Coaches: Dan Gray (Head Coach)/ Elyse Dell, Jacki Mateas, Tyler Franciscovich, Geoff Girsch, Michael Kouri, Kate Socha, Patrick Cour
2024 Finish: 1A State Championship- 6th place
Key Returners: Maya Zopel (Sr), Shannon Zopel (Jr), Norah Gould (Jr), Elizabeth Leustek (Jr), Mackenzie James (So), Audrey Shane (So)
Newcomers: Lillian Chaddock
Analysis: The Irish took 6th place in last year's state championship, and they were subsequently promoted to 2A this fall. Coach Gray will have a solid upperclassmen group with which to work, which should smooth out some things. There is no true frontrunner; this team will live and die by the pack this season. Top returners Maya and Shannon Zopel should lead the way. These two will be in charge of pulling the pack along. If their pack can start around 18:50 and they can put five runners under 20 minutes, this team has a shot to qualify for state in their return trip upstairs.
Head Coach: Kendal Ahlmann
2024 Finish: Hinsdale South Sectional- 13th place
Key Returners: Hailey Rivera (Sr), Camilla Budzyna (Sr), Sarah Scheidt (Jr), Sonia Iversen (So), Oliwia Aleksandrowicz (So)
Analysis: The Lady Trojans are a sneaky bunch with a tight pack. How their pack improves will determine if this team can advance to state this season. Developing a solid scoring split under 75 seconds this fall will be a key ingredient in how far things advance throughout the year. Hailey Rivera appears to be the leader for this team and will hopefully improve to become a solid lower stick for the team.
Coaches: Lee Greenberg, Maricruz Ponce de Leon, Norm Nieves, Marc Lopez, Charles Milbert
2024 Finish: Maple Park Kaneland Sectional- 9th place
Key Returners: Sarah Chae (So), Regan Gould (Jr), Charlotte Wik-Ford (Sr), Isha Shankar (Sr), Ariana Mehra (So), Gianna Havrilla (Jr), Marian Johnson (So), Ainsley Nelson (So)
Analysis: The Chicago Public League runner-up team returns a lot of excellent athletes this season and has the goal to earn a berth to the state meet after finishing 9th at sectionals last season.
Sarah Chae will assume the top role after the graduation of LuLu Ton-That. She can run under 19:00, and the Mustangs should be able to rally around her. There is a strong pack of athletes, including five returners who have run under 21 minutes.
This Mustang added a solid summer of training to their toolbox after not doing much during the summer in previous seasons. This is a team that looks to improve throughout the season and has many girls capable of breakout seasons based on their summer training, according to the coaching staff.
Coaches: Rachel Reyes, Mark Clarke, Jason Midlock
2024 Finish: State Championship- 26th place
Key Returners: Ella Heinen (Sr), Haylie Bernhard (Jr), Mary Kate Moran (Jr), Callan Kinsella (So), Bella Pollack (Jr), Kate Munday (So)
Newcomers: Salma Gallegos
Analysis: The Angels return with experience gained on their run to the state meet last season and hope to replicate that performance in November. The four athletes who should lead their pack are Haylie Bernhard, Mary Kate Moran, Ella Heinen, and Kate Munday, who have all run 20:15 or faster. This entire group is capable of pushing each other to achieve a solid top four that can run under 19:30. Finding a fifth runner will be the key to returning to Detweiller this fall.
Coaches: Shayna Scott
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 10th place
Newcomers: Charlee Emmerich, Laynee Pankau, Julie Larsen, Aleece Lots
Analysis: Coach Scott begins her tenure at Effingham with a small but solid group of returning athletes. Emery Spicer and Baylee Summers should lead this team to compete at the state level this season. The Flaming Hearts will be seeking a new identity this season after losing several key players from last season. How they find their path will determine how far this team goes together.
Coaches: Matt Peterson (Head Coach), Susie Miller, Martin Mena
2024 Finish: Maple Park Kaneland Sectional- 10th place
Analysis: Last year's girls' group qualified for sectionals and finished 10th, which was the furthest this team has advanced in the IHSA series in school history. The Knights return a solid group of ladies with a shot to go even further this season. Madison Petersen leads this team and should push for a top 25 finish at Detweiller. The rest of the team behind her will continue to improve with the hopes of putting 3-4 athletes under 20 minutes. If they can do this, they will finish the season at Detweiller in November.
