Champaign Centennial
Head Coach: Jeremy Owen
Last Year's Finish: 12th- Decatur Sectional
Key Returners: Luke Manolakes (Sr.), Ben Olaivar (Sr.), Alex Geissler (So.), Gabe Olaivar (Sr.), Brennen Easter (Jr.), Ethan Rice (Sr.)
Projected Top 7: Manolakes, B. Olaivar, Geissler, G. Olaivar, Easter, Rice, Carter Herbert (Sr.)
Key Additions: We have a good group of freshmen coming in and it's very possible some of them could sneak into the rotation. We also have some other runners who were in and out of the top 7 last year who could factor in as well.
Unexpected Losses: Chance Yentes
Coach Owen's Outlook: Our goal is to continue to progress and build on the success from the past 2 seasons with nearly everyone coming back. We would like to finish in the top 5 at our sectional but also realize we have some very tough competition.
Woodstock
Head Coach/Coaches: Jay Fuller, Bill Macaulay
Last Year's Finish: 7th- Woodstock North Sectional
Key Returners: Aidan Schleutermann (Jr.), Jack Hansen (Jr.), Daniel Berkebile (Sr.), Max Hodory (So.), Logan Hagmann (Jr.)
Projected Top 7: Schleutermann, Hansen, Berkebile, Hodory, Hagmann, Clark Schulfer (So.), Alex Wickersheim (So.)
Key Additions: Clark Schulfer (So.), Alex Wickersheim (So.), Thomas Sieck (Fr.), Dylan Hanson (Fr.), Daniel Degutis (So.), Evan Neuhart (So.).
Unexpected Losses: None
Coach Fuller's Outlook: We are young with only one senior but the boys are finding that edge and working hard.
Antioch
Head Coach/Coaches: Chris Bailey, Ryan Hlinak
Last Year's Finish: 9th- Woodstock North Sectional
Key Returners: Charlie Smith (Sr.), Lucas Baronello (So.)
Projected Top 7: Smith, Baronello, Owen Lane, Luke Menzies, Kyle Miller, Ryan Johnson, Jake Linck (Fr.)
Key Additions: Jake Linck (Fr.)
Unexpected Losses: None
Coach Bailey's Outlook: We have a "big-timer" at our #1 with senior Charlie Smith. We believe he'll be one of the contenders to win the individual state championship in November. He'll give us low points at many of our invitationals. Soph Lucas Baronello is coming off a successful freshman year, earning all-conference in the NLCC. After that, it will all depend on the work everyone puts in the remainder of the summer. Ryan Johnson has really stepped up and getting in some good summer mileage. Luke Menzies, Owen Lane, and Kyle Miller are veterans that should help the team.
Chicago (Solorio Academy)
Head Coach/Coaches: Rob Dron/John Buse
Last Year's Finish: 24th- State Championship
Key Returners: Alex Blanco (Jr.), Fil Franco (Jr.), Miguel Cordova (Sr.)
Projected Top 7: Blanco, Franco, Cordova, Saul Rios (Jr.), Ozzie Barranco (Jr.), Jesus Chavez (Sr.)
Key Additions: None
Unexpected Losses: None
Coach Dron's Outlook: We have a pretty young team, mainly sophs and jrs, and the guys are excited to see how good they can be. Our cliche, big focuses are controlling what you can and trust the process. If we can do our best every day then it'll lead to big, fun adaptations. Nobody knows exactly what that looks like, but the guys are excited about the journey. The groups are smaller, but it's tighter and driven.
