IHSA Class 3A XC Sectional Previews

 

By Michael Newman

 

Here is a look at each of the four Class 3A Sectionals that will race to see what 28 teams (or more) could qualify for the state meet next Saturday at Detweiller Park. The top seven teams in the four sectionals will qualify for the state meet. The next 10 runners that are not part of a state qualifying team will also advance.

 

Granite City Sectional @ Wilson Park, Granite City

Girls Race (10:00 AM)

Sectional Qualifying Teams - #7 Minooka, #8 Yorkville, #11 Plainfield North, #13 Lincoln-Way Central, #15 Oswego East, #17 Edwardsville, #20 Lincoln-Way East, #26 Normal Community West; O’Fallon, Lockport Township, Pekin, Normal Community, Joliet West, Lincoln-Way West, Quincy, Rock Island, Springfield, Bradley-Bourbonnais.

 

Runners to Watch - Brea Counihan-Lincoln Way Central; Ellie Bush-O’Fallon; Morgan Dick-Oswego East; Sophia Keeler-Yorkville; Maya Ledesma-Minooka; Tessa Russo-Plainfield North; Julie Bach-Normal Community West; Marlie Czarniewski-Plainfield North; Madison Popelar-Edwardsville; Janellisa Oceguera-Joliet West.

 

Notes – Eight ranked teams are in this Girls race with only seven teams advancing to Peoria (unless the seventh place finish results in a tie. The 1-2 finishing teams two weeks ago at the SPC Meet of Minooka and Yorkville could be the favorites in this meet. Both won their regional races last week. Yorkville may have the team edge and could place 5 runners in the top 30. They have to keep their top five split under 40 seconds on Saturday. Sophia Keeler and Ashley Schraeder finishing in the top 10 will be a key. Maya Ledesma could finish in the top five. The Indians will at least need to have their runners in the top 20 in this meet to have a chance. Plainfield North continues to improve as they have shown in the last two weeks. Tessa Russo was a surprise in winning at Plainfield Central last week. Sisters Marlie and Elsie Czarniewski give the Tigers a strong top three. Getting their 4-7 runners closer to the front pack could get them closer to a sectional championship.

 

Lincoln-Way Central ran their best race last week at Andrew finishing second and put themselves in position to qualify. Edwardsville and Oswego East are strong enough to finish in the top three teams. It is too close between Lincoln-Way East, Normal West, and O’Fallon. Lincoln-Way East is the highest ranked teams of the three. Lincoln-Way East missed last year finishing eighth. They don’t want that to happen again.

 

Morgan Dick won the SPC Meet but finished second to Tessa Russo last week. It could be Ellie Bush that takes home the top prize. Brea Counihan has been running strong in the last month and could come away with the sectional title. Julie Bach could be the surprise in this race.

 

Boys Race (11:00 AM)

Sectional Qualifying Teams - #2 Plainfield South, #3 O’Fallon, #4 Plainfield North, #23 Yorkville, #25 Lincoln-Way Central, #27 Edwardsville, #28 Lincoln-Way East; #30 Oswego East, Minooka, Lockport Township, Normal Community, Plainfield Central, Joliet Central, Bradley-Bourbonnais, Andrew, Normal Community West, Quincy, Springfield.

 

Runners to Watch – Dylan Maloney-Plainfield South; Dylan Ybarra-O’Fallon; Camyn Viger-Plainfield South; Thomas Czerwinski-Plainfield North; Zach Thoman-O’Fallon; Owen Stahl-Plainfield North; Jeremiah Lanum-Bradley Bourbonnais; Quinn Davis-Plainfield North; Landon Harris-Granite City; Owen Horeni-Yorkville.

 

Notes – This race could be a preview for next Saturday at Detweiller Park with three of the top four Class 3A teams in this race. Eight teams, as in the Girls race, will be challenging for seven state qualifying spots. Defending 3A State champion Plainfield South has come on strong throughout the fall. The Cougars did not run their top three runners last week at Plainfield Central. Plainfield North ended up winning the regional race. The two teams faced off the week before regionals at SPC with Plainfield South winning by two points. It could be just as close on Saturday. O’Fallon has been perfect in their conference and regional meets scoring 15 points in both. We could see 15 points separating all three of these teams in this meet.

