Being noticed can sometimes be as important as being ranked. Why? Returning runners who follow the sport may take it as disrespect if they have worked hard all summer and not be included in the rankings. Newcomers may see it as an opportunity to show and improve and build their own legacy. Whatever the alibi could be, we have diagnosed a slate of squads with the potential of being a force on the always competitive state scene.
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Troy (Triad)
Head Coach: Andrew Brendel
Last Year's Finish: 7th- (Decatur MacArthur Sectional)
Key Returners: Alyssa Kowalski (Sr.), Chloe Gough (So.), Sydney Hartoin (Sr.),
Sophia Hernandez (So.), Clare Schaft (Jr.), Mattie Noyes (Jr.), Blaire Cunningham (So.)
Quick Thoughts: Triad High School returns most of their
top 7 from last year's team that was about 40 points short in the Decatur
MacArthur sectional. This can be a top-25 team with more firepower in the 4-5
range. Alyssa Kowalski is the top returner, having run 19:05 last year. Keep an
eye on soph Chloe Gough as well, who may make the jump this year to join
Kowalski at the front of the team.
Head Coach: Jim Centella
Last Year's Finish: 8th- (Belvidere North Sectional)
Key Returners: Bryn Sato (Jr.), Grace Kokkin (Jr.), Caroline Kokkin (Jr.),
Katie Armstrong (So.), Megan Morrissey (Sr.), Madelynn Struck (Sr.), Jenna Dooley (Sr.)
Quick Thoughts: Even if teams can only run against their own
region, Grayslake Central will be able to test themselves against the deepest
region in the state (Northern IL). The Rams finished a distant 8th in the
loaded Belvidere North sectional but return three girls in the sub-19:30 range
(Bryn Sato, and Grace and Caroline Kokkin). However, only one additional runner
has run under 21:20 so the Rams will search for a little more depth this
season.
Maple Park (Kaneland)
Head Coach: Doug Ecker
Last Year's Finish: 6th- (Belvidere North Sectional)
Key Returners: Olivia Franklin (Sr), Alli Gonnella (So), Mackenzie Egert (Sr), Rose Dallal (So), Jackie Nettnin (So), Caroline Nosek (Jr), Lindsey Andrae (So)
Quick Thoughts: Kaneland was the first team out in the
deepest sectional in 2A last year, Belvidere North. They have the most depth of
the teams on the unranked side of the classification, but there is not a clear candidate to
join Olivia Franklin as a frontrunner after losing Rachel Richtman. Alli
Gonnella, MacKenzie Egert, and Rose Dallal comprise the middle pack that will
have to find themselves closer to Franklin to make Kaneland competitive with
some of the other strong upstate 2A teams.
Head Coach: Gene Jones
Last Year's Finish: 8th- (Bloomington Sectional)
Key Returners: Lily Sturgell (So.), Katie Lalumandier (Jr.), Karissa Heffernan (Sr.), Alayna Ruach (So.), Jordan Hanson (Sr.), Karissa Koval (Sr.), Rachel Fisher (Jr.)
Quick Thoughts: In coach Gene Jones 50th year as coach,
Metamora finished 8th in the strong mid-state Bloomington sectional. The team
is led by Lily Sturgell, whose best 2019 time was 19:25 at the Mid-Illini
conference meet. They return 3 of their top 5 and 5 of their top 7. Katie
Lalumandier and Karissa Heffernan are the other athletes who have broken 20:00
for the Redbirds.
Head Coach: Scott Nelson
Last Year's Finish: 6th- (Fenton Sectional)
Key Returners: Minnie Rolston (Sr), Madeline Andelbradt (Jr), Leah Gaul (Jr), Leann Ringsrud (So), Gabby Hernandez (Sr), Gillian Muniz (Sr), Emily Butz (So)
Quick Thoughts: St. Francis just barely missed state by 6
points at the Fenton sectional in 2019. They are anchored by state-qualifying
runner Minnie Rolston, but will be looking to Madelin Andelbradt, Leah Gaul and
Leann Ringsrud to form a pack behind her. Keep an eye on the Spartans. If the
state series occurs, they can find themselves sneaking into the state lineup
with a good race.
