 Elgin Harvest Christian Academy, #12 Breese
(Mater Dei), #13 Hersecher, #14 Eureka, #15 El-Paso Gridley, #16 Johnsburg, #17
Amboy, #18 Westmont, #19 Champaign St. Thomas More, #20 Shelbyville, #21
Chillicothe IVC #22 Nashville, #23 Beecher, #24 Cifton (Central), #25 DuQuoin,
#26 Chester
The opening remarks: Five teams really stand out this year in really being able to obtain one of the three trophies. The teams ranked 9-21...well...we could see them finishing in any order between those places to tell you the truth! And how about that tie at Effingham!? Just as well East Central brings six to Detweiller instead of five, as that sectional (since it was located in Decatur) has been the road block to great team's seasons for years. You know this race is going to be an exciting one when there's twenty six teams racing!
St. Joseph Ogden
Head Coach: Jason Retz
2015 state meet finish: 3rd place
Pre-season rank: #2
Final regular season rank: #1
Probable starting line-up :
Faith Houston (Jr.) 5 18:50
Hanna Atwood (Sr.) 11 19:20
Samantha Mabry (Jr.) 15 19:35
Cassidy Bagby (So.) 20 19:45
Hannah Rajlich (Fr.) 22 19:47
Keely Smith (Sr.) 29 20:20
Jillian Plotner (Fr.) 48 21:20
The Spartans started out on top from the beginning. They are a dominant team this season reminiscent to how they were in 2014, except this time they haven't seen much resistance from their competition. They are led by Faith Houston, who will be a top ten contender in her own right, and a pack of four who span only a minute behind her.
Tolono Unity
Head Coach: Kara Leaman
2015 state meet finish: 1st place
Pre-season rank: #1
Final regular season rank: #3
Probable starting line-up :
Jordan Harmon (So.) 2 18:36
Nicole Bagwell (Sr.) 13 19:30
Audrey Hancock (So.) 18 19:37
Miranda Fairbanks (So.) 28 20:20
Savannah Day (Jr.) 32 20:28
Kylie Decker (Fr.) 34 20:43
Natalie King (Jr.) 39 21:05
The Rockets are looking to defend their state title. From what we've seen all year they've been routinely beaten by their conference rivals. But you have to remember the times (including last year) when they take the state by surprise.
Liberty
Head Coach: Jared Schmidt
2015 state meet finish: 4th place
Pre-season rank: #3
Final regular season rank: #2
Probable starting line-up :
Megan Barry (Sr.) 7 19:05
Katelyn Robbins (So.) 10 19:15
Kaela Wellman (So.) 15 19:32
Katelyn Obert (Sr.) 23 20:09
Courtney Riley (So.) 40 20:57
Christen Balzer (Jr.) 62 21:47
Blair Genenbacher (Sr.) 95 23:17
The Eagles are looking like the team to take third trophy, and of course have an outside chance of winning. Megan Barry really stepped it up this season to finish as Liberty's lead runner for a first place team finish at the Elmwood sectional. Their typical lead Katelyn Robbins has ran a conservative season to stay healthy and is in good form, now. Expect to find her in the chase pack this weekend.
Richmond Burton
Head Coach: Ryan Carlson
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: NR
Final regular season rank: NR
Probable starting line-up :
Breanne Retherford (Sr.) 1 19:44
Emma Langlois (Sr.) 2 19:56
Frisch Amy (Jr.) 3 20:02
Gabby Ross (Sr.) 4 20:40
Nissa Lind (So.) 5 22:03
Christiansen Kelsey (Jr.) 6 22:47
Morgan DeGroot (So.) 7 23:28
Their major win at the Oregon sectional is really something to pay attention to. The Richmond Rockets are a close trophy contender, led by the front runner trio of Breanne Retherford, Emma Langlois, and Frisch Amy, with plenty of promise with the fourth and fifth.
Monticello
Head Coach: David Remmert
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: #17
Final regular season rank: #4
Probable starting line-up :
Alyssa McPike (So.) 8 19:03
Hannah Offenback (Jr.) 9 19:04
Morgan Elmore (Jr.) 25 19:56
Samantha Zocher (Fr.) 35 20:43
Madison Mesplay (Jr.) 40 21:06
Makenzie Reedy (Fr.) 72 22:17
Annie Clifton (Fr.) 93 22:58
Didn't take the sages too long to rebound into a trophy contender. They were expected to be good come the preseason but they exceeded expectations as they finish third place in the tough Effingham sectional. Alyssa McPike and Hannah Offenback will be contending for all-state and the pack will follow suit.
