2. Homewood-Flossmoor (48)
3. Frankfort [ Lincoln Way-East] (43)
4. Grayslake Central (39)
5. Downers Grove North (30)
6. Chicago Whitney Young (29)
8. Naperville [Neuqua Valley] (22)
10. Evanston (20)
The narrative: So here we are, the showdown! After the sectional round who emerges at the top, Naperville North does by a slim margin. The Huskies as they have done for so many years flexed their distance muscle to the rest of the competition. Add in some non-distance entries in Madeline Andelbradt (High Jump/300H), Maeve Conneely, and sprinkle in some sprint relays the Huskies become a tough out.
The defending team champions in Homewood-Flossmoor had to wait two years for a shot to defend their title. Overall, they are not an experienced state team, except for title team holdover Alex Edison (100, 200, 400m, 4x1). What does that mean though as they will look to serve youth and inexperience to the rest of the classification? The new crew is led by one of the nation's top Sophomores in Ana-Liese Torian (100H, 100m, 4x1, 200m), if she is on her game the Vikings may be on their way to major hardware. We will find out early in the meet if that's the case. The Flossmoor relays have also risen to the occasion late in the season, we'll see if they keep the momentum rolling.
Lincoln-Way East has been at or near the top for some time now, them being a trophy threat is real, but they want the top spot. Mariam Azeez (100, 200, LJ, 4x1) will need to be special like she has been for most of the season for the Griffins. Katie Sciarini, who persevered through sectionals, will look to come up big as well as the secret weapons they have on the pole vault runways (Ali Van Dyke & Kailey Bell).
Death, taxes, and 20 pts from Julia Reglewski appear to be the only guarantees in life. Grayslake Central will be off to an early lead after the throws are completed barring some unforeseen circumstances. Mia Morello and Bella Domier must come up big to help the Rams case.