Anna-Jonesboro surprised the classification a year ago with a runner up finish at the state championship (Mike Woolery photo).
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Three-time defending champion Tolono (Unity) could have their hands full this season as the former upstart Anna-Jonesboro is slated as the pre-season #1 team.
The Wildcat's best shot at toppling Unity for the crown involves Gerardi with an outstanding sophomore season, but it doesn't end there. Anna-Jonesboro's depth projects are to be uncontested among 1A, with as many as nine returners already under 20 minutes for three miles, each within range of the 19:00 mark. However, runners close to 18 will be the key for A-J, and the best bets for that time marker are Aleah Box and Liz Hammer. Box, in particular, solidified herself as the consistent #2 and was the team's best over 3200 meters in the spring at 11:31.
Every one of the finishers from the Wildcat's runner-up position at state returns, with the above runners as well as Zoe and Reese Jones, Maggie Gooden, and Kinley Leek. Kenzie Miller and Reagan Jones are in the mix as well.
Unity arrived a year early, defeating Winnebago in a shocker in 2021. Although an Anna-Jonesboro win in 2024 would not be quite as surprising, can they still follow suit by challenging Unity in their own title window?