By Michael Newman

[email protected]

By the end of the day on Saturday, 25 teams (or more) will have their dreams fulfilled with a spot on the Detweiller Park starting line on November 4 guaranteed.

There is not really one storyline to follow in Class 1A. Each of the five sectional meets are equally interesting. Elmwood-Brimfield seems to be the deepest of the five sectionals with Boys team favorites Elmwood-Brimfield and Athens facing each other for the third (of four) times this season. At Carlinville, the two top 1A Girls teams Tolono Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden will face off once again. At Oregon, Rock Falls appears to be the dominant Girls team in the field with the talent to challenge Tolono Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden next week in Peoria.

The top five finishing teams from each sectional will punch their ticket to the state meet. If there is a tie for fifth place, both tied teams will make the trip. The top seven individuals not on a state qualifying team will also qualify to run on November 4.

Here is a look at each of the five sectionals that will take place on Saturday.

Elmwood-Brimfield Sectional @ Maple Lane Country Club

Girls (10:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #5 Monticello, #7 Williamsville, #10 Eureka, #11 Stanford Olympia, #18 Elmwood-Brimfield, #19 Liberty, #20 Springfield Lutheran, #21 Tremont, #22 El Paso-Gridley, #25 Decatur St. Teresa

Team Preview – This sectional is loaded with 10 ranked teams vying for 5 spots on the starting line at Detweiller Park. Monticello looks like the team to beat. The Sages won last week at the Eureka Regional getting their first four runners within 28 seconds of each other. Led by Morgan Elmore and Alyssa McPike, Monticello will need to keep their five-runner spread under 70 seconds to take home the sectional crown. Eureka and Williamsville look like teams that could make the trip to Peoria. Eureka will have Emma Argo up front. The key for the Hornets is the gap between their fourth and fifth runners. It was 84 seconds in last week’s race. That split needs to come down if Eureka wants to advance. Williamsville will have sophomore Caroline Gwaltney up front and a good pack supporting her. Keeping their five-runner under split under 90 seconds will be a must for this team to move forward.

It is anybody’s guess after that for the final two spots. Stanford Olympia does not have the fire power up front but a good pack that could get them to Peoria. Payton Wille could finish in the top 15. A split under 60 seconds for this team is a possibility. St. Teresa could be a surprise even after finishing sixth at Eureka last week. Veronica Hein will be a runner in the top five. It looked like they packed it up last week. Pamela Tacud and Grace Lehman will lead the pack that needs to be within 90 seconds of Hein. Liberty could be a team to watch especially if Katelyn Robbins is 100% healthy. Springfield Lutheran has a solid first four that will run within 60 seconds of each other near the front. Their gap between the fourth and fifth runner has averaged close to three minutes most of the season. That gap could hurt them in this race. Tremont has cross-country newcomer Lizzy Friedlinger leading them. The pack behind their star runner was 70 seconds of her last week. That is good. Keeping their pack within 75 seconds of each other is a must. El Paso-Gridley is coming on strong just at the right time led by Cate Atkins. Keeping their five-runner split near two minutes is a thing to watch for. Host Elmwood-Brimfield could have Emily McCauley and Julianna Dunkel could be in the top 20 but will need to keep their split under 90 seconds to extend their season one extra week.

Individuals Preview – Eureka’s Emma Argo made a statement last week running 17:24 on her 2.9-mile home course. She won by 51 seconds ahead of St. Teresa’s Veronica Hein who will also be towards the front. Top two finishers at Quincy Notre Dame, Kristen Huffman of Routt and Caroline Jachino of Pleasant Plains, expect to be challenging for the win. Tremont’s Lizzy Friedlinger, Megan Adams of Mendon Unity, Maya Stovall of Macomb, Katelyn Robbins of Liberty, Payne Turney of Clinton, Katie Springer of Delavan, Hannah Offenback, Alyssa McPike, and Morgan Elmore of Monticello, Caroline Gwaltney of Williamsville, and Mackenzie Goldring of Lewistown are runners to watch in this loaded race.

