2022 IHSA State XC Championships Preview - 2A Boys

 

By Michael Newman

 

Class 2A Individual Runners to Watch

Dylon Nalley, Marion; Dale Johnson, Sterling; Brendan Heitzig, Lincoln; Josh Weeks, Morton; Trey Sato, Grayslake Central; Cooper Marrs, Riverside-Brookfield; Julian Baker, Mt. Zion; Nathaniel McKillop, Fenwick; Karson Hollander, Crystal Lake Central; Will Gelon, Prairie Ridge; Evan Nosek, Kaneland; Evan Horgan, Belvidere North; Joe Schwartz, Waterloo; Ritvik Viniak, Payton Prep; Owen Forberg, Richards; Aaron Hendron, Champaign Centennial; Muhiyadin Ali, Mather; Ishan Patel, Woodstock, Connor Carlson, Marmion Academy; Jackson Collman, Bethalto Civic Memorial.

 

Class 2A Individuals Preview

Dylan Nalley is ready for a challenge for a new course record. Nalley ran 14:03 on the Detweiller Park course in October showing he is ready. Nalley’s 14:06 last week at Chatham-Glenwood also shows what he could be capable of. Would I like to see him break the course record? I would. I just don’t think the forecasts that include high winds will permit it. Hopefully, the forecast is wrong. I still think he will be under 14-minutes in this race. There are a number of runners who could finish second behind Nalley. One is Dale Johnson ran 14:36 and may have the edge ahead of Brendan Heitzig and Trey Sato.

 

IL XC Speed Ratings State Meet Projections

 

Class 2A Teams

 

Grayslake (Central)

Sectional Runners – Trey Sato JR; Adan Cordova FR; William Welty JR; John Vagnoni JR; Duncan Jones SR; Nolan Kissinger JR; Aashay Patel SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:07; 1/2 = :27; 2/5 = :40

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:03; 1/2 = :42; 2/5 = :21

Overview – The Rams have been the #1 team in Class 2A most of this season. They are running great heading into this weekend winning the Lakes Regional with 37 points and then the Deerfield Sectional with only 43 points. Central enters Saturday’s race as the favorite to take home the 2A State Team title. The Rams have a combination of great front running along with a good 2-5 pack to lead them to a state championship. Deerfield sectional individual winner Trey Sato took the step up during the summer into one of the top runners in Class 2A this fall. The junior could be among the top five runners in this race. Adan Cordova, William Welty, and John Vagnoni finished within seven seconds of each other in last week’s race. Any of these three runners, or all of them, could finish in the top 25. The team’s top five split was 67 seconds this week. If that pack tightens even more perhaps under 60 seconds, it could close to guarantee a state championship for Grayslake Central’s Boys team.

 

Marion

Sectional Runners – Dylon Nalley JR; Mekye Lomax JR; Benja Stone SR; Sean Hudspeth SR; Evan Dailey SO; Jack Tate SO; Joseph Mings FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:42; 1/2 = 1:18; 2/4 = :30; 4/5 = :54

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:45; 1/2 = 1:08; 2/4 = :15; 4/5 = 1:22

Overview – It helps when your top seven has the top Class 2A runner in the state in your lineup. Dylon Nalley after missing last season due to an injury has stepped up this fall running some great times while leading Marion closer for a chance to win a state team championship. Nalley is certain to give his team a certain one point. The key for this team is to see where the next three runners finish. Mekeye Lomax, Benja Stone, and Sean Hudspath finished within 30 seconds of each other last week. That gap was split in half the week before in the regional race. Marion could have two more runners on Saturday that are all-state along with Nalley. You could probably see their top four finish in the top 30 to 35. What to watch is the gap between the top four and their fifth runner Evan Dailey. The sophomore was 54 seconds behind Hudspath at sectionals. That gap was larger in the regional race. It has not affected the Wildcats in the previous two races. It could affect Marion especially going against equal or better teams. They won by just 11 points ahead of Mt. Zion last week. The split at the end needs to cut down by 10 to 20 seconds for Marion to challenge for a win.

