By Michael Newman

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Sectional Saturday is approaching and one question still is out there. Can any team defeat the defending state champions Yorkville Boys and Girls teams? The two squads have been on top of the rankings all season. This weekend will resolve which 25 teams (or more) will run in the team races?

 

There will be new individual state champions this season in 2A. Which runners will step up to the lead role? The questions of who will be making the Peoria trip should be answered by early Saturday afternoon.

 

Here is a look at each of the five 2A sectional meets that will take place throughout Illinois.

 

 

Bensenville Fenton Sectional @ Fenton HS Campus XC Course

 

Girls (10:00 AM)

 

Individuals – Abigail Nadler (Latin School, Chicago) will be the big favorite in this race. The senior is peaking at the right time winning her last three races including her regional meet at Deerfield last weekend. She was eight seconds faster Yarely Robledo (Mather HS, Chicago). The sophomore finished sixth at the city championships two weeks ago and appears just like Nadler to be peaking at the right time.

 

Other runners to watch in this sectional include Elsa Erling (University HS, Chicago), Sophia Lancaster and Maddie Hoffman (Latin School, Chicago), Abbey & Kelley Osborn (Deerfield HS), and Claire Goldman (Payton Prep, Chicago).

 

Teams – This is the weakest of all the five 2A sectional meets. Nevertheless, if #9 Latin School were moved into one of the other sectionals, they would qualify. The Romans were moved up into 2A after finishing third in the 1A state meet a year ago. The talent is there for this team to compete for a state trophy next week in Peoria. The OVERWHELMING favorites in this meet. Abigail Nadler is the race favorite. Latin could have five runners in the first twelve in this meet. No talk about splits or what they need to do, this team will just go out and run and win convincingly.

 

Deerfield received an early Christmas present being moved down to 2A for this scholastic year. The Warriors are a good team that would not have qualified for the state meet in 3A. Here is there chance to get to Peoria. Sisters Abbey and Osborn should finish in the top ten in this race. Just like Latin School, this team is a lock to make it to Peoria.

 

After that, it gets a little interesting. There are four or five teams that could qualify in the next three spots. Chicago University easily won their own regional last week with 19 points. Elsa Erling should finish in the top 6 in this race. Their 2-5 pack was within 31 seconds of each other last week. That should be good enough to make it to the state meet. Regina Dominican turned in a strong performance in placing third at the Deerfield Regional. They had a strong 23 split between their first four runners led by Katie McDonough. The over 70 second split between 4 and 5 could hurt this team. Payton Prep was only five points behind Regina Dominican last week. Claire Goldman has the potential to place in the top 10. They have a strong pack of five runners that could put them into the top four teams at Fenton.

 

Elmwood Park will be one of three teams challenging to get into that top five. Aingel Matos has the potential to place also in the top ten. Their 2-5 split needs to go near 90 seconds for this team to qualify. Mather has Yarely Robledo leaving them, but their pack might not have the strength to overtake Regina Dominican or Payton Prep.

 

Boys (11:00 AM)

 

Individuals – It could be a repeat of the Chicago University Regional when Jacob Meyer (University HS, Chicago) pulled away for a nine second win ahead of Walmer Saavedra (Lindblom HS, Chicago). The Lindblom junior ran 15:09 in placing second in the CPL City Championships two weeks ago. It could be a different outcome in this week’s race. Robel Yemane (Mather HS, Chicago) finished 16^th in the same CPL race but bounced back to win last week at Deerfield. He could be in the mix also.

 

Other runners that will be up front with a chance of winning include Jacob Silverman and Simon Ricci (Latin School, Chicago), Billy Anderson (Deerfield HS), Wesley Chan (Payton Prep, Chicago), and Axel Nava (Fenton HS, Bensenville).

 

Teams – Just like the Girls Meet, the Boys race should come down to Deerfield and Latin School for the team title. Both schools should be locks to qualify. #21 Deerfield won last week on their home course and should be the favorite again in this meet. Billy Anderson led a 1-5 52 second split. That may need to come down about five seconds for this team to win. #22 Latin School has a good strong trio up front in Jacob Silverman, Simon Ricci, and Aiden Sarazen. The three could potentially be in the top ten. Their 4-5 runners need to move up for a chance for the sectional championship.