Boys (11:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #2 Elmwood-Brimfield, #3 Athens, #6 Deer Creek-Mackinaw, #7 Monticello, #16 El Paso-Gridley, #17 Tremont.

Team Preview – This could be a sneak peak of next week’s state meet as Elmwood-Brimfield and Athens will face each other for the third time this season. Elmwood-Brimfield has the edge in both meets. Athens did not have Wyatt McIntyre in the first Peoria meet in September but his presence up front gives their team low points. Their pack behind McIntyre, led by Wyatt’s brother Noah needs to stay within 35 seconds of each other with the pack starting between 10^th and 13^th places. Expect Elmwood-Brimfield to have a solid pack with a split near 60 seconds with Cooper Hoffmann and Trevor Dunkel possibly in the top ten. The team that could be close to these two is Deer Creek-Mackinaw who has the pack that could win this race. Gary Cates leads this team. Cates between 16^th and 20^th and the pack under 30 seconds of each other could be the difference maker. In last week’s Eureka Regional win, their split was 33 seconds. Monticello finished five points behind Dee-Mack last week and is solid bet to make it to Peoria. Alex Helmuth and Garrett Dixon will be in the top five for the Sages. They have a solid three through five pack that needs to be within 65 seconds of their star runners.

Those four teams are good bets to make it to Peoria. It will be a battle for the fifth spot. El Paso-Gridley should have Noah Smith and Bo Halvorsen in the top ten. They need a split of 80 seconds on their top five to punch their ticket to Peoria. Tremont should have Leland Sumer among the leaders. Keeping their pack under 45 seconds of each other and 45 seconds of Later to advance. Eureka could have Jack Cook and Kyle Johnson in the top 20. Keeping their split under 55 seconds could move them into the top five.

Individual Previews – This should be a fun race to watch with Wyatt McIntyre leading the way. The Athens senior won by more than a minute last week and should be the favorite here. There is no lack of talent behind him. Monticello’s Garrett Dixon and Alec Helmuth will push McIntyre in the front. Jackson Stewart of St. Teresa is a runner to watch in the front. Jacob Bryan of Illini West and Tremont’s Leland Sumer will also be with the front pack. Also watch for Will Dionesotes of Bloomington Central Catholic, Noah Smith and Bo Halversen of El Paso-Gridley, Cooper Hoffman and Trevor Dunkel of Elmwood-Brimfield, Shane Yamco of Riverton, and Emilio Rivera of Illini Central.

Carlinville Sectional @ Macoupin County Fairgrounds

Girls (10:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #1 Tolono Unity, #2 St. Joseph-Ogden, #14 St. Thomas More, #23 Staunton

Teams Preview – These top two teams have faced each other most of this season. It should be the same story up front in this race. Tolono Unity was in charge last week ahead of St. Joseph-Ogden 39-49 even though their #1 runner Jordan Harmon was not in the lineup. She has missed their past two meets. Unity received a boost from freshmen Evelyn Adkins and Caroline Bachert last week finishing in the top five with a 78 second spread. The Spartans ran a 79 second split led by Faith Houston. They were without Sam Mabry in that race. It will be close with both runners from each school in this race. If Tolono Unity does not have Harmon, it could be even closer.

St. Thomas More is a solid third team in this race with Fran Hendrickson in the top five and Marguerite Hendrickson and Morgan Cinnamon possibly in the top 15. Their split could be near two minutes. They are still a good bet to make it in.

It could be three teams challenging for the final two spots. Staunton is young with five freshmen and a sophomore in their top seven. Staunton won the Shelbyville Regional behind Lydia Roller’s individual win. Keeping their pack behind Roller within 20 seconds of each other should be something to watch. Neoga finished second behind Staunton and will need Emmalyn Walk among the first 20 runners as well as keeping their pack split under two minutes. Teutopolis is a team to watch after finishing second last week at St. Anthony. Teutopolis has a solid first four but will need to have an overall five-runner split under 170 seconds led by Kara Weichman.

