2025 Cross Country Previews: 1A Boys Unranked

We kick off our high school team rankings coverage with the 1A Boys "Unranked" list. This article highlights teams that did not make our top 25 but had coaches submit information about their squads. Only teams whose coaches submitted a questionnaire with more than five runners are included in this article.

Lisle

Coaches: Derek Miller

Last Year's Finish: 14th @ 1A Lisle Sectional

Key Returners: Simon Klein (Jr.), Aiden Slehofer (Jr.), Lincoln Calfo (Jr.), Liam Newton (So.), Jimmy Mullen (Jr.)

Coach Miller's Outlook: The Lisle boys team is looking to spend a year growing as a team. Zeke Gonzalez, who qualified for State in the 3200 this past year, graduated and will be passing the baton for the top runner on the team to junior Simon Klein. Simon has been focused all summer and is looking to potentially qualify for State as an individual. Juniors Aiden Slehofer and Lincoln Calfo will be competing for the #2 runner on the team along with sophomore Liam Newton. Junior Jimmy Mullen is returning to the team after taking a season off last year and has seen some great gains this summer. 

Sullivan

Coaches: Isaiah Plank

Last Year's Finish: 9th @ 1A Shelbyville Regional

Key Returners: Johnathan Iacobazzi (Sr.), Grant Martin (Jr.), David Eaton (So.), Gavin Finn (So.), Landon Jesse (Sr.), Carson Swinford (Sr.)

Key Newcomers: Easton Wickline (Fr.), River Polley (Fr.)

Coach Plank's Outlook: The Sullivan Redskins this year are not the same team from last year. While the roster may not have changed much as we graduated 0 seniors from last year, this team is a much improved group from last year. Throughout the summer we have been working on building consistency with the group and getting a solid base built. While last year saw only a few juniors running this year we are coming in with much more experience and being led by returning All-State cross country and 1600m runner up Johnathon Iacobazzi. Look out for junior Grant Martin to be finishing highly in many races as he looks to improve on an impressive sophomore campaign. Sullivan Cross Country is looking to be more competitive this year and looking to claim the Lincoln Prairie Conference title and make an impact in the postseason.

Evanston (Beacon Academy)

Coaches: James Weissensel

Last Year's Finish: 17th @ 1A Lisle Sectional

Key Returners: Calvin Wooldridge (Sr.), Evan Reise (Jr.), Owais Taheri (Jr.), Will Baker (Jr.), Woody Zhang (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Quinn Eccleston (Jr.) [transfer from Glenbrook South]

Coach Weissensel's Outlook: Our team was very young last season and they have learned how to compete well after the track season. Our top 4 runners of Calvin, Evan, Owais, and Woody were able to put together a good 4x8 last season and made great strides in the 800 and 1600. I expect this Fab 4 to be running in the 18-19 minute range with Calvin leading the way in the 17's. Will Baker should also be able to make great strides after his first ever cross country and track seasons and will round out our scoring well. He would be a little further back, but could most likely around the 23-24 minute range. Quinn is a great wildcard and I hope to see him mix it up in the top 5.

Johnsburg

Coaches: Christopher Setzler / Noah Miller

Last Year's Finish: 8th @ 1A Lisle Sectional

Key Returners: Grady Smith (So.), Micah Klos (Jr.), Cayden Moran (So.), Carson Klos (So.) 

Key Newcomers: Iggy Karr (Fr.), Richy Taylor Thomas (Fr.)

Coach Setzler's Outlook: We are returning the 9th place all state runner in Grady Smith who is looking to shoot for a top 3 finish this season. Micah Klos is making large improvements & is aiming to be an all state runner. The rest of our boys are working to improve over last year to earn a conference title in the KRC. Our 5th man will be much improved this year over last year & should allow the team to achieve their goals.

Sandwich

Coaches: Brian Long / Emma Schoonover, Megan Stevens

Last Year's Finish: 13th @ 2A Metamora Sectional

Key Returners: Nolan Minard (Sr.), Logan Trigg (So.), Alex Walsh (Sr.), AJ Parkinson (Sr.), Lincoln Minard (So.), 

Key Newcomers: Eddie Ramirez (So.), Damien Walsh (Fr.)

Coach Long's Outlook: I'd say top 5 can be 16:35 or better with two guys possibly going sub 16.  I think we have a good chance of qualifying for state as a team.  I hope to see greater investment and consistency from the top group as the summer winds down and the season gets underway.

