IPTT TOP 10

  

IPTT CLASS A Preview

Boys

1. Winnebago

2. Beecher

3. Henry

4. Westmont

5. Farmington

6. Eureka

7. Rockford Christian

8. Elmwood

9. Oregon

10. Tremont

 

Girls

1. Winnebago

2. Eureka

3. Elmwood-

Brimfield

4. Rochester

5. Beecher

6. Monmouth- Roseville

7. Petersburg- PORTA

8. Bureau Valley

9. Rockford Lutheran

10. Oregon

 

  

CLASS A GIRLS PREVIEW

Girls Class A Top Individuals

 

This field should be very deep with the top two girls pretty much a lock if injuries do not occur.  From top to bottom, the field is very young and should only get better.  This could be one of the better years in a long while for girls Class A runners.

 

  1. Katelyn Bastert – Carthage (Sr.) During this past track season, Katelyn definitely looked beatable after losing in the 1600m Finals to Theresa Brokaw.  However, as she has won this the past three years, she definitely has to be the favorite.
  2. Shelbie Pettie – Sherrard (So.) This girl was running phenomenally down the stretch and even pulled out a second place finish in the IHSA State Finals.  With more base this summer, she could easily finish first.
  3. Hayley Thomas – Winnebago (So.) With the Erbs training, this girl could easily vie for a top two performance at state.  The Erbs always seem to get the best out their kids and this girl is no different.
  4. Ryan Eichelberger – Braidwood (Reed-Custer) (Sr.) This girl keeps on going.  If she keeps up running to form, she could definitely fit in here.
  5. Olivia Klaus – Eureka (Jr.) Olivia had another successful track season and I find it hard for her not to continue this success into the XC season.
  6. Stephanie Brown – Downs Tri-Valley (So.)  I have heard many things about how talented this girl is and now is the time for her to show her ability.  If she can run like she is capable of running, a top five finish is not out of the questions.  A definite dark horse.
  7. Kelsee Viano - Carlinville (Sr.) Kelsee always tends to have a phenomenal XC season but can have disappointing finish to the season.  Hopefully, this isn’t a trend, but I think she can put together a fine season and postseason.
  8. Kortney Ellingboe – Nauvoo-Colusa (So.) Did a phenomenal job to finish in the top ten last year and with another year under her belt could definitely match last years finish.
  9. Megan Herrman – Havana (So.) Like Kortney, another surprise for all-state and looks to maybe better her position this year.
  10. Katie Drendel – Petersburg (PORTA) (Jr.) Another runner in a fine tradition of runners at PORTA.  I definitely think that this girl has the ability to make the top ten.

 

Others to watch:

 

Alisa Baron, Bureau Valley (Jr.)                  Racheal Gortowski, Winnebago (Sr.)

Mary Buzzard, Rockford Lutheran (So.)    Raven Pettry, Henry-Senachwine (So.)

Anna Morgan, Aurora Christian (Jr.)          Heather Melin, Winnebago (So.)

Ashley Lucas, Elgin St. Edwards (Jr.)         Tiffany Draughan, Athens (So.)

Bonnie Martin, Eureka (Jr.)             Meg Skaggs Winnebago (So.)

                       

 

 

Class A Girls Preseason Poll

 

  1. Winnebago-They have most of their girls back from their State Champion team back and will definitely be reloading with new talent from the junior high.  This could be a talented team for years to come.
  2. Eureka-They too have a lot of talent returning from their top ten team last year.  They always seem to find new runners and make the runners in their system run better the following year.
  3. Elmwood/Brimfield-They have a lot of talent funneling into their system this year with the freshmen from Brimfield.  This too could be a team that will contend for years to come.
  4. Rochester-They return 6 of the top 7 from their team that placed 4th in state, and while Abby Shunk was a wonderful runner, they definitely have the coaching and the ability to do very well again at state.
  5. Beecher-They return all 7 from a team that finished 9th in state last year.  If they can continue to improve, they definitely have the potential to be a top three team in the state.
  6. Monmouth-Roseville-They return 6 of their top 7 runners from a team that placed 13th at state last year.  Many coaches viewed them as being a top five team last year, and this is their time to step up and show their ability.
  7. Petersburg (PORTA)-This is a perennial favorite year in and year out.  With solid coaching and a solid core returning, they definitely could make some noise at state.
  8. Bureau Valley-They return 5 of their top 7 from last years team that finished 10th in the state.  Depending on what runners they have coming up, they definitely could repeat their performance from last year.
  9. Rockford Lutheran-This is another team that surprised many down at state last year.  If they can put together another run like last year, I see no reason why they couldn’t finish in the top ten again this year. 
  10. Oregon-This team always seems to have a great group of hard workers.  They always seem to be one of the better teams during the regular season, and as they also return a nice core group of runners, they could definitely contend in the top ten this year.

