Rock Falls Girls Is Pre-Season #1 Class A Team

16. Freeburg

Head Coach: Carl Florczyk

Last year's finish: 16th- State Championship

Key returners: Breanna Chandler (Sr.), Jessica Shepherd (Sr.), Reagan Lucas (Jr.), Abby Holcomb (Jr.) Hailie Peterson (Sr.), Kalee Marshall (So.)

Comments: The Lady Midgets are returning six of their top seven state starters from a year ago. The scary thing is this team could be a top 10 squad depending on how equipped the summer training went. Top runner Breanna Chandler was a state finalist in the 800 this past spring. Hopefully, she will spring back to her 2017 form where she placed 12th at state.

15. Stanford-Olympia

Head Coach/coaches: Mike Neisler/David Stine

Last year's finish: 11th- State Championship

Key returners: Savanah Beavers

Projected top 7: Savanah Beavers, Ellen Springer, Sydnee Usherwood, Maddie Litwiller Newcomers: Anna Bieber, Madison Bales, Camdyn Lawson (all incoming Freshmen)

Coach's thoughts on the team: Lots of things will need to fall into place for this team to make it to state for the 5th year in a row. 1) Everyone will need to say healthy -- we will not have great depth, 2) Our top 3 will need to be improved over last seasons PR's, and 3) Our freshmen will need to get better and better as the season progresses. We will do what we always do -- work hard, have fun, and hope for the best at the right time.

14. Eureka

Head Coach/Coaches: Olivia Morris, Matt O'Hanlon/Volunteers: Kurt Hinrichsen, Tom Engelhorn, Kellen Ehrenhardt

Last year's finish: State Champions

Key Returners: Alexi Fogo, Anna Perry, Elle Knapp

Projected Top 7: Fogo, Perry, Elle Knapp, Laurel Munson, Claire Wilson, Nora Robinson, Katelyn Knapp

Newcomers: Laurel Munson, Claire Wilson, Elle Hoffman, Sofie Kauffman, Maranda Wilson, Emrie Knapp, Marissa Herrmann, Bailee Plattner

Coach's thoughts on the team: Young team with untapped potential

13. El Paso-Gridley

Head Coach/coaches: Michael Melick/Katie Ludy, Jacob Ludy

Last year's finish: 7th- State Championship

Key returners: Ruby Slightom, Charlene Hamilton, Jenna Kent, Tori Witzig, Allison Kelly, Mya Gramm, Molly Holt

Projected top 7: See above.

Newcomers: Valerie Hamilton? Annabelle Younse? Hillary Gramm? Julia Reid? Not really sure who is planning on running this fall.

Coach's thoughts on the team: Losing Cate and Sophi is going to be difficult. That is going to be a tough two to replace. The underclasswomen have been active this summer, Valerie was a World Champion wrestler, bringing the title back from Budapest, Hungary. Jenna has been to the East Coast playing with her hockey team. We've got some great experiences and stories to share with our teammates, we'll have a lot of fun this fall logging miles together and letting the season take us where it may.

12. Urbana (University)

Head Coach/coaches: Doug Mynatt/Rachael Brewer

Last year's finish: 15th- State Championship

Key returners: Danbi Choi (jr), Anya Kaplan-Hartnett (sr), Erin Smith (so), Maxine van der Donk (so) Projected top 7: Kate Ahmari (fr), Choi (jr), Kaplan-Hartnett (sr), Erin Smith (so), Maxine van der Donk (so), Erin Minor (sr), Faizah Rauther (sr)

Newcomers: Kate Ahmari, Edie Hoganson

Coach's thoughts on the team: We could make a substantial jump this year with the addition of Kate Ahmari (fr) to the team. She finished 10th for us at the IESA XC state meet last year and followed up with a 2nd place finish in the 800m and a 1st place finish in the 1600m on the track. We were without our #4 Maxine van der Donk at the IHSA state meet last year after she broke her collar bone right after sectionals AND Danbi Choi limped through the sectional and state meet after dealing with an injury during the latter part of the season. With a healthy seven available for the state series, including the boost from Kate Ahmari, I believe we have the opportunity for a top 10 finish at state.

Head Coach/coaches: Christine Regan

Last year's finish: State Championship- 9th

Key returners: Renate Toldo, Kelly Giardina, Gracie Kreissler, Kenzie Park, Brodie Scrogin, Emily Kirkham Projected top 7: Toldo, Giardina, Kreissler, Park, Scrogin, Kirkham, Paige Gardner

Newcomers: Avery Demo, Paige Gardner, Emma Joiner

Coach's thoughts on the team: The Royal Lions have been diligent getting in their summer running and supporting each other during workouts. They have built a solid foundation for the fall, both individually and as a team. The girls are looking forward to another good season. The team is returning five of last year's state-qualifying runners and has several promising newcomers.

10. Herscher

Head Coach: Rick Livesey

Last year's finish: 10th- State Championship

Key returners: Molly Raymond (Sr.), Mady Rogers (Sr.), Josie Mendell (Jr.), Natalie Rink (Jr.), Gwen Meyer (Sr.)

