In last year's top meet of the year, the Shazam Championship filled in admirably for the state meet. Here, it was flight four at Three Sister's Park that got the most out of the classification's best runners
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10. El Paso-Gridley
Head Coach/Assistant Coaches: Michael Melick / Jacob Ludy, Katie Ludy
Last year's finish: Shazam Championship- 14th place
Key Returners: Noah Ludy (Sr.), Sam Bushert (Jr.), Asa Smith (Sr.), Dean Witzig (So.), Lukas Holderby (So.), Reed Newcomb (So.), Joe Kerner (Sr.)
New Additions: Pierson Romersberger
Carson's outlook: The Titans have had a great stretch of teams over the past couple of years, this team looks to continue that legacy. A very inexperienced team, they will have to rely on their "big three" of Asa Smith, Noah Ludy, and Sam Bushert. Smith will be key for this squad this season as he is returning to the team after not competing in the last xc season. How will he fare this season? Dean Witzig had a good track season and will look to be the team's 4th runner, but he and whoever their 5th runner will need to step up if they wish to stay ranked in the top 10.
Head Coach/Assistant Coaches: Brad Neisen / Paul Sheppard
Last year's finish: Shazam Championship- 11th place
Key Returners: Miles Sheppard (Sr.), Noah Stout (Sr.), Quentin Althar (So.), Dominick Quinlan (So.), Nick Dupont (So.), Gabe Miller (Sr.)
-Coach Neisen feels that he has one of the best duos in the state with Sheppard and Stout. "Sheppard will look to compete for a state championship [while] Stout has the potential to place in the top 15," he said. Adding: "Quentin Althar might be the big surprise of the team and could battle for the top 50 at state."
As with all teams, finding two runners at the end of the scoring will be a task. Perhaps, it will be Miller, Quinlan, and Dupont to step up. They have the potential to run in the high 16:00s. Coach Neisen believes his team can win a trophy if things go well this season.
Head Coach/Assistant Coaches: Chris Felinski/Daniel Ball, Neal Roys, Bella Sezonov
Last Year's Finish: 15th at 1A ShaZam XC Championships
Key Returners: Sheldon Powell (Sr), Daniel Kersey (Sr), Christian Ruch (Sr), Westen Myers (Sr), Joey Urban (So), Matthew Stoner (Sr.), Caleb Yun (Sr.)
-Coach Felinski's has a simple goal if all is well within the IHSA: qualify for the state championship.
Head Coach/Assistant Coaches: Steven Bland / Valerie Richter
Last Year's Finish: ShaZam XC Champions
Key Returners: Daniel Winkelman (Jr.), Carson Welsh (Sr.), David Peterson (Jr.), Cannon Lambert (Sr.), Sam Rozier (So.), JJ Gonnam (So.)
-There will be some notable graduation losses for last season's top team. But at the same time, new addition freshman Soren Gray could add depth should he make the scoring five. Daniel Winkelman may be a top-five performer this fall. His teammates Peterson, Rozier, Welsh, and Gonnan will be the key to success this fall.
Head Coach: Mitchell Baum
Last Year's Finish: 10th at 1A Harvest Christian Academy Sectional
Key Returners: James MacKittrell (Jr.), Charlie Richardson (Jr.), Ethan Castette (Sr.), Bran Malkowski (So.), WIlliam Beebe (Jr.), Davis Ruder (So.)
-The Rams were coming into this season with a good team already, but after a great track season and new transfer Declan Ochoa (Jr.), they have shot up the rankings preseason.
Led by their star runner James MacKittrell, he ran the 3200m under 10:00 and established himself as a possible sub 16:00 performer. Following him will be the duo of Charlie Richardson and Ochoa. Richardson is coming off a career track season where he went 1:59/4:36. How will that translate to the grass? Ochoa comes into the season as a transfer from Lincoln Park. He went 16:00 last season, how will he react under his new training plan? With Ethan Castette, William Beebe, and Bryan Malkowski all fighting for the 4th and 5th positions, this makes DePaul a very interesting team this season.
