Katherine Legge Memorial in Hinsdale hosts one of the bigger meets in the state: The Hornet-Red Devil Invitational

By Michael Newman

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The first full weekend of cross-country in Illinois has more than 95% of the ranked teams in the state. It will be a chance to see how teams and individuals shape up as we start our march towards November and the IHSA State Meet at Detweiller Park.

Let’s look at some of the meets that will be in the forefront in this state this weekend. Rather than predict the meets, here are some of the things to watch on Saturday in some of the top meets in the state.

You can see where your favorite teams are running on Saturday here.

Hornet-Red Devil Invitational @ Katherine Legge Memorial

What kind of pack will #3 Neuqua Valley have in the Boys Varsity race?

Remember, they lost six runners to graduation. Expect Zach Kinne to be among the front runners in this race. They have a talented group behind Kinne led by Ryan Kennedy. This field is deep so five in the first 15 is possible.

Challengers to Neuqua? With seven ranked teams in the Boys field, the one team that I am interested in seeing is Wheaton-Warrenville South. The #6 ranked team in 3A lost two to graduation that were in their tight pack. Two sophomores, William Hauenstein and Jacob Kluckhohn, should step into the top five but how close will their pack to each other? The Tigers were under 20 seconds in meets last year. Let’s see how the 2017 edition of this team is.

Boys Favorites? Kinne is the one runner that will be the favorite. With course conditions favorable, we could see him close to 15 minutes. Thomas Shilgalis of Naperville Central could push for the win as well as hometown favorite Sean O’Connell of Hinsdale Central. Patrick Norrick of New Trier could be a surprise.

How about the Girls Individual race? When you have the top three returning 3A Girls runners in the state in this field, then it is a must watch race (9:30 AM after the Boys race). Katelynne Hart of Glenbard West is in great shape (saw her in the Prairie Path. Boy was she flying!). So, I am wondering if she goes under 17 minutes. She will have teammate Lindsey Payne close to her as well as Minooka’s Emily Shelton who ran a controlled 17:35 last week at Normal’s Maxwell Park. Remember, Hart ran this course for the first-time last year and finished third. I am sure that is something that will be at the back of her mind when she steps to the line.

What to watch from #2 Glenbard West in the Girls race? I was surprised that they were ranked as low as some national “rankings” indicated. The Hilltoppers will have small numbers up front with Hart and Payne. How close will Katie Hohe be to the front two? Before she got sick last fall, she was within 30 to 35 seconds. Then, how close will the pack behind Hohe be? Host Hinsdale Central has traditionally not put their top seven on the line in this meet. They are a talented group. They could push Glenbard West. Minooka is young after Shelton and Vivian Van Eck. This race could sharpen them to bigger and better things later in the season.

Also…

Watch the Frosh/Soph races. It is the beginning of the year and coaches tend to keep their young inexperienced runners on the lower levels. Keep an eye on the front in both Boys and Girls races. We could see some of these runners up on Varsity in October and November.

Mike Kuharic Invitational (formally Lions Pride Invitational) @ Lyons Township South Campus Course.

The Boys Individual Race: Kilrea vs Jacobs Act I

The South Campus course at Lyons Township is fast, fast, fast. Lots of turns but long straight stretches where runners fly. Sandburg’s Dylan Jacobs ran 14:19 last year while Danny Kilrea finished third running 14:24 on his home course. Kilrea has dramatically improved since that race. So has Jacobs. He wowed me when he ran 15:53 at hilly Dellwood Park in Lockport a couple of weeks ago. Running under 16:00 on the 5k course anytime during the year is an accomplishment. Running under 16-minutes in August is a statement. A time under 14:10 on this dragstrip is a possibility. Maine South’s Tommy Brady and Brandon Christopher could take the next two spots.

The Girls Individual race?

It could be Indiana runners again out front. Lowell’s Jordyn Boyer ran 17:32 last year and could again be the favorite. If Lyons Township’s Sarah Barcelona is healthy, she could challenge for the win. It could be Barcelona’s teammate Emily Henkel that could be the surprise.

Leavey Invitational @ Leroy Oaks FP, St. Charles

Boys Race: Downers Grove North’s pack

In last year’s race, Downers Grove North ran a split of only 27 seconds…on their top seven. We could see a smaller split on Saturday. The Trojans ran a 26 second split on their home course two weeks ago but that was without two of their top seven Miles Christensen and Sam McCool not running. Seven runners in the top nine is possible. Also, watch the pack from Batavia. They could be a step behind if they run their talented sophomores up on varsity. Marmion Academy debuts in this meet and could push Batavia. Huntley had a tight pack last week at McHenry and could surprise Huntley and Marmion.

