Dwight

The Trojans may only field a small roster, but they boast one of the state's premier individual runners in senior Mikayla Chambers, who returns after qualifying for the IHSA State Finals for the third consecutive season. Chambers also placed ninth in the IHSA Class 2A 800-meter run during the spring track season and owns school records in multiple events.

Sophomore Chloe Biros enjoyed an outstanding freshman campaign, qualifying for the sectional meet while lowering her personal best to 20:22. Newcomers Nicole Schmidt and Elizabeth Stipanovich provide additional optimism as Dwight continues rebuilding its girls' program.

The Trojans won't contend for the team state meet this year because of numbers, but don't overlook them in individual races. Chambers is capable of another outstanding postseason, and Biros has the potential to make one of the biggest sophomore jumps in this classification.

PORTA

The Bluejays enter the season looking to replace one of the greatest distance runners in school history, all-stater Maggie Zimmerman, who graduated. Despite that loss, the Bluejays return a strong nucleus led by Addison Corum (Sr), Emsley Johnson (So), and Braelyn Sonnemaker (Sr), while freshmen Grace Grosbol and Lila Calhoun could make immediate varsity contributions.

Head coach Jacob Woolridge believes this year's strength lies in the team's ability to race together as a tight pack rather than relying on one superstar.

PORTA has quietly built one of the better developmental programs in the Sangamo Conference. They may not have another Zimmerman, but they have enough depth to surprise teams throughout the season. Expect the Bluejays to continue improving as the weather cools.

Murphysboro 

Murphysboro returns state qualifier junior Harper Ellermeyer, who owns an 18:39 cross country personal best and has also established herself as one of southern Illinois' premier quarter-milers after qualifying twice for the IHSA State Track Meet.

An exciting freshman class joins the program this fall, giving the Red Devils renewed optimism as they pursue another state-meet berth.

Ellermeyer could be one of the better individual runners in southern Illinois. If the talented freshman class develops quickly, the Red Devils could become one of the biggest surprise teams in the region.

Glen Carbon (Father McGivney)

Father McGivney returns one of the more experienced teams just outside the preseason rankings. Led by three runners under 20:15, the Griffins have a solid foundation entering the season and enough returning experience to compete for another successful postseason. Seniors Ainsley Turkington, McKenzie Jones, and Bella Redenius fit the bill.

The biggest opportunity lies in continuing to strengthen the back half of the varsity lineup. If the fourth and fifth runners can continue trimming time throughout September, McGivney could quickly move into the statewide rankings.

This is a team that's closer to the Top 25 than many people realize. Their front three give them a solid scoring foundation, and continued improvement from the supporting runners could make Father McGivney one of the year's biggest movers.

Mercer County 

Mercer County returns one of the strongest one-two combinations outside the preseason rankings. Junior Emalyn Millar and sophomore Brookelyn Clark immediately put the Golden Eagles in excellent scoring position, while junior Helen Baldwin gives the team an experienced third runner.

The challenge will be building greater depth behind that front trio. Continued development from the fourth and fifth runners could dramatically change Mercer County's postseason outlook.

The Golden Eagles have enough talent to crack the rankings. If the fourth and fifth runners continue progressing, this team has legitimate Top 25 potential by postseason time.

Bloomington (Central Catholic)

This squad returns a veteran lineup led by one of central Illinois' better returning runners in Jiles Hilgenbrinck. With four additional experienced varsity athletes returning, led by senior Ruby Brady, the Saints have a strong opportunity to improve throughout the season.

The Saints are a classic "watch list" team. If they continue tightening their scoring spread, they'll challenge for a Top 25 ranking before the postseason.

Erie

Erie-Prophetstown, also known as Erie (Coop), returns a balanced varsity lineup with valuable experience across all five scoring positions. Their consistency should once again make them competitive throughout northwestern Illinois. Senior Sarah Link returns as the top runner with a personal best of 18:55. 

Balanced teams often outperform expectations during championship season. Erie-Prophetstown has enough experience to surprise several higher-ranked programs.

Sullivan 

Sullivan returns an outstanding front two led by senior Julia Moody and sophomore Aaliyah Osborn. Those two alone give the Redskins one of the strongest scoring combinations outside the Top 25.

Sullivan may have the highest ceiling among the teams receiving consideration. Their front two are capable of carrying this team into the rankings if the supporting cast makes the expected improvements.

Breese (Mater Dei) 

The Knights finished 17th in last year's state final. They return a semi-experienced core that should once again compete for postseason success. Led by top returners  sophomore Camryn Wheeler and senior Finley Haag, this is a squad capable of improving as the season matures, breaking into the rankings.

Lewistown

Junior Grace Bonney leads one of the most balanced teams outside the rankings. Lewistown's pack is impressively tight, and if one or two runners emerge near the front, they could make a significant jump.

