Peoria Notre Dame Richard Spring Invite Firestorm Preview

So many great runners and teams will be in display on Saturday at the famed Detweiller Park

Key Girls Teams:
3A: #2 Downers Grove South, #5 O'Fallon, #6 Elmhurst (York), #7 Hinsdale Central, #9 Wheaton-Warrenville South, #11 Oswego East, #18 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West), #19 Naperville (Neuqua Valley), #20 Lake Zurich, #21 Oak Park-River Forest, #23 Oswego, #25 St. Charles East

2A: #3 Chicago (Latin), #7 Chicago (St. Ignatius), #12 Mahomet-Seymour, #16 Chatham-Glenwood

1A: #6 Aurora (Rosary), #7 Monticello, #10 St. Joseph-Ogden, #16 Stanford-Olympia, #22 Champaign (St. Thomas More), 

Others: Claremont CA, Pleasant Valley IA

Downers South usually competes in the First To The Finish Invite the preceding weekend. However, it appears that a set of circumstances in recent times has altered the team schedule and mindset. This meet usually draws the eye boys of many cross country pundits who begin their speculation of Nike Cross Nationals talk. And with the addition of California state power Claremont into the mix, things have gotten a little more interesting. The Mustangs, of course, will be favored based on a tough front runner senior Brenna Cohoon and a mature scoring pack behind her. 

It will be put up or shut up time for a few teams that have quietly dipped into the top 10. York won last weekend's Lake Park Invite on the strength of a very strong pack. The Lady Dukes will receive some resistance behind them from WSC Silver league foe Hinsdale Central who surprised a few heads several weeks ago at the Hornet-Devil Invite. The Lady Red Devils used the top five placing senior tandem of Emma Watcke and Mckenna Revord

No disrespect to any of O'Fallon's previous opponents, but this will be their first real test of the season. The Panthers behind sophomore Peyton Schieppe should show they are not a fluke.

Wheaton South will be on the mend after a tough time in their season opener at the Hornet-Devil Invite. The Tigers have the firepower that is unseen and don't be surprised if it lashes out on the field.

Three-time defending individual champion Katelynne Hart will be back in action after relaxing last weekend with a college visit. The superstar from Glenbard West will be waiting in the wings to go after her own meet record of 16:14. In addition, we could see our first regular-season sub-16:00 if the conditions are right. 

St. Charles East junior Alice Abbott is a key figure to watch here. She placed second last year and expects to do so again (assuming Hart does her thing)- at least match the handsome 16:47 from a season ago. This field is a year wiser and mature so expect to see sub-17:00 charges from Ava Parekh (So., Chicago Latin), Schieppe, Watcke, Revord, Lianna Surtz (So., Rosary), Aly Negovetich (So., Grant), and Sam Poglitsch (Jr., Wheaton-Warrenville South).