 

Thise three teams are locks to make it to Peoria. There should be huge gap before the next teams which could be close to six challenging for four spots. Yorkville has a good top two with Owen Horeni and Jake Younger and could be a lock to make it to state. Lincoln-Way Central has a solid top four runners led by Evan Jensen that gives the Knights the edge. Edwardsville, Lincoln-Way East, Oswego East, and Minooka should all be within 20 seconds in this race. No surprises if any of these teams advance.

 

The course record at Wilson Park was set earlier this year at 14:08 by Dylon Nalley at the Granite City Invitational at the beginning of September. Dylan Ybarra ran 14:33 in that race. Ybarra ran 14:20 two weeks later in Peoria. How fast will he go on Saturday. Dylan Maloney is the hot runner of the top three having finished third at Nike XC Town Twilight and then setting the course record at Channahon two weeks ago. Maloney was 11 seconds ahead of his teammate Camyn Yager in breaking the course record. Any of these three runners could get close to the course record.

 

Hinsdale Central Sectional @ Katerine Legge Memorial, Hinsdale

Girls Race (10:00 AM)

Sectional Qualifying Teams - #4 Downers Grove North, #5 Naperville North, #9 Naperville Central, #10 Sandburg, #14 Lyons Township, #18 Hinsdale Central, #25 Metea Valley; Downers Grove South, Marist, Oswego, Waubonsie Valley, Mother McAuley, Jones College Prep, Willowbrook, AA Stagg, Whitney Young, Riverside-Brookfield, Reavis.

 

Runners to Watch – Liv Phillips-Naperville Central; Jule Piot-Naperville North; Lily Eddington-Downers Grove North; Lindsey Gerhardstein-Sandburg; Sarah Paul-Downers Grove North; Holly Johnson-Downers Grove South; Alayna Todnem-Downers Grove North; Shania Tandon-Naperville North; Ava Gilley-Downers Grove North; Lola Satre-Morales, Naperville Central.

 

Notes – I would not say there is a lock on the seven state qualifying even though there are seven ranked teams in this race. Anything can happen as we know in a sectional meet. Most of these coaches know that. Downers Grove North defeated Naperville North by 66 points at Naperville Twilight almost a month ago. The Trojans will be the favorites in this meet, but it could be a little closer without their #2 runner McKenzie Willard who is out for the year with a stress fracture. They do have Lily Eddington to lead them along with Sarah Paul near the front. Naperville North’s pack has closed in the last month and could get within 25 points of DGN in this meet led by possible top 10 finishes by Julie Piot and Shania Tandon. Naperville Central will advance led by individual favorite Liv Phillips. Sandburg did not race their top runner Lindsey Gerhardstein in last week’s regional meet. The Eagles dominated that race and could challenge for a top three finish.

 

Lyons Township is peaking at the right time after finishing second last week in their own regional. Julianne Melby should lead this pack happy team that could have a split under 40 seconds on Saturday. Hinsdale Central has showed great improvement during this season good enough to repeat a state trip after qualifying on their home course led by Pola Dygon and Lily Hodneland. Metea Valley is the seventh ranked team in this meet and should advance to state. Tight pack running led by Kamea Baker and keeping a split under 35 seconds might be this team’s key. Downers Grove South has a chance to qualify but will need a top 5 finish by Holly Johnson and a 30 second split in their 2-5 pack. That pack needs to be within 80 seconds of Johnson in this race.

 

Liv Phillips ran 17:25 on this course and should be the big favorite in this race. Julie Piot could be her chief competition with Lily Eddington and Sarah Paul within the top five. Lindsey Gerhardstein could be a runner challenging for a top three finish.

