2A-
Jack Aho was the big winner in last year's affair (Steve Bugarin photo)
Ranked boys teams: #2 Grayslake Central, #4 Danville, #5 Dixon, #8 Charleston, #13 Riverside-Brookfield, #15 Dunlap, #16 Rock Island (Alleman), #17 Sycamore, #19 Belvidere North, #20 Metamora, #22 Mt. Zion, #23 Elmwood Park
- Grayslake Central is back again to win their second title. The Rams are not perfect though. They got a real thumping at the Lake County Invite. But they are big game players when it counts.
- #3 Normal University thought of the competition to move up to the 3A class. This "diss" should give Grayslake Central even more ammo to run well and put it in the back of their minds that Normal U opted out.
- Danville enjoyed a solid track season in the middle distance arena. The Vikings want to show those that they are also good in cross country. They lost a tough one against #1 Mahomet-Seymour last weekend in Charleston.
- Dixon and Charleston are in the field. Charleston finished behind Danville in their home invite
- Is there anyone better than Jack Aho in Illinois? The senior from Grayslake Central ran 14:35 to win the title a year ago. He may be in line to run near his personal best 14:24. Shane Williamson (Sr., Vernon Hills) placed second to him.
Ranked girls teams: #1 Belvidere North, #3 Dunlap, #4 Washington, #5 Vernon Hills, #6 Grayslake Central, #8 Lemont, #10 Lakes, #13 Chicago Payton, #14 Chicago Northside Prep, #15 Waterloo, #16 Montini, #19 Metamora, #20 Morton, #21 Chicago (Latin), #22 Rochester, #23 Urbana University
- Dunlap won the title last year in Yorkville's exit to 3A. The Eagles won a close battle over Vernon Hills 163-167. The tide may be different with Belvidere North being the team to beat. The Blue Thunder are good top to bottom.
- Jenna Lutzow is finally a senior at Belvidere North. The middle distance specialist actually won the title last year by 7 seconds. She will get a strong challenge from Delaney Appino (Sr., Rockford Boylan). Appino is tough with her range. Though not as great as Lutzow's she is a serious threat to win it all. Lakes freshman Olivia Schmitt is on the board now. She ran 18:10 last weekend. Could she be in for the running for a top three placement.