Head Coach: Steve Moore
Last year's finish: 22nd- State
Key returners: Lydia Roller (So), Dana Jarden (So), Paige Scroggins (So), Bailey Scroggins (So), Erica Pickerill (So)
Projected top 7: Roller, Jarden, P. Scroggins, B. Scroggins, Pickerill, Brooke Kinder (, Sonali Jain (junior) Newcomers: Brooke Kinder (freshman)
Coach's thoughts on the team: We should have a pretty solid team this year and look to build on last season's success. Depth will be an issue, as we graduated our #7 runner and captain Desiree Lesicko. Also, our #2 runner, junior Hollie Bekeske, has decided not to return in order to focus on volleyball. However, excitement is high and the girls are working really hard. We have had a good summer and hope to make it back to State and improve on our overall finish. Individually, Lydia Roller has set high goals for the season and is displaying the work ethic to achieve them. She will be someone to watch out for come postseason time.
Head Coach/coaches: Ryan Bruns/Hunter Queen
Last year's finish: 19th- State
Projected top 7: Epplin, Krone, Buza, Bruns, Winter, Jade Riley, ??? Newcomers: n/a
Coach's thoughts on the team: We have had a fun summer. We will need several people to step up in order to get back to Peoria.
Teams to closely watch throughout the year:
Key returners: Kaitlyn Ortgiesen (Sr.), Margaret Vaessen (Jr.), Ashley Althaus (Jr.), Kelynn Boyle (Sr), Macy Mershon (So)
Outlook: This team returns five of the top 7 from a 25th place finish at state. The key ingredient will be to assert a tighter scoring pack up front.
Key returners: Caroline Quarton (Jr.), Madi Throne (Sr), Anna Baugher (Jr), Hailey Bolte (Sr), Summer Beckham (Jr)
Outlook: It was a tough finish for a team that placed 6th at the Carlinville Sectional and just missed advancing to state. Top runners Quarton and Thorne return as leaders and sub 19:00 performers. Quarton enjoyed a solid track season in leading her team in three distance categories.
Outlook: It was a bit of a disappointment for the Crusaders who were ranked for a good portion of last season. They had plans of advancing to state but fell short by three points to El Paso-Gridley. The bitter taste should be turned into a good palate this time around with six returners back.