Belvidere North came into last year's state meet as a surprise but left the stadium as champions (Angela Kerndl photo)
4x800m-
2017 State Champion: Belvidere North 9:12.
Key Returning teams: Belvidere North, Hinsdale Central, Naperville North, Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West), Hoffman Estates, Prospect, New Trier, Yorkville, Palatine, Oswego, Edwardsville, York, Lyons Twp, Palatine (Fremd), Schaumburg
Season Outlook: It was a season of highs and lows in this event. It seemed like no one wanted to take charge until the state meet. Glenbard West figured they could sneak their best runner Katelynne Hart in the mix and steal the race or at least grab some vital title points. This was after dropping a fast 9:13 in late April at Wheaton-Warrenville South. Belvidere North, who had come up from 2A cross country, ran several fast times prior to state. No one seemed to pay the Blue Streaks much attention despite the ladies being winners on every level they competed in. When they won the state title on the strength of a collective attack and anchored by Jenna Lutzow in 2:15.8, it was a stunning moment. Forget about the time in which the winner failed to break 9:10 for just the second time since 2005, it was an historic moment. For the first time in IHSA State Championship history, a team outside of the Chicago metro area aside from E. St. Louis Sr. (twice-1986, 1988) won the title. The Blue Streaks now return three legs but will have to replace Lutzow in order to repeat.
Hinsdale Central was supposed to be the team to beat after winning it all in 2016. The Red Devilettes was able to place second last year and return their full complement of girls. After producing another outstanding cross country season, this unit will be ready for the long haul. Naperville North is a team built for a championship run and depending on who they stack the relay with will determine fast times. Obviously in an all-star field, the Huskies could be one of the nation's elite squads. What will Schaumburg do when the state series arrive? Will Madison Marasco be on the relay? MSL foes Prospect and Hoffman Estates are ready to recharge. Down south is Edwardsville and the Tigers are going to make a swift move to run fast. And we all know that Yorkville will be in the mix somewhere.
Look out for traditional powers such as Palatine, Lyons Twp and York to bounce back. Palatine missed the final for the first time in many years. Lyons will also be back in the mix this season. York finished last but don't expect that to occur again.
Top performing teams:
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:12.12 | ||
| 2 | 9:13.17 | ||
| 3 | 9:16.75 | ||
| 4 | 9:17.03 | ||
| 5 | 9:18.92 |
O'Fallon had to come from behind on anchor leg to preserve their top ranked status (Angela Kerndl photo)
4x100m-
2017 State Champion: O'Fallon 47.55
Key Returning teams: Chicago Kenwood, Belleville West, Dekalb, Alton, Rock Island, Homewood-Flossmoor, Hillside (Proviso West), Springfield, Hinsdale Central, Downers Grove North, Harvey (Thornton), Prospect, Bolingbrook, West Aurora, Romeoville, Wheeling
Outlook: The champs of 2017 will down in IHSA state history as one of the swift quartets. The Panthers did not need their season 47.09 from sectionals to win the state title. Despite several shakey transitions in the midst of the win it was perseverance that ultimately got the job done.
There are going to be some new faces at the top of the food chain this season. Kenwood surprised many in the prelim field with a blazing 47.75 to make the final. The Broncos would later place third overall. They recently received a gift in the name of Jada Hoffman. She has transferred in from Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) where her personal best of 12.20 is more than welcomed along with all-state honors. Homewood-Flossmoor will be a team steaming mad after dropping the baton in last year's prelim. The slippery mishap doomed the Lady Vikings chance of a state team title. They return all four legs led by an experienced bunch.
The field overall will be crowded and fast. Belleville West returns a loaded squad- alll four girls are back. Dekalb will be fleet on the track as well. Proviso West earned all-state honors several seasons ago and the Panthers are finally senior dominate.
Top performing teams:
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47.09 | ||
| 2 | 47.67 | ||
| 3 | 47.75 | ||
| 4 | 47.83 | ||
| 5 | 47.94 | ||
| 6 | 47.96 |
O'Fallon ran away with the title but there was plenty of competition within itself (Angela Kerndl photo)
4x200m-
2017 State Champion: O'Fallon 1:38.58
Key Returning teams: Romeoville, Homewood-Flossmoor, Proviso West, Downers Grove North, Dekalb, Naperville North, Belleville West, Dolton (Harvey), Thornton, Hinsdale Central, Collinsville, Lincoln-Way East, Chicago Kenwood
Season Outlook: The senior dominant O'Fallon quartet ran one of the fastest times in IHSA history- busting the heads of the field with a top 10 performance. They now exit the stage for the next group coming up. Romeoville could be the next great quartet if fast leg Johnetta Jones returns. There is some speculation that she may not be a part of the program. Olivia Oliver of Homewood-Flossmoor is ready to lead her team to an outstanding senior year. The pre-high school prodigy appears to be back on track after dropping several fast club league marks in the 200m. Chicago Kenwood ran 1:42 before being disqualified at the sectional round. The Broncos will be faster this season.
Dekalb may be the next great unit this season because they have a great individual in Brimonet Buggs.
Top performing teams:
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:38.58 | ||
| 2 | 1:39.42 | ||
| 3 | 1:41.32 | ||
| 4 | 1:42.25 | ||
| 5 | 1:42.32 |
Lincoln-Way East closed out the state championship with a showstopping victory (Angela Kerndl photo)
4x400m-
2017 State Champion: Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) 3:51.62
Key Returning teams: Lyons Twp, Glenbard West, New Trier, Naperville North, Homewood-Flossmoor, Proviso West, Wheeling, Naperville (Neuqua Valley), Carol Stream (Glenbard North), Chicago Whitney Young, Hinsdale Central, Lombard (Glenbard East), Oak Park-River Forest, West Aurora
Season Outlook: The season long favorite of 2017 E. St. Louis Sr. has broken when it's top runner/hurdler Rokelle Stanley had to bow out with a leg injury. But that may or may not would have Lincoln-Way East and anchor Taylor Wright who routed the field by nearly four seconds. Things may change for the Griffins who lost vital legs via graduation. Overall, this event will be up for grabs until the state series unfolds.
Top performing teams:
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3:51.62 | ||
| 2 | 3:55.49 | ||
| 3 | 3:56.90 | ||
| 4 | 3:57.49 | ||
| 5 | 3:57.57 |