 

Boys Race (11:00 AM)

Sectional Qualifying Teams -  #1 Downers Grove North, #6 Lyons Township, #10 Neuqua Valley, #14 Sandburg, #15 Naperville Central, #16 Riverside-Brookfield, #22 Hinsdale Central; #24 Aurora West, #29 Downers Grove South, Naperville North, Metea Valley, Berwyn-Cicero Morto, Jones College Prep, Whitney Young, AA Stagg, HL Richards, Reavis, Marist.

 

Runners to Watch - Zac Close-Neuqua Valley; Aden Bandukwala-Hinsdale Central; Ryan Eddington-Downers Grove North; Nick Strayer-Lyons Township; Sean Heetland-Aurora West; Philip Cupial-Downers Grove North; Cillian Henning-Lyons Township; Grant Schroder-Downers Grove North; Grant Giblin-Sandburg; Cooper Marrs-Riverside Brookfield.

 

Notes – There could be high suspense in this race with nine ranked teams to challenge for seven state qualifying spots. Downers Grove North is a lock to make it to Peoria. Their depth makes them the favorites in this meet. The Trojans have been without one of their top runners Caden Weber for the past few weeks. Phillip Cupial steps in as is now one of his team’s top runners. Ryan Eddington and Grant Schroder join him in the front. This team could score under 40 points in this meet. Lyons Township has encountered some bumps in the road this fall. The return of Cillian Henning to run with Nick Strayer and their pack behind these two runners has improved. Let’s see how close to their conference rivals this week. Neuqua Valley should advance with pre-race favorite Zac Close and an ever improving Robert Glenn. Sandburg is young and have dramatically improved during the season. The Eagles missed making the state meet last season. I don’t see that happening on Saturday led by Grant Giblin.

 

Naperville Central has a nice pack led by Tyler Browning and Nick Kamp. Having a top five split under 35 seconds could get them in the top five teams and to state if Browning finishes in the top five. Riverside-Brookfield was the 2022 Class 2A State Champions. Their transition to Class 3A could be determined by Saturday’s race. Cooper Marrs is their top runner seeking a finish in the top 10. The Bulldogs need to keep their split under 55 seconds to make it back to Peoria. There are three closely ranked teams that will go after a spot into the top seven. Hinsdale Central does have defending champion Aden Bandukwala leading them in the front and one of the race favorites. Maxwell Lowe has moved closer to the front giving the Red Devils a boost. Aurora West looks to get in the top seven with the return of Nathan Gehrman to an injury boosting the Blackhawks to a state qualifying favorite and maybe running closer to Sean Heetland. This is also the same course they ran on last year in the regional meet where they finished eighth. The Blackhawks are ready for a state qualifying spot. We cannot forget about Downers Grove South. The last two sectional meets the Mustangs looked like outsiders looking in to the state meet. In those two years, they qualified for both state meets. They are in the same position for Saturday’s race. Josh Poeschel is their top runner and could finish in the top five. Good pack running closer to Poeschel could have them again return to Detweiller Park.

 

Zac Close and Aden Bandukwala raced on this course to start the season with Bandukwala edging the Neuqua Valley senior. Both runners have been hot in big races with Bandukwala winning Naperville Twilight and WSC-Silver. Close finished third behind Bandukwala but has won at DuPage Valley and last week’s regional. The pack of any of the Downers North runners especially Ryan Eddington and Phillip Cupial. Sean Heetland should be near the front with Nick Strayer, Cillian Henning, Cooper Marrs, and Josh Peschel close to the front.

 

Hoffman Estates Sectional @ Busse Woods, Schaumburg

Girls Race (10:00 AM)

Sectional Qualifying Teams - #2 Prospect, #3 Barrington, #6 Hersey, #27 Warren Township, #28 Palatine, #29 Lake Zurich, #30 New Trier; Schaumburg, Fremd, Loyola Academy, Hoffman Estates, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Deerfield, Glenbrook North, Stevenson, Highland Park, Zion-Benton.

 

Runners to Watch - Veronica Znajda-Prospect; Scout Storms-Barrington; Meg Peterson-Prospect; Danielle Jensen-McHenry; Lily Ginsberg-Prospect; Mia Sirios-Barrington; Margaretha Grabske-Hersey; Maria Polyakov-Glenbrook North; Anna Lester-Vernon Hills; Abigail Jordan-Palatine.

