The uphill and downhill adventures of the 2A boys classification will be interesting to follow along this season.
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Coaches: Judd Shutt
2024 Finish: State Championship- 10th place
Analysis: The Tigers had a phenomenal season last year, finishing in the top 10 at state. Amana Omale is back for this team and should lead them. Reed Mihelich and Oliver Lavaty, both of whom have run under 16:10, will look to provide stability for this crew. This is another team that will have some question marks at the number 5 spot as the season begins, but if they can answer that question, they will be back at Detweiller in November.
Coaches: Todd Ehlert
2024 Finish: State Championship- 26th place
Analysis: The Maple Leafs look to return to the state meet this season and improve. This team has a solid pack returning with five runners under 17:00. Jaxson Sottos looks to lead this team as the only returner under 16:00 with a 15:43 to his credit. Developing a 5th runner will be the goal as the season progresses, if they want to be racing at Detweiller in November.
Coaches: Michael Lambdin
2024 Finish: State Championship- 25th place
Analysis: The Spartans are still riding high following their state championship in 2A track last spring. They will look to build on their momentum during the cross-country season and try to improve their result from last season. Logan Jones and Lucas Miller will lead this squad, both having run under 16:00. There are a lot of question marks after that, but this is a team that is always in the mix for a spot on the line at Detweiller in November.
Coach: John McInerney
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 15th place
Newcomers: Cale Knight, Harper Brantley, Nathaniel Stepp
Analysis: The Charleston crew under legendary Coach McInerney will look to rely on the pack to continue their improvement. They have raised the bar on consistency and have followed a plan for a gradual increase in mileage and overall training intensity. This is a team that hopes to have five athletes within 40 seconds of each other with no clear frontrunner.
Coaches: Doug Gorski (Head Coach), Chris MacTaggart
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 8th place
Analysis: Thomas Jochum returns as the odds-on favorite to win the state title. His 14:31 from last season earned him a second-place finish. He had an injury during track season, but is back to full strength and has had a great summer. Behind Jochum, the development of the 2-5 pack will be key to this program's success if the Raiders want to take the next step and qualify for the state meet. With low scoring up front, they need a solid pack under 16:20 to give them a shot at contending for a spot on the line in November.
Coaches: Megan DeLong (Head Coach), Andy Brendel
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 13th place
Newcomers: Carter Rich
Analysis: The Knights return a solid group with big goals to continue growing as a program under new head coach Megan DeLong. They return a pack with five runners under 17:10. Jacob Jamert and Michael Schram should lead this squad. Look for freshman Carter Rich to have an impact on the top five during the season. This is a solid and young team that will only improve throughout the season.
Coaches: Eric Brechtel, Alex Zasso
2024 Finish: 1A State Championship- 7th place
Newcomers: Matt Ferris
Analysis: After finishing 7th in class 1A last season to record the highest team finish in school history, the Broncos have their sights set on qualifying for the first time in school history in class 2A. This is a sneaky good team that returns a very solid top four. Nino Pesola should lead this squad and has a chance to finish in the top 25 at the state meet. For the Broncos to achieve their goals, they will have to find consistent 4-5 runners that can run under 16:30. If they do that, they will be toeing the line at Detweiller Park in November.
Coaches: Kelly Fox
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 10th place
Newcomers: Justice Roundcount (SO)
Analysis: Team growth is key for the Braves this season after losing some significant firepower to graduation. Mark Mavis and Ashford Brent look to lead the team, both returning with times under 16:10. Development throughout the season is going to be key for the Braves as they continue to develop into a team that could be ready to contend for a state berth in the future.
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Coaches: Trae Cotner (Head Coach), Joy Guardia
2024 Finish: 3A Normal Community Sectional- 15th place
Newcomers: Shrihan Aleti, Derek Metzge, Jacob Tolsdorf (JR), Jaxon Heise
Analysis: The Senators return to Class 2A and bring a group capable of finishing in the top 20 at the state meet. With a 1-5 spread of only 31 seconds and 7-9 athletes capable of being in the top five, this is a deep team that is ready for a breakthrough. Seniors Alexander Ratz, Benjamin Walden, and Clayton Borah should lead this team, bringing valuable experience and leadership.
