Coach: Lester Hanpton
Last Year’s Finish: 10th at 2A State
Key returners:
Jack Franklin (Jr.): (15:28,9:54,4:35)
Jared Shuckman (So.): (16:11)
Liam Vaughn (So.): (16:14,10:23)
Tanner Gillam (So.): (16:19)
Aidan Vaughn (Sr.): (16:36)
Zach Gocker (Jr.): (16:40)
Grayson Will (Jr.): (16:59)
Team outlook:
The Pioneers packed it up and split the second-tightest 1-5 split of the top 19 teams to finish 10th place. There is, however, considerable varsity roster turnover compared to their competitors Normal U-High loses three of their first four scorers from last year. The Class of 2018 helps the reloading process though for this team: after top returner Jack Franklin (44th), sophomores Jared Shuckman (122nd), Tanner Gillam (139th) and Liam Vaughn (16:14, 12th at 2014 Corn Belt Conference Meet) comprise a strong sophomore pack whose varsity experience will be critical for Normal U-High’s run pack to Peoria out of the strong Mid-Illinois sectional. Grayson Will (183rd) returns with state meet experience as well, and the Pioneers will look to have their top seven rounded out by Zach Gocker and Aidan Vaughn.
Coach: Mike Garber
Last Year’s Finish: 16th at 2A State
Key returners:
Landon Skelly (Jr.): (15:30)
Paul Giganti (Sr.): (16:09)
Michael Rogers (Sr.): (16:22)
Jack Carnduff (Jr.): (16:25)
Sam Rapp (Sr.): (16:27)
Chris Durr (Jr.): (15:29,10:14)
Logan Capps (So.): (17:00)
Cooper Peterson (Fr.): INCOMING
Dathan Maton (Fr.): INCOMING
Drey Maton (Fr.): INCOMING
Team outlook:
Glenwood was plagued by mid-season injuries in 2014 and lost most of their scoring squad. Despite this, they responded and finished 16th at the state meet. Keeping their fingers crossed for good health, the Titans look poised to have a strong year. Only two of last year’s top ten graduated and they bring in ample freshman talent, as Coach Mike Garber tells us: “[Last year] took a toll on the group mentally but we battled and rallied to a 16th place finish at State. It also gave some younger runners a chance to compete at a high level and they bring that experience back this season. We graduated only two of our top 10. Glenwood will also be bringing a good number of young runners from an IESA State Championship team. That young talent combined with the experience and hard work of our upperclassmen will make for a very fun season.” Glenwood is ranked 15th to enter the season but do not be surprised to see this rank improve throughout the season. And keep an eye out for this team in 2016 and 2017.
13. West Chicago (Wheaton Academy)
Coach: Chris Felinski
Last Year’s Finish: 11th at 2A State
Key returners:
Jacob Robleski (Sr.): (15:32,9:57)
Jonah Jones (Jr.): (15:22,9:57)
Jimmy Ridge (Jr.): (15:58)
Mitchell Smith (Sr.): (15:59)
Jeffrey Ridge (So.): (16:58)
Casey Bello (Sr.): (17:43)
Nate Consoli (Jr.): (18:04)
Team outlook:
The Wheaton Academy Warriors enter the season as the second highest rated private school in the 2A division. The preseason prospect are solid, especially looking at the top two runners on the team. Both 9:57 3200 runners “have an excellent shot to make all-state based on the mileage and dedication to their summer training thus far,” reports coach Chris Felinski. Academy also returns two other top 100 finishers in Jimmy Ridge (97th) and Mitchell Smith (100th), and will have 5-7 filled out by Jeffrey Ridge, Casey Bello, Nate Consoli, Sam Ruff or Jonah King. The new members of the Metro Suburban Conference will look to improve on their 3rd place finish in their home sectional last year and the 11st place finish at state. We are looking to qualify as a team for the state final for the 3rd straight year - that would be a school record for our boys program. With all the returning runners we have, coupled with how well the athletes have been training during the summer, I hope that we as a team have our highest finish in school's history. Our best finish has been 10th, would love to see a top 8 finish.” Keep an eye on Robleski and Jones to take home some individual hardware as well.
Coach: Bill Eschman
Last Year’s Finish: 14th at 2A State
Key returners:
Cole Barkocy (Jr.): 14:57
Weston Sterchi (Jr.): 15:37
Steven Hillier (Sr.): 15:51
Brandon Tomasello (Jr.): 16:28
Tyler Tomasello (Jr.): 17:17
Team outlook:
Crystal Lake Central has helped contribute to the rise of the Fox Valley Conference, deep with some of 2A and 3A’s strongest teams. They are headed by Cole Barkocy, who ran as one of the FVC’s super sophomores, finishing All-State in XC last year (13th) and blazing a 9:18 at the 3A Guilford Sectional last spring. He will look to avenge a difficult track meet as the tenth returner in the state. Central also returns top 100 finishers Weston Sterchi (57th) and Steven Hillier (83rd) and has serious strength at the top of the lineup. Coach Eschman wants someone to step up, however: “We lost some great leadership (in Jake Cannizzo and Ryan Bush) that we need to replace. This will be our biggest obstacle and will make us a good team (if we find good leadership) or a underachieving team if we don't find some good leadership. We have good talent and return some good runners and if they can create a true team, I believe all the pieces are there to continue the success we have had here and CLC.”
Coach: Todd Orvis
Last Year’s Finish: 13th at 2A State
Key returners:
Carl Way (Sr.): (15:30)
William Powell (Jr.): (16:11)
Tyler Huckelberry (Jr.): (16:19)
Skyler Huckelberry (Sr.): (16:36)
Jeremiah Cooley (Sr.): (16:51)
Team outlook:
Sixth place state finisher Caleb Hummer is the only runner the Vikings lose from the top 6 of last year’s 13th place state finishing team. There is a lot to be excited about for this team. “Seniors Carl Way and Jeremiah Cooley have had monster summers and are hoping to make the transition from good to great,” says coach Todd Orvis. “We have some other additions that will give our team depth that we haven’t had since the 1970s. We haven’t won a Big 12 title in 32 years and I feel like we will at least have a shot to end that drought this season.” Danville returns more runners than the four teams ahead of it from last year’s state meet and has the firepower to make a run at the top 10 in the state, but their sights are set higher than that, according to Orvis. “We would certainly like to move up from the 13th place state finish from a year ago. Even though we know that it will be a tough challenge, our sights are set on a top 5 finish.” Danville will be a dangerous mid-Illinois team this year, motivated by the prospects of running one of the best seasons in school history.