Coaches: Larry Huffman, Annett Rau
2024 Finish: State Championship- 13th place
Key Returners: Calla Espenschied (Sr), Emily Vogt (Jr), Charley Funk (So), Reese Davis-Grandcolas (So), Ella Brown (Sr)
Newcomers: Lydia Huffman, Addison Crain
Analysis: The Lady Bulldogs look to be a strong team once again this season. They return Emily Vogt and Caila Espenschied, who both ran under 20 minutes last season. They are fully expecting newcomers Lydia Huffman and Addison Crain to contribute to their lineup right away. These two will bolster the team's prospects as the season progresses.
Coaches: Jacob Perry
2024 Finish: Mattoon Regional- 7th place
Key Returners: Kaelyn Ryan (Sr), Symphany Allen (Sr), Morgan Cole (So), Alaina Hedges (Sr), Sophia Mundy (Sr)
Newcomers: Chelsie Solis
Analysis: Kaelyn Ryan returns to lead a solid Mattoon squad to qualify for sectionals as a team. Ryan has her sights set on the school record of 17:55, and if she achieves that, she will be in the mix for a top-25 finish at Detweiller in November. Following a successful summer of training for the Greenwave and a focus on mental preparation as the season begins, this team aims to build on its finish from last season. Freshman Chelsie Solis seeks to make an immediate impact and provide a significant boost to this team.
Coaches: Jay Fuller
2024 Finish: Lake Villa (Lakes) Sectional- 11th place
Newcomers: Kenzie Liebetrau (So), Salome Freitas-Alvarado(Jr), Victoria Sarabia, Hazel Rosemann
Analysis: The Blue Streaks are hoping to run their best in October and be ready for the state series to better their sectional performance from last year. Sophie Sarabia looks to be the leader of this team and returns with a sub-19:30 performance. The pack behind her is talented and has the potential to push them into a state-qualifying position.
Coaches: Amy Julian
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 8th place
Key Returners: Josie Ginder (Sr), Isabella Stevens (So), Lily Stevens (Jr), Karlee Piercefield (Sr), Briley Kocher (Sr), Kyleigh Cazel (So), Mallory Kocher (So)
Analysis: The Tigers are hoping to compete at the top of their regional this year and advance to the state meet after missing out by one spot last season. They return an experienced squad led by Josie Ginder, who is capable of running under 19:00. If this team can get their 2-5 runners all under 21:00 and Ginder can run under 19:00, this team will be in a position to qualify for state.
Coaches: Megan Grady (Head Coach), Jenna Truesdell
2024 Finish: Maple Park (Kaneland) Sectional- 15th place
Newcomers: Lacey Updike (Sr), Sophia Davis
Analysis: The Golden Warriors were a young team last season with zero seniors on their roster. This allowed the young group to get experience at the varsity level early. This has been an excellent summer for this squad, according to Coach Grady, and she is very excited to see how their season goes.
The Golden Warriors have two runners at the front of their pack who have been continuing to progress together. Jaz'Mya Castaneda and Lillian Hauck give this team two solid front-runners who have both run around 19:30 for three miles. With three other girls under 22:00 last year, this is a team that is growing together, and qualifying for sectionals this season is within reach. How high they finish at sectionals depends on their continued development as a unit.
Coaches: Megan DeLong (Head Coach), Andy Brendel
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 12th place
Key Returners: Morgan Mason (Sr), Abigail James (Sr), Bradynn Carey (Sr), Makena Steels (So), Alivia Phillips (Sr), Cameron Powers
Newcomers: Emmy Goins
Analysis: The Knights are simple, stay healthy, and set new PR's. Morgan Mason looks to lead this team and steps into the number one spot. Emmy Goins will look to contribute right away after a standout middle school career. The goal for this team will be to have four runners complete the course under 20 minutes and find a consistent fifth runner. If they do that, a top 10 finish at sectionals is definitely in the cards.