Kishan Ugrappa, Collin Nolte, DJ Peeler, and Sam Batterman could all factor into the top five at some point in the season. Keep an eye out for sophomore Jordan Green and newcomer Jacob Tolsdorf, who are both coming off of great track seasons and should push this group and have a chance to compete for a top 5 spot. They have had a great summer of training, especially Alex Ratz and Clayton Borah, who are already way ahead of schedule. If this team can have their pack start around 15:20, watch out. This team has nine athletes capable of running under 16:00.
Coaches: Ethan Baker
2024 Finish: Aurora (Marmion Academy) Sectional- 10th place
Analysis: The Wolves from Prairie Ridge are looking to make a statement and return to the state meet this season. They boast a solid returning pack led by Thomas Henry and Steven Randles, who both have run under 15:50. The rest of the pack will need to be under 16:30 for this team to return to the state meet.
Coaches: Larry Huffman, Annette Rau
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 17th place
Newcomers: Ren Gilbert, Cannon Hensek
Analysis: Tyler Devilder and Luke Smith are coming off of phenomenal track seasons and should lead the Bulldogs this season in their quest to return to the state meet. Both should be in the conversation for top 30 finishes at the state championship. Behind them are three more athletes who have run under 17:00. For this team to return to state, they need their frontrunners to score low points and keep the pack under 16:30.
Coaches: James Elliott
2024 Finish: State Championship- 27th place
Analysis: The Tigers are a team on the rise. They had a great track season and have positioned themselves to return to the state meet, competing to improve upon their 27th-place finish from last season. Nolen Frost should lead this team after running 15:34 in the previous season. They return two more athletes who have run under 16:00, Mason King and Braden Davis. Those three give them a solid position in any meet. If they can close the pack split down in the 4-5 spot, the Tigers will be back at State.
Coaches: Ken Husser (Head Coach), Alex Beutel, Eryk Yunk
2024 Finish: State Championship- 20th place
Newcomers: Devin Svarc
Analysis: After a breakout track season that saw Judah Binger run 4:17 and 9:26, The Blue Thunder is ready to challenge for a top 20 finish at state this season. Binger has put himself in the conversation for an all-state finish after track season. Behind him, Martin Hernandez is the clear number two runner for this team with the capability of running under 15:30. The development of the runners behind him will determine the fate of this squad. According to the coaching staff, there is vast potential, with a few athletes coming off great track seasons who could be in the mix for the top seven spots and shake things up. This team is talented and great up front.
Coaches: Mike Garber
2024 Finish: State Championship- 24th place
Newcomers: Jax Barton
Analysis: Last year was an up-and-down season for the Titans after injuries throughout their lineup led to performances that did not reflect their ability level. The Titans return Brady Moser, who had a breakout track season and should lead this team. The question after Moser is Van Schneider and Adam Galvan. Both, when healthy, are talented athletes who can give this team a huge boost at the front of the pack.
If Schneider is healthy, this team is on another level, as he is one of the most talented athletes in 2A. If he is healthy, he is a top 20 threat in November. Galvan was a monster in middle school, but experienced a freshman year full of setbacks. If he returns healthy, this team should qualify for the state meet and have a shot at a top-20 finish. This team lost a lot of senior leadership to graduation, so how their top seven develop throughout the season will be interesting.
Coach: Jay Fuller
2024 Finish: State Championship- 21st place
Analysis: Ellery Shutt is one of the contenders for the state title and should lead a Woodstock team with eyes on returning to the state meet and finishing in the top 20. Behind Shutt, they return a 2-3-4 that have all run under 16:25. If these three can continue to improve and push the pack down to under 16:00, the Blue Streaks will be racing at Detweiller in November for a chance to better their state performance from last season.
