The image from last year's state championship brings back strong memories
story by Alex Goodlad (agmoneymeister@gmail.com)
Overall Remarks feature some new classification changes-
As you have might seen in this year's classification realignment, Decatur (St. Teresa), Rochester, and Rock Island (Allemen) have been elevated to Class 2A this year. This will change what the state qualifying teams will look to be in many ways. Most obviously, qualifying slots open up from such teams that lock it up most years. But even more interesting will be how sectionals assignments play out as the notoriously rugged Decatur Sectional host St. Teresa going 2A. This could change assignments quite a bit with likely a new sectional location that probably won’t stop some sectionals from being harder than others; but it may cut a break to some of the frequently ranked teams that get assigned to tough sectionals. In other words, more of these top 20-11 teams than usual may actually see action at Detweiller in November.
20. Champaign (St. Thomas More)
2014 final placement: 10th place Decatur Sectional
Possible Roster: Laura Krasa (So.), Marguerite Hendrickson (So.), Morgan Cinnamon (So.), Julia Welle (Sr.), Maris Wszalek (So.), Morgan Carmien (Sr.)
Snap Analysis: With a varsity of mostly returning freshmen, it should be interesting how this squad matures. However, given the usual amount of East Central Illinois talent this year, it’s looking pretty doubtful that the sabers qualify, even with better-distributed sectional assignments (sorry Coach Behm).
19. Stanford (Olympia)
2014 final placement: 13th place Elmwood Sectional
Possible Roster: Shelby Siltman (Jr.) 18:40, Morgan Aldridge (So.), Hannah While (Jr.), Abby Spencer (So.), Cassie Dennis (So.)
Snap Analysis: A young squad, but one with nice depth including some incoming freshmen to spice things up for the Spartans. If things go right this season, Shelby Siltman should be racing at state with company.
18. Herrin (H.S.)
2014 final placement: 20th place state
Possible Roster: Kara Martin (Sr.) 18:34, Maura Farrell (Sr.) 18;49, Courtney Garrison (Jr.) 21:10, Skye Ross (So.) 22:03, Jamera Hubbard (Jr.) 22:19, Lexis Wieland (Sr.) 22:22
Snap Analysis: They return the big 1-2 punch Kara Martin and Maura Farrell for yet another year! With enough of last year’s pack returning, this experienced tiger squad could make some serious noise!
17. Westmont
2014 final placement: 22nd place state
Possible Roster: Peyton Nash (So.) 20:06, Emilia Maslany (So.) 20:40, Lily Arndt (So.) 20:46, Lisa Niemiec (So.) 20:53, Brittany Eiermann (Sr.) 21:00, Hannah Abbatacola (So.) 21:36
Snap Analysis: The Sentinels have a solid pack of six coming back. Not having as strong of a front runner as most of the other ranked teams has hurt them last year, but they can very well compensate for that weakness through improving on their low 1-5 split which is their greatest strength.
16. Shelbyville
2014 final placement: 6th place Decatur Sectional
Possible Roster: Chloe Spain (So.) 19:13, Morgan Powers (Sr.), Lauren Bowers (So.), Maggy Yockey (Jr.), Blair Johnston (Sr.), Jenny Karraker (Sr.)
Snap Analysis: Losing front runner Molly Yockey puts quite a toll on this talented squad, but with everyone else back the Rams are looking to qualify out of state instead of coming just short.
15. Litchfield
2014 final placement: 9th place Decatur Sectional
Possible Roster: Alexandria Quarton (Sr.), Alexis Throne (Jr.), Brianna Travis (Jr.), Elli Holan (Jr.), Brittany Uehling (Sr.), Maddie Throne (Fr.)
Snap Analysis: The Panthers last year had a strong pack of four but among other things that stopped them from a trip to Detweiller was a sizeable gap between their fourth and fifth. With their top five all back, this problem should be no more if you add incoming frosh Maddie Throne to the equation.
14. Freeburg
2014 final placement: 8th place state
Possible Roster: Kayla Whitworth (So.) 18:56, Ashley Gilmore (Jr.) 19:04, Kristen Collier (Jr.) 20:03
Snap Analysis: The Lady Midgets had an outstanding season last year and return a talented group of three. Although their returners are few in numbers, Freeburg typically has no trouble finding new runners that come in large packs.
13. Eureka
2014 final placement: 6th place Elmwood Sectional
Possible Roster: Meghan Waller (Jr.), Natalie Bardwell (So.), Ashlyn Lockart (Sr.), McKenzie Walz (Jr.), Emma Argo (Fr.),
Snap Analysis: Eureka is one of those pack teams that really had some tough luck at sectionals. While they lose team leaders McSweeney and Wiegand, incoming freshman Emma Argo looks to be the top runner they need to quickly rebound and go back to Detweiller where the Hornettes belong!
12. Winnebago
2014 final placement: 15th place state
Possible Roster: Hannah Insko (Jr.) 19:25, Tiana Bielskis (So.) 20:09, Samantha Heavlin (So.) 20:18, Andrea Whitehouse (Sr.) 20:26, Kelsey Shellhorn (Sr.) 20:39, Cameryn Baldwin (Jr.) 20:56
Snap Analysis: While the senior laiden Indian boys are looking to have a rebound year at its finest, the Indian girls look to have a pretty big year at Detweiller with six of seven state veterans back.
11. Effingham St. Anthony
2014 final placement: 8th place Decatur Sectional
Possible Roster: Anna Sophia Keller (Jr.) 16:27, Carson Fonner (Sr.), Elizabeth Falconburg (Sr.), Mary Claire Wegman (Jr.), Rachel Wortman (Jr.), Avery Elder (So.), Maddie Tegeler (So.)
Snap Analysis: Effingham St. Anthony may not look all too great at first, but if one keeps in mind both that Anna Sophia Keller’s point score will be negligible and that they look to get a pretty good cast of incoming freshmen, we should see any gap concerns filled up.