Head Coach: Grant Iles
2024 Finish: Rock Island Alleman Sectional- 7th place
Key Returners: Alex Belha (Jr), Luke Anderson (Sr), David Browning (Sr), Braiden Krahl (Jr), Mason Schnell (So), Brayve Wakeland (Jr)
Newcomers: Payton Summers (Jr), Hunter Shemek
Analysis: Returning all seven runners from a team that narrowly missed the state meet will give the Tigers an excellent opportunity to qualify for the state meet. They added a transfer from Tennessee in Payton Summers that could have an immediate impact on their top seven. According to Coach Iles, the training checkpoints they have had so far indicate considerable improvement from last season. If that is the case, this team has a legitimate shot to end up at Detweiller in November. Alex Belha had a great track season and should lead this team. They need to pack tightly within 75 seconds of Belha to have a shot at qualifying as a team.
Head Coach: Levi Pruemer
2024 Finish: Toledo (Cumberland) Sectional- 12th place
Key Returners: Henry Woolery (Jr), Ryne Peavler (Sr), Ayson Fisher (Sr), Silas Hicks (Jr), Jake Palmer (Jr), Warren Weekly (Jr), Jonah Bowers
Analysis: The Rams return a unit capable of doing some damage this season. It will start with another Woolery (sister and cousins earning all-star accolades over the years), Henry Woolery, who is next up to lead his team along with Ryne Peavler. Both have run under 16:30 and will look to approach the sub-16:00 barrier this season. The key for this team qualifying for the state meet will be how well they develop a 3-4-5 pack. If they can get that group around or under 17:00, then they will have a legitimate shot.
Head Coach: Sam Ingram
2024 Finish: Elmwood Sectional- 9th place
Key Returners: Noah Burrell (Jr), Andrew Sauder (Sr), Orion Mahannah (Sr), Lucas Whalen (Sr), Ty Brownlee (So), Lincoln Rassi (Sr), Samuel Awbrey (So)
Analysis: The Chiefs return five runners under 18:00. Leading the way is Noah Burrell, who should dip under the 16:00 barrier this season. Andrew Sauder is the other returner with sub-17:00 credentials for this squad. If they can find a 5th runner to close the gap on their 3-4 runners, this team will be in the mix to be on the start line at Detweiller in November.
Head Coach: Clint Lorton
2024 Finish: Toledo (Cumberland) Sectional- 10th place
Key Returners: August Cosart (Sr), Griffin Vaughn (Jr), Deacon Sutter (Jr), Porter Lilly (Jr), Hayden Sarver (Jr), Kaiden Garrido (So), Charlie Witteborg (So)
Analysis: Another team looking to have a good season that returns from the tough Toledo Sectional is the Bobcats. Top returner August Cosart is in the hunt for a top 20 finish at state this fall and will have a shot at bringing his team with him if they can shore things up a bit. If their 3-4-5 runners can get down under 17:30 and their number 2 returner, Griffin Vaughn, can have a breakthrough this season and dip under 16:00, this team has an outside shot to make it to State as a team.
Head Coach: Joe Shannon
2024 Finish: State Championship- 30th place
Key Returners: Connor Schmidt (Sr), Liam Schmidt (Sr), Aidan Schmidt (Sr), Eli Germann (Jr), Nolan Schmieder (So), Andrew Leonelli (So), Eric Rybak (So)
Analysis: 2025 appears to be a rebuilding year for the Saints under the tutelage of a yet-to-be-named head coach. Hall of Fame coach James Helton has retired, but the talent on this team is poised to return to the state meet. This team is led by a strong trio of Schmidt's up front, with Connor leading the way at just under 16:30. The key for this team is closing the gap from their number 3 to their 4-5 runners.
Head Coach: Jeremy Melick
2024 Finish: State Championship- 18th place
Key Returners: Taylor Hess (Sr), Jacob Bosch (Jr), Hunter Keyster (So), Collin Bowers (Jr), Michael Winters (So), Ezra Blair (Jr), Elliott Walles (Jr)
Analysis: The Princes from Princeville will be led by Taylor Hess, who ran under 16:00 last season. He looks to lead this team in what could be a rebuilding season. Finding a solid number 5 runner for this team will be the key to their success behind Hess.
Head Coach: Justin Sanders
2024 Finish: Toledo (Cumberland) Sectional- 13th place
Key Returners: Grant Jennette (Sr), Skylar Bladel (Jr), Jarret Vaughan (Jr), Treyton Lewis (Jr), Kanyen Lingafelter (Jr), Justin Johnson (Jr), Ashton King (Jr)
Analysis: Grant Jennette is expected to lead the Mules to an improved campaign this fall. Individually, he could be among the creme of the crop after finishing 41st in last year's state championship. Behind him, the split form 2-5 is 1:12. If they can get this under one minute and close the gap on Jenette to 30 seconds, this team could qualify out of one of the toughest sectionals in the state.
Head Coach: Matt Miller
2024 Finish: Toledo (Cumberland) Sectional- 8th place
Key Returners: Tim Sikorski (So), Eli Anderson (So), Lukas Whitt (Jr), Jack Krumtinger (Jr), Jaxon Clark (So), Wolfgang Derby (So)
Newcomers: Grant Niemerg, Sawyer Pankau, Guthrie Hughes, Owen Prather
Analysis: After losing three varsity seniors to graduation, the Rams are locked into stepping into some leadership positions this season. The frontrunner for this team should be Tim Sikorski, who has had a great summer of training and is expected to make significant improvements this year. Behind him is a solid back of athletes and a few newcomers that could factor into the top 7. This team will be one to watch, as they are all committed to the culture and work ethic required to be a state-qualifying program, according to Coach Miller.