 

Fenton should also be a lock to qualify for state again but not because they are running on their home course. Axel Nava is a solid front runner for the Bison who should finish also in the top ten. Fenton’s split two weeks ago at their conference meet was near 2 minutes. That needs to come down to 90 seconds for this team to solidify their qualifying position. Payton Prep could also find themselves running at Peoria next week. Wesley Chan is front runner for this team that split 67 seconds on five last week. That could be good enough to advance. Lindblom was a big surprise in winning their regional meet slightly over Chicago University. Walmer Saavedra will be in the front. His teammates need to move their tight pack (42 seconds last week) closer to their star runner to make it to state.

 

University High has Jacob Meyer giving them low points. Their 2-5 split is a little too big and could prevent them from making it to Peoria. Elmwood Park was only eight points behind Payton last week. Lucas Kieffer led a team that had a 73 second split on their scoring runners. That needs to come down ten seconds for this team to advance.

 

Decatur MacArthur Sectional @ Hickory Point GC, Decatur

 

Girls (11:30 AM)

 

Individuals – The individual race will be wide open with no apparent clear favorite. Emma Chelsvig has been running strong coming down the season’s home stretch winning both her conference championship and then last week at her regional meet. Megan Shaffer (Mattoon HS) would be one runner to watch also. Champion of the Danville Regional, the senior has been held back by injuries. She finished 19^th at 2A state last year. She has the talent to win this race. Abby Richter (Triad HS, Troy) won her own regional last week and could finish in the top five in this race. Mercedes Elliott (Danville HS) was second to Shafer last week. She could be the surprise in this race.

 

Other runners that I would watch for up front include Aly Goff and Natalie Motor (Springfield HS), Demi Dixon (Glenwood HS, Chatham), Bridget McClain (Sacred Heart-Griffin HS, Springfield), Grace Oetting (Charleston HS), Rebecca Kaefring (Centennial HS, Champaign), and Jayden Bruce (Highland HS).

 

Teams – A former area coach has stated that this is a down year for teams in the sectional. I would have to agree with them. There are usually one or two teams among the first ten teams in the 2A rankings. This year there is none to be found. The team battle will still be competitive,

 

#18 Chatham-Glenwood has been the strongest team in this area most of the year and should be the favorite in this meet. Demi Dixon and Erica Rideout are potential top ten finishers. The split for the Titans last week was 83 seconds. To win comfortably, the split could come down 10-15 seconds which this team has the potential to do. #20 Sacred Heart-Griffin will have Bridget McClain up front to give this team low points. She should place in the top ten. There has been on the average a minute gap between McClain and the pack. The pack’s split last week was a tight 19 seconds. If the pack can get within 45 seconds, then they could challenge for a sectional championship.

 

#22 Danville won their own regional behind the second place finish by Mercedes Elliott. Their split between Elliott and the pack was close to two minutes last week on the rugged Kickapoo State Park course. That has to come down this week if the Vikings want to make a state appearance. Jacksonville could be in one of the top five qualifying spots. They were only ten points behind SSHG last Saturday. Emma Chelsvig will provide them low numbers. Their 2-5 pack was within 37 seconds of each other last week. If they can get within 70 seconds of their teammate, then Jacksonville would be in the top five. Springfield has been the mystery team most of the year with runners in and out because of injuries. They have a strong front three with Aly Goff, Natalie Motor, and Sophia Gullo all having the potential to place in the top 15. The gap between those three and their fourth runner is 90 seconds which could prevent them in advancing. That gap needs to get closer for this team to run at Peoria.

 

Grace Oetting and Hope Griffin could place in the top 20 for Charleston. Their split was over three minutes in their regional meet. That needs to come down if the Trojans have visions of running at Peoria. Triad could be a surprise in the top five. They will have Abi Richter that could finish in the top five. Even though their split on five is close to three minutes, they could still find themselves in a top five spot. Breese Mater Dei finished behind Triad at the regional meet. Sophia Lager needs to be in the top 12 along with their split near 75 seconds to make it to Peoria. Highland has been the mystery team this year. At the beginning of the season, they were ranked in the top ten. Injuries and a strike interruption have slowed this team down. Jayden Shelton has emerged as the front runner after an injury has sideline all-state runner Allison Zobrist. The junior came back and was their fifth runner at the MVC Meet two weeks ago. She was held out last week. She could give this team a boost if she is in the lineup and healthy.