Oregon 

The arrow points up for the Lady Hawks, who return five scorers from a 10th-place finish at the Sherrard Sectional. Top runner sophomore Anya Anaya will lead a dependable lineup with excellent balance. Continued development from the front three could move the Hawks into postseason contention.

Cambridge 

Cambridge features one of the best individual runners among the teams receiving consideration in senior Jana Vande Kemp. Building depth behind their outstanding front three will be the key this fall.

Delavan 

Delavan once again returns two excellent front runners in junior Elyse Brinkmeyer and Khloe Stockham. Those two provide an outstanding scoring foundation, while the remainder of the lineup will look to continue improving throughout the season.

Don't overlook Delavan. The Panthers have two runners capable of competing with almost anyone in Class 1A. If the back half of the lineup continues progressing, Delavan could very easily earn a place in the Top 25 before the postseason begins.

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25 Litchfield

The Purple Panthers round out this year's preseason rankings after returning a solid group of experienced runners led by junior Maggie Schwab.

Schwab has already established herself as one of the stronger runners in central Illinois, while seniors Leighton Warchol, Rilynn Younker, and sophomore Madison Betz provide an experienced supporting cast capable of helping the Purple Panthers remain competitive throughout the season.

Depth will continue to be the biggest focus moving forward, but the foundation of the program remains encouraging. Continued development from younger athletes should help strengthen the team throughout the fall.

Litchfield earns the final spot in my preseason rankings, but don't let that ranking fool you.

The gap between teams ranked 18 through 30 is incredibly small this season, and a handful of runners improving by 20 to 30 seconds could completely reshape the rankings by October. Schwab provides her crew with an outstanding leader, and if the supporting cast continues to develop, Litchfield has every opportunity to outperform this preseason position.

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24 Newton

The Eagles continue to establish themselves as one of the Little Illini Conference's most consistent programs.

Although the Eagles are relatively young, they return a tight-knit varsity lineup that gained valuable experience during both the cross country and track seasons. Sophomore Heather Bergbower, junior Avery Geier, sophomores Josie Vogt, sophomore Nora Street, and Kimberly Bierman all competed together on the track, helping build chemistry that should translate well to the fall.

Incoming freshman Chloe Holsapple arrives with an impressive junior high résumé and is expected to compete immediately for a varsity position, while senior Kate Bierman returns after missing time because of injury.

The Eagles understand the challenge awaiting them in one of the state's toughest sectionals, but the focus remains simple: improve every week and be running their best when the postseason begins.

Newton may be ranked near the bottom of this preseason poll, but I believe the future is extremely bright.

This is a young group that already understands how to train and compete together. Programs like this often make their biggest improvements over the course of a single season, and I wouldn't be surprised if Newton climbs several spots by October while setting itself up for even bigger success in 2027.

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23. Columbia

The Eagles enter the 2026 season with a veteran group that has the opportunity to continue building momentum.

Sophomore Kaylee Grandt leads the team after another impressive campaign, while junior Cecilia Muehl, senior Gabrielle Martin, and sophomore Eliana Muehl provide valuable experience throughout the middle of the lineup. Senior Kylie Wheeler rounds out a dependable scoring five capable of improving steadily throughout the season.

The overall team spread remains Columbia's biggest area for growth, but the returning experience should provide a strong foundation entering championship racing.

Columbia has quietly built a solid foundation.

The Eagles may not receive much statewide attention entering August, but they have enough returning experience to compete for another successful postseason. If they continue improving together throughout the fall, they'll be a difficult team to overlook by October.

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22 Princeton

The Tigers enter the season with an experienced roster capable of building upon last year's success.

Seniors Payton Frueh and Ruby Acker provide dependable front-end scoring after both finishing under 20 minutes, while fellow senior Alexandra Waca returns valuable varsity experience following another solid season. Junior Susanna Bohms and sophomore Leila Acker complete a balanced scoring lineup that should continue improving as the fall progresses.

The Tigers have steadily built consistency over the past several years, and another year of experience should position them well for postseason competition.

PRINCETON is a team that shouldn't be overlooked.

The Tigers have enough experience to compete with many of the teams ranked ahead of them, and experience becomes increasingly valuable as championship racing approaches. If this group continues progressing together, they could finish considerably higher than their preseason ranking.

21 Port Byron (Riverdale)

Riverdale quietly returns one of the more experienced lineups in northwestern Illinois.

Sophomore Ava Martel leads the Rams after another excellent season, while junior Ava Gaulrapp and senior Jillian Murray give the squad three runners who have already demonstrated they can compete consistently at the varsity level. Seniors Grace Schmidt and Naomi Peschang round out a veteran scoring five capable of improving considerably with another season of experience.

