The competition was extremely fierce from beginning to the end of the 2018 season
4x800-
2018 State Champion: Hinsdale Central 9:03.41
Key teams: Naperville North, Downers Grove South, Belvidere North, Barrington, Lagrange (Lyons Twp.), Oswego, Elmhurst (York), Lisle (Benet Academy), Chicago Whitney Young, Wheaton-Warrenville South, Yorkville, Hinsdale, Minooka, Rockton (Hononegah), Chicago Lane Tech, Palatine, Winnetka (New Trier), Hoffman Estates, Mt. Prospect (Prospect), Evanston
Season outlook analysis: Make no mistake about it, distance running in the state is at an all-time high. We are starting to see coaches shift top individual personnel to the relays with the hope of striking the jackpot at season's end. Whether the list of prospective teams listed load up for the state championship or not, they will be a factor this season in one capacity or another.
Could it be an end of an era for Hinsdale Central who won two state titles in the last three years? It will be hard to say with only two legs returning and the Red Devilettes top distance girl is two-miler Mckenna Revord. She ran on the relay in the Friday qualifying day and if Coach Mark McCabe can pluck another viable leg from somewhere, we could see this team back in the saddle.
In all honesty, we have yet to see an astronomical time from the state's pre-eminent distance power Naperville North. The Huskies have the full package which is depth, talent, speed, and endurance. With everything being said, a time in the 8:59-9:00 range would satisfy the palate. If there is one wish to bait Coach Dan Iverson's team, it would be to load his four best girls and race in an elite competition as he does in cross country... oh well, we will continue to wish.
Oswego is a team that has been on the verge of something major for some years now. This may be the year that we see the Panthers reach the top of the mountain as the best team in Illinois. They ran the 8th fastest time in the state (9:21.47) and return all four legs. Senior Isabelle Christiansen will be the centerpiece of the quartet.
Two seasons ago a team outside of E. St. Louis and the Chicagoland won the state title for the first time. That team was Belvidere North. Guess what? The Blue Thunder, who won the 2A cross country title, is once again in 3A and they have the parts to be a premier force. They ran a slick 9:18.42 with the all-around talented junior Madison Diercks as the anchor. Three of those legs return and they will certainly find one more to complete the job.
Another insightful piece that we all should watch out for, who will be the surprise team like Glenbard East was last year? On the surface, it's obviously hard to say who that squad (s) might be. No specific names to be mentioned but look out for a group who on paper appears average talent wise and probably had a solid experience during the cross country season.
Lastly, it is the beauty of this event which is a blend of distance royalty mixed in with long speed warriors coming together for a common cause to produce some amazing performances for all to enjoy. The state's #1 event will once again be on top when the dust settles.