20. Geneseo
Coaches: Aaron Skopec
2024 Finish: State Championship- 27th place
Key Returners: Brooklyn Smith (Jr), Lucille Wachtel (Jr), Evelyn DeBaene (So), Ayla Schultz (Jr), Hannah Stone (Jr), Alivia Brown (So), Jacey Gehl (So)
Analysis: Brooklyn Smith returns to lead the Maple Leafs this season with a solid shot at running under 18:00. The pack behind her is led by Lucille Wachtel, who looks to be on the cusp of running under 19:00. Evelen DaBaene and Ayla Schultz look to be solidly under the 20:00 barrier this season as well. If Hannah Stone can develop into a sub-20:30 performer, this team will have a great shot at bettering their state performance from last year and push for a top 20 finish at Detweiller in November.
19. Deerfield
Coaches: Jeff Beaumont
2024 Finish: 3A Glenbrook South Regional- 8th place
Key Returners: Audrey Dickerson (Jr), Azalea Modes (Jr), Stella Martin (Jr), Olivia Brown (Sr), Siona Rajshekar (Sr), Maddie Geres (Jr)
Analysis: With the transition down from 3A, the ladies from Deerfield will step into position to finish in the top 20 at the state meet and maybe even higher. Audrey Dickerson and Azalea Modes return to lead this squad, which has five runners returning under 20 minutes. With a team split of under 70 seconds, this team will be in contention for a strong finish at any meet they compete in. The key for this team will be determining when that pack starts. If the pack starts under 18:30 and keeps the split under 70 seconds, watch out!
18. Chicago (Latin)
Coaches: Dan Daly
2024 Finish: Class 1A State Championship- 5th place
Key Returners: Francesca Mora (So), Vivian Sidrys (So), Ruby Larson (Sr), Julia Steffen (Sr), Vivian Lee-Lee (Sr)
Analysis: Another team making the transition to 2A, the Romans finished in 5th place in Class 1A last season and return top 10 threat Francesca Mora at the front of their pack. Vivian Sidrys also returns with a sub-19-minute performance under her belt. Finding a solid fifth runner could help this team finish in the top 15 at the state meet in November. How they progress throughout the season in the hunt for that golden goose finisher will determine how deep a run this team can make. With the experience gained last year, I expect this team to make a smooth transition to the 2A ranks.
Coaches: William Stanczak, Michael Olayos, Nicholas Fratto
2024 Finish: State Championship- 21st place
Key Returners: Emily Walberg (Sr), Allie Long (Sr), Jada Baer (Sr), Camila Fuentes (Jr), Grace Vanfossen (Sr), Izabella Mazurkiewicz (Sr), Yuliana Manzanares (So)
Newcomers: Isabella Renguso (Jr), Biranna Klokkenga, Marin Janiak
Analysis: Emily Walberg steps into the leadership role for the Lions, who qualified for state last season for the first time since 2018. They are poised to make a return to the state meet this season and have added a transfer student, Isabella Renguso, who ran 11:53 in the 3200m during the track season and should push the top three on this team. They have a very strong top three with Walberg, Allie Long, and Jada Baer that should give them some solid points up front. Renguso joining those three would bolster their chances at a top 20 finish. They have a solid group of freshmen joining their ranks that could surprise some people this season and make this a sneaky good team.
16. Dunlap
Coaches: Chris Friedman
2024 Finish: State Championship- 23rd place
Key Returners: Aubrey Ott (So), Claire Sack (Sr), Brooklyn Virtue (So), Josie Kroll (Jr), Ellie Spanhook (Jr), Sanjana Siddaraju (Jr)
Analysis: Hoping to fight off the injury bug and all be on the same page come November, the Eagles are no strangers to being at the state meet. This year, they will rely on the strength of their pack and look to be led by Aubrey Ott. Their 1-5 returning split of only 44 seconds bodes well for the pack-style running they are hoping to implement this season. If they can get their pack started around 18:40 and maintain a split of 45 seconds, this team will be in position for a top 15 finish in November.
15. Morton
Coaches: Joe Zeller
2024 Finish: State Championship- 10th place
Key Returners: Madison Greiner (So), Brielle Hopkins (Sr), Annaliese Sanders (Jr), Nyameye Maison (Sr), Jessica Knapp (Jr), Haley Kaluza (Jr), Ava Burgess (Sr)
Analysis: The Potters should have a real shot at a top 15 finish at Detweiller in November. This is a strong team that usually adds some firepower from their stellar junior high teams each year as well. Madison Greiner should lead this team and aim to be on the doorstep of sub-18:00 and all-state this season. Behind her, Brielle Hopkins returns with a sub-19:00 performance to her credit. Consistency in their top seven will be the deciding factor in how high this team can place this season.
Coaches: Daniel Ball
2024 Finish: State Championship- 16th place
Key Returners: Addie Painter (Jr), Sydnie Becker (So), Charlotte Brown (So), Adelin Farrell (So), Annie Roth (Sr), Kelsey Brust (So), Shaylee Powell (Sr)
Analysis: Last year's 16th-place team, Wheaton Academy, returns a solid group that can better that performance from last season. With three runners boasting sub-19:00 performances, led by Addie Painter at 18:15, this team is ready to continue to be a contender on the 2A scene. Achieving a fourth runner under 19:30 and a 5th runner under 20:30 would only propel this team to even higher heights.
13. Lemont
Coaches: Tim Plotke
2024 Finish: State Championship- 19th place
Key Returners: Hannah Farley (So), Maggie Davey (Sr), Cassie Cunningham (Sr), Amelia Sinnett (So), Maya Fedko (Sr), Lizzy Rupsis (So)
Analysis: After placing 13th in the state last year, top runner Hannah Farley has aspirations of finishing in the top five in November. The ladies from Lemont should be in a position to finish in the top 15 as a team and improve upon their 19th-place finish last season.
After a solid summer of training, this team is a team on the rise. Farley is an absolute monster on the grass and should be right in the mix at the front of the race at state. Getting a pack of the rest of the ladies from Lemont will be the challenge for them if they want to shoot for a top 10 finish. They need their pack to start around 18:50 and have their 5th runner complete the course under 20 minutes to accomplish this goal.
12. Mascoutah
Coaches: Darren Latham
2024 Finish: State Championship- 28th place
Key Returners: Peyton Hamilton (Jr), Ryleigh Piller (Jr), Milla Cryder (So), Chloe Millett (Jr), Abby Detering (So)
Analysis: Peyton Hamilton returns to lead the Indians in their quest for a top 15 finish in November. With a solid 1-5 split of 1:18 returning, this is a dangerous team if they can get that split under 70 seconds and Hamilton can run 18:30. They can compete for a top 10 finish. This team slots into the top 15 to start the season and will be a team to watch early.
Coaches: Joe Wejman, Anthony Gonzalez
2024 Finish: State Championship- 25th place
Key Returners: Kathleen Hardy (So), Allie O'halloran (Jr), Sophia Towne (Jr), Julia Parkes (Jr), Ashley Kenna (Jr), Claire Sigmund (Jr), Maggie Broderick (Sr), Lucy Jucovics (Sr)
Newcomers: Elena Vlahos
Analysis: The ladies from Nazareth Academy had a breakthrough season last year, finishing 25th at the State meet. Kathleen Hardy returns this season to lead the Road Runners and will be shooting for a top 15 finish individually. With three other runners returning under 20 minutes and a solid group of incoming freshmen led by Elena Vlahos, this is a group capable of not only returning to the state meet but also improving on their performance from last season.