15 Urbana (University)

Urbana University enters the season with one of the better front trios in Class 1A.

Junior Clara Knutson has established herself as one of central Illinois' top competitors, while sophomore Janny Knutson and senior Cadence Scheunemann provide a strong supporting cast capable of scoring well in championship races. Together, those three runners give the Illineks an excellent foundation entering every meet.

The next step will be continuing to improve the fourth and fifth positions. Junior Sofia MacDonald returns valuable varsity experience, while junior Layla Zong and several younger athletes will compete for important scoring spots as the season progresses.

If the supporting pack continues improving, Urbana U High has the potential to outperform its preseason ranking.

This feels like a team that could make a significant jump by late October.

The Illineks already possess excellent front-end scoring, and programs with that kind of foundation often improve quickly once younger runners gain confidence. If the fourth and fifth positions continue progressing throughout the season, Urbana University could surprise quite a few teams during the postseason.

14 Byron

The Tigers once again return a competitive lineup capable of making noise in northern Illinois.

Senior Ashley Potter leads the way after another excellent campaign, while sophomore Gracyn Smith gives Byron a dependable second scorer with valuable postseason experience. Behind them, junior Grace Burnes, seniors Emma Franchi, and Elinor McHale form a reliable supporting group that should continue improving throughout the season.

The key for Byron will be reducing the gap between its frontrunner and the remainder of the varsity lineup. Continued development from the middle pack could dramatically strengthen the Tigers' championship outlook.

Byron reminds me of several successful teams we've seen over the years-solid throughout the lineup with plenty of room for growth.

The Tigers don't need dramatic improvements. They simply need steady progression from a group that already has considerable varsity experience. If that happens, Byron will once again find itself competing well into the postseason.

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13 Clinton

The Maroons quietly return one of the most experienced teams in central Illinois and should once again be in the mix for another successful postseason run.

Junior Aubrey Peterson headlines the lineup after another outstanding season, while senior Averie Fatheree and junior Kacy Koritz give Clinton three experienced scorers capable of keeping the Maroons competitive in virtually every invitational. The strength of this team lies in its consistency. There are very few weaknesses from the first runner through the fifth scorer, and every athlete returns with valuable varsity experience.

If Clinton can continue trimming its overall spread throughout September and October, the Maroons possess the type of balanced lineup that often outperforms expectations during championship racing.

Clinton is one of those teams that could quietly climb several spots by the end of October.

The Maroons may not have the national-level frontrunner that some teams possess, but they race exceptionally well as a pack. Those types of teams become dangerous once regional and sectional meets begin because they simply don't make many mistakes.

I expect Clinton to be firmly in the hunt for another state-meet appearance. 

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12 Effingham (St. Anthony)

There may not be a team in Class 1A with a stronger one-two combination than Effingham St. Anthony when fully healthy.

Seniors Isabella Keller and Aubrey Denning have established themselves among the elite runners in Illinois regardless of classification. Their ability to consistently finish near the front of championship races immediately places the Bulldogs in contention every time they compete. 

The key storyline entering 2026 will be the continued development of the supporting lineup. Sophomore Emeline Wines has already proven she can contribute at a high level, while several younger runners gained valuable experience last season.

If the fourth and fifth scorers continue making significant improvements throughout the fall, St. Anthony could quickly climb into the state trophy conversation despite relying heavily on two exceptional front runners.

Every championship conversation begins with scoring.

The Bulldogs will start with Keller on the waiting list as she is recovering from hip surgery in March. There is high optimism that she will start to blossom during the second half of the season.

If the Bulldogs can continue strengthening the back half of their varsity lineup, they become incredibly dangerous because those front runners immediately put pressure on every competing team. Don't be surprised if St. Anthony makes one of the biggest jumps in the rankings as the season unfolds.

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11 Tolono (Unity)

Tolono Unity once again returns a balanced varsity lineup capable of competing with some of central Illinois' best programs.

Senior Brooklyn Mumm provides veteran leadership after another impressive season, while junior Mia Reifsteck and senior Grace Wherley give the Rockets three runners already under the 20-minute barrier. Behind them, sophomores Kelsey Adcock and Carolina Popovics continue to provide dependable scoring depth.

Perhaps the biggest strength of this group is balance. The Rockets don't rely on one superstar. Instead, they consistently place five runners in strong scoring positions, allowing them to remain competitive at every invitational.