Coach: Steve Walters
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 8th place
Analysis: The Tornados are ready to qualify for the state meet and challenge for a top 20 finish. Led by Liam Bettis, who should be in the conversation for the state title, this team is strong with a great pack behind him. Tyler Corpin looks to step into the number two spot for this team and is capable of running under 15:30. The team returns four more athletes who can run under 17:00. This will be a team on the rise this season.
Coach: Chad Clarey
2024 Finish: State Championship- 5th place
Newcomers: Gavin Smith (JR)
Analysis: The Knights performed incredibly well last year at the state meet and ended with a top-five finish. Returning to the fold this year is the youngster Carson Kaiser, who has a shot at the individual title after an incredible freshman year where he ran 14:41. Behind him, Evan Whildin is a solid number #2, boasting a 15:08 time, and is in the conversation for a top 25 finish as well. The key for this group will be the development of the pack behind them. If they can reduce their split to 2-5, this team will be racing at Detweiller in November and have a shot at a top-20 finish.
Coach: Scott Gill
2024 Finish: State Championship- 14th place
Newcomers: Steve Bruce
Analysis: With the Greer twins leading the way, the Wildcats will look to avenge their finish from last season, where they went in intending to be top 10, but ended up 14th. Raphael and Gabriel are legitimate top 10, maybe even top 5 candidates this season. Steve Bruce was an absolute stud in middle school and will contribute right away to this team. Look for them to work on their 3-4-5 runners, dipping well under the 16:00 mark. If they do this, this is a team with a chance to finish the season within the top 10.
Coaches: Megan McKee, Nick Schaible
2024 Finish: State Championship- 13th place
Analysis: The Bulldogs lost three solid athletes to graduation, but return some major pieces in their hopes to keep their momentum going and return to the state meet and shoot for another top 15 finish. Adin Roach and Caleb Knobloch aim to lead this team, as both have run under 15:40. The key for this team will be developing a solid fifth runner throughout the season. If they can get a 5th runner under 16:30, this team will return to Detweiller, looking for another great team finish.
Coach: Amanda Young
2024 Finish: State Championship- 15th place
Analysis: The Redbirds return some major firepower, led by Zach Born, who can compete for the state title. Behind him, they have a strong pack with four other runners returning under 16:30. Born scores low, and the rest of the pack can all slot in under 16:00; this team will have a chance to better their performance from last year.
Coach: Andrew Lifka
2024 Finish: State Championship- 7th place
Newcomers: Charlie Wegener, EJ Acosta, Grayson Warren, Calvin Graves
Analysis: The Cadets enjoyed a phenomenal season last year, which saw them finish among the upper portion of teams at the state championship. This is a team that relies heavily on pack running and returns five athletes under 16:25.
Michael Whitacre looks to lead the pack, alongside Joseph Dorando, as both have run under 15:40. The key for this team to achieve another top 10 finish will be to develop their 4-5 runners into sub-16:00 performers. If they do that, this team will have another great finish in November. This is a very motivated team with big goals of a podium finish and conference, regional, and sectional titles. They have the potential to accomplish those goals.
Coach: Scott Friedlander
2024 Finish: 3A Hoffman Estates Sectional- 15th place
Analysis: The Warriors return one of the best packs in class 2A as they drop down from 3A and look to compete for a spot in the top 10. Jamie Chandler returns to lead the pack and has a shot at finishing in the top 25. Behind him, they return a pack that has a 2-4 split of only 40 seconds and all under 16:10. This is a tough team and will become very dangerous if their pack can all get under 15:40 and Chandler develops into the solid front runner he is projected to be.
Coach: Andrew Walmer
2024 Finish: State Championship- 6th place
Newcomers: Caleb Zulaf, Abdel Abdo, Will Bednar, Jake Mills, Caleb Atteberry
Analysis: To contend for a trophy, the Bulldogs must start the season just outside of the top 10, but don't expect them to stay in that position for long. Henry McMurry and Augustus Gaudio are legitimate threats for top 10 finishes. Behind them the goal is for their 3-4-5 runners to close the gap on those two. This team has steadily improved over the past few years, and that improvement has a chance to continue with this team. After finishing outside of the top 5 last year, this is a team that could challenge again for a top 10 spot, and with the development of their pack, could be in a position to contend for a trophy as well.