 

Boys (12:15 PM)

 

Individuals – We saw the potential that Caleb Hummer had last spring when he was all-state in the 3A 3200 Meter Run. He showed he is ready to challenge Yorkville’s Hoffert brothers after he ran 14:42 two weeks ago at Detweiller Park to win the Big 12 conference meet by 46 seconds. He should be the clear favorite in this race, Central State Eight champion Heath Warren (Springfield HS) has been coming on strong and could be Hummer’s chief competition. Waterloo’s Lance Mueller and Cole Rodenberg are a strong duo that could also push Hummer in this race.

 

Other runners to watch in the front pack include Landon Skelly (Glenwood HS, Chatham), Lincoln VanMeter (MacArthur HS, Decatur), Nate Fierstos (Sacred Heart-Griffin HS, Springfield), Mike Neposchlan (Springfield HS), Ashton Hyatt (Central HS, Champaign), Brenner Webster (Salem HS), and Micah Cherry (Carbondale HS).

 

Teams – This could be a wild team competition with seven schools vying for the five state qualifying spots. I could see 10-15 points separating third through seventh places. The one team that should get out is #6 Springfield. The Senators convincingly won their regional with only 31 points and a 54 second five runner split. It could be enough to advance especially with Heath Warren and Mike Neposchlan finishing potentially in the top ten. #12 Chatham-Glenwood has lost three of their top five runners in the past month due to injuries but still found a way to finish second behind Springfield last week. The Titans will rely on the single digit points that Landon Skelly will provide for them. They will need a tight 30 second split behind him to advance.

 

#17 Salem has been winning by the skin of their teeth the past two meets. They only won by one point over Charleston at their conference meet. Last Saturday at their regional meet, they were only one better than Danville. Brenner Webster should finish in the top ten to lead this team. After that, it is all freshman and sophomores behind the senior. The Wildcats only had a 51 5 runner split on their first five. This young team is running like a veteran squad at the right time. #18 Danville will get one point from Caleb Hummer. From there, they will need a tight pack from their 2-5 runners. Their split on that pack last week was 40 seconds. If they can stay within 50 seconds, then the Vikings should be racing together another week. #19 Sacred-Heart Griffin was only seven points behind Glenwood last week at the regional meet. Nate Fierstos has the potential of placing in the top ten. Their 2-5 split needs to get closer together and to Fierstos. The gap last week was 33 seconds behind Fierstos and 60 seconds within the pack. If both narrow, this team could finish in the first three.

 

#23 Champaign Central could sneak into the top five but will need to get their 2-5 split under 45 seconds. Ashton Hyatt should finish in the top ten which will give the Maroons a boost. #25 Charleston did not run their best race of the year in placing fourth at Danville. They will need a solid front three pack with Kendall Oliver, Ross Osterday, and Colton Bell all within 20 seconds of each other in order to make it to Peoria.

 

Waterloo has the good front duo of Lance Mueller and Cole Rodenberg giving them low points. Their pack behind them will need to stay within a minute of the two and 50 seconds of each other in order to qualify. Carbondale has Micah Cherry up front, but will need their 1-5 split near 85 seconds in order to get close to the first five.

 

East Peoria Sectional at Illinois Central College

 

Girls (10:30)

 

Individuals – Who else but Maryjeanne Gilbert (Notre Dame HS, Peoria) as the favorite in this sectional race? The junior has been unstoppable this fall consistently under 17 minutes for three miles. Her 17:47 course record at Lake Storey last weekend at Galesburg is just as impressive. The one runner that could stay within a minute of Gilbert is Abby Jockisch (Dunlap HS). She ran 17:26 at Detweiller two weeks ago at the Mid Illini Conference Meet. If Gilbert is not 100%, then Jockisch could surprise. Otherwise, the Dunlap senior should be a solid second. Lauren Whitehouse (Mahomet-Seymour HS) has been running impressively the last few weeks. Her 17:56 regional winner at Maxwell Park last week makes her a threat to finish up front this weekend.

 

Other runners that I would watch in the pack behind Gilbert include Shannan Supan and Madigan Landess (University HS, Normal), Francesca Verville (Dunlap HS), Mya Shannon (Morris HS), Megan Krolak and Lesly Rocha (LaSalle-Peru HS), Sara Piller and Andrea Gordon (Normal West HS), and Abby Ricca (Notre Dame HS, Peoria).