 

Belvidere (North)

Sectional Runners – Evan Horgan SR; Orlando Hernandez SR; Will Ward JR; Jesse Kramer SO; Antonio Ostalaza SO; Colin Young JR; Nicholas Schroeder JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:47; 1/2 = :45; 2/4 = :26; 4/5 = :36

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:26; 1/2 = :23; 2/5 = :59; 3/5 = :06

Overview – There are a number of teams that could challenge for a trophy in Saturday’s meet. One of those teams could be the Blue Thunder. Despite the fact that Belvidere North finished second behind Riverside-Brookfield last week at the Kaneland Sectional, the Blue Thunder will be in the mix for a trophy. Evan Horgan was sick at the end of last year and did not run in both the sectional and state races. Horgan has developed as one of the elite 2A runners in the state and will be among the top five runners in this race. A key will be how far behind their #2 runner Orlando Hernandez is behind Horgan. It was 45 seconds in the sectional race and 23 seconds the week before. The closer Hernandez is to his teammate in Saturday’s race, the better for this team. Will Ward and Jesse Kramer will need to close the gap on Hernandez and Antonio Ostalaza needs to be part of the 3-4-5 pack. Closing those splits could mean good trophy things for this team at Detweiller Park.

 

Morton

Sectional Runners – Josh Weeks JR; Yonas Wuthrich JR; Chase Sauder SR; Layton Knopp JR; Christian Harris SO; Luke Dennison SR; Kyler Hartter SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:54; 1/2 = :29; 2/4 = :19; 4/5 = 1:06

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:50; 1/2 = :45; 2/4 = :33; 4/5 = :32

Overview – The Potters were really not tested the last three weeks in comfortably winning the Mid-Illini Conference, Peoria Notre Dame Regional, and last week the Metamora Sectional. This team is more talented than most think. We will see a big sample of that in Saturday’s State Meet. Morton has the top runner Josh Weeks that should be among the top 10 runners in this race. There is a solid pack behind Weeks with Yonas Wuthrich, Chase Sauder, and Layton Knopp within 19 seconds of each other. Morton put four runners in the top eight in that race. Morton is in a situation similar to Marion is between their fourth and fifth runner. Morton’s fifth runner Christian Harris was more than a minute behind their pack last week. Morton will contend for a trophy. Harris getting closer to the pack while the pack stays within 30 seconds of Week makes their finish even higher.

 

Chicago (Mather)

Sectional Runners – Mohamed Abdullahi JR; Muhiyadin Ali SR; Hirsi Hirsi JR; Jesus Chavarria JR; Ammar Alnatsheh SR; Jose Moreno JR; Maisam Rajaie SR

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:06; 1/3 = :35; 3/5 = :31

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :55; 1/2 = :03; 1/3 = :30; 3/5 = :25

Overview – The Rangers are back to the State Meet after finishing third last week at the Deerfield Sectional. Mather won their own regional the week before that. This is a team that could seriously finish among the top five teams on Saturday. Muhiyadin Ali and Mohamed Abdullahi were separated by three seconds in the regional race. Abdullahi was ahead of Ali by 26 seconds. Those two runners need to be close to each other in this race. Both could be all-state. The gap on the top two runners last raised the team’s top five split by 11 seconds. Lower that split gets them into the trophy conversation.

 

Riverside-Brookfield

Sectional Runners – Cooper Marrs JR; Jack O’Brien JR; William Kallas JR; Brennan Lester JR; Brady Norman SO; Zack Gaynor SR; Hayden Marrs JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:10; 1/2 = :22; 2/5 = :48

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:51; 1/2 = :52; 2/5 = :59

Overview – The Bulldogs have looked strong in their last three races with an easy win at the Hinsdale South Regional and then winning last week at Kaneland. Riverside-Brookfield is a young team with six of the seven runners underclassmen. They are running right now more like seniors. Cooper Marrs has run strong the last two weeks winning regional and sectional titles. He will be one of the runners you will see up front. Jack O’Brien continues to run better with every race. He could be among the top 25 runners. The Bulldogs split was 70 seconds at Kaneland. Zach Gaynor last week led the pack behind O’Brien. Brady Norman moving up from fifth runner could be a plus for this team in this race. Definitely a team that I could see finishing in the top three when the final results come out.

 

Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South)

Sectional Runners – Ryan Chung SR; Tim Jochum JR; Lucas Newman JR; Jaden Frederick JR; Caleb Walter SR; Matthew King SR; Michael Bailey JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :32; 1/2 = :06; 2/5 = :26

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :41; 1/2 = :11; 2/5 = :30

Overview – The Raiders advanced out of the tough Kaneland Sectional finishing fourth last Saturday. They ran a good race after winning both the Upstate Eight Conference and Sterling Invitational in previous meets. Pack running is the name of the game for this team. The team had a split of 41 seconds in their regional win and just 32 seconds last week. Ryan Chung finished 17th in the sectional race and was just six seconds ahead of second runner Tim Jochum. The top five is interchangeable so you could see anyone move up or back a spot. Glenbard South could be a top five finisher depending on where this pack starts.

