The final stats of the 2A boys rankings are in and it will be an arms race to get to the top of the mountain.
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10. Morris
Coaches: Joe Blumberg, Nick Murphy, Jen Sheegog, Madi Mayberry
2024 Finish: State Championship- 16th place
Returners: Cuyler Swanson (Jr), Everett Swanson (Jr), Nikita Hovious (Sr), Brodie Peterson (Sr), Jonathon Zarbock (Sr), Chase McConnell (Sr), Parker Fleetwood (Sr), Hunter Russell (Sr)
Newcomers: Joseph Emmerich (JR), Trevor Mitoraj, Payton Luberda
Analysis: Here is another team that returns all seven runners from last year: the Morris team. The potential of this team is very high, led by Cuyler Swanson, who earned all-state last season. His brother Everett Swanson looks to close the gap on his brother and give them a strong 1-2 punch. Nikita Hovious will be a key for this team in the 3rd spot. If he can close the gap on the front two and they can have three runners together, this team will be hard to beat by anyone. The development of a strong 5th runner will determine how high this team can finish, but according to the coaching staff, "If they stay healthy, this is the best squad we've ever had." They are going to be a dangerous team in November.
Coach: Jake Peal
2024 Finish: State Championship- 17th place
Returners: Max Weber, Jacob Cranford (Sr), Logan Kearbey (Jr), Tullio Zampieri (Sr), Glenn Collins (Jr), Joshua Cranford (Sr), Landon Kearbey (Sr)
Newcomers: Boden Duffy, Noah Palmer, Hayden Harshbarger
Analysis: The growth of the team from Bethalto has been exciting to watch the past few seasons, and this year, they could push for a top 10 finish at Detweiller in November. Max Weber returns from an all-star campaign and has his sights set on an even higher finish this season.
Landon Kearbey had an injury in track season and is working his way back. If he is healthy, this team has a very strong 1-2 and a pack behind them with four more athletes all under 16:20 for three miles. The development of some talented freshmen will be key in pushing their pack forward this season. This is another team that returns all seven from last year and has the experience to be in the top 10, if not higher, this season.
Coach: Troy Kerber
2024 Finish: 1A State Championship- 6th place
Returners: Ben Bohr (Jr), Jack Swiatek (Sr), John Reinbold (So), A.J. Viveros (Jr), Cal Reinbold (So), Reece Voller (Jr), Brecken Oester (So)
Analysis: The Chargers from Central Catholic make the move to 2A after finishing just outside of the top 5 in 1A last season. Ben Bohr and Jack Swiatek should lead this team and be in the mix to finish in the top 30 at Detweiller in November. Behind those two, John Reinbold and AJ Viveros have both run under 16:00 and should make a solid 3-4. If Cal Reinbold or Reece Voller can step up and run under the 16:00 mark, this team will be very dangerous. They are capable of a top 5 finish if they do that for a great starting point in 2A.
7. Mt. Vernon
Coach: Trace Turner
2024 Finish: State Championship- 19th place
Returners: Rowan Wilford (Sr), Trace Elliott, Joel Hayes (Sr), Carson Workman (Sr), Jayden Jones (Jr), Liam Brandon (So), Ayden Warren (So)
Newcomers: Willie Green, Rylan Craven, Eli Johnston (SR)
Analysis: The Rams are in the conversation for a top-five finish in November and possibly a spot on the podium. Coach Turner has really gotten this team going the past couple of years, and they return every member from their 19th-place team last season. With five guys at 16:03 or under and a 1-5 split of only 33 seconds, this team has the depth and the firepower to compete for a trophy.
Rowan Wilford and Trace Elliott give this team a phenomenal 1-2 punch that should score low points for this team in every meet they compete in. If those two can push for top 25 finishes at Detweiller, this team is in the conversation for a trophy. This team trains the right way and will be ready for the moment. They have been building up to this year, with three straight state appearances, and are in position to have their best finish at the state meet in school history.
Coach: Dan Gray
2024 Finish: 1A State Championship- 5th place
Returners: Max Kirby (Jr), Dax Duffy (Sr), Luke Fady (So), Freddie Couri (Jr), Joshua Stedwill (Jr), Ben Yontz (Jr), John Baker (Jr)
Analysis: The Irish return to Class 2A this season after a 5th-place finish in Class A. They return Maxwell Kirby, who should challenge for the state title in 2A this season. Behind him, they return four more athletes at 16:05 or under to make this team extremely strong. They should battle for a top-five finish and may even take a step into trophy contention depending on how they adjust to the 2A competition. This is a strong and deep team that will surprise many people this season.
5. Vernon Hills
Coach: Steve Szabo
2024 Finish: 3A Hoffman Estates Sectional- 11th place
Returners: Bryant Lester (Jr), Konstantin Koychev (Sr), Trevor Todd (Sr), Will Gagamov (Sr), Aarav Sheth (Sr), Jacob Sultan (Sr), Noah Diaz (Jr)
Analysis: The Cougars drop down from class 3A and are immediately in the conversation for a trophy finish in November. Bryant Lester returns with a 15:06 personal best to lead this squad and has the potential to finish in the top 20. Behind him are four teammates under 16:03. Their pack is very solid and should all have a shot at running around 15:30 or under. If they do this, they are in the conversation for the state title.
Coach: Lester Hampton
2024 Finish: State Championship- 11th place
Returners: Sean Kaeb (Sr), Andrew Aldeman (So), Jacob Bauchmoyer (Jr), Aaden Richards (Jr), Keaton North (So), JW Black (So), Lucas Layman (So)
Analysis: The Pioneers return their full lineup this season with eyes on bringing home a trophy. This team is loaded and led by Sean Kaeb, who returns with a 15:00 personal best and a shot at finishing in the top 10. Andrew Aldeman had a breakout track season and should be poised to race with Kaeb, giving this team two all-state caliber athletes up front. Their pack is also strong, returning five other athletes under 16:20. This team has the talent to compete for a trophy and could challenge for the state title.
3. Dixon
Coach: Simon Thorpe
2024 Finish: State Championship- 4th place
Returners: Dean Geiger (Jr), Keegan Shirley (Sr), Averick Wiseman (Jr), Westin Conatser (Sr), Brody Hopper (Jr), Kohlson Stumpf (Sr), Noah Terviel (Sr)
Newcomers: Alonzo Bautista (Fr.), Ethan Carter (Fr.), Abe Garcia (Fr.)
Analysis: To say the Dukes are a powerful team is an understatement. To start with, they have four dependable returners under 15:45: Dean Geiger, Keegan Shirley Averick, Wiseman, and Westin Conatser, all of whom return with sub-16:00 clockings to their names. Additionally, there is a boatload of incoming freshmen ready to make an impact, making this unit dangerous and potentially pushing this team into the state title conversation. They are expected to fill in the fifth spot and bolster the back-end depth of the top seven.
Coach: Julian Murphy
2024 Finish: 1A State Champions
Returners: John Masaka (Jr), Peter Kipp (Sr), Blake Quinley (Jr), Ryan Holler (Sr), Joshua Allen (Jr), Mike Reiff (Sr), Josh Almendras (So)
Analysis: The Knights ascended to the top of the podium last season in 1A, and in turn have been moved up to 2A. They are immediate contenders for the state title in their new class and will be a tough team to beat in November. Returning two athletes under 15:15 in Masaka and Kipp will give this team two athletes capable of very high individual finishes.
Three more athletes return under 15:50, giving this squad some back-end depth. How they improve this season will determine if they are ready to compete for the title in their new class. This is a team to watch throughout the season. They got a taste of the top of the mountain last season, and I do not see them going down without a battle this season.