Others to watch:

Aurora Central Catholic                                           Herscher

Breese Central                                                          Robinson

Byron                                                                          Sherrard

Downs (Tri-Valley)                                                    St. Joseph-Ogden

Elmhurst (Timothy Christian)                                   Tremont

 

 

 

 

Class A Girls Top Returnees (In order)

1.     Katelyn Bastert        Sr Carthage  

3 Time state champ, looking to get 4th in a row.          
         
2.      Shelbie Pettie         So. Sherrard          
           
Pettie was injured during basketball season, but was a
workhorse in track, nonetheless.  Medaling in the
1600 while still running the 800 and 4x800

3.      Ryan Eichelberger      Sr. Braidwood
(Reed-Custer)
11:11 3200 last  her third behind Bastert
and Brokaw.  Going for her fourth all-state season in
cross country.      

4.      Megan Hoelscher        Sr Effingham (St. Anthony)      
3200 state qualifier last spring
 
5.     Hayley Thomas          So Winnebago                 
Medalist in 1600 last spring (5:14).  In a long line
of Winnebago all-staters she was the first to break
18:00.

5.     TeNeal Pinkston        Jr Robinson                    
11:22 medalist in the 3200 last spring and 1600 meter
finalist. 

6.      Kortney Ellingboe      So Nauvoo (N.-Colusa) 
        
 
7.     Rachel Schultz         Jr Herscher            
       

8.    Olivia Klaus           Jr Eureka                      
Klaus was on the champion 4 x 800 last spring.

9.      Anna Morgan            Jr Aurora (A. Christian)  

Helped Aurora Christian win the state track title last spring.      

10.      Megan Herrman          Fr Havana            
         

11.      Reagan Aylmer          So Moweaqua (Central A & M)     

12.     Stephanie Brown        So Downs (Tri-Valley)          
800 champ last spring and then went in and won the
post-season Midwest Distance Gala.

13.     Ashley Porter          Sr Heyworth         
          
 
14.      Vanessa Bain           Jr Addison (Driscoll)
         

15.      Tiffany Draughan       Fr Athens                      
3200 qualifier last spring

16.      Kelsee Viano           Sr Carlinville       
Just missed All-State last year.         

17.     Kaitlynn Stolzenbach   Fr Beecher            
        

18.    Ashley Thomasma        Sr Petersburg (PORTA)  
       

19.      Cara Feeney            Jr Champaign (St. Thomas More)    

20.    Mary Buzzard           So Rockford (Lutheran)
Plays soccer in the spring, but will lead a talented
Rockford Lutheran squad this fall.

Class A Boys

Boys Class A Top Individuals

 

This field definitely is a lot wider open than the girl’s field.  With the loss of a number of talented runners, it leaves a large opening for some runners who want to push to become one of the top runners in the state

 

1.     Matt Feldhake - Effingham (St. Anthony) (Jr.) He definitely comes in as the favorite after his unbelievable performance at IHSA XC State last year.  He has always had the talent but last year backed it up.  As long as there are no lingering effects from his problems last year, he definitely can win state.

2.     Trenton Tedrick - Winnebago (Jr.) Trenton had one of the best runners on one of the best teams in the state last year to train with.  He definitely has the ability to challenge Feldhake for the title.

3.     Dustin Emerick - Elmwood (Jr.) Dustin was a kid who continued to improve throughout the season and put forth one of the best races at state.  He definitely has the coaching and the ability to do well at the finals.

