Chester High School
Last year's state finish: 25th
Coaches: Curt Gilpin (Head Coach), Jennifer Cartwright (Asst. Coach)
Key returners: Taylor Dunning (Sr.), Jessica Kattenbraker (Sr.), Shea Petrowske (Jr.), Elizabeth Soellner (Jr.), Avery Runge (So.), Addie Blechle (So.)
Coach Gilpin's thoughts on the season: "We're bringing back all our top runners from last year and they are looking strong already. Our philosophy on how we approach practice and meets won't change, but we do have high expectations for the team this year."
Litchfield
Last year's state finish: 12th
Coaches: Jeremy Palmer (Head Coach), Jon Yoch and Shane Cress (Asst. Coaches)
Key Returners: Madison Throne (Jr.), Caroline Quarton (So.), Anna Baugher (So.), Brittnay Komor (Sr.), Haley Bolte (Jr.), Summer Beckham (So.)
Coach Palmer's thoughts on the season: "We are going to remember the phrase: People do not remember how you start but how you finish as we progress through the season. The student athletes have been putting in summer miles for a chance at November smiles."
Chicago Christian High School
Last year's state finish: 6th
Coach: Jake Christiansen
Key returners: Allie Boss (Sr.), Emily Damstra (Jr.), Leah Kuipers (Sr.), Julie O'Sullivan (Jr.), Kathleen Tkoletz (So.)
Coach Christiansen's thoughts for the season: "We lost 4 of our top 7 from last year, so we are not expecting to finish in the top 10 like we have the previous two years. However, these girls have always risen to the occasion and worked hard, often surprising themselves and me with what God does through them. There are a few newcomers to the team without much running experience, so it will be interesting to see how they develop throughout the fall and hopefully can give us that extra push at the end of the season."
Roxana
Last year's finish: 9th- Edwardsville
Metro East Lutheran Sectional
Coaches: Scott Edwards (Head Coach) and
Juli Akal (Asst. Coach)
Key Returners: Michaela Tarpley (Jr.),
Victoria Tarpley (Jr.), Lette Palen (Jr.), Alyssa Mendoza (So.), Jaidyn
Peebles (Jr.)
Coach Edwards' thoughts on the season: "Looks like we will be a bubble team again this
year. We are a fairly young team with no seniors but our junior
leadership is great. Trying to get back to Detweiller for the 4th
time in 7 years is our number one goal.
We could have some surprising freshman this year as the work ethic has
been strong this summer. Victoria Tarpley is a key component as we are
not sure if she will be able to run until October but hopefully someone else
will step up and fill her role. Michaela Tarpley, who finished in the top
25 at sectionals last year, has been putting in the miles and could possibly
break the top 10 at sectionals which would really give the team a boost points
wise. Others that could break the top 7 are Meg Bosse (Jr.), and Delaney O'Donnell
(Fr.)."
Rock Falls
Last year's finish: 13th at the Oregon Sectional
Coach: Mark Truesdell
Key Returners: Bailee Fortney (So.), Erin Porter (Fr.), Alex Gomez (So.)
Nick's thoughts on the season: The Rockets were an extremely inexperienced team last year with their top 4 runners at sectional all freshman. They are hoping with a little experience under their belts to make a solid improvement. Bailee Fortney led the squad last year with a 34th place finish at state. She could be in the mix for an all-state medal.