Williamsville
Head Coach: Tyler Casson
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: #11
Final regular season rank: #5
Probable starting line-up :
Audra Koechle (So.) 14 19:31
Caroline Gwaltney (Fr.) 17 19:39
Grace Gudwien (Jr.) 22 20:03
Lexy Henrikson (Fr.) 34 20:47
Aden Davis (Fr.) 37 20:50
Hannah Stinnett (Fr.) 51 21:26
Cara Buckley (Jr.) 63 21:47
After observing a large incoming middle school roster, one could definitely see coming a strong pack in the making, and the pack has lived up to the hype with a fifth runner who can hold her own against the top teams' fifth runners. But what has also made their team good is a pretty good front runner presence with Audra Koechle and Caroline Gwaltney.
Palos Heights Chicago Christian
Head Coach: Jake Christiansen
2015 state meet finish: 7th place
Pre-season rank: #7
Final regular season rank: #6
Probable starting line-up :
April van Ryn (Sr.) 1 18:32
Jill Van Dyk (Sr.) 10 20:57
Allie Boss (Jr.) 11 20:59
Emily Damstra (So.) 20 21:46
Cassidy VandeKamp (Sr.) 22 21:54
Becca Falb (Sr.) 27 22:06
Leah Kuipers (Jr.) 36 22:24
April van Ryn made a lot of noise upsetting Daly Galloway at sectionals, and the Knights could very well upsetting their competition this weekend. They may be a big fish in a less competitive pond as far as their sound Lisle sectional victory indicates. But by no means will they be overwhelmed the competition that awaits.
Litchfield
Head Coach: Jeremy Palmer
2015 state meet finish: 11th place
Pre-season rank: #10
Final regular season rank: #7
Probable starting line-up :
Briana Travis (Sr.) 10 19:15
Madi Throne (So.) 19 19:41
Alexis Throne (Sr.) 21 19:46
Caroline Quarton (Fr.) 31 20:23
Jordan Brandt (Sr.) 68 22:09
Elli Holan (Sr.) 90 22:41
Brittnay Komor (Jr.) 122 24:35
This might be the best team that the Panthers have put forward out of the last four years they have been contending for state. Once again, they have made it out and have a pack of four looking to all place in the top half. The key with this team is how well freshman Caroline Quarton keeps up with the front three and how much damage Jordan Brandt can do as their fifth runner.
Freeburg
Head Coach: Carl Florczyk
2015 state meet finish: 16th place
Pre-season rank: #13
Final regular season rank: #9
Probable starting line-up :
Breanna Chandler (Fr.) 1 19:48
Ashley Gilmore (Sr.) 6 20.44
Kayla Whitworth (Jr.) 8 20.52
Kristen Collier (Sr.) 15 21.30
Jessica Shepherd (Fr.) 22 22.01
Katherine Marler (So.) 28 22:25
Maddie Mense (Fr.) 33 22:34
They dominated one of the easier sectionals, but don't sleep on the Lady Midgets. This is a team with a young lineup with some established veteran leadership. Definitely top ten material.
Stanford Olympia
Head Coach: Mike Neisler
2015 state meet finish: 15th place
Pre-season rank: #8
Final regular season rank: #10
Probable starting line-up :
Shelby Siltman (Sr.) 1 18:11
Mary Grace Cleinmark (So.) 28 20:21
Payton Wille (So.) 31 20:34
Renee Hallstein (So.) 39 20:54
Hannah Lawless (So.) 42 21:04
Jadyn Talbert (Sr.) 52 21:29
Sydnee Usherwood (Fr.) 58 21:45
The Spartans are lead by Shelby Siltman who will be contending for the top five, and they have a pack of four with a 43 second span who just gets better with every race.
Elgin Harvest Christian Academy
Head Coach: Steven Bland
2015 state meet finish: 18th place
Pre-season rank: #12
Final regular season rank: #21
Probable starting line-up :
Nygia Pollard (Jr.) 1 19:16
Alyssa Iverson (Jr.) 2 20:49
Kaelie Sjodin (Sr.) 3 21:03
Rachel Higbee (Jr.) 4 22:09
Richter Cassidy (Jr.) 5 23:02
Hannah McHugh (So.) 6 23:03
Hope Mylin (So.) 7 23:54
The Elgin Lions came out for a magical ending of their season for both the boys and the girls last year. This year, their second place showing at Oregon was to be expected. We know Nygia Pollard will find her way into the chase pack, but we'll see what their pack is made of.