Head Coach: Aaron Kortze
2024 Finish: State Championship- 28th place
Key Returners: Kyle Enke (Jr), Jacob Schroeder (So.), Levi Mikel (So), Noah Bramble (Sr), Dean Akre (Jr), Douglas Johnson (Jr), Jameson Keener (Jr)
Analysis: The Crusaders are hoping to return to the state meet this season and improve upon their state finish from last season. This won't be an easy task, but with front-runner Kyle Enke leading this group with a shot to place in the top 40 at state, they should have a solid starting point. Behind him, the split from 2-5 returning is 1:30 seconds. How this pack improves throughout the season will determine if they can repeat last year's sectional performance and earn a berth to the State Meet.
Head Coach: Bill Rhodes
2024 Finish: Elmwood Sectional- 11th place
Returners: Jonathan Blankenship (Jr), Mason Clark (Jr), Ben Meyer (Jr), Nick Jelinek (Jr), Daniel Becker (Sr), Jude Bordewick (So), Ian Bryson (Jr).
Analysis: The boys from Bloomington Central Catholic return a solid group of athletes with five runners returning under 17:20. Their team split from 1-5 returning is only 25 seconds. If this pack can continue to improve and start around 16:20 and keep their split under 30 seconds, they will be on the starting line in November at Detweiller. They have five athletes who could all be their number 1 runner. Hopefully, this tight pack pushes each other to bigger and better things this season.
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Coaches: Charles Montgomery (Head Coach), Lexi Pos (Asst.)
2024 Finish: Toledo (Cumberland) Sectional- 11th place
Key Returners: Clark Roland (Jr), Christian Paul (So.), Eli Denmark-Collins (Sr), Joshua Stierwalt (Sr), Colby Schrock (So)
Newcomers: Greyson Guevara, Owen Elmore
Analysis: Christian Paul and Clack Roland lead the Hawks on their quest to qualify for the state meet. They have a solid group returning and add freshman Greyson Guevara, who should factor into their top five by the end of the season. With him on their squad, they form a formidable group capable of qualifying for the state meet. After a solid summer of training, according to Coach Montgomery, the boys are aiming high and hoping to qualify out of a tough sectional.
24. Roxana
Head Coach: Benjamin Scamihorn
2024 Finish: State Championship- 22nd place
Key Returners: Anthony Hardin (Sr), Noah Crump (Jr), Easton Johnston (Jr), Joshua Ervin (Jr), Peyton Pride (Sr), Alessandro Vazquez (So), Rylan Bisby (So)
Analysis: The Shells have been a team on the rise the past couple of seasons. This year should be no different, and they should be in the mix for a top 20 finish in November. Led by Anthony Harden, this team returns a solid top three with Noah Crump and Easton Johnston. Finding a consistent 5th runner is the priority for this team if they want to improve on their 22nd-place finish from last season.
23. Pleasant Plains
Head Coach: Jared Driskill
2024 Finish: State Championship- 14th place
Key Returners: Elijah Teefey (Sr), Ryan Driskill (Sr), Braeden Galloway (Jr), Ty Copeland (Jr), Alex Bye (Jr), Toby Nass Helfer (Jr), Noah Bergner (Jr)
Analysis: The Cardinals have a lot of questions entering the season. Top runner Elijah Teefey had an incredible cross country season in 2024, but is starting this season coming off an injury that curtailed his track exploits. At his best, he is a contender for the state title. Second runner Ryan Driskill is also returning from an injury, but is ahead of Teefey at this point, from my sources. He could start the season out as number one. Also, the departure of longtime coach Derek Debarr is another question for this team. How will they adjust to Coach Driskill's philosophy as the new head coach? As a longtime assistant coach who has been around the program for a while, it should be business as usual for the Cards. This is a team with top 15 potential, but with so many questions to start the season, it is tough to rank them over some other teams at the moment.
Head Coach: Art Geen
2024 Finish: Toledo Cumberland (Sectional)- 7th place
Key Returners: Julius Ramos (Sr), Camden Bloemer (So), Oliver Kreke (Sr), Mike Fearday (Jr), Isaac Tays (So)
Analysis: After just missing out on a state berth last season, the Bulldogs return enough firepower to push for a state qualifying spot. Julius Ramos should be a top 20 athlete in November and leads a quality returning group. If their 4-5 runners can close the gap on their number three runner, this team should be able to qualify. Ramos gives them a low stick to give them a chance to end the season at Detweiller. How his supporting cast improves will determine if they can accomplish that goal.
21. Herscher
Coaches: Rob Grosso (Head Coach), Peggy Heck
2024 Finish: State Championship- 11th place
Key Returners: Jackson Kruse (Jr), Jeremy Szepelak (Sr), Owen Damptz (Jr), Connor Sharper (Jr), Michael Ringhofer (Jr), Brycen Steffen (Sr)
Newcomers: Evan Benoit
Analysis: Coming off of one of the most successful seasons in school history, the boys from Herscher will be looking to find their identity early in the season after losing a great group of seniors. The talent is there, led by Jackson Kruse and Jeremy Szepelak, who are looking to dip under 15:30 this season and give them a solid 1-2 punch. Incoming freshman Evan Benoit was a solid runner in junior high school and should slot right into the top five for this group. Finding consistency behind the two front-runners will determine if this team is ready to repeat the success from last season.