The 2A boys' state championship was exciting, as Dylon Nalley's quest to break 14:00 was the star of the show.
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We have finally reached the pinnacle of 2A Boys cross country. We blast off with the final ten teams- dig deep into who the runners are and what their coaches have to say about their forecasts!
10. Washington
Head Coach: Katie Petravick
Last year's finish: State Championship- 12th place
Key returners: Ben Gorsage (So), Fisher Rinkenberger (Sr), Charlie Borlin (Sr), Jacob Hall (Sr), Seth Larsen (Jr)
Outlook: It sounds like it is top 10 or bust for the 2024 cross-country season, according to head coach Katie Petravick. "My hope is [that we] place in the top 10 at state." Additionally, several runners could make the top seven. Time will tell, but one sure shot is top returner Ben Gorsage. He is perhaps one of the most hidden items in Illinois high school distance running. He narrowly missed earning all-state honors with a 29th place finish in 15:12. Here is the thing, though: there is no record of him competing in any distance races prior to high school, and during the 2024 track and field season, it was all sprint relays, hurdles, and the 400m. Oh, and the long jump. At the Detweiller at Dark Invite in July, he ran 15:20, signaling he is ready to tackle another great cross country season.
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Travis Shepherd/ Christine Zucker & Dan Jazo
Last year's finish: State Championship- 16th place
Key returners: Jackson Summy (Sr), Blake Salbilla (Sr), Brady Mock (Sr), Matthew Powley (Sr), Cooper Summy (So), Reese Mock (So), Aiden Hauca (So), Lawson Caruth (So)
Newcomers: Russell Thomas (Fr), Rheese Rieb (Fr)
Outlook: "We're excited for this season," said Coach Travis Shepherd. "We're coming off arguably our fastest season ever, culminating in a top 20 finish at State." It could be a feast or famine for the Eagles, the main characters of which are seniors and sophomores. That means it could be a clash of consistency between the vets and youngsters if things get tight in the locker room. In all seriousness, this unit is locked regarding their goals and assignments. "We have a great mix of veterans and youngsters that will allow us to compete in the present and build for the future," adds Shepherd. "We're fortunate that the young guys can learn from the vets and develop throughout the season."
The team's top returner, Jackson Summy, took 62nd at the state meet. Coach Travis believes he has what it takes to be someone to watch on the state level. The rest of the scorers would be well to do to stay within a minute of him on his best days. If so, the Eagles' dividends will pay off well in November. "Overall, we have a lot of talent and crucial depth. What we will become over the next few months is yet to be determined, but the sky is truly the limit for this group," said Shepherd one last time.
Head Coach: Andrew Walmer
Last year's finish: Jacksonville Sectional- 12th place
Key returners: Augustus Gaudio (Jr), Henry McMurry (Jr), Lukas Nykaza (Sr), Kaleb Kasper
(Sr), Zach Wilcoski (Sr), Corban McMinn (Jr), Jack Van Hoorn (So), Gavin Fan (Sr)
Newcomers: Tate Bode (So), Liam Burwell (Fr), Tayten Gergen (Fr), Adam Smigielski (Fr)
Outlook: According to coach Andrew Walmer, the drought of returning to the state championship appears to be over. "The team has been working hard the past two years to put
themselves in a position to make it to the state meet," he states. "With a solid summer of training and some
tough new runners in the mix, the guys are ready to have fun and give their best this
season."
Five of the top seven runners return led by top performer Auggy Gaudio, who placed 85th at the state meet. He made big waves during the track and field season, clocking 4:24. His teammates Henry McMurry and Lukas Nykaza have the potential to join him in the low 15:00s this season. Kaleb Kasper improved mightily from a 17:00 three miler in cross country to running under 10:00 in the 3200m on the track and advancing to the state meet. That experience will pay off this fall. The final puzzle piece will be the fifth man, and Zach Wilcoski could fill the void. He ran 10:15 on the track, which translates well for cross country.
Head Coach/coaches: Andrew Lifka/Christian Surtz,
Kelly Bennett,
Ryan Lifka
Last year's finish: State Championship- 8th place
Key returners:
John Daffenberg (Sr),
Matthew Sullivan (Sr), Michael Whitacre (Jr),
Joseph Dorando (Jr),
Jonah Sartain (Jr),
Samuel Rowe (Jr)
Newcomers:
Flynn Bennett (Fr), Caleb Brochtrup (Fr), Anthony Dorando (Fr)
Outlook: Coach Andrew Lifka has a message to send regarding his program. "The theme of this season is '"BECOME," drawing from our team's faith-based mission: "Glorify God by doing the best you can each day to become the best version of yourself."
"Last year's team decided who they wanted to be, what the culture of our team should be, and what they wanted to achieve as a team," asserts Lifka. "This year is the sequel to those decisions made by the 2023 team. These Cadets want to BECOME an even better version of who they were last year as runners, leaders, and ultimately, men of faith. That is the ultimate goal of the season."
A considerable number of the team members have graduated, and despite that, the mission to succeed remains strong. Matthew Sullivan (15:14), Michael Whitacre (15:39), Joseph Dorando (16:10), and Sam Rowe (16:53) all ran big PRs at July's Detweiller at Dark, giving glimpses of the top seven's early season summer fitness. "Matthew Sullivan has been the rock of leadership, leading the charge for this new group," said Lifka. "He is a great example of a senior leader, a four-year program runner, and a model of faith, leadership, and character for his teammates."