 

Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge)

Sectional Runners – Will Gelon JR; Evan Gilleland JR; Ian Mahon SR; Gerrit Dam JR; Kevin Degroot JR; Daniel Cardenas JR; Eddy Klimkowski JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:14; 1/2 = :37; 2/5 = :37

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:11; 1/2 = :33; 2/5 = :37

Overview – The Wolves could be among the top five teams in the state race after finishing third last week at Kaneland 10 points ahead of Glenbard South. Prairie Ridge was just three points behind Belvidere North in finishing second at the Belvidere Regional. Will Gelon is one of a large group of runners that could finish individually in the top 10. Gerrit Dam at one point this season was either the first or second runners. He is now part of the pack that is running 37 seconds behind Gelon. A good race by Dam or either Evan Gilleland or Ian Mahon could make the prospects of a top five finish even brighter.

 

Chicago (Payton Prep)

Sectional Runners – Ritvik Viniak SR; Tristan Zhu SO; Aiden Hu-Lowenthal JR; Declan Slavin FR; Max Kollmeyer SR; Avery Bennett SR; Gavin Lee JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:08; 1/2 = :42; 2/5 = :26

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:09; 1/2 = :30; 2/5 = :39

Overview – The Grizzlies are a good bet to be among the top 10 teams in Saturday’s 2A Boys race. Ritvik Viniak finished second behind Trey Sato last Saturday and could finish between 10 and 15. Payton’s pack running is good near 68 seconds the last two weeks. The key is moving that pack closer to Viniak from 42 seconds down to 30 seconds. A closer split between the first and second runners with the same overall split gets this team in the top 10 and closer to a top five finish.

 

Deerfield

Sectional Runners – Dylan Cohen JR; Dane Brown JR; Jamie Chandler FR; Drew Spiegel SR; Ryan Jones JR; Andrew Firestone JR; Jon Wool JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :55; 1/2 = :03; 2/3 = :49; 3/5 = :03

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:05; 1/2 = :06; 2/3 = :42; 3/5 = :17

Overview – This is one of the feel good stories of this cross country season. Deerfield finishes second at last year’s state meet, lose all their top seven to graduation, reload, and finish second last Saturday in their own sectional. The Warriors are a team that we could see finish in the top 10 which is better than we expected to start the year. Dylan Cohen and Dane Brown form a tight pack in the front only separated by three seconds in the sectional race finishing in the top five. Either of those runners could finish in the top 25. Their pack from there to five in last week’s race again was only a three second differential. The problem is getting that gap between the two packs down from 49 seconds.

 

Mt. Zion

Sectional Runners – Julian Baker JR; Daniel Grauer SO; Mark Mavis FR; Lyncoln Koester SO; Sam Atkinson SR; Aiden Mulgrew FR; Isaac Carpenter JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:18; 1/2 = :47; 2/4 = :02; 4/5 = :29

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:27; 1/2 = :30; 2/4 = :07; 4/5 = :57

Overview – The Braves are peaking at the right time heading into Saturday’s State Meet. Mt. Zion finished second at the Chatham-Glenwood just 11 points behind highly rated Marion. The team’s pack split has narrowed. Their top runner Julian Baker has moved closer to the front finishing fourth last week in the sectional race. A top 15 finish is not out of the question for him. Their three pack of Mark Mavis, Daniel Grauer, and Lyncoln Koester were only separated by two seconds last week. However, that pack was 47 seconds behind Baker. That gap needs to close down this week. Sam Atkinson is the team’s fifth runner and was about 30 seconds back. The team had a 78 second split on the group last week. Baker in the top 15 is a good thing. Closing the split between him and the pack would also be a good thing. Mt. Zion was only 11 points behind Marion last week. A good race could get them near a top five finish.