 

Teams - #2 Dunlap is the favorite in this meet. They only were seven ahead of Peoria Notre Dame last weekend at Galesburg but that was without top runner Francesca Verville who was held out. The Eagles will dominate up front which should give them the sectional championship. #8 Peoria Notre Dame have been running better the last few weeks. It helps when you have a runner like Maryjeanne Gilbert leading the way. If their 2-5 pack can stay within in 40 seconds of each other and have their second runner place in the top 12, then the Irish could end up on top. #10 Normal University is also peaking at the right time. Their home win last Saturday was impressive led by top five finishes by Shannan Supan and Madigan Landess. Their front pack could put them into the top two teams. They should qualify out of this sectional.

 

The final two spots will be contested by four teams. #17 Mahomet-Seymour had a 59 second 2-5 split behind front runner Lauren Whitehouse last week. That split needs to come down in order to guarantee a state qualifying berth. #19 Washington has been a surprise this year with four freshmen in their top seven. If their 5 runner split creeps near 60 seconds with freshman Kara Jacobs in the first 12, Washington could make the top five. #23 Normal West is starting to run better after a slow start this season. Sara Piller and Andrea Gordon have the potential to finish in the first 15. If their 3-5 pack can lower their split from 48 seconds to 30 seconds, the chance will be good that the Wildcats advance to Detweiller Park. Metamora has Cassy Fitzgibbons and Bethany Spradlin as solid front runners. Their scoring split needs to be near 70 seconds with one of their top two runners in the first 15 to extend their season by one week.

 

Boys (11:30)

 

Individuals - Alex Keeble (Mahomet-Seymour HS) demonstrated earlier this year at the Richard Spring Invitational he will be one of the top 2A runners after running 14:41 at Detweiller. He should be the favorite in this meet. Teammate William Wolf was within three seconds of Keeble last Saturday. You can expect him in the top five on Saturday. Matt Church (East Peoria HS) did not run last Saturday but his team did qualify without him. Church ran 15:11 earlier this year at Detweiller but finished third at his conference meet. If he is at full strength, he could push Keeble.

 

Other runners I would watch in this race include Matt Car and Thomas Thornton (Limestone HS, Bartonville), Eli Hill and Alexander Bruno (University HS, Normal), Jake Gillum (Metamora HS), Brady Carius (Morton HS), Phillip Copeland (Dunlap HS), Kienan Otto (Alleman HS, Rock Island), Patrick Bruch (Notre Dame HS, Peoria), and Michael Church (East Peoria HS).

 

Teams – It should be another battle between #2 Mahomet-Seymour and #5 Metamora for the team championship. Last week, the Bulldogs won 39-57. Alex Keeble and William Wolf should be within the first five runners. The key for this team to win is keeping their 5 runner split between 50-55 seconds. Metamora ran a similar split (67 seconds) to what Mahomet-Seymour ran last week. That will need to come down this week for the Redbirds to be in the title mix. Jake Gillum will be up front.

 

There could be up to seven teams fighting for the final three qualifying spots. #12 Rock Island Alleman packed it up running a 22 second split on the hills of Lake Storey to finish one point behind Bartonville Limestone. The week before at their conference meet, their split was only 16 seconds. If the Pioneers can place a runner in the first 15 with those kind of splits, it would be hard to keep them out of the top five. #15 Bartonville Limestone has been up and down all year. They ran a good race last week to win the Galesburg Invitational behind the 1-2 finish by Matt Carr and Thomas Thornton. Both runners will need to be in the first 15 in this race. Their split was 70 seconds last week. It will need to be at 55 seconds or better to make it to state. #16 Normal University has put themselves in a good position to qualify. Eli Hill and Alexander Bruno have the potential to be in the first 15 in this sectional. Sophomore Jack Franklin has showed significant improvement and could give the Pioneers a boost if he finishes in the first 20. A split under 65 seconds could get this team to Peoria.

 

#24 Peoria Notre Dame could be on the outside looking in. Their split off of lead runner Patrick Bruch was 90 seconds last week. That needs to be lower if they want to be running in the state meet. East Peoria just made it out of the regional but that was without Matthew Church. He could be in the top five on Saturday. If their pack can stay near 70-73 seconds, this team has a qualifying chance. Normal West could be a year away with an all underclassmen line up. If Alex Hillegass and Mat DeGroot finish in the top 20 with a 55 second split, the future could be now for this program in qualifying. Lincoln-Way West could be the big surprise team in this sectional. The potential is there to have Evan Mitchell or Mitch Feehan end up in the first 15. Their 1-5 split needs to be under 65 teams for a top five finish.

