Scouting Reports: Neuqua Valley Todd Grasley Sep 18, 2012

Neuqua Valley boys cross country team has been one of the stronger programs in 2A over the past several years. The Wildcats finished third in 2011 and saw four of their top six runners including Mark Derrick who went to the University of North Carolina (9th at state) and Taylor Soltys (10th). Two returners that will need to step up for NV will be Alekh Meka and NIck Bushelle.

Scouting Report: Glenbard South Boys Todd Grasley Sep 14, 2012

Glenbard South looks to improve on their runner-up finish in 2011 at the Illinois Cross Country Championships. The Raiders finished just 18 points behind Belvidere North. They return five of their top seven runners from last year's team and should be pretty strong again in 2012. 

Scouting Reports: Lake Park Girls Todd Grasley Sep 11, 2012

The Lake Park girls cross country team looks to be one of the top teams not just in 3A but regardless of class in all of Illinois. The Lancers are led by one of the top runners in the nation senior Kaylee Flanagan and return ten of their top twelve from last year. Flanagan placed third at the 3A Illinois Cross Country Championships and went onto finish 31st at Foot Locker Nationals and 18th at Nike Cross Nationals.

Scouting Report: Downers Grove South Girls Todd Grasley Sep 05, 2012

The Downers Grove South girls' cross country team looks to improve on their 12th place showing at state in 2011. The Mustangs look to be very competitive in 2012 after returnign five of their top seven from last year led by sophomore Amanda Thate. 

Scouting Report: Downers Grove North Girls Todd Grasley Sep 04, 2012

The Downers Grove North girls' cross country program finished 8th in 2009, 10th in 2010, and 21st in 2011 at the 3A IllinoisState Cross Country Championships. It isn't really the direction you want to be headed, but Coach Tim McDonald believes this year is different. He says the team is looking good and the chemistry with the girl is a complete 180 from a year ago. Also, good for the Trojans is that they return six of their top seven runners from last year's team that competed at the state meet. 

Scouting Reports: O'Fallon Boys Todd Grasley Sep 03, 2012

The O'Fallon boys' cross country team saw a runner-up finish in 2011 falling short of champion Palatine by just six points. The Panthers lose their number three, four and five runners from that team, Jacob Becker who placed 34th at state, Nicholai Sappy (37th), and Kevin Lapp (68th.) Despite the loss of those three runners, Coach Jon Burnett says the team is looking pretty good and will be deeper than last year. This year's squad is led by senior Alex Riba. 

Scouting Report: Mt. Zion Boys Todd Grasley Sep 02, 2012

It was a great year for the Mt. Zion boys cross country team in 2011. The Braves won the 1A state championship with 76 points and 1-5 split of 1:04. Coach Harbeck loses five of his top seven from that team including senior leader Joe Frtizche who finished sixth, and Patrick Tharp and Nick Toothman who placed in the top 40. However, the team does return top runner Jake Brown and number seven Timmy McElroy. 

Scouting Report: St. Teresa Girls David Everett Sep 01, 2012

The reigning Class 1 champs come back looking strong as ever. They are not only the top ranked Class 1 school, but one of the best schools statewide. They did lose their top runner from last year, Ellen Devereux but her sister, Rachel, should help fill that role. Rachel is coming off of a strong sophomore campaign which found her 11th at the State Cross Country meet.  They started off their season this past weekend with a solid victory at the Metro East Lutheran Invitational where they won the meet over Rochester 45-60. They averaged 20:48 for the 5K course with Rachel Devereux leading the team with a time of 20:05. 

Scouting Report: St. Thomas More Todd Grasley Aug 31, 2012

The St. Thomas More boys' cross country team finished fourth at least year's 1A Illinois State Cross Country Championships. The Sabers return four of their top five runners and are poised for an even better finish in 2012 led by a group of upperclassmen.

Scouting Report: Naperville North Girls David Everett Aug 30, 2012

Naperville North returns from a third place finish last fall.  They are led by four returners including top two finishers for their team last year, Maria McDaniel and Kimber Meyer. McDaniel, who finished 31st in her junior season, comes in with a three mile best of 17:37. She dipped under 5:10 for the 1600 this spring. Meyer focused more on the 3200m and ran a season best time of 11:01. These two are both coming off of strong year last year and should help North have another great year this year.

Scouting Report: Palatine Boys David Everett Aug 28, 2012

While this may not be the same team as last years state winning team, Palatine returns a pack of quality runners. With the loss of six of their top seven, the Pirates will be relying on some new faces this fall. Led by last years sixth place runner, Carlos Zambrano, Palatine has four more runners following close behind.  Zambrano had a great spring where he ran 4:22 for 1600 meters. He is closely followed by Graham Brown who ran 9:50 on the track. Zach Stella has a 3 mile PR only 3 seconds behind Zambrano and their returning top five has a minimal spread of only 30 seconds ranging from 15:41 to 16:11.   

Scouting Report: Jones Boys Todd Grasley Aug 27, 2012

Jones College Prep out of Chicago finished sixth at last year's 2A Illinois State Cross Country Champs. All seven of the boys are back for 2012 and are poised to make the podium. The group is led by a talented senior class including Jamison Dale, Luke O'Connor, and Kirby Lawson. Dale finished sixth last year and will be a contender for the individual title. O'Connor and Laweson held down the number two and three spots finsihing 36th and 40th. 

Scouting Report: Crystal Lake Central Girls Todd Grasley Aug 26, 2012

Crystal Lake Central girls cross country team is coming off of runner-up finish in 2011. The Tigers were led by freshman Sami Staples who won the 2A individual title. Staples returns for her sophomore year along with four other returners from last year's team. 

Scouting Report: Belvidere North Boys Todd Grasley Aug 25, 2012

Belvidere North is one of the premier programs in the state of Illinois. The Blue Thunder have been rolling over their competition in 2A winning the last three state championships and looking for their fourth in four years. Three seniors will lead the 2012 team including 2010 and 2011 individual runner-up Tyler Yunk.

Scouting Report: Prospect Girls Todd Grasley Aug 24, 2012

The past three seasons the Prospect girls cross country team has finished 6th, 5th, and 5th. The team loses three of its top seven starters to graduation, but returns one of the top distance runners in the state in senior Brooke Wolfe. Wolfe had a stellar 2010 campgain placing fifth at the 2A Illiinois State Cross Country Championships, 28th at Footlocker Midwest, and 18th at Nike Nationals before an injury slowed her down her junior season. Slowing down for Wolfe meant a 16th place finisih at state. This year, she is healthy, ready to contend for an individual title and put Prospect back on the podum.