4.     Nathan Wartsler - Georgetown (Ridge Farm) (Sr.) For years, I have heard great things about this kid and he always seems to perform very well throughout the year.  Depending on how hard this kid works, he could definitely be a dark horse to win state.

5.     Brad Wrage - Farmington (Sr.) For the longest time, he wasn’t even seen as the best runner on his own team, but with the graduation of Aaron Kepler and his recent success at state, he has come into his own and may even lead his team back into the top ten. 

6.     Parker Thomas - Tremont (So.) For being a freshman, he finished quite well in the top 40.  With another year of experience and the work ethic to succeed, he could definitely fit into the top ten.

7.     Aaron Winter - Rockford Lutheran (Sr.) Aaron almost led his team to a top ten finish last year and definitely could lead this team to an even higher position this year.  After finishing 9th last year, he definitely could make it into the top five if he pushes himself.

8.     Nick Baldo - Westmont (Jr.) Another runner who put together a good performance for his team to help them place in the top 7 last year.  With some competition from his fellow teammates and other top class runners in the area, he has the potential to do very well this year.

9.     Robbie Shimp - Henry-Senachwine (Sr.) Robbie has a strong work ethic and probably a good summer base to do well this year.  He is yet another runner who is trying to help his team break into the top five this year.  He is not a person to underestimate.

10.  Brian Peterson - Minonk (Fieldcrest) (Jr.) Brian is always a kid who seems to perform well at state and if everything falls into place, I definitely see him as a person who could surprise everyone and finish in the top five.  He is someone not to overlook.

Others to watch:

 

Fadi Bakhos – Westmont (Sr.)

Logan Block – Knoxville (Jr.)                                  

Bailey Bunyan – Cobden (Sr.)

Charlie Butler – Olney (East Richland) (Sr.)

Sean Carmody – Winnebago (Sr.)

Crue Harmon – Eureka (Sr.)

Colin Mickow – Princeton (Jr.)

Matt Morse – St. Bede (Sr.)

Josh Mosier – Riverdale (Sr.)

Nick Newcomer – Winnebago (Jr.)

Jordan Paterson – Athens (Jr.)

 

Class A Boys Preseason Poll

  1. Winnebago - Winnebago had a great year last year, and even though they lost one of the best runners ever in Class A, they look to be the team to beat again.  They return 4 runners that placed in the top 85 at state, and with the tradition at Winnebago, look for more fantastic runners to come.

 

  1. Beecher - Beecher finished 14th last year, but return their top 6 runners!  They are definitely on the upswing with their program.  Don’t be surprised if Beecher can pull the upset over Winnebago!

 

  1. Henry - Even though they finished 10th last year, they return 4 of their top five.  They find themselves with the question most Class A schools have which is can we find a 5th?  Look for Henry to find that fifth runner and contend for a top three spot.

 

  1. Westmont - This could be a team who could easily displace one of the top three.  They could have two runners in the top 20 and that usually is tough to beat.  They have the same problem as Henry in that they need a fifth.

 

  1. Farmington - Farmington was last year’s biggest surprise at state.  They return three of their top four, and 5 of their top seven.  Their main question is if their runners who ran six and seven last year can improve enough to help out as their four and five runners.

 

  1. Eureka - I don’t know if you can call Eureka a sleeper pick after finishing 15th last year, but they look ready to move back into trophy contention again.  They return all but one runner off of last years team, and with the coaching at Eureka, they will be sure to contend for a trophy this year. 

 

  1. Rockford Christian - Rockford Christian is always on the verge of making to one of the elite positions.  This year could be the year lead by Ryan Griffin.  Top ten is a real possibility, but a top three place probably is not.

 

  1. Elmwood - Dustin Emmrick looks like he could lead the Elmwood team to a top ten finish.  They have four of their top five back, and under some strong coaching they could contend even higher than 7th. 

 

  1. Oregon - Oregon is a perennial top team in state.  Lead this year by Trace Carlson, Oregon looks to fill the last of the top 10 spots returning four of their top seven.

 

  1. Tremont – This team could surprise at state.  They have a good base of runners, but they need the pieces to fall into place.  They could be the darkhorse.

 Others to watch:

Bureau Valley

Delavan

Newton

Olympia

Robinson

Rochester

Rockford Lutheran