3A Boys-
Just like their predecessor Neuqua Valley did in 2016, Downers Grove North dominated 2017. Yes, there was a close call once or twice along the journey, but the Trojans were able to breeze to their first state title. Ultimately, a date in Portland, Oregon for the Nike Cross Nationals that led to a fourth-place finish put a stamp on a great season.
The question may be answered really fast as to who to watch. Wheaton-Warrenville South is a team that is is on the verge of greatness this season. The Tigers placed third in the state last year and return six of their top seven runners. This fact should be good enough to anoint our next dominant team. Additionally, this past track season the Tigers produced four runners under 9:35 and 4:30. These are prime roots to having a tremendous season.
Neuqua Valley is a program that you must never sleep on. Despite losing tons of seniors every year to graduation, the Wildcats seem to reload. They will be more hungry than ever after not winning a state title and missing out on an NXN berth last year. Furthermore, the sudden loss of team ace and leader Zach Kinne to Pennsylvania will be added stress for coach Paul Vandersteen and his staff... other teams to consider in the trophy equation are Glenbard West and Hersey. What about the mighty defending champions? Can they rebound from heavy graduation losses? We will have to wait and see.
It has been wonderful covering individual superstar talent over the past few years. We will now see a shift from great talent in Danny Kilrea (Lyons Twp.), Dylan Jacobs (Sandburg), and Clayton Mendez (Chicago Whitney Young) to rising stars. Senior Tommy Brady (Maine South) is now a senior and the top returner from last fall. Can he pick up the pieces from her predecessors and take it to the next level? The belief is yes and after is junior Josh Methner (Hersey); seniors Stephen Moody (Glenbard West), Jack Roberts (Downers Grove North) and junior Tyler Cushing (Bolingbrook). Though all listed above ran below 9:10 for 3200m, only Brady and Methner earned all-state honors on the track. So what gives? Find out in the full August preview! Last kid. Do you remember the name Fiker Rosen? He is now a freshman at Quincy HS.