5. Shelbyville
Head Coach/Assistant Coaches: Chris Mosley / Ryan Brown
Last Year's Finish: 18th at 1A ShaZam XC Championships
Key Returners: Lucas Stokes (Sr.,), Calvin Miller (Jr.), Ty Zerrusen (Sr.,), Breyton Beck (Sr.,), Bo Hilbert (Jr.), Phoenix Firnhaber (Sr.), Luke Brewer (So.)
-Phoenix Firnhaber and Breyton Beck both competed last fall, both were in and out of the lineup with injuries and quarantine issues according to coach Mosley. They both should be major contributors this fall. Overall, this is a veteran squad with four seniors and the expectations are high.
Carson's Outlook: The Rams come in high atop the rankings after a great track season. Phoenix Firnhaber went 2:02/4:39/10:22 so expect him to be a frontrunner teammate Lucas Stokes- possible running in the low 16:00s. Breyton Beck ran 4:41 on the track season. Calvin Miller and Ty Zerrusen will look to pack up to solidify the 3-5 runners around 16:20-16:30.
4. Elmwood
Head Coach: Gregg Meyers
Last Year's Finish: 4th at 1A ShaZam Xc Championships
Key Returners: Thomas Harmon (Sr.), Isaiah Hill (So.), Brendan Williams (Jr.), Nick Feller (Sr.), LJ Higgs (So.), Jayden Brandt (Jr.)
New Additions: J Hampton (Fr.)
Carson's Outlook: The Trojans are excited about another strong season. Led by front runner Thomas Harmon who looks to be a top 15 runner in the classification coming into the season. Isaiah Hill had a breakout race at ShaZam last fall as he looks to break 16:00 this season. Brendan Williams will look to hang around the 16:30 mark as the team's number 3 runner, while J Hampton and Nick Feller will try and round out the top 5 as they attempt to break 17:00.
Head Coach/Assistant Coaches: Jason Retz / Terri Rein
Last Year's Finish: 7th at the 1A ShaZam XC Championships
Key Returners: Carson Maroon (So.), Charlie Mabry (Sr.), Elijah Mock (Sr.), Luke Stegall (Sr.), Spencer Wilson (So.,), Ethan Backburn (Jr.), Isaiah Mock (So.)
New Additions: We have a great mix of new athletes to the team. It will be exciting to see how they set themselves up for success.
Coach Retz's Outlook: If the group holds to the expectations they have set for their team and the program they have a great opportunity to find success.
Carson's Outlook: The Spartans once again return a very strong team that finds themselves near the top of our preseason rankings, led by the strong pairing of Carson Maroon and Charlie Mabry who both should be sub 16:00 this year. With Luke Stegall and Elijah Mock making up their 3 and 4 spots, they are set there. They will need someone to step up this year though and run with those two guys to solidify their 5th man.
Head Coach: Lyle Dorjahn
Last Year's Finish: ShaZam XC Championships Runner-up
Key Returners: Logan Beckmier (Jr.), Lyle Adcock (Jr.), Jacob Adcock (Jr.), Jace Green (Sr.), Jacob Duzan (Sr.), Connor Edmonds (Jr.),
New Additions: Steven Edwards (Sr.)
-Four of the top five starters are back for a team that's expected to contend for a state championship. Beckmier returns as Coach Dorjahn's top runner after he narrowly missed all-Shazam. The Adcock brothers have made significant improvements during the track season. Both cracked 10:30 for 3200m. "Lyle was a sectional medalist and a consistent #3 a year ago and Jacob was MileSplit IL #5 runner of the year in 2020 for 1A," stated Dorjahn. "Green won his section at Shazam to help propel ALAH to a 2nd place finish. Jacob Duzan, senior, our #7 last year is coming off a stress fracture from track season. When he rounds into form, he will contribute with his can-do/tough as nails attitude."
Dorjahn believes sophomore Jesus Corona will make an impact after a strong summer base. Connor Edmonds will try and fill the gap that his brother Reggie will leave. Reggie has decided to not run his senior campaign. Overall, this is a team that can match those in the classification 1-4. Getting a trophy in November will be very high on the priority list.