Class A- by Alex Goodlad
1) Tolono Unity
| Andrew Warnes (Sr.) | 2 | 14:53 |
| Getch Eisenmenger (Sr.) | 5 | 15:13 |
| Austin Woodard (Sr.) | 8 | 15:19 |
| Alex Morris (Sr.) | 12 | 15:33 |
| Dawson Dodds (Sr.) | 15 | 15:39 |
| Nathan Seiler (Jr.) | 32 | 16:17 |
| Robert Decker (Sr.) | 38 | 16:31 |
Being a 2012 Champaign Central Alum, as well as a recipient of the "Dike Stirret Award" (courtesy of his legacy as former coach of that high school) handed personally by him, let me just say that Coach Stirret really holds a special place in my heart, as do all the athletes he's ever coached. To see the Unity Rockets first make history in track, and then already write a few pages on the book for Unity cross country, is really something special to witness. In case you're wondering, their record is 12-0 in terms of winning meets. And they have just stood as an outlier in every race of the season. They came into the beginning of the season in late season shape and only got better since. As of the Patriot invite, they have five guys at 15:30 or below, and have remained consistent thus far in regionals and sectionals. Dike Stirret: "I feel that we are good physically going into the State. We have avoided any major illness or injury thus far, 'knock on wood.' Hopefully we can avoid it for this week. The kids had a really good Sectional and were full of energy. Hopefully we can carry that over for one more week. These are all experienced kids at the State level so we feel like we are in a good place going into the State finals."
2) St. Joseph Ogden
| Brennan Guido (Sr.) | 10 | 15:23 |
| Justin Phillips (Jr.) | 14 | 15:38 |
| Austin Earp (Sr.) | 19 | 15:49 |
| Ross Smetzer (Sr.) | 33 | 16:17 |
| Mitchell Thompsen (So.) | 46 | 16:39 |
| Nate Phillips (Sr.) | 50 | 16:43 |
| Austin Rein (So.) | 60 | 17:02 |
All season, the Spartan boys have ran well, and there this no reason to suspect that they won't run well at state. However, the race for second will be a tight one. Shelbyville has already made a surge against SJO at sectionals and teams like Elmwood will make surges at state. But this team, according to Coach Jason Retz, is poised to make school history with a trophy, and will not back down from the other contenders even if they do make late season noise. "Our men have worked very hard, many of them for eight years to try to earn a trophy. We have not had a men's trophy since 1992," Explains Coach Retz. "Trophy or no trophy, this group of men have made a huge impact on our program and our community. We have built good men. At the end of the day that's all that matters! With that being said, we have had a chance to run against the states best all year and will be ready to give it a shot at the title. They are hungry and there is a fire that drives the coaching staff to be better everyday to help live up to their expectations. If I'm going to battle I'm bringing these men with me! Saturday will be a battle, and we'll be ready. #ohbaby"
3) Shelbyville
| Marcus Skinner (Sr.) | 3 | 15:06 |
| Tyler Pasley (Jr.) | 16 | 15:41 |
| Ryan Skowronski (So.) | 20 | 15:52 |
| Jordan Sieger (Jr.) | 27 | 16:10 |
| Preston Henze (Sr.) | 47 | 16:40 |
| Luke Foltz (Jr.) | 52 | 16:50 |
| Seth Durbin (Sr.) | 107 | 18:07 |
While Shelbyville was indeed a pretty dominating force, it appeared as though they were holding a little bit back some races. Turns out a lot of it was related to that setback or two the Rams were experiencing. Well now, according to Coach Kevin Kramer, "(the runners) are finally healthy with everyone back and are looking forward to the opportunity to compete." And they are laying their cards now well in the Decatur Sectional where solid fifth and sixth runners are surfacing. "The Decatur Sectional was very tough," remarks Coach Kramer, "and we feel fortunate to advance with so many great teams assigned to that sectional. Our goal is to try and just run our best and if we do that everything will take care of itself." Although it is important to note that with their talent they just happen to be contending for a trophy if they "run their best."
4) Elmwood
| Matt Osmulski (Sr.) | 2 | 15:44 |
| Derek McCoy (Jr.) | 6 | 16:14 |
| Logan Whitney (Fr.) | 25 | 17:09 |
| Kelby Barnewolt (Jr.) | 26 | 17:12 |
| Cooper Hoffmann (So.) | 33 | 17:16 |
| Drew Lueschow (Jr.) | 39 | 17:25 |
| Trevor Dunkel (So.) | 42 | 17:28 |
This is the sort of team that looks just as scary (if not more) coming out of sectionals behind than they do if they come out ahead. This year, the Trojans are the runner up at sectionals to El Paso, but we all know with their history and their game plan that this means they are contending for another trophy to add to their large collection. Don't let the rainy conditions and tendencies to conserve for state fool you. As it stands, they have Matt Omulski running with Tyler Johnson, Derrick McCoy knocking on the door of an all-state finish, and a pack that should not be all that far behind them.