Individuals Preview – It could be tight up front with five to six runners within 15 seconds of each other. Jordan Harmon has not raced the past two weeks. With her in here, she is the favorite. St. Thomas More’s Fran Hendrickson and Laura Krasa of Judah Christian are two runners that have the capability of winning this race. Lydia Roller of Staunton and Ailey Mitchell of Shelbyville are two runners not to discount and could be challenging for the win. Faith Houston and Sam Mabry of St. Joseph-Ogden, Jasmyn Dittamore of Cumberland, Caroline Quarton of Litchfield, and Caroline Bachert & Evelyn Adkins of Tolono Unity are other runners to keep an eye on.

Boys (11:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #4 St. Joseph-Ogden, #8 Robinson, #10 Carlinville, #13 Lawrenceville, #14 Urbana University, #18 Tuscola, #20 Father McGivney, #23 Toledo Cumberland

Teams Preview – The name of the game is being one of the top five teams in the sectional. Eight ranked teams have that goal heading into this race. St. Joseph-Ogden is the team on the rise and the team to watch in this meet. Wyatt Wolfersberger has been the top runner for the Spartans that ran a 75 second split in their St. Thomas More Regional win. That split needs to dip under 65 seconds to secure a sectional win. Robinson had three runners in the top ten, led by Lukas Baird, in winning the St. Anthony Regional last Saturday. Two of those runners need to be in the top 15 as well as having a 67 second split to be close to St. Joseph-Ogden. Carlinville won at Shelbyville last week with Jason Landon in the first five and their scorers within 76 seconds of each other. The pack getting closer together and Landon within the first five runners could earn them a trip to Peoria.

Lawrenceville finished second behind Robinson at St. Anthony, but their split on their scorers was at 98 seconds. That split needs to come down as well as getting two runners in the first 20. Father McGivney is in their first year of cross-country competition and could make it to Peoria. Jefferson Ross Bushur could be in the top five. They did have a 38 second split on their pack behind Bushur. A repeat of that effort could get them into the top five. Urbana University will need to have Henry Kraatz and Nicholas Ramkumar in the top 15. A split on five under 60 seconds could secure a position in the top five.

Tuscola has been a surprise this season and could make it into the state field if Michael Holmes or Noah Woods could finish in the top 20 and getting all five runners in the top 50. Cumberland will have Kort McClellan as one of the top 10 individual runners. They have a solid first four-runners but will need to close their gap between four and five.

Individuals Preview – Arthur-Lovington’s Logan Hall is on a roll coming off a win ahead of Wyatt McIntyre two weeks ago in Peoria, and then setting a new course record in winning at Shelbyville last week. He will be the runner to watch in this race. It could be only ten seconds separating the next seven runners behind Hall. Ryan Skowronski of Shelbyville, Wyatt Wolfersberger of St. Joseph-Ogden, and Jefferson Ross Bushnar all have the talent to challenge for the second spot. Negus Bogard of Hutsonville/Palestine, Jason Landon of Carlinville, and Javon Watkins of Madison are runners to watch in the front group along with Reece Johnson of Neoga, Cameron Woodard of Tolono Unity, and Kort McClellan of Cumberland.

Oregon Sectional @ Oregon Park West

Girls (10:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #3 Rock Falls, #13 Johnsburg, #15 Rockford Christian, #17 Kewanee-Wethersfield, #24 Amboy

Teams Previews – Ever since Rock Falls debuted in dominating fashion in winning the First to the Finish Invitational in September, they have been one of the top teams in 1A. They will be the team to beat in this sectional. Bailee Fortney and Alex Gomez will be in the front for their team. They have a solid first four. Watch to see what their gap is between their fourth and fifth runners. Last week in their regional win, the split was 135 seconds. That needs to come down especially for the state meet.