Breese Mater Dei
Head Coach: Dave Kohnen
2015 state meet finish: 14th place
Pre-season rank: #16
Final regular season rank: #12
Probable starting line-up :
Elyse Faust (So.) 2 20:09
Faith Rackers (Fr.) 12 21:15
Sophia Lager (Sr.) 14 21:25
Gretta Stark (Fr.) 18 21:51
Malina Isaak (Jr.) 21 21:57
Mya Albers (So.) 31 22:32
Emily Wiegmann (So.) 64 24:18
Watch for these Knights as they are led by a strong front runner Elyse Frost, and then a very dense 42 second pack of four. Typically they run well at the end and this year is no exception.
Hersecher
Head Coach: Rick Livesey
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: NR
Final regular season rank: NR
Probable starting line-up :
Jillian Milton (So.) 6 20:01
Kylie Lockwood (So.) 9 20:45
Molly Raymond (Fr.) 15 21:23
Brooke Allen (Sr.) 18 21:39
Gwen Meyer (Fr.) 29 22:12
Hailey Mendell (Sr.) 41 22:37
Hannah Jones (Jr.) 56 23:21
Another team that stood out as the team runner-up in the Lisle sectional, the Tigers are looking to big things at state as well. With their, pack, they've definitely got what it takes.
Eureka
Head Coach: Brett Chariton
2015 state meet finish: 12th place
Pre-season rank: #15
Final regular season rank: #8
Probable starting line-up :
Emma Argo (So.) 4 18:38
Tessa Wiegand (So.) 21 20:03
Lexi Grober (So.) 36 20:47
Natalie Bardwell (Jr.) 41 20:59
Kaitlyn Sapp (Fr.) 53 21:32
Lizel Fehr (Fr.) 66 21:50
McKenzie Walz (Sr.) 82 22:35
The Hornettes may have finished fourth at their sectional but make no mistakes they could very well finish in the top ten. Emma Argo will be looking to go all-state and hopefully the rest will sort itself out.
El Paso Gridley
Head Coach: Michael Melick
2015 state meet finish: 1st place
Pre-season rank: #21
Final regular season rank: #22
Probable starting line-up :
Cate Atkins (So.) 12 19:21
Julia Reid (Fr.) 18 19:43
Sophi Allen (So.) 32 20:43
Allison Kelly (Fr.) 38 20:51
Tia Reilly (Fr.) 80 22:29
Sarah Schug (Jr.) 83 22:36
Hannah Ludy (Fr.) 91 22:51
Get used to hearing about the Titans making long strides forward. They're a young team that is really finding their rhythm!
Johnsburg
Head Coach: Chris Setzler
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: NR
Final regular season rank: #19
Probable starting line-up :
Ashley Molidor (Jr.) 1 21:17
Felicity Westphal (Jr.) 2 21:22
Katelyn Davis (So.) 3 21:42
Tess Grimes (Sr.) 4 22:06
Hannah Anderson (Fr.) 5 22:08
Allysa Peete (Fr.) 6 25:09
The Skylarks lived up to their pack running ways this season. No strong front runner makes this squad easy to overlook, but the 51 second 1-5 split more than makes up.
Amboy
Head Coach: Bob Halberg
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: NR
Final regular season rank: #24
Probable starting line-up :
Erin Hosto (Sr.) 1 21:22
Megan Grady (Sr.) 2 21:22
Margaret Vaessen (Fr.) 3 21:54
Kaitlyn Ortgiesen (So.) 4 21:57
Cassidy Corcoran (Jr.) 5 22:09
Kelynn Boyle (So.) 6 22:09
Ally Gascoigne (Jr.) 7 26:46
Made some serious noise in the late season since hosting their own invite. This team, like Johnsburg, relies on a nice pack of six.
Westmont
Head Coach: Steve Wolf
2015 state meet finish: 22nd place
Pre-season rank: #20
Final regular season rank: #17
Probable starting line-up :
Halle Nash (Jr.) 4 19:53
Lisa Niemiec (Jr.) 19 21:45
Peyton Nash (Jr.) 21 21:54
Lily Arndt (Jr.) 33 22:14
Frankie Fabry (So.) 43 22:49
Ashley Eiermann (Jr.) 85 25:21
The Sentinels once again qualify out of Lisle and compete out in Detweiller. Given their level of experience, they definitely have the potential to place in the top fifteen.
