The parity between #20 and #11 is going to be virtually unnoticeable this season (Colin Boyle image)
Alex Goodlad- agmoneymeister@gmail.com
Opening remarks-
This particular group of ranked teams were hard to compose when you consider the level of parity it has meshed between classes 1A and 3A. The teams you see below can be divided into two categories: dark horses that have not qualified state or finished high in state and teams that are definitely more reputable programs that you see making noise at Detweiller often. You will see that we have given a lot of love to the dark horses. Maybe it is just a feeling in the air that teams "underrated" are going to come up big at the end of the day. The journey to Peoria is going to be fun to watch.
20. Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central)-
2014 final placement: 9th place- Oregon Sectional
Possible Roster: Owen Habeger (So.), Devin Smith (Jr.), Jordan Gerberding (So.), Ethan Sutherland (Sr.), Josiah Smith (Jr.), Noah Slater (So.), Caleb Adcock (Jr.), Seth Crull (Fr.)
Snap analysis: A very young team that returns their whole varsity seven and more that placed well in a pretty competitive Oregon Sectional. Add Seth Crull into the mix and you get some potential front runner power to this pack! Watch for the Gray Ghosts this season.
19. Sterling (Newman Central Catholic)-
2014 final placement: State- 9th
Possible roster: Ethan Nash (Sr.) 16:22, Chris Ahlers (Jr.) 16:25, Brady Osborne (Jr.) 17:26, Quentin Larson (So.) 17:32
Snap analysis: There really is not much returning from a state veteran team that lost its top three runners to graduation. The depth of the top seven returners will keep the Comets in big races
2014 final placement: State- 7th place
Possible roster: Matt Stelmasek (Sr.) 15:26, Dominic Miraldi (Sr.) 16:11, Tim Bertulis (So.) 16:39
Snap analysis: Like their counterpart Newman Central Catholic, it's hard to say what this team is capable of. There is no doubt that the Skylarks will find a fourth and fifth runner. Another item will be to close the gap on fronts.
2014 final placement: 6th- Oregon Sectional
Possible roster: Braydon Hamblen (Jr.) 15:12, Seth Williams (Sr.) 15:39, David Villans, Breu Knox (Sr.)
Snap analysis: The 1-2 punch of Hamblen will give their team an edge that was witnessed two seasons ago when the squad finished 16th in state. The main item will be finding two runners to close out the scoring for the Rockets. The line-up will be senior heavy and that experience will be invaluable when the post-season arrives.
2014 final placement: 7th- Elmwood Sectional
Possible roster: Jesus Corrales (Sr.) 16:30, Trevor Hatch (Sr.), Genaro Arteaga (So.), Riley Dulin (So.), Ran McCammon (Jr.)
Snap analysis: This is the first of the potentially deep dark horse teams. The Titans lose all-state finisher Nathan Ault to graduation, but qualifying veteran Jesus Corrales should step up to lead a strong five pack. This is a team that has been in the hunt for something special for years. The Titans may be in store for something special down the road.
2014 final placement: 13th- Decatur Sectional
Possible roster: Cory Landon (Sr.) 15:29, Jason Landon (So.), Samuel Mock (So.), Grayson Armour (Sr.), Jack Kufa (Jr.), Charles-Helton Iv (So.), Nolan Krepe (Sr.), Jacob Landon (Fr.), Bailey Lippold (Fr.)
Snap analysis: This was a very young team that some felt could have made a nice run last year if not for injuries to Nolan Krepe and Charles-Helton Iv. These vital runners should be back to running with two experienced Landon brothers- including track and cross country all stater Cory- plus possibly another standout with incoming freshman Landon.
2014 final placement: 15th- State
Possible roster: Cody Cheesman (Sr.) 16:26, Dallas Spencer (Sr.), Kyle Rader (Jr.) 17:00, Liam O'Rourke (Sr.) 17:10, Chance Cook (Sr.) 17:35, Isaac Riegler (So.) 17:46
Snap analysis: Other than their front runner Connor Stine, everyone from this state participating team is coming back. One thing that has been observed and impressed with the Spartans cross country program is the improvement of the returning runners. The coaching staff always seem to find quality runners to work with. That quality should produce an effort equal to or better than last year.
2014 final placement: 18th- State
Possible roster: Josh Nehmer (Sr.) 16:04, Nathan Swanson (Sr.) 16:35, Adam Swanson (So.) 16:39, Jacob Jones (Fr.), Canyon Bownes (Fr.)
Snap analysis: The strength will show with some quality front runners- some of whom have been carrying this team for awhile. The Bobcats are going to be a top notch dark horse team that could touch into the top 10 in the state when it's all said and done. Several freshman could make an impact this fall as well.
2014 final placement: 7th- Decatur Sectional
Possible roster: Nick Porter (Sr.), Josh Brocato (Sr.) Kody Harrison (So.), Lester Sander (Sr.), Corbin Riecks (Sr.), Alec St. Julien (Fr.)
Snap analysis: The Panthers have been a dark horse in the East Central Illinois area for as long as I can remember. I may go as far to say (and in fact have said so in last year's rankings) that Nick Porter is all-state level talent who just has not been cut a break in this sectional! And neither has this team who definitely has top ten potential, especially going into this year.
2014 final placement: 6th- Decatur Sectional
Possible roster: Noah Tennison (Sr.) 15:25, Henry Treadway (Sr.), Lukas Baird (So.), Joey Wright (Jr.), Cole Waggoner (So.), Max Smigiel (So.)
Snap analysis: Last year, the Maroons was really one of the darkest of the horses last year- so much that when they started coming through late season that I had them projected to state- only for yet the even darker horse to beat them to the fifth spot in the Decatur Sectional. Keep a good eye out for Robinson this year as they return six of their top seven including Noah Tennison.