As always, we begin our previews for the 2025 cross-country season in Illinois with the same classification that will open the state meet, 1A Girls. As many as 40 teams may share time in the top-25 rankings throughout the year, but as we enter the competitive season in the fall with only numbers on paper, here is where the teams fall in the pre-season.
Head Coach: Aaron Kortze
2024 Finish: Rock Island Alleman Sectional- 12th place
Key Returners: Abagail Baumann (Sr), Emma Moore (So), Jenna Baumann (So), Marie Pedersen (Jr), Tiana Koch (So)
Analysis: Abagail Baumann is back for her squad as they look to rebound from a 12th-place finish at sectionals last year. Baumann will be the strong front-runner in the position for an all-state selection.
The Lady Crusaders have a strong supporting cast, led by Emma Moore, and the development of a 3-4-5 pack is key to this team's success. The low stick of Baumann is giant for them if they qualify for the state meet. They need to get their pack closer together to have a shot.
Head Coach: Valerie Tepe
2024 Finish: Tenton Sectional- 7th place
Analysis: The Rockets just missed out on a trip to state last year. A great low stick in Tepe could be the key to success for the Okawville squad. They return a solid 2-3 runners in Wolf and Gogolek. This will rely on the improvement of Wood and finding a solid 5th runner to give them a shot at advancing to Peoria in November. The strength up front once again gives them a leg up on some unranked teams.
Head Coach: Stone Darrow
2024 Finish: Rock Island Alleman Sectional- 8th place
Key Returners: Ellison Heineke (Sr), Kyndre Delagrange (Jr), Chloe Oltman (So), Madison Hummel (So), Maggy Zimmerman (Jr)
Analysis: The Wildcats just missed out on state last year by finishing 8th at the sectional meet. Ellison Heineke and Kyndre Delagrange once again lead this team with the capability of advancing as a team to the state meet. The key for this team will be developing a strong 4th and 5th runner to support their strong leaders. This group can advance to Detweiler.
Head Coach: Joe Shannon
2024 Finish: State Championship- 21st place
Key Returners: McKenzie Jones (Jr), Bella Redenius (Jr), Ainsley Turkington (Jr), Miley Badgett (So), Arabella Sumnlers (So)
Analysis: The Griffins lost quite a bit of firepower after last year, but they return a group that is capable of returning to the state meet. McKenzie Jones should lead the pack for this group and is the only returner under 20 minutes. With a new coach and many athletes stepping into new roles, how this team develops throughout the season will be the determining factor in whether they can return to Detweiller in November.
Head Coach: Kevin Claus
2024 Finish: Rock Island Alleman Sectional- 10th place
Key Returners: Jillian Murray (Jr), Ava Gaulrapp (So), Grace Schmidt (Jr), Naomi Peschang (Jr), Kaylee Overton (So)
Analysis: If the ladies from Port Byron want to advance to the state meet, then their pack needs to close the gap on their top returner, Jillian Murray. Murray ran 20:17 for three miles last year and should be in a position to run well under 20 minutes this season. If the pack can stay within 1 min of her, they will have a shot to return to state.
Head Coach: Patrick Hodge
2024 Finish: Rock Island Alleman Sectional- 13th place
Key Returners: Ruby Acker (Jr), Payton Frueh (Jr), Alexandra Waca (Jr), Natalie Meyer (Jr), Avery Waca (Sr)
Analysis: Ruby Acker leads the Princeton squad this season, which is capable of returning to the state meet. Both Acker and Payton Frueh ran under 20 minutes last season.
If the Tigers want to improve on their sectional ranking, Alexandra Waca and Natalie Meyer need to get under 20 and 21 minutes, respectively. They also need to find a solid fifth runner, but if they do, the Tigers will have a chance to return to the state meet.
Head Coach: Ryan Bruns
2024 Finish: State Championship- 25th place
Key Returners: Kadence Bruno (So), Jessi Baggett (So), Madison Bruns (Sr), Madelyn Dill (Jr), Love Rojek (Jr)
Analysis: Another team with a shot at running at the state meet if their pack can continue to improve. If Kadence Bruno and Jessi Baggett can be consistent performers under 20 minutes, this team can make a run in the postseason that could culminate in a trip to state.
Head Coach: Joe Hughes
2024 Finish: State Championship-14th place
Analysis: Grace Gildea should be a state qualifier for this crew and will look to finish in the top 25. Hayden Calcagno and Chloe Brandt look to lead the pack behind her and give this team a chance to return to the state meet this season. If this team can find a fourth or fifth runner, they will be very solid.
