2025 promises to be another outstanding cross country season. This photo is from the 2024 FTTF Invitational
Coaches: Jason Retz/Lindsey Ideus-Ehler, Stephanie Farney, Jim Acklin
2024 Finish: State Championship- 12th place
Key Returners: Grace Bressner (So), Tessa Walker (So), Abigail Bello (Jr), Sydney Steinbach (Sr), Kiah Riessl (Jr)
Analysis: This year, the Spartan girls' team has one goal: to bring out the best version of each other. It was clear in Coach Retz's responses that the team is focusing on their culture 1st and foremost, and results will follow.
Grace Bressner has stepped into the number one role and will look to be a great low stick for the team. Behind her, nine other girls can be interchangeable throughout the season to help bring out the best in each other and develop this team. A top-20 finish is within reach for this group, and according to Coach Retz, summer training has been going well, with plenty of smiles and high-fives at practice. The environment they are building will determine the success of this team, and so far, it has been great!
19. Sandwich
Head Coach: Liz Vick
2024 Finish: 2A Metamora Sectional- 10th place
Key Returners: Sundara Weber (Sr), Karlee Henkins (Sr), Kayla Kressin (Jr), Emily Urbanski (Sr), Karlie Hardekopf (So)
Analysis: Sunny Weber makes her debut in the 1A ranks as the 2A state champ, adding to an already top-heavy individual race with Kate Foltz and Isabella Keller. Her team has a chance to join her at the state meet for the first time. The Lady Indians return four runners under 21:30. For this team to move to the state meet as a group, the pack needs to get under 21:00. With single-digit points upfront, this team should qualify for state. How high they can finish will all depend on the pack behind Weber.
18. Fairfield
Head Coach: Justin Sanders
2024 Finish: State Championship- 28th place
Key Returners: Adi Hickey (Sr), Emeri Sager (So), Remington Taylor (Jr), Brianna Meeks (So), Ellanie Vanway (Jr)
Analysis: Fairfield looks to return to the state meet after finishing 28th last season. They lost some significant firepower, but return a strong group this season. Adi Hickey and Emerie Sager lead a squad with five returners under 21 minutes. How their pack improves throughout the season will determine how good this squad can be. If they qualify for state, their pack will need to start around 19:00 and get their top 5 under 20:15 to have a shot at a top 20 finish.
17. Marshall
Head Coach: Ryan Arthur
2024 Finish: Toledo (Cumberland) Sectional- 8th place
Key Returners: Molly Farrell (Sr), Madeline Fox (Jr), Myah Boyd (Jr), Caroline Crumrin (So), Addie Nave (So)
Analysis: The Lady Lions just missed a state berth as a team last year. Led by super standout Molly Farrell and co-pilot Madeline Fox, both with top 10 potential, this is a team that has the low sticks needed to move up the ranks this year. They will need all their 3-4-5 runners to be under 21 minutes to make this a reality and give this team a shot at qualifying for state. If they can get out of the sectional, with the two low sticks up front, this is a top 20 team if they qualify.
16. Byron
Coaches: Mike McHale and Josh Helms
2024 Finish: State Championship- 27th place
Key Returners: Ashley Potter (Jr), Elinor McHale (Jr), Grace Burnes (So), Gabby Northrup (Sr), Emma Franchi (Jr), Addison Helms (So), and Alayna Swanson (Jr)
Newcomers: Gracyn Smith
Analysis: The Tigers look to return to the promised land and be among the upper half of the best in the classification. Based on their returning athletes, a top 15 finish is a real possibility. If Ashley Potter can make a jump and become a true frontrunner for this team, they will have a real shot at those goals. Behind her, they will have a strong pack with many girls putting in some solid miles this summer. The Big Northern Conference meet will show how much they have improved this season, going up against the likes of Dixon and Winnebago. Look for this team to improve throughout the season as their pack continues to develop.