With continued improvement throughout the season, Unity should once again find itself battling for another postseason berth.

Unity may not receive as much statewide attention as some other programs, but they're exactly the kind of team coaches never overlook.

Balanced teams often outperform more talented lineups because they simply don't give away points. The Rockets have that type of potential again this fall, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them steadily move upward throughout the rankings.

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10 Roxana

Few teams possess the front-end firepower Roxana brings into the 2026 season.

Senior Gianna Stassi returns after another outstanding campaign, while sophomore Nova Shaw gives the Shells one of the strongest one-two combinations in southern Illinois. Together, they immediately place Roxana among the better scoring teams in Class 1A.

The challenge for the Shells will be continuing to strengthen the middle and back portions of the varsity lineup. Bailey Schallenberg-Decker, senior Elizabeth Clouse, and sophomore Savannah Cline all gained valuable experience last season and should continue improving with another year of development.

If those athletes can continue narrowing the spread, Roxana has enough talent to make a serious postseason push.

When championship races begin, front runners matter.

Roxana already has two of them.

That alone makes the Shells dangerous. The rest of the season will depend on how much development occurs behind those two stars. If the supporting cast can shave another 20 to 30 seconds by October, Roxana becomes a team nobody wants to see in the postseason.

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9 Belleville (Althoff)

Belleville Althoff Catholic quietly returns one of the most experienced lineups in southern Illinois. Four runners already own personal bests under 20 minutes, providing a strong foundation for another successful postseason campaign.

Sophomore Claire Skaff has developed into one of the area's premier runners and gives Althoff a dependable front-runner capable of competing with the best athletes in Class 1A. Behind her, senior Breigh Desmond and sisters junior Grace Jansen and sophomore Faith Jansen form one of the deepest supporting groups in the classification.

The biggest opportunity for improvement lies with the fifth runner. If senior Ava Lock and the remaining varsity athletes continue progressing, the Crusaders have the depth necessary to challenge some of the state's best teams once championship racing begins.

Experience has become one of this program's greatest strengths, and that should once again be evident throughout the fall.

Althoff might be one of the more underrated teams entering the season.

The front four are proven competitors who have raced in meaningful meets throughout their careers. If the back half of the lineup makes the same improvements we've seen from this program in previous years, the Crusaders could surprise quite a few people by October.

I expect them to spend most of the season climbing the rankings.

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8 Williamsville

One of the premier programs in the Sangamo Conference once again enters the season with lofty expectations.

The Bullets are led by senior Joelle Wilson, whose 17:50 personal best makes her one of the fastest returning individuals in Class 1A. Junior Brooklyn Turley gives Williamsville another experienced low-stick, while three additional runners return with times near the 20-minute mark.

Williamsville has consistently demonstrated the ability to compete against some of the strongest conference competition in Illinois, and that weekly challenge should once again prepare the Bullets well for postseason racing.

Although replacing graduated talent is never easy, the foundation of this year's squad remains extremely strong. If several younger athletes continue developing throughout the season, Williamsville should once again find itself competing deep into November.

Never overlook Williamsville.

The Bullets have built one of central Illinois' most respected distance programs, and they continue to develop runners year after year. Wilson gives this team an exceptional frontrunner, but what makes Williamsville dangerous is their ability to race as a pack and continue improving through October.

Expect another strong postseason from one of the Sangamo Conference's flagship programs.

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7 Shelbyville

Shelbyville enters the season with perhaps the best returning front three in Class 1A.

Sophomore Leah Shoaff headlines the Rams after another spectacular season that established her as one of Illinois' elite runners. Joining her are fellow sophomores Natalie Nohren and Tessa Tomblin, both returning under 19 minutes and capable of finishing near the front of virtually every invitational this fall.

With three proven scorers already in place, the Rams' ceiling will largely depend on continued improvement from its fourth and fifth runners. Senior Laynie Lockart gained valuable varsity experience last season and appears ready to assume a larger role, while junior Kinley Hardy's continued development could dramatically strengthen the team's championship outlook.

Few teams possess Shelbyville's combination of front-end firepower and postseason experience. If the pack continues to narrow throughout the fall, the Rams have legitimate aspirations of contending for a state championship.

I believe the Rams have one of the highest ceilings in Class 1A.