 

Notes – The last time that Prospect and Barrington faced off was two weeks ago on this course. Prospect edged Barrington 33-35 to capture the league title. The Knights should have three runners in the top four led by Veronica Znajda with Meg Peterson and Lily Ginsberg close. The key for Prospect is keeping their 4-5 runners Ireland Wildhart and Kaitlin Skelton with 40-45 seconds of their big three. Scout Storms finished second behind Znajda and will challenge for the win. Barrington’s race at MSL was runner vs runner to stay close. Mia Sirios and Sabrina Roach need to be among the top 10 in this race. Sirios breaking up the Prospect top 3 could be the difference runner in this meet. 5 runners ahead of whomever Prospect’s runner will be could help the Fillies win this high stakes race.

 

There are five more ranked teams in this race. All have great chances to advance to Peoria. Hersey is a lock to make it to state. Some see them as a 10-15 team but there has been improvement this fall and should challenge for the top five at state. Margaretha Grabske, Elizabeth Waltz, and Alexa Izenstark are the core of this team. Palatine has run better led by Abigail Jordan and will boost the Pirates’ hopes in this race. Warren Township is a young squad, but the emergence of freshman Kaylee Wilson has helped the Blue Devils hopes. Another team  similar to Warren is Lake Zurich. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Bears but are on the verge of making it to state led by Celia Blaylock. New Trier has a good core up front with Josie Cahill and Hannah Falk ready to push the Trevians to Peoria. Schaumburg has a chance to make it in the top seven. There is a gap between the four schools and the Saxons. Palatine finished 34 points ahead of Schaumburg two weeks ago. The Saxons could make it in the top seven with a better than normal race and one of the 4-7 teams off in this race.

 

The individual race is a challenge between two of the top Class 3A runners in the state. Scout Storms was undefeated during the season until she raced Veronica Znajda at the MSL Championships. Znajda won by 13 seconds in that race. This Saturday’s race will be closer.

 

Boys Race (11:15 AM)

Sectional Qualifying Teams - #5 Barrington, #7 Hersey, #8 New Trier, #12 Fremd, #18 Highland Park, #19 Palatine, #20 Deerfield; Jacobs, Prospect, Conant, Vernon Hills, Stevenson, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Glenbrook North, Grant Community, McHenry, Glenbrook South.

 

Runners to Watch - Ben Crane-New Trier; Joe Bregenzer-Barrington; Zach Frayder-Hersey; Rory Gaan-Fremd; Liam Naughton-Hersey; Brian Hatoum-Highland Park; Alex Krieg-Palatine; Justin Hurtado-Barrington; Andrew Beyer-Jacobs; Nate Wehner-Highland Park.

 

Notes – Barrington Coach Thomas Root said his team hit a home run in a convincing race where they won the MSL Championships two weeks ago. The Broncos rested a few of their top runners last week in regionals but remain as one of the favorites in this race. Joe Bregenzer is the top runners for his team and one of the favorites in this race. The team had a 46 second split off Bregenzer in the MSL race led by Justin Hurtado and Ethan Scott. They will need a similar type of race to win this sectional title. Hersey did not have their best race at MSL but appear ready for this race. One of their top runners Liam Naughton was the team’s seventh runner on this course two weeks ago. Naughton was the second runner for the Huskies last week in their regional pack. The team despite Naughton’s league finish still had a 31 second split on their top five. Zac Frayder, Rob Geissenberger, Cameron Donner, and AJ Svienty give Hersey a solid top five. If all five run close to each other, the Huskies could be crowned sectional champions. New Trier is equal to the above two teams and is in position to win at Busse Woods. Ben Crane will be one of the individual favorites in this meet. The key will be the pack behind Crane led by Atticus Miller and Felix Hekster. The Trevians staying within 35 seconds of each other with 65 seconds on the top five and within reach of the sectional title. You can also consider Fremd a lock to make it to state. The Vikings took a big step up at the end of September with the addition Jack Jennings to their lineup. Rory Gaan and Jennings give the Vikings a strong 1-2 punch in the front. Both runners in the top 10 and their top five within 50 seconds of each other gets this team to state.

