Flashback to Elgin Harvest Academy coach Steven Bland's celebratory interview
10. Carthage (Illini West)
Head Coach/coaches: Head: Ryan Bliss/Matt Snyder
Last year's finish:
11th -State Championship
Key returners: Jacob Bryan, Dalton Melvin, Kevin White, Damian Andrews
Projected top 7: Jacob Bryan, Dalton Melvin, Kevin White,
Damian Andrews, Matthew Peacock, Logan Little, Eli Newton
Newcomers: Matthew
Peacock (did run some in the top 7 last year), Logan Little, Eli Newton
Coach Bliss' thoughts on team: "We are looking at making a strong finish at sectional and see where we land for a score to get in the state meet. We were four points away from a sectional title last year but have lost 3 of our top 4 runners. The guys who were 5-7 last year have worked extremely hard this summer and are looking to step into their new roles."
9. Lawrenceville
Head Coach: Bill Bandy
Last year's finish: 16th- State Championship
Key returners: Jack Holden (Sr.), Blaine Hesler (Jr.), Max Smigiel (Sr.), Cole Sumner (Jr.), Gavin Rucker (Sr.), Colin Benson (So.)
Tony's Take: It was a tremendous surprise to see a team outside of the Elmwood and Oregon Sectionals fighting for a top 15 spot at state last year. The Indians bring virtually everyone back and they are sneaky good with a solid scoring split to match. All that is needed is a top runner.
8. Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy)
Head Coach/coaches: Steven Bland
Last year's finish: State Champions
Key returners: Andrew Dobrescu (Sr.), Kyler Young (Sr.), Connor Seals (Sr.), Mark Davila (Sr.), Payton Kasper (Jr.), Erik Richter (So.)
Projected top 7: The 6 above and Mathew Olech, Fr.
Newcomers: Mathew Olech, Fr., Hayden Colclasure, Fr., Nate Boldog, So., and Josh Peterson,
So., (didn't run last year due to injury), Micah Steiner, Fr.
Coach Bland's thoughts on team: "We were hoping for another strong year, maybe a podium spot in Peoria. However, we are
probably behind in our development if we were hoping to defend. Perhaps some of our
returning runners were thinking since we won last year, we should be stronger this year.
And that would be the case if we were as discipline over the summer as a team who wanted
to defend should be. While some of the seasoned runners haven't been working as hard as
they should, some of our younger runners, perhaps inspired by last year's results, have
been working too hard. We've had to keep reeling them in as little injuries are starting to
surface. The good news about our team is that we should be deeper than we were last year.
And despite where we are right now, we may still be able to right the ship before November
4. As you know, what happens in the summer determines whether you will have a good
season or a great season."
7. Freeburg
Head Coach/coaches: Carl Florczyk/Coach Nipper, Coach Pierce
Last year's finish: State Runner-Up
Key returners: Charlie Parrish (Sr.), Corbin Schwable (Jr.), Carson Smith (Jr.), Blake Hatter (Jr.)
Projected top 7: "I would expect the key returners to be our top 4. I also expect runners such as McKallen Smith and Landon Miles to be in the mix. We could have some additional guys from last year's JV squad step up as well. I am also excited about our incoming freshmen."
Newcomers: Evan Wilkerson (freshman), Cade Smith (freshman), James Trentman (freshman)
Coach Florczyk's thoughts on team: "We are really excited about the season. We have 4 strong runners coming back from last year's state runner up team. We have a bunch of guys working hard this summer to fill the other spots within the top 7."
6. DeeMack (Deer Creek Mackinaw)
Head Coach: Sam Ingram
Last year's finish: 10th- State Championship
Key returners: Gary Cates (Sr.), John Carnicle (Jr.), Neal Scheuermann (Sr.), Colby Johnson (So.), Dalton Myers (Sr.), Sam Brodahl (Sr.)
Tony's Take: With only the departed top ranked Dakota Myers leaves the Chiefs in good standing. This is a team that could fight for a top 5 spot in November. The team is made up of juniors and seniors and it will be fun to see how far they can go.
5. Sterling (Newman Central Catholic)
Head Coach: Patrick Warkins
Last year's finish: 6th- State Championship
Key returners: Spencer Mauch (Jr.), Shay Hafner (Jr.), Matt Hodge (Sr.), Ben Sheats (So.), Quentin Larson (Sr.)
Newcomers: Brad Fritts (Sr.), Noah Welty (Fr.), Antonio Gassman (Fr.)
Coach Warkins thoughts: "This years' team has the capability to return to the state meet again. I expect Spencer Mauch to be in the top 25, he finished 27th last year, only seconds out of the top 25. The rest of the team will have to move up, but I feel that they are more than capable of doing this. We cannot afford to have any injuries to our top kids as we do not have a lot of depth. If we can stay injury free, we should have a very good season. With Rockford (Christian) and Harvest Academy probably in our section, we cannot afford to take thing for granted and need to work hard to improve. The top 5 have had a good summer of training so far. Staying healthy will be key for us."
4. Athens
Head Coach: Kerry Trueblood
Last year's finish: 12th- State Championship
Key returners: Wyatt McIntyre (Sr.), Noah McIntyre (So.), Ryan Nordsiek (Jr..), Will Hill (So.), James Goodenow (So.), Joseph Goodenow (So.)
Newcomers: Justus Meints, Hayden Thomas, and Javan Willis (all freshman)
Tony's Take: One of Illinois' youngest team earned a ton of respect with a supreme veteran front runner Wyatt McIntyre, will be in for a trophy chase. Wyatt's #1 team placement last year could be replicated again in November. His little brother Noah McIntyre made some big waves during the track season as one of the top middle-distance freshmen running 4:40/2:01. Hopefully, that will translate into bigger gains on the grass.
Team outlook by Wyatt McIntyre: "Most of the team had a great summer, put in a good amount of miles and we are very motivated and have a strong shot at being a top contender team. We return 6 of our top 7 from last years 12th place team at state, which makes us very hungry to place much higher at state this year. All this depends on how hungry and motivated our guys are and we need to make sure we stay humble and really come together in the post season!"
3. Elmwood
Head Coach: Gregg Meyers
Last year's finish: 5th- State Championship
Key returners: Cooper Hoffmann (Sr.), Trevor Dunkel (Sr.), Alex Hermann (Sr.), Logan Whitney (Jr.)
Tony's Take: A perennial cross country power finished among the top 5 once again. It will all depend on the returners approach to the season. Will the Trojans take mid-season meets a bit more serious than they have in the past? A new approach could work wonders in November. But regardless, keep an eye on the veteran leadership to fight for another state trophy.
2. Rockford (Christian)
Head Coach: Randy Moore
Last Year's Finish: 4th Place
Key Returners: Riley Wells (Jr.), Josiah Vogel (Sr.), Brent Brunner (Jr.), Nicolas Capriola (Jr.), Cal Granite (Jr.)
Newcomers: Stephen Thomas (Fr.), Carter Fryer (So.), JT Emenecker (So.), Josh Honkamp (Jr.)
Coach Moore's thoughts on Team: "The goals that the boys have set for themselves have more to do with our team culture than with accomplishments. Thus far, our training and preparation this summer looks to be commensurate with these expectations. It should be a fun fall with this talented, dedicated, and seasoned crew."