Three teams will fight for the second team spot. Johnsburg will need to keep their split under 110 seconds as well as having Sam Schmitt finish in the top 12. They won last week at Winnebago with a split of 95 seconds on their top five. Rockford Christian was second behind Johnsburg pushed by top five finishes from Madison Franseen and Renate Toldo. Getting Franseen in the top five and Toldo in the top 18 along with a split on five under two minutes could put the Royal Lions ahead of Johnsburg. Kewanee-Wethersfield has improved this fall with every meet. They are a team to keep an eye on if they can get Whitney Johnson and Rachel Gomez in the top ten. Their split on five last week at Rock Falls was over five minutes. That split needs to get lower for this team to make it to Peoria.

Amboy could make it to Peoria especially if they duplicate the pack running that they demonstrated last week at Rock Falls. The pack of four led by Margaret Vaessen was only separated by 32 seconds. Getting two runners in the top 25 and keeping their five-runner split under 55 seconds could get the Clippers back to the state meet. Winnebago finished third in their own regional and could be one of the five qualifying teams if Natalia Martino finishes in the top five and their split on their scorers stay under two minutes. Bureau Valley and Stark County are teams that could be surprises in this race but their average team splits near three minutes could hurt them. Bureau Valley has Hailey Weidner that could finish in the top 10. Stark County will need Olivia Frail and Brooke Rennick finish in the top 15 to challenge for a team top five spot.

Individual Previews – Rock Falls could get a 1-2 finish in this race as Bailee Fortney and Alex Gomez could run away with this race. Winnebago freshman Natalia Martino could be the closest runner to the Rock Falls closer. Madison Franseen of Rockford Christian, Haley Weidner of Bureau Valley, Karlie Hey of Newman Catholic, Whitney Johnson of Wethersfield, and Olivia Frail of Stark County are some of the runners to watch in the front.

Boys (11:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #5 Rockford Christian, #11 Illinois Valley Central, #15 Seneca, #24 Marengo

Teams Previews – This is an interesting sectional race with as many as seven teams challenging for five sectional qualifying spots. Rockford Christian has the edge with Riley Wells one of the individual favorites and Brent Brunner a possibility in the top 15. Josiah Vogel was a surprise in their regional race only four seconds behind Brunner. Keep an eye on him. Keeping their split under 60 seconds on their split from two to five could be a factor in winning the sectional title.

Illinois Valley Central could be the one team to surpass the Royal Lions. Owen Habeger could be in the top five leading the Grey Ghosts. They have a strong first four. Their split on five in their regional win was 126 seconds. That needs to go under 100 seconds in this sectional race. Seneca has been a surprise this season but will need to narrow their split to get out. Christopher Collet will be one of the individual favorites and Ben Krause could finish among the first ten. The Irish could have three runners in the first 30 in this race but need to have their fourth and fifth runners finish before 80^th place. Winnebago finished third behind Rockford Christian in their regional and could be a surprise in this race. They will need to duplicate their five-runner split of 62 seconds. Dylan Pavlak and Devin Tervelt placing in the top 20 could be a key in advancing to the state meet. Marengo has been another surprise team in this sectional and could be among the top five teams. Keeping their split on five under 70 seconds and having Alex Leonard in the top 15 are things to watch from this team.

Rock Falls and Sterling Newman are two teams that could make it to Peoria. Dawson Smith will be one of the individual favorites and leads Rock Falls. They have a good first three. Their split last week in their second-place regional finish was close to three minutes. Sterling Newman won at Rock Falls led by top five finishes from Spencer Mauch and Shay Hafner. Their split over two minutes needs to be closer to 95 seconds for this team to make the Peoria trip.

Individuals Preview – This race is wide open. Riley Wells of Rockford Christian edges Johnsburg’s Tim Bertulis by four seconds last week at Winnebago. It should be that close in this race. Dawson Smith of Rock Falls won the 1A race at First to the Finish in September. He will be a runner to watch. Christopher Collet of Seneca improves with every race and could challenge towards the front. Owen Habeger of Illinois Valley Central, Spencer Mauch of Sterling Newman, Koby Brackmeyer of Morrison, Matt Laws of Rock Falls, and Ian Hussung of Oregon are some of the runners that you will see towards the front.