When you have three runners capable of earning All-State honors, you're automatically in the championship conversation. The Rams won't need dramatic improvement-they simply need steady progression from the rest of the lineup.

If that happens, Shelbyville absolutely has the talent to leave Detweiller Park with hardware this November.

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6 El Paso-Gridley

Head Coach: Michael Melick, Assistant Coach: Jacob Ludy

Few programs in Illinois have experienced the sustained success that El Paso-Gridley has built over the past decade. The Titans have become synonymous with postseason excellence, and despite graduating three members of last year's state trophy squad, expectations remain high entering the 2026 season.

Leading the charge are seniors Kiley Knapp and Haven Miller, two experienced competitors who have anchored the varsity lineup for multiple seasons. Knapp's dedication throughout the offseason continues to set the standard for the program, while Miller brings exceptional racing instincts and middle-distance speed that often shines in championship meets.

Junior Verity Nowark has enjoyed the strongest summer of her career and appears poised to take another significant step forward after contributing as both a freshman and sophomore. Audrey Roth and Mya Griffin round out an experienced core that gives the Titans another solid scoring lineup heading into August.

Coach Michael Melick continues to emphasize steady development over flashy summer workouts. Instead of structured daily practices, the Titans encourage athletes to take ownership of their training, creating a culture built on accountability and long-term improvement. That philosophy has consistently produced runners who peak when the championship season arrives.

Adding to the excitement are several promising newcomers. Destiny Gonzales brings a competitive wrestling background that should translate well to distance running, while freshmen Emersyn Harms and Holly Nowark arrive after outstanding junior high careers.

The Titans may look different than last year's state trophy team, but don't mistake that for a rebuilding season. This remains one of the premier programs in Class 1A.

Every year someone asks whether El Paso-Gridley has finally graduated too much talent.

Every year the Titans seem to answer that question by November.

What impresses me most about this program is that success isn't built around one exceptional class. It's built around a system. Athletes buy into the process, younger runners learn from veterans, and by postseason time they almost always look significantly better than they did in September.

The graduation losses are real, but I still believe this is one of the five or six best teams in Class 1A entering the season. If Verity Nowark takes another jump and the newcomers contribute earlier than expected, another trophy is well within reach.

Coach's Quote

"Our strengths include a core of hard workers who enjoy being around each other. If someone watched our girls race, I would want them to see them smiling and relaxed while also moving along the course swiftly and smoothly."

5 Anna-Jonesboro

Head Coach: Matt Denny

Anna-Jonesboro has quietly assembled one of the strongest returning lineups in southern Illinois.

The Wildcats return four runners who have already broken the 19-minute barrier, giving them one of the most experienced front groups in Class 1A. Jadyn Gerardi headlines the squad after another outstanding campaign, while juniors Sophia Hill, Melaina Bundren, and seniors Kylee Myers provide exceptional scoring depth behind her.

Few teams can match Anna-Jonesboro's experience through its top four runners, and that foundation should keep the Wildcats firmly in the hunt for another successful postseason run. The biggest key will be continued improvement from the back half of the varsity lineup as the season progresses.

If the fifth runner continues to close the gap on the front four, Anna-Jonesboro has the talent to compete with any team in southern Illinois and make a serious push toward a top-five finish at the state meet.

Anna-Jonesboro may be one of the most overlooked teams entering the season.

Everyone recognizes the strength of the programs in central and northern Illinois, but the Wildcats possess enough front-end talent to compete with anyone in the classification. Their top four are outstanding, and if they can continue developing depth behind that group, I believe they'll spend the season climbing the rankings.

By the end of October, I fully expect Anna-Jonesboro to be in the conversation as one of the best teams in Class 1A-not just southern Illinois.

4 St. Joseph-Ogden

Head Coach: Jason Retz

Few programs have sustained excellence in central Illinois quite like St. Joseph-Ogden.

The Spartans enter another season with an experienced lineup led by junior Grace Bressner, whose 17:29 personal best places her among the elite returning runners in Class 1A. Behind Bressner, the depth continues with six additional athletes already under or near the 20-minute barrier.

Coach Retz emphasizes steady improvement rather than chasing early-season results. That philosophy has consistently produced strong postseason performances and should once again position the Spartans well entering October.

Team chemistry has also been a significant strength throughout the offseason. Consistent attendance, strong mileage, and a willingness to support one another have made for an outstanding summer of training.

