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Outlook:
There is no better testimony to the strength of the Normal University program than to say that even in a year hampered by injury, and at a state meet where they do not enter full strength, the Pioneers remain the team to beat. Normal U scored a minuscule 41 points at the Elmwood Sectional to win over Eureka, El-Paso Gridley, and host Elmwood.
As has been the case all year, a remarkable top four of Mitchell Hayes, Mason Hart, Landen Alcorn, and Brandt Henderson led the Pioneer charge. Improving rapidly is the 5-7, led at sectionals by frosh Sean Kaeb. A solid, strong race by Normal U to their median ability should be enough to take home the trophy.
It is impossible to ignore the performance that Riverdale gave at the Oregon Sectional, though. They scored even fewer points than Normal U did (33). Tommy Murray, Landis Musser, and Peyton Sand were three Rams in the top 5, frosh stud Braeden Bode finished all-sectional as well, and Mitchell Hasenour was about 25 seconds behind. The times were solid across Oregon's 5k course, and seem to scale closely to what Normal U. did. Sectionals represented by far Riverdale's best race of the year.
Then we have some of the city area teams out of Harvest Christian. DePaul ran their regional race like they were the class of 1A, but ended up 4th in a tight sectional race, behind Harvest Christian, Latin, and Northridge. This was a notable performance for host Harvest Christian, led by Daniel Winkelman, but watch for Latin who should get Jack Lyons back for state. . And what will Northridge show at state? The Knights, similarly to Harvest Christian, tend to take a back seat publicly during the season, and then show out at state.
Benton won their host sectional with a convincing 38-point victory over Pinckneyville. Benton has a shot at a trophy, especially if the back end of the pack continues to improve as it has over the last few weeks. St. Teresa was the last sectional champion, and their top three runners: Evan Cook, Caleb Kernaghan, and Martin Velchek provide stability as they look to get all five of their scorers in the top 60 if a trophy is in sight.
Finally, doesn't Rockford Christian always seem to get it together for the state meet? Their top two Weston Forward and Aidan Sosnowski are strong all-state caliber athletes. There is a widespread after these two but do not count this program out, ever.
Individual outlook-
Isaac Teel and Gavin Genisio gave a tasty preview for what we may be in store for at Detweiller this Saturday, after the two juniors went head-to-head at the Benton Sectional, with Genisio coming away winning in 13:47 over Teel's 13:54 for 2.92 miles. Both performances translate to very fast times at Detweiller, and who knows what Teel gave in that sectional race? Genisio is clearly the kicker of the two so it will be interesting to see if Teel tries to run it out of him.
These two are the cream of the crop in the title race, but a formidable chase pack will be led by Winkelman, Akili Parekh, Murray, Musser, Gabriel McLain, and Ethan Hogan. Hogan tops the 1A leaderboards with his Cahokia conference win but took fourth behind McLain at Benton.
There is a strong top Tuscola duo of Jackson Barrett and Josiah Hortin, both juniors, who finished 1-2 ahead of Logan Beckmier. In addition to all these, watch for Sam Bushert, Griffin Elder, Caleb Kernaghan, Mac Kittrell, Bryson Grant, Isaac Crumrine, Weston Forward, Aidan Sosnowski, Hart, Hayes, Landen Alcorn, Patrick Hilby, and Charlie Bardwell to comprise the pack vying for all-state.