15. Monticello
Head Coach: Matt Miller
2024 Finish: Toledo (Cumberland) Sectional- 7th place
Key Returners: Macie Owen (So), Taylor Mabry (Jr), Olivia Gerdes (Sr), Madison Morrow (Jr), Annie Robinson (Jr), Caitlynn Sanders (So)
Newcomers: Lillian Lukk, Sophi Burkybile, McKenzie Koster
Analysis: The Sages just missed a state berth a year ago last season out of a difficult sectional, but should have the firepower this season to have a shot at a top 15 when the dust settles.
Macie Owen and Taylor Mabry aim to lead the team after a successful summer, during which they have been working extremely hard. Coach Miller expects them to make a jump and have breakout seasons. Their pack will be built with their returners and three new additions to the roster, all of whom could have an impact on their top seven.
How they compete against Tolono Unity in the conference meet will serve as a good measure of their progress. They have a legitimate shot at making it to Detweiller and having a great season. Coach Miller, in his first season as head coach, has challenged his team to exceed expectations, and he is confident that they will do so.
Coaches: Colten Strotheide, Jodi Venhaus, Dave Venhaus
2024 Finish: State Championship- 29th place
Key Returners: Emma Diekemper (Sr), Finley Haag (Jr), Reagan Napovanice (Sr), Reid Emig (Sr), Ashtyn Wheeler (Sr)
Newcomers: Camryn Wheeler, Katelyn Huelsmann, Alexis Eversgerd (So)
Analysis: After losing their ace last year to injury, the goals for this squad are to make a return to the state meet and hopefully compete with a healthy team. The belief is that they have a lot more depth than last year and will be able to drop their pack time as the season progresses.
Emma Diekemper is the top returner and should be joined by Finley Haag, Reagan Napovanice, and Reid Emig. These three all ran the 4x800 relay team that qualified for state, and that experience should buoy their confidence. Camryn Wheeler and Kayelyn Huelsmann are expected to step right into a contributing role on this team and hopefully help them push for a top-10 finish. With depth and a good summer of training so far, this team could surprise some people if their pack develops and keeps their spread under 60 seconds from Diekemper.
13. Delavan
Head Coach: Suzanne Lafary
2024 Finish: Stanford (Olympia) Regional- 10th place
Key Returners: Annabelle LaFary (Sr), Elyse Brinkmeyer (So), Drew Robison (Sr), Alaina Karker, Olivia Nehmelman (Jr), Khloe Stockham (Jr)
Analysis: With Annabelle LaFary leading the pack and in position for a top 25 finish, the Lady Panthers will be in the mix for a top 15 finish if they can make it out of the historically tough Elmwood Sectional. Their pack behind LaFary is tight, with Brinkmeyer leading the charge. The improvement of Nehmelman and Stockham, who had a great race at Detweiller at Dark, will be the key to success for this team. If she can close the gap on the rest of the pack, watch out for these girls. They will be a fun squad to follow as the season progresses.
Head Coach: Kyle Hummel
2024 Finish: Toledo Sectional- 9th place
Key Returners: Clara Knutson (So), Shriya Nagaraj (Sr), Cadence Scheunemann (Jr), Ella Ylagan (Sr), Julia Smith (Sr)
Analysis: The Illineks could be one of the most improved teams in the Land of Lincoln. Keep in mind the ninth place in arguably the toughest sectional in the state last year.
The thing that could hurt this squad is their lack of a true front-runner. Clara Knutson and Shriya Nagaraj should lead this team, and their development this season will be the key to how well they finish the season. If they can close their pack down a bit, we should see them at the state championship. Their sectional is so tough that they will be a top 15 team if they qualify for state. Look for this squad to turn some heads early in the season.
11. Shelbyville
Head Coach: Levi Pruemer
2024 Finish: State Championship- 8th place
Key Returners: Tessa Bowers (Sr), Laynie Lockart (Jr), Sara Tynan (Sr), Kinley Hardy (So), Aylah Logan (Sr)
Analysis: Tessa Bowers has entered the conversation of competing for the state title. She had a great season last year and is ready to lead the Rams. This is a bunch that has some significant momentum following a stellar track season. Laynie Lockart should lead their pack. If she can pull the pack together and they can stay within two minutes of Lockart, they should be competing for a top-10 finish at state. With Bowers up front, this squad has the power to return to the state meet and fight for an excellent finish.