 

Maple Park Kaneland Sectional @ Kaneland HS Campus Course

 

Girls (10:00 AM)

 

Individuals – I do not think there is a clear favorite in this race. There are some strong runners in this field making it an exciting race. Skyler Bollinger (Yorkville HS) won the Woodstock Regional last week by nine seconds ahead of Vivian Overbeck (Vernon Hills HS). You can expect both runners to be up front. They will be joined by Jenna Lutzow (Belvidere North HS). The sophomore ran 17:42 earlier in the year at Peoria. She won the Eddington Invitational the following week on this sectional course. Lutzow could have the edge here. Caitlyn Allen (Marengo HS) finished eight seconds behind Lutzow last week at Belvidere. I would not count out this senior in this race. Kortney Schardt (Lakes HS, Lake Villa) could be the under the radar runner in this race. She won by 20 seconds at the toughFox River Park course last week. She could be the surprise in this race.

 

Just as in the team race, there could be some good runners staying home. Too call this race loaded would be an understatement. Runners to watch for up front include Emma Milburn and Brett Chody (Lake Forest HS), Kate Jacobs (Woodstock HS), Alexis Grandys and Erin Reynolds (Yorkville HS), Janine Orvis and Mary Fleming (Central HS, Crystal Lake), Brianna Bower (Kaneland HS, Maple Park), Carley Lutzow (North HS, Belvidere), Mercedes Sanchez (Sterling HS), Delaney Appino and Grace McLaughlin (Boylan Catholic HS, Rockford) and Danielle Griesbaum (Lakes HS, Lake Villa).

 

Teams – How tough is this sectional race? Teams that potentially could finish in the top five at the next weekend’s state meet could be left at home. That is how tough it is. Six teams are ranked in the top eleven in the state. There are ten schools overall that are ranked in the top 25. Who will survive out of this meat grinder of a meet?

 

I think that the one team that should advance is #1 Yorkville. The defending state champions only scored 28 points to win the tough Woodstock Regional placing all seven runners in the first twelve. Skyler Bollinger will be towards the front and the pack will follow. I would not be surprised if all seven runners place in the top 25 on Saturday.

 

After the Lady Foxes, it will get interesting. #3 Lake Forest looked good scoring 31 points to win the Antioch Regional. The Lady Scouts had three runners in the first four led by freshman Emma Milburn. Their split was 89 seconds on five last week. They will not get out of this sectional with that kind of split. With 3 runners potentially in the first 15, their split needs to be closer to 64 seconds. #4 Belvidere North bounced back to win their regional after a so-so conference performance. Their split will be big especially with Jenna and Carley Lutzow in the first ten. Sabrina Elder and Stephanie Robles could give this team a big boost if they finish in the top 25. #5 Crystal Lake Central will need a strong pack to make it out. They do not have the strong front runner like Lake Forest and Belvidere North do. If Janine Orvis and Mary Fleming finish between 10^th and 16^th place along with the team having a split near 65 seconds, the Tigers could be making a trip to Peoria.

 

#7 Vernon Hills will need to have their “A” race in motion on Saturday. Last week they finished third at Woodstock. The Cougars will have Vivian Overbeck in the first six runners. Their split was 70 seconds from 2-5 last Saturday. That needs to be near 50 seconds on Saturday if they want to advance. #11 Marengo usually runs good in this sectional race. That should not change on Saturday. Caitlyn Allen will be up front giving the team low points. Their split on their 2-5 was 55 seconds last week. Expect that to be lower on Saturday. That could be the difference in getting to Peoria. #14 Rockford Boylan finished fourth last week at Belvidere without second runner Grace McLaughlin. Along with Grace McLaughlin, the two could finish in the first 15. Their 3-5 split this year has been tight. Last week it was only 12 seconds. The gap between the two front runners and the pack needs to be near 65 seconds for this team to have a chance to qualify in the first five.