 

Oak Park (Fenwick)

Sectional Runners – Nathaniel McKillop JR; Grayden Rill SR; Dean O’Bryan JR; Finn Munley SO; Benicio Carideo SO; Chris Bajda SR; Jake Leonardi SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:46; 1/3 = :32; 3/5 = 1:14

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:36; 1/3 = :1:16; 3/5 = :20

Overview – It is safe to say that it might be extremely tough that defending 2A State Champion Fenwick will defend their title in Saturday’s race. It is a good thing, however that they made it back to Peoria after being slowed in the first half of the season due to injuries and illnesses. The Friars escaped out of the S.O.D by finishing seventh at Kaneland with the host school just nine points behind them. Nathaniel McKillop finished in the top 10 in the sectional race and could be among the top 25 at Detweiller Park. Grayden Rill finished 15 seconds behind at Kaneland. Dean O’Bryan is a solid third runner and give the Friars lower numbers up front. Their overall split was over 100 seconds last week. Their overall split needs to come down in order to finish in the top 10.

 

Crystal Lake (Central)

Sectional Runners – Karson Hollander SR; Aiden Shulfer JR; Jackson Hopkins SO; Nate Peyer JR; Elliot White SR; Brady Sterzik JR; Jackie Clark SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:45; 1/2 = :33; 2/5 – 1:12

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 2:00; 1/2 = :52; 2/5 = 1:08

Overview – The Tigers will also look for a top 10 finish after finishing fifth last week at the Kaneland Sectional just six points ahead of seventh-place Fenwick. Karson Hollander is the top runner for Central. He finished fifth in the sectional race and should be among the top 25 finishers. The gap is 33 seconds between Hollander and the rest of the pack. The split of 72 seconds on the next four runners could put them in the middle of teens finishing in this race.

 

Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

Sectional Runners – Jackson Collman SR; Justice Eldridge JR; DJ Dutton JR; Lucas Naugle JR; Jacob Cranford FR; Tullio Zampieri FR; Joshua Cranford FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 2:02; 1/2 = 1:01; 2/5 = 1:01

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:51; 1/2  = :49; 2/5 = 1:02

Overview – This team made huge strides during this season which resulted in a trip up to Peoria. The Eagles finished sixth at the Chatham-Glenwood Sectional one point ahead of seventh-place and another six points ahead of the eighth-place team. Jackson Collman will be one of the runners in the top 25 after finishing third last week. Justice Eldridge and DJ Dutton lead the pack behind Collman that was a minute behind Collman and having a split of 61 seconds on the second through fifth runners.

 

Champaign (Central)

Sectional Runners – Caleb Mathias FR; Nick Bonn SR; Peter Smith SR; Fynn Bright JR; Cooper Sweet SR; Jakob Riley SO; Jonathan Smith JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :52; 1/3 = :44; 3/5 = :08

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:26; 1/3 = :45; 3/5 = :41

Overview – The Maroons got a boost with the return of their top runner in last week’s sectional race. The freshman Caleb Mathias finished seventh overall and helped his team finish third and earn them a trip downstate. Mathias had not raced in the past two meets. With Mathias out of their top seven, the Maroons split on their top five rose to close to 90 seconds. With him leading the pack, it was just 52 seconds. Mathias along with Nick Bonn and Peter Smith give the team a solid top three up front. Smith led the 3-5 pack last week that was only separated by eight seconds. Champaign central could be near or in the top 10 in this race only with a top five split under 45 seconds with Mathias in the top 30.

 

Woodstock

Sectional Runners – Ishan Patel JR; Aryan Patel JR; Cohen Shutt JR; Dylan Hanson SR; Jakob Crown JR; Thomas Sieck SR; Charlie Baker JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:21; 1/2 = :18; 2/5 = 1:03

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:08; 1/2 = :11; 2/5 = :57

Overview – Woodstock was one of the seven lucky teams to advance out of the toughest sectional in the state. The Blue Streaks finished third in their regional at Belvidere and then came back just barely making out of the Kaneland Sectional finishing sixth. Ishan Patel and his brother Aryan were within 18 seconds of each other with Ishan finishing tenth. Both brothers could be among the top 40 in this race. Woodstock’s second through fifth runners were separated by 57 seconds in their regional race and 63 seconds in last week’s sectional race.

 

Normal (Community West)

Sectional Runners – Sky Riddle SR; Aiden Swanlund SO; Ethan Snyder JR; Aidan Starkey FR; Jason McConkey SR; Nick Marshall SR; Nathan Burrell SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:25; 1/2 = :29; 2/5 = :56

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:31; 1/2 = :15; 2/5 = 1:16

Overview – The Wildcats’  Boys team made it to state just like their Girls team did as they finished fifth in the Chatham-Glenwood Sectional. Sky Riddle was the top runner for the Wildcats in the sectional race finishing ninth. Aiden Swanlund leads the pack behind Swanlund. The team had an 85 second split on their overall pack last week which got them to the state meet. Riddle could earn all-state honors and the team could lower their pack split to finish in the top half of the team standings.