5) Robinson
| Noah Tennison (Sr.) | 4 | 15:13 |
| Henry Treadway (Sr.) | 22 | 15:52 |
| Max Smigiel (So.) | 30 | 16:16 |
| Lukas Baird (So.) | 40 | 16:33 |
| Morgan Beabout (Jr.) | 45 | 16:38 |
| Wyatt Bonnell (Fr.) | 50 | 16:46 |
| Joey Wright (Jr.) | 51 | 16:47 |
Is Robinson a trophy contender? Absolutely! But it's hard to even think about that when you don't even know if you're making it out of your sectional. "The Decatur sectional is so tough to get out of year after year that we can't concentrate on what to do at State until this week because there is no guarantee you're going," as Coach Tony Cork puts it. The Maroons are also working out various health concerns. "Our number four runner ran on sectional with a strained groin but he survived and so did the team. He will be in the pool more than anything the rest of the week," explains Coach Cork. But one thing's for sure: "…Our kids love running at Detweiller so I'm sure we will be ready to go." Finally, after beating last week's seventh ranked Carlinville out for state at the Decatur Sectional, "(Coach Cork's) thoughts are still with Carlinville. They are clearly a top ten state team and it is a real shame they aren't there as a team."
6) El-Paso Gridley
| Hunter Cobbley (Sr.) | 3 | 15:59 |
| Andy Layden (Jr.) | 5 | 16:06 |
| Adam Ludy (Jr.) | 15 | 16:46 |
| Ryan Filkins (Sr.) | 16 | 16:54 |
| Shelby Heffron (Sr.) | 48 | 17:32 |
| Quinn Killian (Sr.) | 71 | 18:04 |
| Noah Smith (Fr.) | 78 | 18:14 |
Considering that all of their varsity seven were returning, the titans were relatively quiet this season. Not anymore! Considering the conditions of the Elmwood course, they ran perhaps their best race of the season to upset Elmwood for the sectional title. And going into state they are yet another established trophy contender.
7) Monticello
| Zach Mesplay (Sr.) | 6 | 15:14 |
| Alex Helmuth (So.) | 9 | 15:20 |
| Logan Peters (Sr.) | 25 | 16:06 |
| Garrett Dixon (Fr.) | 35 | 16:22 |
| Eric Tate (So.) | 68 | 17:13 |
| Luke Alexander (Sr.) | 71 | 16:16 |
| J.C. Wilkin (So.) | 104 | 18:01 |
Coach David Remmert: "This is the week we all wait for all season and there's a sense of eagerness with our team that develops over the course of the week between Sectional and State. The boys are looking forward to what lies ahead and the opportunity to lay everything on the line." As we could observe at the Decatur Sectional, it was no guarantee the Sages would make it. But after edging out Carlinville by seven points they are at state and are in the mix for a trophy. With not only their fifth runner but their front runners running better races, there is no reason to doubt their chances!
8) Eureka
| Logan Ogg (Jr.) | 13 | 16:40 |
| Travis Dietrich (Sr.) | 17 | 16:54 |
| Eli Steinbeck (Fr.) | 29 | 17:13 |
| Kyle Johnson (Fr.) | 40 | 17:26 |
| Tommy Standish (Jr.) | 51 | 17:43 |
| Keith Walder (So.) | 61 | 17:52 |
| Malik Peterson (Sr.) | 86 | 18:28 |
Now this may be mostly a young team (only two seniors), but it is with the experienced coach Brett Charlton who has returned to coaching the Eureka Hornets and in just one year rebounded them to success at state (as he did similarly with the girls). While they may not have the kind of front running power to necessarily attain the trophy, their amazing depth and tight pack gives them the solid edge for them to place in the top ten, or maybe even a crack at the top five.
9) Johnsburg
| Matt Stelmasek (Sr.) | 1 | 16:47 |
| Tim Bertulis (So.) | 2 | 17:25 |
| Dominic Miraldi (Sr.) | 3 | 17:32 |
| Myles Rozell (Jr.) | 4 | 18:26 |
| AJ Betancourt (Jr.) | 5 | 18:44 |
| Ian Rasper (So.) | 6 | 19:39 |
| Jon Molidor (Fr.) | 7 | 20:07 |
Now the season definitely began a little slow for the Skylarks. But come the end of the season, things are looking much better. "As a team we have exceeded expectations this year," states Coach Christopher Setzler. "Our 1-2-3 runners are one of the best in the state and I'd put them up against anyone." The four and five appear to be the big determinant of their outcome, and have gotten much better since the beginning of the season. "We have no pressure and are just going in to compete hard and see where we shake out. If our 4-5 have a good day we could even finish inside the top 10."
10) Freeburg
| Alex Mack (Jr.) | 1 | 16:46 |
| Charlie Parrish (So.) | 3 | 16:54 |
| Carson Smith (Fr.) | 27 | 18:00 |
| Blake Hatter (Fr.) | 28 | 18:03 |
| Luke Worley (Jr.) | 39 | 18:28 |
| Corbin Schwable (Fr.) | 62 | 19:05 |
Due significantly to not having all five runners finish, Freeburg alas ended up losing their sectional title alas. Nevertheless, the midgets look like the sort of team that should place in the top ten. Unlike the last few years, they have runners like Alex Mack and Charlie Parrish who are very capable of running in the top 40. Even with a bit of a slower pack, these front contributors should propel Freeburg to a tenth place finish.