Coaches: Leah Waters
2024 Finish: 1A Elmwood Sectional- 11th place
Key Returners: Elcee Waters (So), Meghan Spears (Sr), Emmalyn Smith (Jr), Aidyn Koch (Sr), Audrey Robnett (So), Ari Waters (Sr), Addison Koch (Sr)
Analysis: Elcee Waters looks to lead the Lady Raiders as they transition to Class 2A this season. She returns with the capability to run under 19:00. The rest of their pack is solid, with five returning runners under 22:00. This team will be looking to improve on their performance from last year and gain experience as they compete in Class 2A.
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Coach: Laura Koterba-Buss
2024 Finish: State Championship- 29th place
Key Returners: Farah Scott (Jr), Brenna Hooper (Jr), Molly Pate (Sr), Lauren Kleber (Jr), Josie Potter (Sr), Avery Benson (Jr)
Newcomers: Kinley Alexander, Tess Karagiannakis (Jr)
Analysis: Farah Scott returns to lead the Chargers this season with the hope of returning to the state meet. Brenna Hooper and Molly Pate are the other returners on this crew who have run under the 20-minute mark. Scott will be aiming for a top-25 finish. How this group develops behind her will be key to the team's success this season.
Coaches: Josh Bluhm
2024 Finish: Elmwood Sectional- 7th place
Key Returners: Paityn Brady (So), Oceana Huang (So), Kate Lambert (Jr), Macy Koehn (Jr), Hadley Grider (Jr), Emma Johnson (Sr)
Newcomers: Phoebe DeFrain, Hannah Ruscin
Analysis: The Lady Cyclones return to the 2A scene this season and bring with them a ton of firepower. The leader of this team will be Paityn Brady, who is expected to challenge for a top 10 finish in November. Not far behind her will be incoming freshman Phoebe Defrain, who excelled at the middle school level and will likely push Brady. Defrain is talented enough to make an all-state position in her first season with the Cyclones. Oceana Huang and Kate Lambert are other returners under the 20:00 mark. This is a team that could place in the top 20 in November or even higher. Brady is the real deal, and if DeFrain is close to her, this team will be very solid.
23. Mt. Zion
Coaches: Kelly Fox
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 9th place
Newcomers: Ellie Jones
Analysis: The Lady Braves will rely on Avery Sommer up front to lead a group of girls with the capability to return to the state meet and earn a top 25 finish. Sommer just missed paydirt with a 26th-place finish. Ellie Jones was a 7th-place finisher at last year's IESA state meet in XC and should slot into a solid second position. Elena Coon should also bring some stability to this group. The key for this team will be the 4-5 position and how close they can pack together. If this team can have those runners well under the 20:00 barrier, this is a team that could surprise some people and return to the state meet.
Coaches: Katherin Schmid
2024 Finish: State Championship- 4th place
Key Returners: Nora Wedwick (So), Gabrielle Kohnle (Jr), Elle Sosnowski (So), Vanessa Tekampe (Jr), Evelyn Rozanski (Sr), Fiona Brown (Jr)
Analysis: 2024 was a banner year for the Lady Titans, who just missed out on a team trophy. Unfortunately, the team was hit hard by graduation, but Nora Wedwick returns with the ability to run under 18:00 and push for a top 25 finish. Behind her, they return Gabrielle Kohnle and Elle Sosnowski. Both of these athletes should consistently be sub-19:00 for this team. Finding a consistent 4th and 5th runner that can run under 21:00 will determine if this team can return to the state meet and compete for another solid finish at Detweiller.
21. Lake Forest
Coaches: Steve Clegg
2024 Finish: State Championship- 18th place
Key Returners: Pilar Rosales (Sr), Portia LeGrand (So), Maddy Stell (Jr), Natalie Devora (So), Emma LeGrand (Jr), Kate McCann (Sr), Grace Walsh (Jr)
Analysis: The Lake Forest ladies are poised to have a great season this year and the ability to better their 18th-place finish from last season. Pilar Rosales returns with sub-18:00 credentials and looks to be the leader of this group. Behind her, they return five runners under 21:00 who could develop into a phenomenal pack, allowing them to make a deep run in late October. Pilar should be competing for a top 20 finish at State and will give this team a low stick that puts them in position for a top 25 finish.