With a bevy of incoming talent, this talented group of 17 out of the top 25 returning could be one of the best in classification history. There was a significant amount of fast girls who did not even make it into the all-state scene last year, so it’s going to be very interesting to say the least. The top five IHSA all-state veterans were no more than eight seconds apart in time difference, but two of the top five ranked talent are IESA record-breaking freshman. Here are the projected top 25:
1. Anna Sophia Keller (Fr.) Effingham St. Anthony: This incoming freshman gets the pre-season top spot. It is rather bold to do this, but it wouldn’t be the first time that a freshmen prodigy won state. Keller is the current IESA cross country all-time record holder of any class division clocking two- miles in 11:09 which is eight seconds faster than what any IESA female ever clocked. Keller is also the IESA 8A record holder of the 1600m topping Katelyn Bastert’s old record time of 5:03.8. Keller dipped under Bastert’s 8A 800m records with a 2:21.29 double up from that record breaking mile. In terms of pure fitness, her potential for three-miles is above any of the returning numbers. Still, this ranking may be subject to change as we see how she adjusts to the longer distance this season.
2. Regan Weidner (Jr.) Manlius (Bureau Valley): Weidner is the number one Cross Country Class 1A returner with a 17:45 second place finish. She ran 11:59 for 3200m in state track last year with a lower sectional time. She will get the benefit of the doubt and it’s assumed that she had a rough season or is otherwise a much better cross country competitor. Although a risky pick, it’s only fair as the number one cross country returner that she is ranked here.
3. Rachel Devereux (Sr.) Decatur (St. Teresa): A reputable senior from the classification’s top cross country program, Devereux was the second best returner with a third place finish of 17:46. However, she specialized in the 800m for track and did not qualify for finals but ran a 2:24 to qualify for state. Often, 800m times can be taken with a grain of salt, especially because St. Teresa is a reputable program in 1A cross country.
4. Meagan McNicholas (So.) Rochester: McNicholas is the sixth best cross country returner who clocked with a peak time of 18:00. McNicholas’ track times suggests she will be remarkably improved this fall after completing a splendid 11:25/5:13 double at state. She also went 2:22 in the 800 mile and finished third place in the 2A finals with a record time of 5:09 in the 1600. We can foreshadow her taking the lead of Weidner and Devereux, but I rank her here to not put an emphasis on track times.
5. Annemarie Michael (Fr.) Urbana (University): Michael is the second freshmen deserving of this ranking for her amazing middle distance numbers in the IESA finals. Michael ran 5:14 mile, an amazing junior high time but she doubled up from that and broke Bastert’s record with a time of 2:21.17 in a very close race with Keller. Michael’s talent lies mainly with mid-distance since her time of 11:47 with mid distance prowess means that she has really good potential. According to her cross country profile she seems to be improving significantly this season in track. I’ll rank her fifth, which is a little on the optimistic side, but expect the unexpected.
6. Haley Miller (Sr.) Tremont: Miller was the second and third best 3200 and 1600 returner respectively. Miller ran the cross country state two years ago with a time of 19:01 and although she did not even run at this year’s state meet, she ran an 11:26/5:20 double with a 5:15 preliminary time. Her stealth pushed her to finish fourth and seventh in the finals of those events. While track is not entirely representative of cross country, she deserves to be ranked here.
7. Lea Viano (Sr.) Carlinville: Viano, another emerging track star produced a fine 11:25/5:28 double last spring with a remarkable time of 5:21 in preliminaries. Viano finished third and tenth respectively making her the best 3200 returner and the fifth best 1600 returner. Viano ran last year’s state meet in 18:58 which track marks suggests has shown substantial improvement. I ranked Haley ahead because she not only finished a second apart in the 3200 but doubled up significantly suggesting that Haley’s more likely to fare better for 3 miles. However, expect a close race between these two at state again.
8. Madeline Lager (Sr.) Breese (Mater Dei): Lager placed as third best returner with a fourth place 17:50 finish. The year before Lager ran a 5:20 mile. Unfortunately, her numbers in track didn’t qualify her for state tournament but expect her to place high if she enters the season healthy.
9. Naomi Springer (Sr.) Stanford (Olympia): Springer is an 800m specialist with a solid 11th place in the 2A final this past spring. Springer excelled as the fourth best cross country returner with a time of 17:51 therefore, expect her to be back on top this fall.
10. Victoria Bianco (Sr.) Chicago (Latin): Bianco is considered fifth best returner with a average time of 17:53 and went 5:24 for the 1600 in the 2A state preliminaries.
11. Taylor Bartolozzi (So.) Rochester: Bartolozzi stands as the sixth best cross country returner with a 17:57 and has kept it consistent in track with an 11:50 run at an invitational. Unfortunately, Rochester is 2A in track and although she didn’t qualify for state, count on her to get herself back in the state spotlight this year.
12. Maria Brauer (So.) Petersburg (PORTA): Brauer, a sophomore stud, is considered 13th best returner who also ran 18:07 with a 5:09 1600 in her resume. She finished fifth in the 2A finals hence my justification for bumping her ahead of state finishers. I would have given her a higher ranking if I could find any good 3200 numbers.
13. Faith Wieland (Jr.) Bloomington (Central Catholic): Wieland is 8th best returner with a close record time of 18:00.
14. Jess Clarke (Sr.) Downs (Tri-Valley): Clarke is ranked 9th best returner with a record time of 18:01.
15. Abigail Nadler (Jr.) Chicago (Latin): Nadler is ranked 10th best returner with an average time of 18:04 who went 12:03 in 2A state finals.
16. Savannah Ames (Sr.) Belleville (Althoff Catholic): Ames was 11th best returner with a time of 18:06 and a 5:20 miler who finished sixth overall in the 1A finals for that event.
17. Hannah Houska (Sr.) Monticello: Houska was the 12th best returner with 18:07 and noted for running for the reputable Monticello Sages. Houska was also an exceptional 800 specialist who ran 2:20.75 in the 2A finals.
18. Rachel France (Sr.) Winnebago: France was 14th best returner with a time of 18:09.
19. Deanna Deterding (Jr.) Red Bud: Deterding 23rd best returner with an 18:32, deserves a higher ranking because she finished eighth in the 3200 with an 11:40 and some may agree Deterding was considered third best returner in that event. Expect her to compete right on par with anyone who ran 18:10 last year.
20. Maria Baldwin (Sr.) Minonk (Fieldcrest): Baldwin was 15th best returner with average time of 18:10.
21. Cassie Mundekis (Sr.) Manito (Midwest Central): Mundekis is 16th best returner with 18:11 and ran a 5:32 in the 1A 1600 finals to finish 11th overall but ran 5:22 to get there.
22. Krissy Finley (Sr.) Rochester: Finley ran considerably faster the year before clocking at 5:19 and ran this season’s best 1600 race in 5:33. Finley was 17th best returner with a time of 18:21 and has consistently been staying around cut off time for 1A all-state for the past two years. Even though this happens frequently with female runners, keeping her right here is appropriate because she knows how to get it done.
23. Joy Hittenmiller (Sr.) Rockford (Christian Life): 18th best returner and tied with Foley with same time of 18:22.
24. Emily Foley (Sr.) Monticello: 19th best returner also with a similar time of 18:22.
25. Bree Tschosik (So.) Decatur (St. Teresa): 20th best returner with an average time of 18:23.