The final verdict is here. Check out last year's state championship highlight reel
10. Herscher
Coaches: Rob Grosso (Head Coach), Peggy Heck
2024 Finish: State Championship- 23rd place
Key Returners: Kelly O'Connor (Sr), Sophie Venckauskas (Sr), Laylah Kent (So), Lilly Tucek (Jr), Gianna High (Jr), Fay Houberg (Sr)
Analysis: The Tigers are poised to make a run at a top 10 finish this season. After finishing 2nd at sectionals last year and 23rd at state, they return a great group of girls led by Kelly O'Connor. They have experience up front with O'Connor, hoping to secure a spot in an all-state position. After that, their pack should be strong and have a friendly group, with a time under 20 minutes and into the low to mid 19's by the end of the season.
The Tigers' summer training has gone well, and some of their younger girls are in a great spot. It will be interesting to see how this team develops, but with O'Connor providing a solid foundation for this squad, they have the potential to finish in the top 10.
9. Cambridge
Head Coach: Alan Steider
2024 Finish: State Championship- 13th place
Key Returners: Emily Downing (Sr), Jana Vande Kemp (Jr), Avery Humphrey (So), Hannah Ames (So), Addie Jewett (Sr), Ella Nimrick (Jr), Courtney Thomas (Sr)
Analysis: Much like St. Anthony, Cambridge will rely on two great athletes up front. Emily Downing and Jana Vande Kemp are both top 10 threats. If the Spartans' 3-4 runners improve and they can find a solid 5th runner, this team could finish higher than their ranking at the end of the season. With the firepower up front, there is the potential to be a top 10 performer. How will their pack look come November? That is the question they will need to answer. Look for Addie Jewett to improve quite a bit and hopefully close the gap on the rest of their pack.
Head Coach: Art Geen
2024 Finish: State Championship- 16th place
Key Returners: Isabella Keller (Jr), Aubrey Denning (Jr), Emeline Wines (Jr), Nancy Ruholl (Sr), Leah Delrossi (So)
Analysis: With two athletes in Keller and Denning with the potential to score under five points, the Bulldogs should be in the mix for a top 10 finish. Keller is positioned to win another title, especially after a limited but outstanding outdoor track season.
To try to win the title that she missed out on last year, but if healthy, she is one of the clear favorites. Denning will only improve training with Keller. They could have a shot at finishing in the top five overall. If Emeline Wines improves to a low 19, high 18-minute performer, watch out for this team. They will look to hopefully add some freshmen to the mix to tighten up their pack, but with those two up front, this team should finish high in November.
7. Eureka
Head Coach: Olivia Morris
2024 Finish: State Championship- 9th place
Key Returners: Reagan Gerber (Sr), Ava Otto (Jr), Sierra Herrmann (Jr), Sophia Watson (Jr), Brenna Metzger (Sr), Adeline Hubert (Sr), Molly Gerber (Jr).
Analysis: Reagan Gerber returns to lead the Eureka squad that could be in the mix for a top five finish in November. If they can get their 2-3-4 runners right around the 19-minute mark or under, this team can finish in the top five. They usually add some strong freshmen each season, so we will see how those athletes enter the fold as the season progresses. The Hornets will be strong on both the girls' and boys' sides this year, which should fuel some in-house bragging rights that could fuel this team to higher finishes throughout the season. They are a team to watch for sure!