St. Thomas More
Head Coach: David Behm
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: #22
Final regular season rank: NR
Probable starting line-up :
Fran Hendrickson (Fr.) 6 18:55
Marguerite Hendrickson (Jr.) 23 19:53
Morgan Cinnamon (Jr.) 26 20:00
Sydney Mcmahon (Fr.) 65 21:53
Morgan Saunders (Fr.) 74 22:19
Claire Pollard (Jr.) 79 22:23
I thought there was no chance for the sabers in such a tough sectional. But they proved me wrong, sneaking in there on a tied affiar with Shelbyville. Fran Hendrickson proves to be an all-state contender and STM proves they deserve to be here.
Shelbyville
Head Coach: Kevin Kramer
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: #9
Final regular season rank: #14
Probable starting line-up :
Ailey Mitchell (Fr.) 3 18:49
Lauren Bowers (Jr.) 7 19:02
Maggy Yockey (Sr.) 44 21:14
Bayleigh Townsend (Sr.) 49 21:23
Jordyn Bernson (So.) 91 22:43
Chloe Spain (Jr.) 111 24:03
The rams have a lot of firepower in the front two, but the back could be a bit of an issue. We'll see what happens!
Chillicothe Illinois Valley Central
Head Coach: Dennis Fraikes
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: NR
Final regular season rank: #18
Probable starting line-up :
Katherine Schneider (Sr.) 1 20:29
Kelsy Bowen (Jr.) 2 20:39
Haille Taylor (Jr.) 3 21:45
Molly Prewitt (Sr.) 4 22:19
Erin Layne (Sr.) 5 22:21
Libby Allison (Sr.) 6 23:44
Kayla Wolf (Fr.) 7 24:20
How well the Ghosts do depend a lot on how deep their front runners stand out in the big race.
Nashville
Head Coach: Jean Orr
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: NR
Probable starting line-up :
Sabrina Kollbaum (Fr.) 10 21:10
Brittnie Bartling (So.) 16 21:31
Jaylyn Bower (Jr.) 17 21:47
Grace Maschhoff (So.) 39 22:47
Jadah Heidel (So.) 61 24:13
Taylor Cook (Sr.) 101 27:16
Avery Meade (Jr.) 102 27:18
The Hornets are pretty well-endowed with a top three that could compete with the top half. Keep an eye out for them in their stellar late season rally.
Beecher
Head Coach: Larissa Swanson
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: NR
Final regular season rank: NR
Probable starting line-up :
Hailey Janssen (So.) 5 19:55
Alex Burchett (Jr.) 17 21:34
Maddie Janssen (So.) 30 22:12
Christina Wang (Fr.) 35 22:23
Kasey Swanson (Fr.) 47 23:08
Regina Gianotti (So.) 57 23:21
Yadi Barazza (Fr.) 70 24:15
In between their front runner Hailey Jessen and a decent pack, the bobcats are assembling the pieces at the right time.
Clifton (Central)
Head Coach: David Ladehoff
2015 state meet finish: #24
Pre-season rank: NR
Final regular season rank: NR
Probable starting line-up :
Andrea Pace (Sr.) 7 20:35
Katie Kleinert (Jr.) 24 21:55
Kaleigh Ladehoff (So.) 32 22:12
Lauren Ladehoff (Sr.) 37 22:29
McKenna Goldtrap (So.) 39 22:36
Mikayla Caspary (So.) 64 23:47
Kaitlin Gerard (So.) 93 26:02
Good to see this team make the trip a year after a solid young cast entered as freshmen a year ago.
DuQuoin
Head Coach: Eric Kirkpatrick
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: NR
Final regular season rank: NR
Probable starting line-up :
Gabrielle Alongi (Fr.) 3 20:18
Andrea Lopez (Jr.) 23 22:03
Quinn Kirkpatrick (Sr.) 37 22:42
Chloe Hill (So.) 56 23:48
Grace Bailey (Sr.) 71 24:52
Kate Smith (Sr.) 72 24:55
Olivia Cravens (Jr.) 74 25:01
Watch for Gabrielle Alongi as she makes her state debut, racing along with the team of Lady Indians.
Chester
Head Coach: Curt Gilpin
2015 state meet finish: NA
Pre-season rank: NR
Final regular season rank: NR
Probable starting line-up :
Jessica Kattenbraker (Jr.) 9 21:06
Taylor Dunning (Jr.) 13 21:18
Avery Runge (Fr.) 53 23:37
Shea Petrowske (So.) 68 24:33
Adeline Blechle (Fr.) 69 24:35
Ellen Blechle (Sr.) 118 30:27
Elizabeth Soellner (So.) 119 30:29
The team that I ranked last didn't necessarily finish there last year, so there's that, but the real question is if the Lady Yellow Jackets finish less than 25th (which typically is the last place position if there's no ties at sectionals).