 

Chatham-Glenwood

Sectional Runners – Eli Morsch SR; Lleyton Turk SR; Brady Moser FR; Will Patzia SO; Carter Simmons SO; Ayden Groves JR; Mateo Calderon SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :35; 1/2 = :01; 2/5 = :34

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:14; 1/2 = :05; 2/5 = 1:09

Overview – The Titans make it back to the state meet after missing the Peoria trip in 2021. Glenwood finished second in the Taylorville Regional two weeks ago followed by placing fourth in their sectional race on the home course. This program relies on pack running. They did not have that in their regional race when they finished second. It was tighter on their home course as they ran only a 25 second top five split. Eli Morsch and Lleyton Turk have been running close together down the stretch only separated by a second last week. Brady Moser led the next pack that was only separated by 15 seconds. That type of racing next week could get them close to a top 10 team finish.

 

Niles (Notre Dame)

Sectional Runners – Luke Davey SR; Liam Newton JR; Brady Verdon SR; Henry Thuet SO; Emmet Kisor JR; Ryan Simpao SO; Kyle Muench SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:04; 1/2 = :24; 2/5 = :40

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:06; 1/2 = :37; 2/5 = :29

Overview – The Dons make the trip to Detweiller Park this weekend by finishing sixth at the Deerfield Sectional. Luke Davey finished 10 at Deerfield to lead the team. Davey could finish within the top 50 runners. Their split has been good with it being 66 seconds overall. That kind of race could have the Dons finish among the top 20 state teams.

 

Vernon Hills

Sectional Runners – Charles Blackmer JR; Brady Clegg SR; Erick Herrera SR; Zackery Shoemaker SO; Jeremy Gitzinger SO; Maddux Fluno SR; David Rzepa SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :59; 1/2 = :16; 2/5 = :43

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:12; 1/2 = :16; 2/5 = :56

Overview – Vernon Hills made it out of the Deerfield Sectional finishing fifth overall to qualify for this weekend’s state meet. The Cougars have been running good of late going under 60 seconds last week for a top five split (59 seconds). Charles Blackmer and Brady Clegg had an 8-13 finished separated by just 16 seconds. Their momentum has been growing over the past month. They could be near a top 15 finish in this race.

 

Peoria (Notre Dame)

Sectional Runners – Andrew Elward JR; Joey Cave SR; Joe Ehrhart JR; Jeff Sary SR; Owen Magner JR; Danny Miller JR; Boden Nosalik SO.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :50; 1/2 = :07; 2/5 = :43

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:10; 1/2 = :03; 2/5 = 1:07

Overview – The Irish will make the shortest trip of all schools to the state meet and possibly the easiest finishing second at the Metamora Sectional. This was not the toughest of sectionals the PND was in, but they ran a solid race to make it to the Detweiller Park starting line. Andrew Elward and Joey Cave finished in the top 20 in their sectional race separated by just seven seconds. Their top five split shrunk to 50 seconds in their sectional meet. A small split with the pack moving up gets the Irish into the top 20.

 

Lake Villa (Lakes)

Sectional Runners – Micah Lind SR; Payton Whitehead JR; Jackson Summy SO; Brady Mock SO; Blake Salbilla SO; Quin Maloney SR; Liam Makela JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:07; 1/2 = :15; 2/5 = :52

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:27; 1/2 = :42; 2/5 = :43

Overview – Lakes had a tough road to make it to the state meet finishing fifth in their own regional and then last week finishing seventh in the Deerfield Sectional. The Eagles ran a better race in their seventh-place sectional race lowering their top five split to 67 seconds from 87 seconds in their regional run. Micah Lind and Payton Whitehead were 15 seconds between each other last week and again will be the top runners for the team just as they have been most of this season.