6. Elmwood
Head Coach: Kyle Anderson
2024 Finish: State Championship- 10th place
Key Returners: Bristol Schmidgall (So), Mya Hill (So), Riley Kelly (So), Taylor Forney (Jr), Addy Turner (Sr), Laura Bertsch (So), Callie Wight (Jr)
Newcomers: Natalie Babcock, Mady Ori, Charley Walker, Kolbe Shadley
Analysis: After coming on strong at the end of the season and ending up in 10th place at state, the Tigers are poised to move up the ranks this year and battle for a top-five finish. The pack should be led by Schmidgall and Hill, who both have run under 19 minutes. The key for this team will be getting their 3-4-5 runners under 19:30. If they can achieve that, they will have a great shot at a top-5 finish. Their summer training has been very solid, according to Coach Anderson, and depending on where their freshmen and returner Natalie Babcock fit into the mix, this team could push for a trophy
Head Coach: Hayley Chladny
2024 Finish: State Champions
Key Returners: Joelle Wilson (Jr), Brooklyn Turley (So), Kaylea Hollinshead (Jr), Alaina Woolsey (Jr), Maddie Overmeyer (So), Ella Knoles (Jr), Taylor Bressan (Sr)
Analysis: With a new head coach taking the helm, the defending state champions will be strong once again this season. Joelle Wilson should be in the mix for a top ten finish, and with that low stick in their lineup, they will be competing for a trophy. The key for this group will be finding solid 4th and 5th runners. If they can find or develop two runners to be close to Kaylea Hollinshead, who has a wealth of experience, they could bring home another trophy to Williamsville. This team has the experience of winning last year and the fire to prove they can do it again.
Head Coach: Rob Havens
Asst. Coach: Joe Higginson
2024 Finish: State Championship- 11th place
Key Returners: Alaina Hawker (Sr), Caroline Willenborg (Sr), Madalyn Hegele (So), Alli Van Veldhuizen (Jr), Jazmyne Albers, Peyton Howell (Sr)
Newcomers: Fiona Hilton, Finley Ewald, Josie Spann, Madeline Welch
Analysis: After one of the best track seasons in school history, the Cardinals will be looking to push for a trophy this fall. With Alaina Hawker leading them as a solid front-runner, the key for this team will be how closely their pack can follow her. Caroline Willenborg should lead the pack. The senior has been a solid contributor on this team for the last few years and will look to step into the #2 role.
The Cardinals have a solid group of seven freshmen who will look to find roles on this team, with the hope of leading to a very successful season. This is a team with strong senior leadership, as evidenced by their summer training, which the seniors led. Their numbers have been solid, and they have been working on building their base to prepare for the season ahead. Look for the Cardinals to compete for the Sangamo Conference Title against rival Williamsville. How they perform against Williamsville throughout the season will show the potential of a podium finish.
3. Winnebago
Coaches: Joe and Janet Erb, Jeremy Stevens
2024 Finish: State Championship- 7th place
Key Returners: Molly Webb (So), Morgan Capriola (Sr), Svea Glidden (Jr), Ella Carlson (Jr), Ashlynn Robinson (So), Audra Mecum (Jr)
Newcomers: Avery Dimke, Emma Ward
Analysis: Winnebago is strong once again this year, coming off another top 10 finish at state. Their pack is solid and led by Molly Webb. If she can develop into a top-20 athlete, the rest of the team should follow suit. The Indians are starting the season as podium contenders and could develop into a state championship squad as the season progresses. Time will tell. If their pack can improve scoring split to under 50 seconds, they will be battling for the big trophy in November.
Head Coach: Michael Melick
2024 Finish: State Championship- 4th place
Key Returners: Caroline Wettstein (Sr), Verity Nowark (So), Sophie Hinthorne (Sr), Kiley Knapp (Jr), Haven Miller (Jr), Madyson Harms (Jr), Mylie Ehrhardt (sr)
Analysis: The Titans will look to fight for a state title this season and start near the pole position. Led by Caroline Wettstein, Verity Nowark, Sophie Hinthorne, Kiley Knapp, and Haven Miller, they have a very strong top five with three-mile personal bests separated by only 40 seconds, 1-5.
The Titans should have at least two all-state athletes, and depending on how they develop throughout the season, could have more. This team can genuinely challenge for the top spot on the podium, and they are loaded. I predict it could be a toss-up between them and Anna-Jonesboro throughout the season as to who is ranked number one. It will only matter in November at Detweiller, of course, but it could be fun watching these two powerhouse squads perform throughout the season.