One of Riverdale's greatest strengths is continuity. Nearly every key contributor returns, allowing the coaching staff to spend less time rebuilding and more time focusing on improvement throughout the championship season.

If the Rams continue tightening their spread, another successful postseason is certainly within reach.

Riverdale feels like one of the sleeper teams entering the season.

The Rams aren't flashy, but they're experienced, fundamentally sound, and capable of making steady improvements throughout the fall. Those are the types of teams that often surprise people once postseason racing begins.

Don't be surprised if this team is still racing deep into October. 

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20 Genoa-Kingston 

Genoa-Kingston returns a veteran lineup capable of competing for another successful postseason run.

Seniors Emma James and Gracie Zapatka headline the team after both finishing under 20 minutes last season, providing a dependable scoring foundation. Junior Madyson McDowell, senior Grace Pena, and junior Alexa Ayala all return with valuable varsity experience, giving the Cogs one of the more balanced lineups in northern Illinois.

The team's overall success will depend on continuing to tighten the spread between its scoring runners, but experience should once again prove to be one of Genoa-Kingston's greatest advantages.

Genoa-Kingston is exactly the type of veteran team coaches respect.

They're experienced, fundamentally sound, and consistently improve throughout the year. I think this team has an opportunity to outperform its preseason ranking if the front of the lineup continues progressing while the pack stays tightly grouped.

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19 Pleasant Plains

Pleasant Plains once again enters the season as one of the Sangamo Conference's premier programs.

The Cardinals return an experienced front group led by junior Maddy Hegele and senior Alli Van Veldhuizen, both of whom have consistently competed against some of the strongest fields in central Illinois. Sophomore Finley Ewald provides another dependable scorer under 20:15, giving Pleasant Plains three experienced athletes capable of leading the team throughout the season.

As always, competing in the Sangamo Conference should prepare the Cardinals well for postseason competition. Week after week, they'll face some of the strongest small-school competition in the state.

Pleasant Plains is one of the programs that always seems to improve once the weather cools.

The Cardinals race with confidence, compete against outstanding competition throughout the year, and rarely seem intimidated by championship meets. I expect another solid postseason from one of central Illinois' most consistent programs.

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18 Elmhurst (Timothy Christian)

The Trojans possess one of the premier individual runners in Illinois.

Sophomore Lyla Plaisier's 17:08 personal best places her among the very best returning athletes in Class 1A and immediately gives Timothy Christian a tremendous advantage every time they compete. Junior Maddie Turner provides another experienced varsity scorer after breaking 19:35, while junior Addison Butler, senior Eden Moore, and junior Abbee Baker complete a veteran lineup.

The biggest opportunity for improvement comes through continued development from the supporting pack. As those runners continue gaining confidence and experience, the Trojans become increasingly dangerous during championship season.

The question is how much improvement can come from positions two through five. If those athletes continue dropping time throughout the fall, Timothy Christian could surprise a number of higher-ranked programs.

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17 Monticello

Monticello returns one of the strongest one-two combinations in the state with junior Macie Owen and senior Taylor Mabry leading the way. Both runners have consistently demonstrated the ability to compete against elite competition, giving the Sages an excellent foundation entering every meet.

Senior Madison Morrow provides a dependable third scorer after breaking the 19:30 barrier last season, but Monticello's success this fall will largely depend on continued improvement from its fourth and fifth runners. Sophomores Sophie Burkybile and McKenzie Koester gained valuable experience throughout 2025 and now have an opportunity to make significant strides as upperclassmen.

The Sages have long been known for producing disciplined, fundamentally sound teams, and that experience should once again serve them well once postseason racing begins.

Monticello feels like one of the biggest "what if" teams entering the season.

Everyone knows how talented Owen and Mabry are. If the supporting cast takes another step forward, the Sages could climb into the top ten before the postseason arrives. They already have the hardest part-elite front runners. Now it's simply a matter of building depth behind them. 

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16 Manteno 

Manteno enters the season with perhaps the most explosive one-two combination outside the top ten.

Junior Klarke Goranson is one of the fastest returning runners in Illinois after posting a sensational 17:11 personal best, while junior Lyla Nevel gives the Panthers another proven All-State caliber performer. Those two alone will put Manteno in outstanding scoring position at virtually every meet.

The challenge will be building the depth necessary to capitalize on those low scores. Sophomore DeLanie Monroe returns under 20 minutes and provides a strong third scorer, but continued development from the fourth and fifth positions will determine how high Manteno can climb.

Few teams have a higher ceiling if those improvements occur.

Manteno might have the highest upside of any team ranked outside my preseason top ten.

Goranson and Nevel are outstanding. If Monroe continues progressing and the fourth and fifth runners take another step, this team will move up quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if Manteno finishes well above this preseason ranking by the end of the year.