Outlook: It was a very good year for the Tigers in 2018. Should we all expect a similar fate this fall?  After graduating two of the top five, it will certainly be a challenge for Coach Livesey's squad. But Molly Raymond has some work to do after a so-so track season. But then again she rebounded after a lean 2017 track season to earn all-state honors last fall (17th). The projected 1-5 split of 2:00 is a bit troubling as well. All can be resolved by stepping up 1-7.

9. Williamsville

Head Coach: Tyler Casson

Last year's finish: 8th- State Championship

Key returners: Caroline Gwaltney (Sr), Katherine Walker (So), Lexy Henrikson (Sr), Katie Kennedy (Jr), Jenna Rademacher (Jr)

Outlook: Five of the top seven state returners make the Bullets a viable team and one that will be hard to keep out of the top 10 throughout the season. All-stater Caroline Gwaltney should be a shoe-in for another top 25 finish in Peoria. The key is to get the scoring split under 2:00. If that happens then all will be good for the Bullets once again.

8. Monticello

Head Coach/coaches: David Remmert/Scott Burnsmier, Hannah Remmert

Last year's finish: 13th- State Championship

Key returners: Rachel Koon, Kyara Welter, Emma Kallembach, Emma Brown, Mackenzie Murphy

Projected top 7: These five (above) plus Mabry Bruhne and Estella Miller

Newcomers: Mabry Bruhne, Estella Miller, Katie Mesplay, Rose Talbert, Emmeline Witt

Coach's thoughts on the team: "I feel we are in a good place right now with a great blend of kids who've been through it a couple of seasons and some new talent. The teams across the state are becoming so competitive though! I like to focus on our work and, good Lord willing will be there in the end."

Last year's finish: 4th- State Championship
Key returners: Natalia Martino, Katie Erb, Renee Rittmeyer, Sophia Martino, Aurora Insko, Ella Maher, Taylor Ward
Projected top 7: Martino, Erb, Grace Erb, Marissa Roggensack, Kaylee Woolery, Rittmeyer, Martino, Aurora Insko
Newcomers: Grace Erb, Marissa Roggensack, Kaylee Woolery 
Coach's thoughts on the team:  Possibly the most talented team in our school history.  We had a very good summer but we will need to continue to work hard and improve team success.

6. St. Joseph-Ogden

Head Coach/coaches: Jason Retz/Terri Rein

Last year's finish: 5th- State Championship

Key returners: Jillian Plotner, Hannah Rajlich, Ashlyn Lannert, Hope Rajlich, Ava Knapp, Kendra Riddle, Ally Monk, Addie Allen, Kailyn Ingram, Malorie Sarnecki, Hanna Eastin

Projected top 7: We have several gals that are fighting hard for those 7 spots. I can honestly say, I have no idea who the top 7 will be!

Newcomers: N/A

Coach's thoughts on the team: We've had a great summer. We've enjoyed our time as a family and look forward to throwing it down in the fall. It looks as if they will continue to carry on the SJO tradition of excellence again this year!

4. Aurora (Rosary)

Head Coach: Vic Mead/Lisa Hardekopf

Last year's finish: 13th- 2A State Championship

Key returners: Lianna Surtz, Maia Italia, Brooke O'carroll, Katie Lifka, Katie Ubertino

Newcomers: N/A

Outlook by Christian Surtz: Overall it's a small team but if the core stays healthy they'll be competitive. Graduated one from last year's state team and returning at least five state runners, no freshmen yet. Brooke O'Carroll should develop into a consistent #2 runner and definitely has potential. Maia Italia should contribute too. In my opinion, if the two of them and Lianna are top 35 and they add some depth, they'll have a strong shot at a trophy.

2. Tolono (Unity)

Head Coach: Kara Leaman

Last year's finish: Third- State Championship

Key returners: Caroline Bachert, Kylie Decker, Evelyn Atkins, Taylor Joop, Malia Fairbanks, Harper Hancock Projected top 7: Bachert, Decker, Atkins, Joop, Fairbanks, Hancock, Audrey Remole, Elizabeth Hulick, Lillian Styan, Anna Clark

Newcomers: Audrey Remole, Anna Clark, Emma Stratton, Sophia Stierwalt

Coach's thoughts on the team: This team will be equipped to see what they can do together late in the fall. We have added some tough freshmen who are looking to see if they can break into a scoring spot. Our strength behind our leaders could change from week to week, a group full of potential surprises.

Head Coach/coaches: John Neisler/Lester Hampton/Stu Shaver/Jill Burroughs/Abby Rader/Mark Jedele Last year's finish: 4th in 2A

Key returners: Ella Bittner (Jr.), Mackie Madix (Jr.), Lizzy Zacharias (Jr.), Britany Ziemer (Sr.), Katie Spaulding (Sr.), Mya Kaeb (Jr.), Lyndsey Wolters (Jr.)

Projected top 7: Same as our key returners

Newcomers: Lynnae Wollenweber (Fr.)

Coach's thoughts on the team: Last fall was a lot of fun, culminating in a surprise 4 th place finish in 2A. Another surprise came the week after State when we found out we'd be moving down to 1A with most of our scorers returning. This summer, the girls have gone on vacations, volunteered, worked, and worked on getting miles in around the fun and relaxation. As always, our goals are to contend for the Bloomington/Normal Intercity Championship, the Central State 8 Conference championship, and be in a position to qualify for State in November.