 

Palatine, Highland Park, and Deerfield are interchangeable in the fifth, sixth , and seventh positions. Highland Park has a good duo with Nate Wehner and Brian Hatoum possibly finish in the top 10 with Barak Goldstein in the top 20. Palatine is young led by sophomore Alex Krieg and Carter Hayes. Their 3-5 pack needs to be tighter to advance to state. Deerfield lives by tight pack running led by Dylan Chandler and Jamie Chandler. A sub-30 second split helps the Warriors chances to race again at Detweiller Park. Jacobs, led by Andrew Beyer, and Prospect, led by Luke Robinson, are good enough to finish in the top seven. They will need great races to get close to a spot in the top seven in this race.

 

Ben Crane ran 14:25 in Peoria at First to the Finish. Joe Bregenzer ran 14:27 a week later at the Richard Spring Invitational. It is too close to call between these two runners in this race. Hersey could have two runners, maybe three in the top 10 led by Zach Frayder that could make a difference in the team race. Alex Krieg along with Nate Wehner, Rory Gaan, and Brian Hatoum could have a say on who wins this race.

 

Lake Park Sectional @ East Campus XC Course, Roselle

Girls Race (1:00 PM)

Sectional Qualifying Teams - #1 York, #12 Wheaton North, #16 Huntley, #19 Wheaton-Warrenville South, #21 Oak Park-River Forest, #22 Batavia, #23 Maine South; #24 Glenbard West, St. Charles North, Hampshire, Lane Tech, Evanston Township, St. Charles East, Rockton Hononegah, Geneva, DeKalb, Machesney Park Harlem, Rockford Guilford.

 

Runners to Watch - Nicole Poglitsch-Wheaton Warrenville South, Katherine Klimek-York, Maggie Owens-York; Michaela Quinn, York; Sofia Borter-Geneva; Anna McGrail-York; Katie Stabb-Oak Park River Forest; Haley Rahman-Huntley; Sofia Arcuri-Maine South; Maggie Quinn-York.

 

Notes – The question in this race is who finishes second behind York. The Dukes are interchangeable in the front of their pack with Michaela Quinn winning at the WSC-Silver two weeks ago and Maggie Owens winning at regionals last weekend. Could it be Katherine Klimek’s time or Anna McGrail ready to win this weekend. York has been running sub-30 second splits on five most of the season. That is why the Dukes are the top team in the state and huge favorites in this race. 5 runners in the top 10 is probable on Saturday for this team.

 

This is a deep sectional with seven more teams behind York ranked in the top 30 with only six teams heading to Peoria. Wheaton North has been solid all year with the addition of three freshmen led by Emily Offutt and with Maddi Romaine leading the pack. The Falcons won at DuKane and then their regional last week. North should be a lock to make it in. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Huntley. Their finish to end this year shows they could be ready for a state trip. Freshman Haley Rahman and Ava Allisom are the top runners for the Red Raiders. 5 runners in the top 45 and a 55 second split could get their ticket punched. Wheaton-Warrenville South has a good pack along with a great front runner to get them back to state after missing qualifying in 2022. Nicole Poglitsch will be one of the top runners in this race. The Tigers also have a good pack behind the junior led by Jenna Bachara and Frida Martinez. The pack needs to stay within 65 seconds of Poglitsch and within 30 seconds of each other to go back to state.

 

It should be extremely tight for the final four teams challenging for three state spots. Oak Park-River Forest received a boost with the return of Katie Staab who could finish in the top 10 on Saturday. Batavia is a borderline team that could finish anywhere from fourth to ninth led by Gwen Knodel and Avery Hacker, both freshmen. Mackenzie Gilbert leads a strong pack for a Glenbard West team that could make it to state without a runner finishing in the top 20. Maine South will get a boost by the return from Sofia Arcuri joining Olivia DeLuca in the top 15 to give the Hawks an edge for a top seven finish. St. Charles North and Hampshire will be close to the top seven but will need great races to achieve it.

