The previews are now in the book, take some time and enjoy this prologue
A very talented and bevy full of teams are here in which you all are able to peruse and marvel in
It is time for for the MileSplit Illinois team power rankings, this is the preseason version. Our rankings are data driven and non-biased. THESE ARE NOT DUAL TEAM RANKINGS!
A hub for every individual and team qualifier for Nike Cross Nationals thus far.
Two more Nike Cross National Regional races took full focus this weekend, and they surely didn't disappoint.
Today we break down the Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Region.
Katelynne H for the individual scene and Naperville North will patrol the team block
St. Charles East has been going HAM all season long. Can they continue the surge one more day? Josh Methner is ready to defend his title.
MileSplit breaks down the top seven meets of the weekend
A look at the best races from across the country.
Check out the release of the boys MileSplit50 national team countdown ahead of the XC season.
This could be one of the best seasons in 10 years
Three time defending state champions Naperville North will face a strong challenge this season
Week 12 Team Power Rankings Are In Effect!
Week 10 Team Power Rankings Are In Effect!
It is time for the MileSplit Illinois Team Power Rankings, Week Eight Is Here To Open Outdoor Season For Us! Our rankings are data driven and non-biased, THEY ARE NOT DUAL TEAM RANKINGS!
It is time for the MileSplit Illinois Team Power Rankings, Week Eight Is Here To Open Outdoor Season For Us! Our rankings are data driven and non-biased, THEY ARE NOT DUAL TEAM RANKINGS!
It is time for for the MileSplit Illinois Team Power Rankings, Week Four Is Here! Our rankings are data driven and non-biased. THESE ARE NOT DUAL TEAM RANKINGS!
It is time for for the MileSplit Illinois Team Power Rankings, Week Four Is Here! Our rankings are data driven and non-biased. THESE ARE NOT DUAL TEAM RANKINGS!
The relays are going to be very hot this season!
The 4x800 is... a blend of distance royalty mixed in with long speed warriors coming together for a common cause to produce some amazing performances for all to enjoy.
Baldwin Wallace's Kelly Brennan went 17:26.35 for the 5000m victory.
Some of the MileSplit staff made their predictions on who will finish top five at Saturday's Nike Cross Nationals race at Glendoveer Golf Course, in Portland Oregon.
See who's qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals meet.
See how all the MileSplit50 teams and individuals who competed this weekend performed.
Full Recap from Nike Midwest Regional from Sunday Nov. 11th
Previewing Missouri's contingent for NXR Midwest
Lots of big action this week with several state meets.
We gathered all the performances from October 22 to October 27 that athletes in the MileSplit50 rankings have run.
Current boys XC team scores rankings in all 50 states and the team at the top of each state's leaderboard as of September 26th.
Following his open division race win, Woodridge's Brayden Whited talks about how he's had to battle back from injuries over the last few years.
Business class is the only way Wheaton-Warrenville South travels
All of your pre-season material in one spot!
The verdict is in: #1 Wheaton South is top team in all of Illinois
Who are the top returning teams in each state? We project the fastest returning teams as well as links to full statewide rankings in all 50 states using our XC team scores rankings feature.
The countdown to the #1 team is here
The team twitter previews: Edition #2 coming right at you!
Let's play the pre-season rankings game
Wheaton-Warrenville South asserts its dominance against Lake Park Sectional field
Naperville Twilight recap is here!
Palatine turned out to be consistent and well round as usual
Richard Spring Invite recap
Neuqua Valley boys, Hinsdale Central girls pull out victories
Check out the girls XC team scores rankings based on scoring the season best 5K times of the top 7 runners of each team in the state of Illinois.
It is going to be electric in Naperville for the Twilight Invitational
Check out the top girls teams in the state of Illinois as of September 22nd based on XC team scoring all of the 5K times currently in the MileSplit database for the 2016 season.
Check out the top boys teams in the state of Illinois as of September 14th based on XC team scoring all of the 5K times currently in the MileSplit database for the 2016 season.
