Can Shane Williamson (#1458) and his Vernon Hills mates be a major player this season?
10. Vernon Hills
2015 Finish: 6th at 2A Woodstock (North) Sectional
Coach: Mark Whitney
Key returners:
Shane Williamson (Sr.) 14:51
Tim Krashevsky (Sr.) 15:26
Nick Mohrdieck (Sr.) 16:35
Teddy Chen (Jr.) 16:46
Zak Baumann (Jr.) 16:37
Evan Webber (Jr.) 17:31
Ray's Take: In 2015, a very good Vernon Hills team finished just outside of the qualification for state in a good Woodstock North sectional. Vernon Hills returns a good portion to avenge last year's disappointment. The team is very clearly led by harrier Shane Williamson who has torn up courses in northern Illinois for three years now. His second runner is 800m specialist Tim Krashevsky, who is not too shabby on the course himself (possible all-state contender). Nick Mohrdieck, Teddy Chen, and Zak Baumann are the 3-5 runners entering the year. The Cougars also have a unique challenge this year, their first year in the powerful Central Suburban League. Watch to find out if the competition of this 3A heavy conference benefits Vernon Hills as they try to send more than just Williamson and Krashevsky to Peoria.
9. Chatham (Glenwood)
2015 Finish: 12th at 2A State
Coach: Mike Garber
Key returners:
Logan Capps (Jr.) 16:08
Chris Durr (Sr.)
15:35
Dathan Maton (So.) 15:54
Drey Maton (So.) 16:09
Cooper Peterson (So.) 16:17
Eli Rudin (Jr.) 16:45
Martin Carter (Jr.) 20:17
Cameron Dees (Soccer in 2015)
Ray's Take: The Titans of Chatham (Glenwood) finished just a few points outside of a top 10 position at Detweiller. This year, Glenwood has a good shot of redeeming that chance, and the help will come in multiple directions. Chris Durr finished 53rd last year and is the top returner. He is joined by twin brothers Drew and Dathan Maton, who may be two to watch, says coach Mike Garber. "They worked hard on their physicality this summer and will surprise this season," Garber remarks. "They were small last year (5 feet 1 inch) but have grown six inches since last season. They want to be near 15:30 by Peoria Notre Dame and in the low 15s by State. And these are Sophomores!" Newcomer Cameron Dees can be a varsity contributor, and keep an eye on Martin Carter to be a surprise for the Titans this year in the tough Central States 8 Conference.
Coach Garber's Take: "We have been talking about returning the CS8 Conference Title to GHS since last season. Springfield High School has had some very talented squads the last few years and edged us out. We have eyes on winning Conference, Regional and Sectionals. These young men have told me they will settle for nothing less than Top 5 at State. From the work I've seen so far, it is hard to believe that won't accomplish it."
8. Dixon
2015 Finish: 9th at 2A Woodstock (North) Sectional
Coach: Evan Thorpe
Key returners:
Collin Grady (So.) 15:30
Blaine Masterson
(Sr.) 15:54
Sean Masterson (Sr.) 16:18
Jonah Fulton (Jr.) 16:00
Andrew Lohse (So.) 17:35
Luke Stees (Jr.) 17:15
Luke Wedekind (Jr.) 16:02
Christian Seagren (Fr.) Sub 5:00 1600 in 8th grade
Logan Griswold (Fr.) Sub 5:00 1600 in 8th grade
Ray's Take: The absence of Dixon from the state meet last year is misleading-they are an extremely capable and young team looking to make a huge statement in northern Illinois this year. Fantastic freshman star Collin Grady is now a super soph and looks to bounce back after a disappointing track season. The pack is determined by Blaine and Sean Masterson, Jonah Fulton, and Luke Wedekind, all within a minute of Grady. The Dukes will get an extra boost from a pair of freshman ,Christian Seagren and Logan Griswold. "They are two wildcard freshman," said coach Evan Thorpe. "Both should make an immediate impact on the team."
"This has been my favorite team to coach at Dixon and they deserve to be at Detweiller in November. The group is determined to be at the state meet and would like to be in the top 10 come November."
7. Danville (H.S.)
2015 Finish: 13th at 2A State
Coach: Todd Orvis
Key returners:
William Powell (Sr.) 15:29
Phillip Hall (Jr.) 15:57
Sincere Williams-Davis (Jr.) 16:16
Tyler Huckelberry (Sr.) 16:18
Brandon Barfell (So.) 16:27
Terry Dalton (So.) 16:59
Michael Moreman (Fr.) 1A IESA XC State Runner-Up
Ray's Take: At the 2015 state meet, Danville High split's was tighter even than champion Grayslake Central's, bringing their top five in less than 43 seconds. This number could shrink in 2016 for the Vikings, who bring back five of their top eight runners in 2016. William Powell was their top scorer at state and he is joined by Phillip Hall, Sincere Williams-Davis, and Tyler Huckleberry. Danville gets an added boost from incoming freshman Michael Moreman, who finished behind only Rockford's Tristian Olpin in the IESA 1A state championship in 2015.
Coach Todd Orvis' Take: "We have two big goals which have been the same for us the past couple years. We want to win the Big 12 Conference title (which we haven't won since '82) and we want to be a top ten team at the state meet. I believe our team can be better than last season. We have had a solid summer of training and we should be able to make a significant improvement over last year's 13th place finish."
6. Darien (Hinsdale South)
2015 Finish: 4th at 2A State
Coach: Jim Dickerson
Key returners:
Brett Haffner (Jr.) 15:30
Chris Joseph (Sr.) 15:50
Trevor Schauer (Jr.) 16:34
Trevor Lehmann (So.) 17:11
Tim Rudolph (So.) 17:24
Tyler Gaytan (Sr.) 17:12 (2014)
Nick Beronio (Fr.)
Ray's Take: Hinsdale South boasted the best 1-2 in maybe all of Illinois in 2015, but now that Roman Drabchuk and Charlie Nodus (along with most of the varsity team), 2016 means a much different team for Jim Dickerson's Hornets. Says Dickerson, "We graduated a whopping 24 seniors; for a program that is lucky to get 10 freshmen out each year, that means this really is a different team culturally and they need to buy in to the same things our graduates and experienced returners did." South's team is led by 2015 St. Ignatius transfer Brett Haffner, the fifth returner in the class of 2018 for 2A. Haffner is joined from 2015's team by Chris Joseph and Trevor Schauer. After those three, the roster is young and open. Possible scorers include Trevor Lehmann and Tim Rudolph, two frosh stars from last year, and Tyler Gaytan who returns after taking 2015 off. Keep an eye out for Nick Beronio as well, a freshman without experience but with a strong summer of training, reports Dickerson. Coach Dickerson added: "As a team, we will probably be off the radar at the beginning of the season, especially compared with last year, but I think we can be vastly improved by championship season and surprise some people."