Lisle Sectional @ Community Park

Girls (10:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #4 Herscher, #6 Kankakee McNamara, #8 Harvest Christian Academy, #16 Beecher

Teams Preview – This is a “sneaky-good” sectional race with some of the teams in this field that could be factors next week in Peoria. The four ranked teams are solid bets to make it next week to Detweiller Park.

It could be less than 10 points that separate Herscher and Kankakee McNamara. In last week’s McNamara Regional, Herscher was the winner by 10 points led by Josie Mendell’s fourth-place finish. The key for Herscher’s success has been keeping their five-runner split under 60 seconds. It was 53 seconds last week. Getting their five runners in the top 20 could secure a sectional win. McNamara has the power in front with Eden Rainbolt, Faith Provist, and Madison Hamilton possibilities of finishing in the top seven in this race. Their split on five was close to four minutes in their regional race. Getting that split lower as well as five runners among the first 40 could also do the trick.

Harvest Christian Academy has not run the big name meet schedule but have the talent to make it to Peoria. Nygia Pollard will be one of the individuals to watch in this race and have a solid pack behind her that could be within 30 seconds of each other. Getting their scorers within the first 30 places will be something to watch. Beecher should have Hailey Janssen among the top 10 individuals. Four runners in the top 25, five runners in the top 45 gets their team down to Peoria.

It is wide-open for the fifth team spot. Illiana Christian finished fourth at Kankakee behind a top ten-finish from Maddie DeYoung. Their split on five in that race was close to three minutes. Timothy Christian won the Lisle Regional and could have Hope Clark and Elise Terpstra in the top 20. This team just needs to have their scorers finish before 70^th place to make the trip south. IC Catholic Prep has been the hot team in this sectional and could be a surprise in the top five. Frankie Chaidez could be among the top five in this race. Keeping their pack behind her within 100 seconds of each other finishing before 80^th place could get this team a state trip. Chicago Christian should have top 15 placers with Emily Damstra and Allie Boss. Getting their top five in before 75^th place could be a key. Elgin St. Edward, The Noble Academy, and Clifton Central could all be surprises at or near fifth place.

Individuals Preview – Harvest Christian Academy’s Nygia Pollard will be the runner to watch in this race after easily winning her regional race by 35 seconds. Eden Rainbolt, Faith Provist, and Madison Hamilton of McNamara all could be in the front along with Hailey Janssen of Beecher, Frankie Chaidez of IC Catholic Prep, and Jillian Milton of Herscher. Aryana Rhodes of Noble Academy finished 11^th at the Chicago Public League Championships. She could also be among the top five finishers.

Boys (11:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #1 Harvest Christian Academy, #12 Clifton Central, #22 Paxton-Buckley-Loda

Teams Preview – Defending 1A State Champion Harvest Christian Academy has kept a low profile but has the talent to win this week and defend their state title next weekend. The Lions have the capability of getting three runners in the top ten led by Andrew Dobrescu, Mark Davila, and Matthew Olech. This race could be a tune up for them. A split on their scorers of 50 seconds or under is a good bet will all five possibly in the top 15.

Clifton Central should be the closest team to HCA. Isaiah Ditta and Jeremy Snejberg were in the top six as they team won the Kankakee Regional and could finish in the top ten in this race. Their split was 102 seconds on five in that race. That will need to come down closer to 85 seconds. Paxton-Buckley-Loda should make it to Peoria. They will just need to duplicate their regional performance where they finished behind Clifton Central. Kody Harrison finishing in the top ten as well as getting their first five in the top 40 could get this team a state trip.

It is anyone’s guess who will fall into the fourth and fifth qualifying spots. Walther Christian edged Timothy Christian by two points at the Lisle Regional. Walther Christian will need a duplicate regional performance keeping their split under 45 seconds with a runner placing in the top 15. Timothy Christian has a solid first three led by Clint Fincher that could all finish in the top 20. Keeping their five-runner split under 60 seconds will be a key. Herscher is led by Tyler Howard that could finish in the top five. Getting their scorers in the top 60 could push Herscher to the state meet. Peotone, Kankakee McNamara, and Noble Academy are teams to watch to also challenge for a state qualifying position.