Boys Individuals

Take your pick among Jacob Ridderhoff, Ryan Birkmeier, and Matt Moravec. Any one of those three Downers Grove North runners could take home the top prize. Zach Albrecht of Jacobs has been on fire so far this fall finishing two seconds behind Ridderhoff two weeks ago. Marmion’s Michael Ronzone and Geneva’s Josh Rodgers could also be near the front.

Girls Race Everyone forgets about Jocelyn Long

The Barrington senior has won this race twice. Will she make it three in a row? She is the big favorite in this race as it could serve as a tune up for next week’s First to the Finish race in Peoria. She finished seventh at state, then seventh at NXR Midwest. This is her senior year and could be running with a little more motivation. She won by 38 seconds last year. That margin could be larger on Saturday.

Batavia and their pack running

They do not have any superstars but just seven solid runners that could do big things this year. How many runners in the top 15. It could be all their top seven in this race. Geneva lost Emily Eberhardt to graduation but could still have the pack to match Batavia. York has Sarah May who could finish in the top five. They could be among the top three teams.

John Kurtz Early Bird Invitational @ Fenton Campus Course, Bensenville

Girls Race: A 2A/3A challenge

2A #3 Vernon Hills runs their second race of the week. On Wednesday, they edged 3A #12 Stevenson by eight points with a 45 second split on their top five. They run against Downers Grove South who is ranked #7 in 3A. The Mustangs won by 60 points last year against Vernon Hills. Brenna Cohoon leads a strong South pack that could at least four runners in the first 10. The individual race is up for grabs with Cohoon, Hononegah’s Alicia Repka, Glenbrook South’s Kayleigh Pitterman, Vernon Hills’ Lauren Katz, or Hersey’s Teagan Beckley all capable of winning.

Boys Race: So, what about Hersey?

On paper, it could come down to #4 Hersey and #9 Prospect. Traditionally, Prospect does not run their entire top seven in this meet. That may change on Saturday. It does not matter These two MSL powers will face off many times this fall. All eyes should be on Hersey. That is, if they run their entire top seven. Josh Methner and Max Svienty are both sophomores and could be run on the lower level. If not, we could see how tough this team really is. If the two sophomores run up om Varsity, they could be two of the individual favorites along with their teammate Ryan Thiesen. It could also be Matt Vietzen of Oak Park-River Forest. He was fourth in this race last year and is coming off a strong race on Tuesday in their dual meet against York.

Granite City Invitational @ Wilson Park

Boys Race – Who will emerge as the team favorite?

There are six teams across the three classes that are in this field that are ranked. It could be an opening showcase for a young but strong 3A #13 Edwardsville team. O’Fallon is sneaky good and could pose the biggest challenge to their Southwest Conference rival. 2A powers Chatham-Glenwood and Springfield will face each other for the first of many times this season. Mascoutah outdistanced Freeburg last week at SIU-Edwardsville. That order could change on Saturday especially with Freeburg’s top man Charlie Parrish in the line-up.

A new face up front in the individual race?

Not really a new face, but Granite City’s Andrew O’Keefe came on strong during the track season putting him in the favorites’ role here. He finished 69^th at state last fall but the 4:16 at 1600-meters that he ran has given him confidence. This field is good with some of the top runners in the southern portion of the state here. Parrish is running his first race of the year and is in great shape according to his coach Carl Florczyk. It could also be Franky Romano of Edwardsville or John Bruce of Marion that comes across the line first.

A toss-up in the Girls Race?

Not necessarily. #11 Edwardsville and #13 O’Fallon are the class of the field and could be ahead of the rest of the pack. I have a sneaky feeling about 2A #20 Waterloo who will start their season here.

Jenna Schwartz again?

Yes. Last year’s winner heads a strong individual field that has nine of the top ten runners from last year’s race coming back. She finished sixth last November at state and then earned all-state honors in track in the 3200 Meter Run. One of the top 2A runners in the state, she is the one to watch on Saturday.

Chrisman Cow Chip Classic

Will anyone leave this meet with clean shoes?

Nope. Take a look at the title of this meet. This course is challenging. They try to get all the “cow-chips” off the course but they miss some. This is a flighted meet focusing more on the individuals instead of the teams. Wear old shoes on the course. Make sure you have an extra pair of clean shoes just in case.

Will the Boys Championship race be a repeat from last year?

I think we will see a repeat of the 2016 race when Arthur-Lovington’s Logan Hall won by 23 seconds ahead of Monticello’s Alex Helmuth. Both are two of the top 1A runners in the state. Wyatt Wolfersberger of St. Joseph-Ogden could also be in the front.

Who replaces Anna Sophia Keller as the winner of the Girls Championship race?

There will be a new winner now that Keller has graduated. Jordan Harmon of Tolono Unity is the likely favorite though Urbana University’s Arielle Summit should be pushing her for the win.