The goals remain unchanged: compete for conference championships, advance through the postseason as a team, and arrive at Detweiller running their fastest races of the year.

I've always admired the way St. Joseph-Ogden approaches distance running.

There is never unnecessary panic over September results. The focus remains on development, progression, and having athletes perform at their highest level when championships begin.

Bressner gives this team one of the lowest scoring runners in Class 1A, and the supporting cast has enough experience to make significant noise throughout the postseason. If the Spartans continue their typical improvement curve, don't be surprised if they're battling near the front of the state meet once again.

Coach's Quote

"Our summer training has gone very well. The athletes have shown excellent commitment with consistent attendance at practices, strong mileage, and a great attitude. They've supported one another throughout the summer, and we've seen steady improvement in both fitness and team chemistry. We're excited about where we are heading into the season and look forward to seeing that work translate into strong performances this fall."

3 Eureka

Head Coach: Olivia Morris; Assistant Coaches: Matt O'Hanlon, Brandon Heider; Volunteer Coaches: Tom Engelhorn, Kellen Ehrenhardt, Graham Morris

Eureka has quietly become one of the most consistent distance programs in central Illinois, and the Hornets appear ready for another successful postseason run.

The strength of this year's team begins with one of the best one-two punches in Class 1A. Seniors Ava Otto and Sierra Herrmann each return with identical personal bests of 17:59, immediately placing Eureka among the state's elite at the front of the race. Behind them, seniors Sophia Watson and Bre Lehman, and sophomore Eva Knapp provide an experienced supporting cast capable of keeping the Hornets competitive against virtually anyone in the classification.

Coach Morris believes the team's balanced scoring remains its greatest asset. Rather than relying on one standout performer, Eureka has developed a lineup capable of placing five runners within a relatively tight spread-an ingredient that often separates trophy contenders from state qualifiers.

Summer training has been encouraging, with excellent attendance and enthusiasm throughout the offseason. The Hornets know the road through the Heart of Illinois Conference will once again be challenging, but those weekly battles should prepare them well for championship racing in October and November.

Every championship team needs dependable scorers, and Eureka certainly has them.

What stands out most about this group is balance. There aren't many weaknesses throughout the lineup, and they rarely give away easy points because of inconsistency. That makes them an extremely difficult team to beat once the championship season arrives.

If Otto and Herrmann continue to develop into legitimate All-State contenders while the rest of the varsity closes the gap, Eureka has every opportunity to challenge for a state trophy. I expect them to spend the entire season ranked among the top programs in Class 1A.

Coach's Quote

"We have had a good group at our summer runs and are ready for the season to begin!"

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2 Elmwood

Head Coach: Cooper Hoffmann

Assistant Coaches: Kyle Anderson, Gregg Meyers, Tom Gorham

Elmwood has become synonymous with postseason success. While many teams judge themselves by September performances, the Trojans have repeatedly demonstrated an ability to improve throughout the fall and produce their best races when championships are on the line.

That formula should once again make Elmwood one of the most dangerous teams in Class 1A.

The Trojans return six runners under 19:30, led by juniors Mya Hill and Bristol Schmidgall, giving them one of the strongest one-two combinations in the state. Junior Riley Kelly has enjoyed an exceptional offseason and has emerged as one of the team's leaders in summer mileage, while sophomores Madalyn Ori and Charlotte Walker continue to provide valuable varsity experience.

Depth remains another strength. Several newcomers have impressed throughout the summer and should push for varsity positions, creating healthy competition that has become a hallmark of the Elmwood program.

As always, the expectation isn't simply reaching the state meet-it's competing once they get there.

Every year people underestimate Elmwood because they focus too much on early-season rankings.

Every year Elmwood proves them wrong.

The Trojans have one of the strongest cultures in Illinois, and it shows every October. They don't rely on one superstar. Instead, they develop complete teams capable of closing enormous gaps over the course of the season.

I expect another significant jump from this group by postseason time. Don't be surprised if they're standing on the awards podium once again at Detweiller.

Coach's Quote

"Summer training has been solid, and the girls are continuing to build on what they have done in the past both in training and team culture. Riley Kelly is having a very strong summer and leads the team in miles. Mady, Charley, and Maya lead the underclassmen in miles, but for the most part everyone is training well."