Boys-
The overall value of what is to come should not be underestimated. A good percentage of the teams will be able to take this experience and apply where they need to as the post-season is on the horizon. Four top ten teams will see one another at the Hinsdale Central Sectional at the end of the month.
In order to get the best value of a strong meet is of course have your #1 runner get home as soon as possible. But having the scoring pack in a position that they know they can be successful is of utmost importance. Look for Hinsdale Central to outpace their conference foe Lyons Township for a possible title. But Neuqua Valley is the defending champion and has won this meet numerous times. Daniel Watcke (Jr., Hinsdale Central) could land himself as the individual winner as he had as a freshman. Watcke is itching to rebound after a rough performance at the Palatine Invite. He is a team player and the Red Devils are strong from 2-5.
The pack-heavy Waubonsie Valley team is a team to watch out for. Look for the Warriors to muscle their way into the top three. Downers Grove North is also a very strong team.
Thomas Shilgalis (Naperville Central) stunned us all in 2017 when he set the meet record of 14:27. That could be in jeopardy as one of the best-assembled fields has been deployed. At large entrant Drew Rogers (Sr., Herscher) is here for one purpose and that is to go after the #1 spot in the state. Rogers is undefeated but there are some pundits who believe he is not the king of Illinois cross country. Quietly, he yearns to bring his name to the top of the fray. Along with Watcke, watch for Oliver Burns (Jr., Plainfield North), Tim Neumann (Sr., Downers Grove North), Roy Llewellyn (Sr., Downers Grove North), Charlie Mclawhorn (Lyons Twp), Hunter Whitney (Jr., Chicago Lane Tech), and several others to really assert themselves.