15. Stanford-Olympia
Last year's state finish: 13th
Coach: Mike Neisler
Key Returners: Payton Wille (Jr.), Mary Grace Cleinmark (Jr.), Renee Hallstein (So.).
Projected top 7: Payton Wille (Jr.), Mary Grace Cleinmark (Jr.), Renee Hallstein (So.). Too soon to tell who will round out the top 7.
Newcomers: Savanah Beavers (Fr.), Ellen Springer (Fr.)
Coach Neisler's outlook: "Hopefully we can make another state appearance."
14. Freeburg
Last year's finish: 8th at state
Coach: Carl Florczyk
Key returners: Kayla Whitworth (Sr.), Breanna Chandler (So.), Jessica Shepherd (So.), Maddie Mense (So.), Katherine Marler (Jr.)
Projected top 7: It's hard to say right now, but I would expect all of last year's key returners to be in the mix again.
Newcomers: Ellie Hatter (Fr.), Reagan Lucas (Fr.)
Coach Florczyk's outlook: "I am really excited about this team. We will be young but have many great runners returning from both our varsity and JV squads from last year. We have some really strong newcomers and incoming freshman who will provide great depth as well."
13. Nashville Community High School
Last year's finish: 21st- State Championship
Coaches: Jean Orr (Head Coach), Jenny Olson, Wendy Bergmann (Asst. Coaches)
Key returners: Sabrina Kollbaum (So.), Jaylyn Bower (Sr.), Grace Maschhoff (Jr.), Brittnie Bartling (Jr.)
Projected top 7: Sabrina Kollbaum (So.), Jaylyn Bower (Sr.), Grace Maschhoff (Jr.), Brittnie Bartling (Jr.), Kylie Kozuszek (Jr.), Jadah Heidel (Jr.), Kiley Heidel (Fr.)
Newcomers: Kylie Kozuszek (Jr.), Kiley Heidel (Fr.)
Coach's Orr's outlook: "We have had very productive summer practices so far--the girls are running strong! I think this can be an exciting season for us if we continue to build on the good things that were happening late last season and if we can stay healthy. I am excited about the new additions to the team. This team has a lot of potential and a lot of personality! Should be a lot of fun this year!"
12. Johnsburg High School
Coaches: Chris Setzler (Head Coach), Dr. John Albanese (Asst. Coach)
Last year's finish: 18th- State Championship
Key Returners: Sam Schmitt (So.), Ashley Molidor (Sr.) Kaitlyn Davis (Jr.), Hannah Anderson (So.), Allysa Peete (So.), Denali Nett (So.), Mya Fettes (Jr.)
Newcomers: Saida Blount (Fr.), Tracie Bennett (Fr.)
Projected Top 7: Sam Schmitt (So.), Ashley Molidor (Sr.) Kaitlyn Davis (Jr.), Saida Blount (Fr.), Hannah Anderson (So.), Allysa Peete (So.), Denali Nett (So.)
Coach Setzler's outlook: "We graduated one runner from our top 7 from last year's 18th place team at state. We have had a good summer of training and our returning runners are all running better than they were last year at this time. The addition of some hardworking freshmen will help to push the top 5 to higher levels. Our goal is a top 10 finish at the state meet come November."
11. Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy)
Last year's finish: 16th at state
Coach: Steven Bland
Key returners: Nygia Pollard (Sr.), Alyssa Iverson (Sr.), Cassidy Richter (Sr.), Hannah McHugh (Jr.), Hope Mylin (Jr.)
Projected top 7: Nygia Pollard (Sr.), Alyssa Iverson (Sr.), Cassidy Richter (Sr.), Hannah McHugh (Jr.), Hope Mylin (Jr.), Elena Porrata (Jr.), Carson Forte (Fr.)
Newcomers: Elena Porrata (Jr.), Carson Forte (Fr.), Becca Gafrick (Jr.). Additionally, we have several incoming freshman (Hannah Garcia, Jayden Forte, Jessica Fuja) that should help us with depth and could push the back end of our 7.
Coach Bland's outlook: "We should be a stronger, deeper team than we were last year. However, don't expect to see much from the Lions until we get to October."