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Chad Clarey/Clayton Brundige
Last year's finish: State Championship- 4th place
Key returners: Evan Nosek (Sr),
Evan Whildin (Jr), Zachary Murdock (Sr), Liam Lentz (Sr), Joseph Schuch (So)
Newcomers: Carson Kaiser (Fr.), Nolan Reutimann (So.), Nathan Kowalczyk (So.), Sahel Torres (So.),
Gianni Middona (Fr.)
Outlook: Can the Knights get back to the top of the podium like they did in 2022? Time will tell, but Coach Chad Clarey feels good as the season is on the brink. "We had a terrific summer's worth of work," he drops an assessment. "Our roster will stand at
about 24 runners deep. The team is eager to put that summer training into official practices and
real races. We have a nice blend of upperclassmen leadership and ability coupled with
underclassmen striving to match their intensity. We will grow this fall and hope to stay healthy throughout."
After finishing ninth in the 3A 3200m last spring, three-time all-stater Evan Nosek is poised to drop something serious this fall. If all goes well for the ultimate low-stick for his team, Kaneland is ready for whatever falls into their laps. Add in team members Evan Whildin, Zach Murdock, Liam Lentz, and Joe Schuch return with quality state meet experience.
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Chris Korabik/Heraldo Morrison, David Cooke, Tony Sacco,
Aaron Harris
Last year's finish: State Championship- 6th place
Key returners:
Nicholas Lopez (Sr), Hugh Lynch (Sr), Manny Alvarez (Sr), Zach Tan (Jr), Ethan Petrillo (Jr), Brendan Houlihan (So)
Newcomers:
Connor Birkett (Fr)
Outlook: Despite finishing a respectable sixth place at the state meet last year, the Wolfpack, on paper, was a better team. They graduate top 10 finisher Matt Conroy, and his replacement may be impossible. But enter new head coach and standout alum Chris Korabik to restore order which was held by former long-time coach Ed Ernst. The first move was to ensure returning members returned to quality off-season training. "All of our returners had good summers, and we're more motivated than ever, " Korabik said. "All of our top guys are looking strong in the early workouts. Manny Alvarez, particularly, looks very impressive, as does everyone else I've named."
Last year, Hugh Lynch and Nicholas Lopez were two performers under 16:00. Could more join them this fall? "I wouldn't be surprised to have seven under 16:00 this season," says a steadfast Korabik. "We are
going to be a hard team to beat."
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Mike Garber/Lindsay Cook, Grant Kaiser
Last year's finish: Jacksonville Sectional- 11th place
Key returners: Van Schneider (Jr), Carter Simmons (Sr), Will Patzia (Jr), Brady Moser (Jr), Mason Daley (Sr), Sam Snider (So), Logan Reible (Sr), Gabe Iwanicki (Jr), Evan House (Jr)
Newcomers: Adam Galvan, Ari Anderson, Gage Atkinson, Hudson Schneider
Outlook: 2024 could see another team (Mahomet-Seymour was the first) be one of the best turnarounds for a team in the state regardless of classification. Six of the top seven harriers return, led by Van Schneider, who had already run 15:08 (Detweiller at Dark). The supporting cast is already better than last year, with Brady Moser and Carter Simmons, who are already touching sub-16:00.
"This team is out to prove something, not to anyone outside of the team, but to themselves," said Coach Mike Garber. "After
missing out on the state meet last season, they worked their tails off in track season and have
been logging some serious miles over the summer." In other words, the Titans will be a team ready to pop something off based on the wealth of talent that is back to prove themselves to everyone in their paths.
3. Dixon
Head Coach: Simon Thorpe
Last year's finish: State Championship- 19th place
Key returners: Aaron Conderman (Sr), Averick Wiseman (So), Dean Geiger (So), Keegan Shirley (Jr), Westin Conatser (Jr), Noah Terviel (Jr), Hayden Fulton (Sr)
Newcomers: Lee Higley (Fr)
Outlook: The Dukes are going to be very good this season. So good that coach Simon Thorpe has not definitively put a number on it. "We have been focusing on the day-to-day processes, emphasizing our long-term goals," he says. "The boys have turned a page in their athletic mindset, their summer training has been very consistent, and their lactate threshold runs have grown incredibly fulfilling. Our result at Detweiler at Dark indicates that we will have our top five all under 16 minutes, which is something Dixon has never seen before." That result was compelling: A five-man spread was 28 seconds from 15:35 to 16:03. Four of those five led by Aaron Conderman were 15:55 or better. Now, that's scary!
2. Morton
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Joseph Zeller/ Tristan Sturhahn, Kat Kearns
Last year's finish: State Championship- 5th place
Key returners: Christian Harris (Sr), Boston Beyer (Sr), Phillip Canopy (Sr), Keyston Beyer (So), Noah Harris (So), Max Carter (So), Paul Yontz (Sr)
Newcomers: Abe Martin (Fr), Isaiah Hartter (Fr), Ben Roth (Fr)
Outlook: A new Potter era has ended, in which they won one trophy and placed in the top five in two other years. Coach Joe Zeller ushers in another regime led by freshman phenom Abe Martin. Martin set all kinds of IESA and middle school records. At the Detweiller at Dark, he clocked 15:56 in his first unofficial race. Boston Beyer was the other runner under 16:00, and Max Carter had improved prior to the start of the season. "The boys are coming off of a strong track season in which we had 15 boys under 5:00 in the 1600m," said Zeller. "This will be a transition year after losing a strong senior group, but the boys don't anticipate taking any steps back."