 

Host #17 Kaneland will be running on their home course. They ran close together last week but will need to move up this week. #24 Lakes has the good front runner in Kortney Schardt with Danielle Griesbaum potentially in the first 20. Their 3-5 split is just large enough to hold them out of the top five at least. #25 Woodstock has Kate Jacobs up front, but they may not have the fire power to challenge the above heavyweight teams.

 

Boys (11:00 AM)

 

Individuals – It would be a big surprise if Jake and Luke Hoffert are not 1-2 in this race. The two Yorkville runners are the class of this field. The pack behind them will have so much talent. If will be a good thing to watch at next week’s state meet to see how many of the runners in this meet are all-state. Eryk Yunk (North HS, Belvidere) was the winner at Belvidere last week. Jack Aho (Central HS, Grayslake) was the regional winner at Antioch.

 

The front lead pack will be deep. Keep an eye out for Shane Williamson and Tyler Smith (Vernon Hills HS), Matthew Mekaelian and Mark Myers (Lake Forest HS), Jonathan Landis (Sterling HS), Luke Beattie (Woodstock HS), Filip Pajak (Prairie Ridge HS, Crystal Lake), Adam Millburg (Sycamore HS), Clay Musial (Burlington Central HS), Trevor Wills (Yorkville HS), and Cole Barkocy (Central HS, Crystal Lake).

 

Teams – The Boys race is just as tough as the Girls race with six teams ranked in the first eleven. It’s not as deep with only seven teams ranked in the first 25. Don’t tell that to the two ranked teams that don’t advance.

 

Yorkville won at Woodstock last week with 49 points. The Foxes can count on three points from Jake and Luke Hoffert. The key will be the gap between the Hofferts and the pack. If they can stay like last week when their split was 55 seconds and the 3-5 split was only 19 seconds, Yorkville should come out on top. #4 Vernon Hills will be Yorkville’s chief competition just as they were last week. Shane Williamson and Tyler Smith could finish in the top ten. Their split last night between their third and fifth runners was 28 seconds. Their 1-5 split needs to be near 70 seconds to challenge Yorkville.

 

#7 Crystal Lake Central ran a great race last week and will need to duplicate that on Saturday to advance to Peoria. Their split on five was 60 seconds last Saturday. Cole Barkocy and Jake Cannizzo have the potential to be in the first 15. With that split, they will be running another week. #8 Grayslake Central looked strong in winning at Antioch. Jack Aho should be towards the front. Jack Battaglia and Max Brunk will give the Rams a boost if they finish in the first 20. Their overall split needs to be near 65 seconds this Saturday to finish in the first five.

 

#10 Belvidere North could make a return trip to Detweiller Park after missing qualifying last season. Eryk Yunk will give his team low points. Their 2-5 pack was 36 seconds last week. If it stays like that on Saturday, this team will find a place on the starting line at Detweiller Park.  #11 Sterling will need Jon Landis in the top ten to advance. Their split on five will also have to go lower if Sterling wants to advance. #20 Prairie Ridge finished fourth last week behind Filip Pajak’s fifth place finish. The Wolves split of 89 seconds last week will need to be near 65 seconds if they want to finish in the top five.

 

West Chicago Wheaton Academy Sectional @ Kress Creek Farm, West Chicago

 

Girls (10:00 AM)

 

Individuals – The individual race should be close to a repeat of what happened at last week’s Rosary Regional. Karina Liz (Aurora Central Catholic HS) dominated the race winning by 26 seconds ahead of Rebecca Sippel (Glenbard South HS, Glen Ellyn). Liz may try to take the pace out early. The question will be if anyone will go with her Saturday morning.

 

Other runners to watch towards the front include Caroline Arlasky (Glenbard South HS, Glen Ellyn), Emily Martin and Madison Ronzone (Rosary HS, Aurora), Bridget Kunkel (Lemont HS), Gianna Salzbrunn (Montini Catholic HS, Lombard), Abby Fioresi (Aurora Central Catholic HS), Maddie Dearborn and Jill Nelson (IMSA, Aurora), Samaya Lewis (Brooks Academy, Chicago), and Hailey Jurgens (Riverside-Brookfield HS).

 

Teams – Nothing against the other two regionals that feed into this sectional, but all eyes will be on the teams that advanced out of the Rosary Regional. There are six teams that are ranked in this sectional. All of those teams are from the Rosary Regional. It is too bad Rosary is not in it. They would have been going after a top five spot.