 

Geneseo

Sectional Runners – Dylan Gehl SO; Tyler Gehl SR; Sam Mosbarger JR; Jaxson Sottos FR; Max Johnson SO; Cooper Schaad JR; Aidan Bries FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :51; 1/2 = :21; 2/5 = :30

Regional Splits – 1/5 = :59; 1/2 = :11; 2/5 = :48

Overview – The Maple Leafs make it back to the state qualifying out of the Metamora Sectional and finishing third. This meet could be a good experience for the team since six of their top seven runners are underclassmen. This team ran a nice team split of 51 seconds led by brothers Dylan and Tyler Gehl. Sam Mosbarger leads the rest of their pack that split 25 seconds in that sectional race.

 

Mt. Vernon

Sectional Runners – Trey Mygatt JR; Evan Taylor SO; Branden Etheridge JR; Caedmon Cook JR; Rowan Wilford FR; Joel Hayes FR; Eli Johnston FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:04; 1/2 = :26; 2/5 = :38

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:25; 1/2 = :26; 2/5 = :59

Overview – The Rams had to wait a while before they learned that they made it to the state meet finishing seventh at the Chatham-Glenwood making it to state by six points. This is the first trip to state under first year coach Trace Turner. This will be a good learning experience for this young team that are all underclassmen. Mt. Vernon needed a top five split of 64 seconds led by the 11th place finish from Trey Mygatt to help this team make the trip north to Peoria.

 

Washington

Sectional Runners – Sam Tellefson JR; Charlie Borlin SO; Brice Banning JR; Luke Conrad SR; Gavin Ruppel SR; Ethan Kopinski SO; Owen Spiezio FR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:17; 1/2 = :35; 2/5 = :42

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:10; 1/2 = :25; 2/5 = :45

Overview – The Panthers just made it to state finishing seventh at the Metamora Sectional making it to Detweiller Park by just three points. Sam Tellefson was the top runner for Washington this season finishing sixth at the Peoria Notre Dame Regional and 12 at the Metamora Sectional. We can see him finishing in the top 50 in Saturday’s race. The top five split has been consistently over 70 seconds most of the season led by Tellefson and Charlie Borlin.

 

Dunlap

Sectional Runners – Braden Cox SR; Jacob Gladstone SO; Reece Dusek SR; Aiden Mohr SR; Luke Williams JR; Charlie Serrahn JR; Luke Siebenaler JR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :55; 1/4 = :19; 4/5 = :36

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:12; 1/2 = :37; 2/5 = :35

Overview – Dunlap just made it to state finishing sixth one point ahead of Washington and four points ahead of eighth-place Richards in the Metamora Sectional. The Eagles ran a good pack to make it to sectionals with Braden Cox, Jacob Gladstone, Reece Dusek, and Aiden Mohr all separated by 19 seconds in the first 42 places in the race.

 

Rock Island

Sectional Runners – Gabe Mahn FR; Ian Regur JR; Jayden Putnam JR; Asa Mahn JR; Lukas Heine SO; Merrick Stockwell SO; Sammy Niyonkuru SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = :57; 1/2 = :05; 2/5 = :52

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:09; 1/2 = :03; 2/5 = 1:06

Overview – The Rocks were one of two surprise teams to advance out of the Metamora Sectional finishing fifth overall. Rock Island had finished second the week before at the Morris Regional. It is a young team with their top six runners all underclassmen. Gabe Mahn and Ian Regur are together in most of their races this fall. The two were separated by just five seconds last Saturday at Black Partridge Park.

 

Chicago (Brother Rice)

Sectional Runners – Charley Duggan JR; Gavin O’Connor SO; Charlie Walsh SR; Andrew Straley FR; Brian Sheehan SO; Danny Macis JR; Joey Bowes SR.

Sectional Splits – 1/5 = 1:33; 1/2 = :03; 2/5 = 1:30

Regional Splits – 1/5 = 1:51; 1/2 = :01; 2/5 = 1:50

Overview – The Crusaders had to drive south to qualify for the state meet finishing fourth at the Metamora Sectional. They will be back down in Peoria this weekend. Brother Rice the week before won the Marist Regional. Charley Duggan and Gavin O’Connor are a solid duo up front. The two runners were separated by three seconds in their sectional race.

 

Class 2A Team Preview

It is hard to deny Grayslake Central the favorites role especially the way that they have been running all season. Marion has the individual favorite with Dylan Nalley and three other runners that match up nicely with Central’s top four. The gap between the fourth and fifth runner could be a problem in this meet for Marion. Morton is in the same position with four good runners near the front but also a gap between the fourth and fifth runner that could hold them out of the top three. Riverside-Brookfield has the runners that could challenge for a top three finish along with Mather, Belvidere North, and Glenbard South.