Individuals Preview – Jack McNabola of Francis Parker should dominate in this individual race. His time of 14:47 at the Richard Spring Invitational is almost one minute faster than the seasonal best of the rest of the field. This could be a tune-up for next week’s state race.

Trey Houmes of Hoopeston Area could lead the chase pack followed by Harvest Christian Academy’s by Andrew Dobrescu, Mark Davila, and Matthew Olech, Tyler Howard of Herscher, Matt Gedraitis of Westmont, Isaiah Ditta and Jeremy Snejberg of Clifton Central, as well as Kody Harrison of Paxton-Buckley Loda.

Benton Sectional @ Benton City Park

Girls (10:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #9 Freeburg, #12 Breese Mater Dei

Teams Preview – Only eight points separated the two ranked teams in this field last week with Freeburg having the edge at the New Athens Regional. It could be closer in this meet especially with more runners in the field. Breanna Chandler will lead Freeburg with the possibility of winning this race. Their split of their second through fifth runners needs to stay under 60 seconds on Saturday with their scorers in the top 40. Breese Mater Dei will have Elyse Faust leading them with a possibility of her finishing in the top 10. Freeburg just had their five runners in before Breese Mater Dei. That needs to reverse for the Knights to take home the sectional title. 

Nashville has been running strong the past three weeks including winning the Carterville Regional last Saturday. Jaylyn Bower could finish in the top five. Five runners in the top 30 could get this team to the state meet. Pinckneyville finished behind Nashville at Carterville and could also make the trip to Peoria. Kyla Epplin could be in the top 10. Pinckneyville just needs to get their scorers across the line in the top 30. New Athens is a team to watch for in the top five. If they can keep their pack split under 60 seconds with Alayna Toedte finishing in the top 25 could solidify a state trip. Okawville and DuQouin are teams that I would also watch for.

Individuals Preview – Benton’s Amelia McLain should be the favorite in this individual race having the fastest seasonal three-mile time by 20 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Freeburg’s Breanna Chandler, Ansley Bailey of Massac County, Jaylyn Bower of Nashville, and Gabrielle Alongi of DuQuoin are some of the runners to watch in the front.

Boys (11:00 AM)

Ranked Teams - #9 Freeburg, #19 Benton, #21 Breese Mater Dei, #25 Steeleville

Teams Preview – Freeburg should be the favorite in this race, but it could be close for the next four qualifying spots. Charlie Parrish will be one of the runners to watch in the front for the Midgets. In their regional race, Freeburg had 5 runners in the top 13 and will need that kind of effort again keeping their pack behind Parrish within 34 seconds of each other. Benton has been a team on the move and could be one of the top five teams. A key for this team is their pack running. The split on five was 32 seconds last week. Having Kyle Sneed or Avery Potter starting their pack in the top 15 could get this team close to Freeburg.

Breese Mater Dei will have Luke Goebel among the leaders. Keeping their pack behind Goebel in the top 50 could be enough to get the Knights to the state meet. Steeleville edged Nashville by one point in winning the Carterville Regional. They could make it to state with a runner in the first 15 and their pack within 70 seconds of each other. Nashville started out slow but has built up steam with their regional race. Brandon Schnitker could be in the top five. They will just need their top five in the first 25 along with their fifth runner finishing before 55^th place. Pinckneyville had a down race in finishing third at Carterville but could bounce back in this race. Garrett Johnson and Grant Batteau finishing in the top 10 as well as 5 runners in the top 50 could get them to Peoria.

Individuals Preview – This could be a tremendous individual race. Luke Goebel of Breese Mater Dei ran 14:55 at Peoria at the end of September but finished third last week at the New Athens Regional. The runners ahead of him, Justin Mumford of Trenton-Wesclin and Charlie Parrish of Freeburg, should be in the mix for the sectional title along with Goebel.

Austin Knight of Carterville, Hayden Wimberly and Dawson Webster of Salem, Garrett Johnson of Pinckneyville, and Brandon Schnitker of Nashville should be in the front pack in what looks to be a loaded field.