Hinsdale Hornet-Devil Invitational will be the state's top invitational this weekend
The final season team rankings here
It is expected to be 69 degrees, breezy with periods of sun when mid-day strikes upon historic Detweiller Park in Peoria this Saturday for the First To The Finish Invitational.
Every state championship seems to bring out the best in Illinois runners. Could it be that historic Detweiller is the reason? Perhaps it is to an extent, but the real reason has to be better coaching of girls for the three-mile distance. Two seasons ago Madeline Perez of Glenbard West set the all-time record of 16:02. That performance and the other 86 girls who broke 18:00 confirmed the fact that girls can indeed run the same distance as boys with relevance and respect. This year times are fast and we all should see some wonderful team and individual performances on Saturday afternoon
In the NCAA ranks, this will be the first weekend that invitationals will count toward their "countable season". The countable season basically means results will count toward at-large consideration into the NCAA Championships. The IHSA does not have this (perhaps they should and that is a discussion for another day)...
Last weekend at the Hinsdale Hornet-Devil Invitational, the competition and atmosphere was incredible and at a post-season fever pitch. It is hard to think anything can top that just a week later. Let’s go out on the limb and at least predict the level of production and excitement on all levels will be of equal proportions.
They say the hardest thing in sports to do is defending a championship. In Hinsdale Central Boys and Glen Ellyn Glenbard West’s Girls case, they are the respective 3A state championship team title holders. They both come into their season openers with ample artillery to stave off any would be hunters. Beautiful Katherine Legge Memorial Woods Park in Hinsdale provided just the right setting.
The barometer reading in the Chicago area (where the majority top notch competition will be) is supposed to only reach the mid-70s. This is perfect for a long distance sport such as cross country. A bevy of great meets will be anchored by the Hinsdale Red Devil-Hornet Invitational.
"There are so many good teams but not enough time"- a wise quote from a high school historian who proclaimed that when a sport is good there is not enough time to really enjoy it. The upcoming boys large classification may fit that bill. A new star was born last year when Hinsdale Central joined the elite class and won their first state championship going away. This year it should be another great cast of scenarios for us all to follow and enjoy.... strap it up and make the time!
The cross country scene on Illinois' biggest stage is expected to be MAJOR this season. Consider the fact that defending state champion Glenbard West lost only one girl in its top seven (albeit the great Madeline Perez) and did not even contest themselves after the IHSA season. The Lady Hilltoppers will be in the proverbial catbird seat once again with the likes of a hungry and national teams like Naperville North and New Trier on their heels. Thus the pre-season hype is ready to explode. Don't forget about the hunters lurking just down under and waiting for their opportunity to pounce on those who they catch slacking.
2012 was the deepest year on record for the girls at the state championship that saw an amazing 87 girls break 18:00 for three-miles. As well there two home land teams that qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals in Winnetka New Trier (11th) and Naperville North (15th)- a fantastic year on the girls' side for both for individuals and for teams to say the least. This season should see more of the same. Let’s take a peek into the pre-season outlook:
Former Wheaton Warrenville South standout Lauren Mordini is now in her first year at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. While at WWS Mordini helped the Tigers to two consecutive third place finishes and a runner-up finish in 2011 at the 3A Cross Country Championships. Lauren tells MileSplit Illinois what she has been up to in this feature we like to call Where Are They Now?
The first of three regular season invitationals in Peoria takes place this weekend, as the Peoria Woodruff Invitational brings together many of the top ranked teams in the state to race on the state meet course. This year seven of the top 13 ranked boys teams and six of the top ten girls teams will take part. Perhaps the most anticipated part is the debut of freshman superstar Lukas Verzbicas, who will face Danny Pawola, Jeff Thode, Anthony Manfrin, Aaron Beattie and Indiana's Drew Shields among others.
As the season gets underway, ILRunners.com will bring you a special feature each week on the top meet of the weekend. The Meet of the Week will highlight the top competition, providing a pre-race preview, as well as results and analysis. This week the Hinsdale Hornet-Red Devil Invitational is featured. We'll be on-site, bringing you photos, videos, results and analysis. Keep checking back Saturday as we highlight this week's Meet of the Week.