IHSA Success Formula moves three cross-country teams up a classification

By Michael Newman

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The IHSA posted the School Classifications for the 2018-2019 School year on June 13.

One notable change in the Track & Field Classifications was the omission of the East St. Louis-Senior Boys team. The Flyers were not allowed to compete at the 2018 Boys State Track & Field Championships at the end of May due to the incident that postponed the Southwest Conference Boys Meet. When the classifications were initially posted, East St. Louis-Senior’s Girls team was assigned to Class 2A, but the Boys classification remained blank.

“The reason that they don’t have a classification is because they withdrew this past year,” said Kraig Garber who is the IHSA Assistant Director in charge of Cross Country and Track & Field.  “Any team who did not enter a track and field team (or any type of team for that matter) would not be factored in to classification until they enter a team for the upcoming year.  Schools are currently entering teams for next school year, so they will get a classification when they enter.”

Dunlap won the 2A Girls team title for the past two seasons. Both the Boys and Girls teams were moved up to 3A for 2019 Track Season. Their enrollment is at 1304 students. The cutoff for track between 2A & 3A is at 1279 students. The Eagles go from one of the largest 2A schools to one of the smallest schools in Class 3A Track & Field.

Three schools were moved up a classification due to the IHSA’s “Success Formula” announced Monday by the IHSA. Elgin Harvest Christian Academy won the 1A Boys title in 2016 and finished third last November. The Lions Boys' team will be moved up to Class 2A for the 2018 & 2019 Cross-Country Seasons. Rockford Christian was also moved into 2A after finishing third in Class 1A in 2014 and second in last year’s finals. Normal University was moved from Class 2A to Class 3A for the next two seasons after finishing third in 2016 and second last year.

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Here are some of the other moves that took place in Cross Country and Track & Field

CROSS COUNTRY

Aurora Central Catholic – The Girls team was moved down to 1A. Their Boys team was moved down to 1A for the 2017 season and will remain in that classification this fall.

Breese Mater Dei – Both the Boys and Girls teams move from 1A to 2A for the 2018 season.

Chicago Marist – After one season in 2A where the RedHawks qualified for the 2A State Meet, Marist moves back up to 3A. Their Girls team remains in 3A.

Chicago Noble Academy – The Girls team moves from 1A to 2A for the 2018 season.

Chicago Payton Prep – Both the Boys and Girls teams move from Class 2A to 3A. Both teams qualified for the 2A state meet last fall.

Chicago St. Ignatius College Prep – The Boys program moves from Class 3A to Class 2A for this season. The Girls team remains in Class 3A.

Chicago University – The Boys squad moves down to Class 1A this fall. The Girls team remains in Class 2A.

Deerfield – The Warriors have been one of the schools that have hopped back and forth between Class 2A and Class 3A. Both the Boys and Girls Teams will compete in Class 3A for the 2018 Cross Country Season.

Hampshire – The enrollment bug also hit the Whips as both the Boys and Girls teams move up to Class 3A this fall. Their Boys team qualified for the 2A state meet last fall. Both their Boys and Girls Track teams moved into Class 3A last spring.

Lake Forest – The Scouts move from Class 3A to 2A due to the enrollment change.

Lisle Benet Academy – The Boys team will compete in Class 2A this fall while their Girls team remains in Class 3A.

Maroa-Forsyth – Both their Boys and Girls teams move from Class 1A to Class 2A this fall.

New Lenox Providence Catholic – Their Girls team moves from Class 3A to 2A. Their Boys team remains in Class 2A.

Normal Community West – The Wildcats will have their Boys and Girls teams in Class 3A this fall.

Oak Lawn Richards – Moves also up to 3A this season.

Rock Island Alleman – Their Boys team will drop from Class 2A to Class 1A. Their Girls team remains in Class 2A.

Salem – Both the Boys and Girls teams move from Class 1A to Class 2A.

Urbana University – Their Girls team moves from Class 2A to Class 1A this fall after being placed in the higher classification the past two years due to the “success formula”

TRACK & FIELD

Aurora Marmion Academy – After winning the Class 2A State title in May, the Cadets move back into Class 3A next spring.

Chicago Brooks College Prep – Their Girls team moves up to Class 3A next spring after winning their 2A sectional last May.

Paxton-Buckley-Loda – Moves up to Class 2A from Class 1A.

Peru St. Bede – After two years in Class 2A due to the IHSA “Success Formula”, St. Bede’s Boys team moves back down to Class 1A.

Pittsfield – Moves up to Class 2A

Rockford Christian – Their Boys team moves into Class 2A next spring after finishing second in Class 1A last May.