 

#6 Lemont slid under the radar early in the season. The Indians are coming on strong just at the right time. They won at Rosary last week and should be the favorite in this meet. This is a young team with six out of their top seven underclassmen. They ran a 52 second split off of the fourth place finish of Bridget Kunkel. The same kind of effort from their seven will put them in Peoria. Just like last year, #12 Glenbard South is peaking for state at the right time. Rebecca Sippel and Carolie Arlasky will be in the top ten. Abby Schlenker could place in the top 15. The split over two minutes can be ignored in this meet. It will be hard to stop the Raiders from returning to Peoria.

 

#13 Montini tends to run their best races at the end of the year. The Broncos ran the same type of race at regionals as they did in 2013 when they barely came made it out of regionals. Gianna Salzbrunn and Emma Makowski have that big meet experience that is rubbing off on their teammates. They could finish in the top 12. The team should find their way in the first five teams. #15 Wheaton Academy relied on a tight pack last week. The same type of strategy could be used in this race. Sisters Gretchen and Annika Pearson should finish in the first 20. Their split was at 57 seconds last week. If it can stay within that range, this team could advance.

 

#21 Aurora Central Catholic will have Karina Liz towards the front of the pack. Abby Fioresi in the top five would be a good thing for the Chargers. Their 3-5 split needs to be at 40 seconds with the gap between Fioresi and the pack near 60 seconds for this team to make it to Peoria. #23 Nazareth Academy missed qualifying as a team by four points last year. I am sure they remember that. Claire Ramsey should be in the top ten. Their 2-5 split was 47 seconds last week. That needs to come down to 35 seconds for this team to advance. Riverside-Brookfield could be a factor. Hailey Jurgens would need to be in the first 15 along with their 2-5 pack getting closer together for the Bulldogs to sneak into the first five.

 

Boys (11:00 AM)

 

Individuals – I just see it hard to someone other than an Illiana Christian leading the front pack. Nick Fiene has the talent to run a fast time. I think he will save that fast race for next week. The Vikings could go 1-2-3 with teammates Nick Wondaal and Colin DeYoung close. Charlie Nodus (Hinsdale South HS, Darien) is having a super junior season. He won the Rosary Regional by close to twenty seconds last week. He could be in the top three in this race.

 

Other runners that I would watch towards the front include Tom McGuire (Illiana Christian HS, Lansing), Erick Meza (Bremen HS, Midlothian), Brandon Lach and Jonah Jones (Wheaton Academy HS, West Chicago), Andrew Sundberg (Glenbard South HS, Glen Ellyn), Roman Drabchuk (Hinsdale South HS, Darien), and Matt Przeslicke (Evergreen Park HS).

 

Teams – I do not see anyone getting close to #3 Illiana Christian in this meet. Fiene, Wondaal, and DeYoung should finish in the top five at worst. Their five runner split was 66 seconds last week. It would be a good thing if they can keep it under 60 seconds in this race. #9 Wheaton Academy was without top five runner Mitchell Smith last week who was held out of the regional race. With him in, this team probably comes out on top. The Warriors will have a solid four together with a split under 20 seconds. Their overall split will need to be close to 45 seconds. I can’t see this team not qualifying.

 

#13 Hinsdale South looked good in winning the Rosary Regional title. Charlie Nodus and Roman Drabchuk should finish in the top ten. The Hornets will need to keep their 1-5 split near 65 seconds to secure their top five qualifying position. Glenbard South has come on strong the last few weeks. The Raiders finished third last Saturday at Rosary. If their split off of lead runner Andrew Sundberg can stay near 62 seconds, then this team could make another Peoria appearance. Riverside-Brookfield looked good winning their own regional meet. Their split on five was a comfortable 42 seconds. If Matt Armenta or Wayne Morrelly can finish in the top 15 with that split, this team should qualify.

 

St. Francis will also challenge for a top five spot. They have a good first four with a split between them at 45-50 seconds. The gap between four and five could be a killer. Bremen has a runner that could finish in the first ten with Erick Meza. If their pack on 2-5 can stay near 45 seconds, the Braves have a chance in qualifying. The most improved team in the state is Solorio Academy. This Chicago school finished second at Riverside-Brookfield. They do not have a front runner but a solid 1-5 20 second split last weekend. This team could be a year away of being a sectional force.

 

 

Good luck to all runners, coaches, and fans this Saturday!