 

Boys Race (2:00 PM)

Sectional Qualifying Teams - #9 Wheaton-Warrenville South, #11 Oak Park-River Forest, #13 St. Charles East, #17 Lane Tech, #21 Wheaton North, #26 York, Batavia; Mather, Glenbard West, Rockton Hononegah, Rockford Guilford, Maine South, Huntley, Geneva, Machesney Park Harlem, DeKalb, St. Charles North, South Elgin, Hampshire.

 

Runners to Watch - Josiah Narayanan-Wheaton Warrenville South; Mohamed Abdullahi-Mather; Jed Wilson-St. Charles East; Tommy Nitz-Huntley; Will Kozlowski-Lane Tech;  Owynn Garrelts-Maine South; Cole Tupper-Elgin; Aiden Noel-Wheaton Warrenville South; Aidan Murphy-Wheaton North; Lewis O’Connor-Oak Park River Forest; Zach Saltiel-York.

 

Notes – The final sectional meet throughout the state this Saturday. It is hard to say who the team favorite as DuKane powerhouses St. Charles East and Wheaton-Warrenville South challenging Oak Park-River Forest for the team title.  All three teams should advance to state. Wheaton-Warrenville South did not run great on this course two weeks ago but came back strong last week at Northwestern Medicine XC Course. Josiah Narayanan and Aiden Noel give the Tigers a strong 1-2 in the front. Keeping a 55 second split on their top two runners could get this team the win. Oak Park-River Forest placed 4 runners in the top 11 only separated by 14 seconds. Their top 5 split in their home regional was 35 seconds. The Huskies should make it to state led by Daniel Johnson. St. Charles East won DuKane Conference two weeks ago ahead of WWS led by the individual win from Jedidiah Wilson. The Saints did not run Wilson in last week’s race. He could be among the top five runners with his team advancing to Peoria.

 

Lane Tech did not have their top runner Will Kozlowski in their lineup due to an illness. Without their top runner, the Champions finished fourth in their regional. A healthy Kozlowski could get his team to state in back to back years. If not, Lane Tech will be on the border between seventh and eighth. Wheaton North has a good chance to make it south to Peoria led by their top runner Aidan Murphy who could finish in the top 10. They were third behind St. Charles East and WW South. The Falcons finished closed to both teams in that race. They could make it out of Lake Park to race one more week. York was not expected to be in this position to start the season. This team has no seniors in the top 12 yet this underclassmen group is in position to make it back to state after missing their usual trip in 2022. Zach Saltiel, Sam Kehoe, and Max Zangan were within 15 seconds of each other last week all finishing in the top 12. Their top 5 split needs to be under the 49 seconds that they ran last week.

 

Three unranked teams are very close to qualifying for the seventh state spot. Batavia did not have their best week at the regional meet last week but still could advance led by David Bednarek. Mather had regional champion Mohamed Abdulahi and Hirsi Hirsi finish in the top three last week at Oak Park. The Rangers 3-5 pack needs to move closer to their top two runners to advance to state. Glenbard West had Anthony Nitti finish in the top 10 last week. Their pack needs to get closer to Nitti to get the Hilltoppers ahead of Mather and Batavia on Saturday.

 

The individual race is wide open. Mohamed Abdullahi is running hot winning the Chicago City title and then winning last week. He has a great finishing kick that could give him a third straight win. Josiah Narayanan ran 14:30 at Detweiller Park in September and could be the runner in this race. Jed Wilson won on this course two weeks ago and could repeat that effort to win on Saturday. Owynn Garrelts finished eight seconds behind Abdullahi last week. He could be closer at Lake Park. Will Kozlowski, if healthy, is expected to be among the front runners. Tommy Nitz won last week at Hampshire and could be the runner to win. Cole Tupper has surprised some this fall and could be a surprise runner in the top 10 along with Zach Saltiel.