The uphill and downhill adventures of the 2A boys classification will be interesting to follow along this season.
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Coaches: Judd Shutt
2024 Finish: State Championship- 10th place
Analysis: The Tigers had a phenomenal season last year, finishing in the top 10 at state. Amana Omale is back for this team and should lead them. Reed Mihelich and Oliver Lavaty, both of whom have run under 16:10, will look to provide stability for this crew. This is another team that will have some question marks at the number 5 spot as the season begins, but if they can answer that question, they will be back at Detweiller in November.
Coaches: Todd Ehlert
2024 Finish: State Championship- 26th place
Analysis: The Maple Leafs look to return to the state meet this season and improve. This team has a solid pack returning with five runners under 17:00. Jaxson Sottos looks to lead this team as the only returner under 16:00 with a 15:43 to his credit. Developing a 5th runner will be the goal as the season progresses, if they want to be racing at Detweiller in November.
Coaches: Michael Lambdin
2024 Finish: State Championship- 25th place
Analysis: The Spartans are still riding high following their state championship in 2A track last spring. They will look to build on their momentum during the cross-country season and try to improve their result from last season. Logan Jones and Lucas Miller will lead this squad, both having run under 16:00. There are a lot of question marks after that, but this is a team that is always in the mix for a spot on the line at Detweiller in November.
Coach: John McInerney
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 15th place
Newcomers: Cale Knight, Harper Brantley, Nathaniel Stepp
Analysis: The Charleston crew under legendary Coach McInerney will look to rely on the pack to continue their improvement. They have raised the bar on consistency and have followed a plan for a gradual increase in mileage and overall training intensity. This is a team that hopes to have five athletes within 40 seconds of each other with no clear frontrunner.
Coaches: Doug Gorski (Head Coach), Chris MacTaggart
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 8th place
Analysis: Thomas Jochum returns as the odds-on favorite to win the state title. His 14:31 from last season earned him a second-place finish. He had an injury during track season, but is back to full strength and has had a great summer. Behind Jochum, the development of the 2-5 pack will be key to this program's success if the Raiders want to take the next step and qualify for the state meet. With low scoring up front, they need a solid pack under 16:20 to give them a shot at contending for a spot on the line in November.
Coaches: Megan DeLong (Head Coach), Andy Brendel
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 13th place
Newcomers: Carter Rich
Analysis: The Knights return a solid group with big goals to continue growing as a program under new head coach Megan DeLong. They return a pack with five runners under 17:10. Jacob Jamert and Michael Schram should lead this squad. Look for freshman Carter Rich to have an impact on the top five during the season. This is a solid and young team that will only improve throughout the season.
Coaches: Eric Brechtel, Alex Zasso
2024 Finish: 1A State Championship- 7th place
Newcomers: Matt Ferris
Analysis: After finishing 7th in class 1A last season to record the highest team finish in school history, the Broncos have their sights set on qualifying for the first time in school history in class 2A. This is a sneaky good team that returns a very solid top four. Nino Pesola should lead this squad and has a chance to finish in the top 25 at the state meet. For the Broncos to achieve their goals, they will have to find consistent 4-5 runners that can run under 16:30. If they do that, they will be toeing the line at Detweiller Park in November.
Coaches: Kelly Fox
2024 Finish: Olney (Richland County) Sectional- 10th place
Newcomers: Justice Roundcount (SO)
Analysis: Team growth is key for the Braves this season after losing some significant firepower to graduation. Mark Mavis and Ashford Brent look to lead the team, both returning with times under 16:10. Development throughout the season is going to be key for the Braves as they continue to develop into a team that could be ready to contend for a state berth in the future.
