It's always an opportunity for teams at the tail end of the rankings spectrum to come on the scene and run without pressure. They are the ones who will surprise themselves and others when the post-season arrives.
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25. Aurora (Central Catholic)
Head Coach: Troy Kerber
Last Year's Finish: 6th- Oregon Sectional
Key Returners: Rohn Ritchie (Jr.), Tony LoPresti (Sr.), Sam Woody (Sr.), Max Meyers (Jr.)
Projected top 7: LoPresti, Ritchie, Woody, Meyers, Noah Herbst (Fr.), Jose Lopez (Jr.), Patrick Belskis (So.)
Key Additions: Noah Herbst (Fr.)
Unexpected Losses: None
Milesplit's Outlook: The Chargers enter the year just making it into the rankings. They lost a few seniors from last years squad, but look to reload with a freshman that can possibly make an impact in Noah Herbst.
24. Tremont
Head Coach/Coaches: Mike Lynn
Last Year's Finish: 11th- Elmwood Sectional
Key Returners: Leland Sumer (Sr.), Colton Brown (Jr.), Zach Voss (Jr.)
Projected Top 7: Sumer, Brown, Voss, James Getz (Sr.), Josiah Kellum (Fr.), Caleb Steiner (So.), Nathan Booker (Jr.)
Key Returners: Josiah Kellum
Unexpected Losses: None
Coach Lynn's Outlook: Barring injuries there is some talent in the top 3 so borderline top 25 is about right. Of course, we could be a top 25 team and not be top 6 in our sectional.
23. Robinson
Head Coach: Tony Cork
Last Year's Finish: 6th- State
Key Returners: Negus Bogard (Sr.), Koty Amdahl (Sr.), Parker Middleton (Jr.), Zach Buttolph (Sr.)
Projected Top 7: Bogard, Amdahl, Middleton, Buttolph, Carter Shew (Jr.), Cameron Shew (Fr.), Evan Ferris (Fr.)
Key Additions: Cameron Shew (Fr.), Evan Ferris (Fr.), Donovan Tillman (Fr.)
Unexpected Losses: Maverick Wright (Sr.)
Milesplit's Outlook: The Maroons face some challenges entering the year as one of their top returners Maverick Wright has decided to go play football for his senior year instead of running on the grass. He was a sub 16:00 runner that will severely hurt the Maroons chances of taking home a trophy come November. They still have Negus Bogard who will challenge for an individual state championship as well a good support crew with Koty Amdahl and Parker Middleton. It just going to be tough to replace that sub 16:00 speed of Wright.
22. Tolono (Unity)
Head Coach/Coaches: Jarred Koerner
Last Year's Finish: 7th- Decatur St. Teresa Sectional
Key Returners: Jarrett Cox (Jr.), Connor O'Donnell (Jr.), Thomas Cler (So.), Ben Gavel (Jr.), Derek Dayton (Sr.)
Projected Top 7: Dayton, Cox, O'Donnell, Cler, Gavel, Clayton Jamison (So.), Braden Lane (Fr.)
Key Additions: Braden Lane (Fr.), Brendan Graven (Fr.)
Unexpected Losses: None
Coach Koerner's Outlook: Our young team from last year has used this summer to mature, grow and develop their talents. We return 6 of our top 7 and believe we will bring a competitive team to sectionals.
21. St. Joseph-Ogden
Head Coach/Coaches: Jason Retz, Terri Rein
Last Year's Finish: 6th- Decatur St. Teresa Sectional
Key Returners: Brandon Mattsey (Jr.), Eric Poe (Sr.), Elijah Mock (So.), Luke Stegall (So.), Charlie Mabry (So.)
Projected Top 7: Mattsey, Poe, Mock, Stegall, Mabry, Braden Clampitt (So.), Lukas Hutcherson (Jr.)
Key Additions: None
Unexpected Losses: None
Coach Retz's Outlook: We are a very young team that has its core back from a year ago. Our success will ride on how bad it actually hurt not qualifying for state a year ago. The initial sting is always painful, but how bad did it actually hurt? We'll let the miles under our belt determine that. If we stay healthy this is a group that could fly under the radar till fall of 2020. Should be exciting.
