It could be a nail biter between the top teams at the end of the year (Beth Scheid photo)
Overall Remarks: The main thing to note here is that a lot as far as trophy possibilities go changes with Urbana University going up to 2A. A shout out goes to coach Doug Mynatt and the girls for representing 1A cross country for as long as they did, and best regards to them as the Illineks compete in the 2A division. Not that other teams didn't have a chance to trophy had Urbana University stayed 2A, but it would have been likely that all the trophy teams this year would have been the trophy teams last year (perhaps in the same order!). And that would be monotonous. Now...to be honest I do not have any dominantly likely scenario in mind in terms of who of these top ten teams end up attaining trophies. I only have rankings.
10. Litchfield
2015 final placement: 11th place- State Finals
Possible Roster: Madi Throne (So.) 19:11, Alexis Throne (Sr.) 19:26, Brianna Travis (Sr.) 19:40, Jordan Brandt (Sr.) 21:00, Elli Holan (Sr.) 22:31, Caroline Quarton (Fr.)
Snap Analysis: Lose a couple of key contributors but the panthers look to get freshman Caroline Quarton who should fit right in with their top returning 3.With this experienced crew who not only have experience placing high in big races but now with contending for the top ten last year, they ought to be in the mix for such a finish this year.
9. Shelbyville
2015 final placement: 9th place- Decatur Sectional
Possible Roster: Lauren Bowers (Jr.) 19:58, Chloe Spain (Jr.), Jordyn Bernson (So.), Maggy Yockey (Sr.), Sierra Foltz (So.), Ailey Mitchell (Fr.)
Snap Analysis: The rams return two veterans: Lauren Bowers who has been to state last year and Chloe Spain who went to state two years ago. Even more compelling is the possible addition of freshman Ailey Mitchel-the 9th place IESA 2A individual finisher-who should carry this solid returning cast to Detweiller for a memorable showing.
8. Stanford (Olympia)
2015 final placement: 15th place- State Finals
Possible Roster: Shelby Siltman (Sr.) 17:46, Mary Grace Cleinmark (So.) 19:36, Morgan Aldridge (Jr.) 20:03, Renee Hallstein (So.) 20:32, Grace Litwiller (So.) 21:01, Payton Wille (So.) 21:23, Hannah Lawless (So.) 22:05
Snap Analysis: The Spartans are a mostly young team returning everyone, including the excellent senior leadership of Shelby Stilman. This will be a very exciting crew to watch, just as it was last year seeing this team finish the season with a bang!
7. Seneca
2015 final placement: 9th place- State Finals
Possible Roster: Eva Bruno (Sr.) 18:08, Sarah Virgo (Sr.) 19:11, Carina Collet (Sr.) 19:12, Emily Misener (Sr.) 20:20, Eve Odum (Jr.) 20:56
Snap Analysis: In the team is very experienced crew, all of whom have been to Detweiller for two years and know the game very well! Count on these Lady Irish to do more or less the same as they make their bid for a top five finish.
6. Palos Heights (Chicago Christian)
2015 final placement: 7th place- State Finals
Possible Roster: April van Ryn (Sr.) 18:35, Jill Van Dyk (Sr.) 19:25, Allie Boss (Jr.) 19:44, Cassidy VandeKamp (Sr.) 20:00, Becca Falb (Sr.) 20:22, Lexi van Ryn (Sr.) 20:59
Snap Analysis: After winning Lisle, the Knights seemed to run with a ton of confidence in last year's state meet and shake the field in an unexpected way with their unexpected 7th place finish. Returning six, including their strong lead April van Ryn, within or near a top 5 finish this time will not be unexpected.
5. Kewanee (Wethersfield)
2015 final placement: 5th place- State Finals
Possible Roster: Kirstie Ramsey (Sr.) 17:40, Whitney Johnson (So.) 19:28, Diana Satkauskas (Sr.) 20:36, Rachel Gomez (So.) 20:56
Snap Analysis: The flying geese return four of their varsity seven, but you can always count on them to find powerful contributors along the way. Every year with Kirstie Ramsey this team has really made magic happen, and one can expect it to happen again in her fourth and final year.
4. Springfield (Lutheran)
2015 final placement: 8th place- State Finals
Possible Roster: Jackie Eck (Sr.) 18:45, Bernadette Tournoux (So.) 18:51, Maddy Eck (Jr.) 18:52, Brigid Tournoux (So.) 19:17, Tori Hollinshead (Sr.) 22:50
Snap Analysis: There sure are four low scorers on this team, and the crazy part is they're all back! Should the Crusaders significantly close the 3:43 second gap between the fourth finisher and the fifth, they should receive a trophy.
3. Liberty
2015 final placement: 4th place- State Finals
Possible Roster: Katelyn Robbins (So.) 17:50, Kaela Wellman (So.) 18:44, Courtney Riley (So.) 19:47, Megan Barry (Sr.) 21:19, Katelyn Obert (Sr.) 43:19
Snap Analysis: The Eagles have finally made the bid for state that they deserved, finishing fourth place. Despite the large cushion they had of both talented incoming freshman and returners, their journey to fourth place was a long and bumpy road that entailed some rough injuries. For example, had Katelyn Obert been completely healthy, one could argue this team would have made the 9 point differential it needed to trophy. Well now it's time to move on to a new year, with four returning, including their solid young lead Katelyn Robbins. With likely the JV depth they had from last year, the eagles are also bound to find a fifth runner who can run on par with the fourth.
Will St. Joe-Ogden move a steps up on the ladder to a state championship in November? (Beth Scheid photo)
2. St. Joseph-Ogden
2015 final placement: 3rd Place- State Finals
Possible Roster: Faith Houston (Jr.) 17:55, Hayley Grice (Jr.) 18:48, Hanna Atwood (Sr.) 19:16, Keely Smith (Sr.) 20:14
Snap Analysis: St. Joseph Ogden loses a fair amount, but also returns key contributors, including a flourishing Faith Houston who is leading this team at a sub-18 pace. Remember that the Spartans contain an uncanny amount of depth that in the 1A class is found mostly in East Central Illinois. It is for these reasons that St. Joseph will likely repeat for a trophy finish, and one should not doubt their chances at reclaiming the team championship from Tolono Unity who was one of the two teams (the other one, as mentioned, is Urbana University who gets bumped up to 2A) to beat them out of a repeat last year.
1. Tolono (Unity)
2015 final placement: State Champions
Possible Roster: Jordan Harmon (So.) 17:58, Nicole Bagwell (Sr.) 18:44, Savannah Day (Jr.) 18:52, Audrey Hancock (So.) 19:07, Miranda Fairbanks (So.) 19:17, MacKenzie Brunk (So.) 19:41, Kylie Decker (Fr.)
Snap Analysis: The years of Dike Stirret being coach have left a very lasting legacy on Tolono Unity distance running. For the boys and girls cross country teams, we have seen two and one trophy, respectively, which includes first place team finishes for both the boys and the girls in Stirret's final year of 2015. But the girls' success will not end with Stirret's retirement, for it must be duly noted that coaching credit for the girls actually goes to coach Gary Wieneke for the years 2013-14 and now Kara Leaman (the current coach this year) for their 2015 championship. What was especially impressive about that victory was that the Rockets were mostly freshmen laden even though they raced collectively like veterans. Going into next year, it doesn't even look fair for other teams! Six of the original varsity return, and then we have a possible freshmen on the roster named Kylie Decker who by the end of the season will likely contribute to their scoring five. As of preseason, the situation seems like déjà vu to last year with the Unity boys cross country team.