Head Coach: Jacob Wooldridge
2024 Finish: Rushville Regional- 4th place
Key Returners: Alanna Sparks (Jr), Maggie Zimmerman (Sr), Addison Corum (Jr), Haven Anderson (Jr), Maggie Wankel (Sr)
Analysis: Alanna Sparks and Maggie Zimmerman return and give the Bluejays a strong 1-2 punch for this team. With those two up front, the ladies from Porta will be in the mix to qualify for state with the development of their 3-4-5 runners. Look for this team to be in the mix at the end of October during the postseason.
Head Coach: Drew Sterkel
2024 Finish: Toledo Cumberland Sectional- 16th place
Key Returners: Kate Foltz (Sr), Bella Dueker (Jr), Sami Walker (So), Hanna Carswell (Jr), Celeste Rebollo (Jr)
Analysis: Defending state champ Kate Foltz is back to defend her title. This year, I know she would like to bring her team along with her to the state meet. To do that, they will need to make some sizable improvements from last year's results. If they can develop a 2-3-4-5 pack all under 21 minutes, Tuscola will return to the state meet as a team. Foltz will be chasing a repeat state championship to close out her senior season. Can she take down the overall state record as well? The individual race is going to be dynamite!
Coaches: Cody Ellermeyer, Jeff Green, Leonard Tweedy, Andrea Letham
2024 Finish: State Championship-15th place
Newcomers: Naomi Staple, Josselin Mateo, Izzy Hanson
Analysis: This is a sleeper team this season in Class A. Harper Ellermeyer had a great track season and should lead this team with a goal to finish all-state. As a team, the Murphysboro ladies hope to win the conference title, regional title, and return to the state meet.
Depending on how the freshmen step in, this team's finish will be determined. With a solid 1-2 punch with Ellermeyer and Ava Stuemke, they will have the firepower up front to score low. How high they finish at the end of the season will be determined by how close the pack can be to Stuemke. Their summer training has been great so far, and their general strength approach appears to be paying dividends that they hope will pay off at the end of the season.
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25. Manteno
Head Coach: Troy Mitchell
2024 Finish: 2A Metamora Sectional- 11th place
Analysis: Klarke Goranson leads the Manteno crew with a realistic shot at a top-five individual finish at state. Lyla Nevel ran under 20 minutes last season and should provide a solid #2, giving this team a great shot at advancing to state. Moving down from the 2A ranks should benefit this team, and if they can find a solid 3-4-5, they will finish their season at Detweiller.
Head Coach: Emily Mills
2024 Finish: Cumberland (Toledo) Sectional- 12th place
Key Returners: Callie Richardson (Jr), Bracie Hird (Sr), Taylor Wells (So), Taylor Remole (Jr), Zoe Moudy (Sr)
Analysis: Callie Richardson leads the Oakwood squad on a quest to qualify for the state meet. Richardson has all-state potential. The rest of the team will need to improve their pack and their distance from Richardson. If they can get two or three girls under 20:30, look for this team to be making the trip to Detweiller.
Head Coach: Rachel Mirra
2024 Finish: Lisle Sectional- 8th place
Key Returners: Maddie Turner (So), Ella Potoshnick (Sr), Jen Carreon (Sr), Abbee Baker (So), Bella Hackert (Jr)
Analysis: The Trojans just missed out on the state meet last year by finishing 8th at their sectional meet. With Maddie Turner returning to lead this squad, they should be in the mix at qualifying for state this season. Their pack returns some solid pieces. If they can get their 1-5 spread down to 1 minute or under, this team should make it to Detweiller.
Head Coach: Kenneth Albin
2024 Finish: Elmwood Sectional- 12th place
Key Returners: Adelin Bruce (Sr), Gracie Van Hoof (So), Izzy Bruning (So), Amelia Masters (So), Addison Zwilling (Jr)
Newcomers: Hannah Rodgers
Analysis: Adelin Bruce should lead the Lady Vikings and be pushing to finish in the top 20 at State. Gracie Van Hoof had a solid season last year, dipping under 19 minutes. If she continues to improve, they could have a solid 1-2. The development of their 3-4-5 runners will determine how this squad ends up. Look for newcomer Hannah Rodgers to slot into the top five and give them a boost. The Lady Vikings have a shot at advancing to the state meet, thanks to the low stick potential of Bruce and another solid season from Van Hoof.
Head Coach: Robert Rennick
2024 Finish: State Championship- 19th place
Newcomers: Norah Rorem
Analysis: The ladies from Stark County start the season about where they left off last year, ranked in the top 20. Dusti Smith and Cheyenh Smith lead this squad, and both should be in a position to finish in the top 25 at state. How freshman Norah Rorem fits into the mix will determine how high these girls can place. Her addition to the squad gives them top-15 potential and a strong top-three chance if she can adapt to the three-mile distance. The Lady Rebels should have the firepower to qualify for state again.