Petersburg (PORTA)

Coaches: Jacob Wooldridge / Rachel Chalmers, Sara Dever

Last Year's Finish: 15th @ 1A Elmwood Sectional

Key Returners: Kade Parker (Sr.), DJ French (Sr.), Caden Cave (Sr.), Max King (So.), Dylan Woods (Jr.), Max Kesselring (Sr.)

Key Newcomers: Drew Zimmerman (Fr.), Ethan Sartorius (Fr.), Noah Hardy (Jr.)

Coach Wooldridge's Outlook: I am very excited and optimistic for how high the ceiling of this team could be. I am not sure if we'll be as good as we were in 2023, but I think we can be close. It will rely a lot on staying healthy, as well as how good the 3 - 6 runners can run and be close together from a pack split perspective. On an individual side of things, I also really think Kade Parker is ready to make a name for himself going into his Senior year. Aside from making state as an individual in Cross Country last year, it was also his 2nd year making Class 1A State for Track and field (4x800 and 3200 in 10th grade, and 1600 and 3200 both last spring for 11th grade). Kade cut 50-60 seconds off most of his pervious times at the same courses, and was top 5 medalists in most meets. Kade has set a goal of making All State top 25 this year, so we said that means aiming for a 3 mile race time of 15:20s by the postseason. Based on his body of work for both Cross Country and Track, as well as his mileage this summer, I think he can get there.

Amboy

Coaches: Michael Robinson / Kyle McNinch

Last Year's Finish: 14th @ 1A Rock Island Alleman Sectional

Key Returners: Henry Nichols (Jr.), Landon Carter (So.), Otto Horner (Jr.), Jhett Cowser (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Tyler Mahar (Fr.), Jack Thomas (Jr.), Anthony Linder (Fr.)

Coach Robinson's Outlook: We have a lot of dedicated athletes that want to achieve high goals they have set for themselves. We will continue to work and make sure those goals can be met. Our guys participate in a lot of things in school so a balance of time will be very crucial for the upcoming year and making sure they get the work in is important,

Dieterich

Coaches: Ryan Wohltman / Rebekah Repking

Last Year's Finish: 9th @ 1A Robinson Regional

Key Returners: Trevor Crutcher (Sr.), Tanner Niemerg (Sr.), Cody Landers (Jr.), Jaden Ordner (Jr.), Gavin French (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Rylan McQueen (Fr.), Cole Tegeler (Fr.)

Coach Wohltman's Outlook: We could potentially have over 10 boys run in the sub-19 range. We have a #1 that will compete with the area’s best but the success of our team will be determined by the 2-5 runners. Who will step up and be consistent? How will we navigate many of our runners playing golf (first time offered at Dieterich High School)? This year’s team probably has the most attention and expectations around it since the 1970s. Again, we are a small school where cross country has not been taken seriously in decades. Hopefully, the boys embrace it and look forward to competing with the bigger schools we will see every time we race. If we can stay injury free we look forward to a season making more strides in our program. 

Rowva/Williamsfield

Coaches: Chris Campagna, Nicole DeWitt

Last Year's Finish: 6th @ 1A Rock Island Alleman Regional

Key Returners: Wyatt Hall (Sr.), Carson Moore (Sr.), Logan Washburn (Sr.), Jonas Carlson (Jr.), Andrew Broadfield (Jr.), West Manning (Jr.)

Coach Campagna's Outlook: The boys’ team is led by seniors Wyatt Hall, Carson Moore, and Logan Washburn. The returning letter winners are Jonas Carlson, Andrew Broadfield, West Manning, Emmerson Ponce, & Alex Prather. The promising newcomers are Joe Wick, Garrett DeWitt, and Talan Price. The team goal is to place in the top three of the LTC CC conference meet, to be team sectional qualifier and to have an individual state qualifier.

Robinson

Coaches: Lauren Clark / Jessica Anderson, Tony Cork

Last Year's Finish: 10th @ 1A Cumberland Regional

Key Returners: Wyatt Herrington (Jr.), Austin Carter (Jr.), Jason Tingley (So.), Kaden Pasero (So.), Ben Coonce (Jr.), Nikolas Antes (Jr.), Braxton Pethtel (Sr.)

Key Returners: Krosby Goebel (Fr.), 

Coach Clark's Outlook: We have eight boys on our roster this season. Wyatt Herrington (junior) is expected to lead the boys team this season followed by Austin Carter (jr), Jason Tingley (soph), Kaden Pasero (soph), Ben Coonce (jr), and battling for #6-7 are Krosby Goebel (fresh), Nikolas Antes (jr) and Braxton Pethtel (sr). Our top 4 boys are highly motivated and have worked incredibly hard this summer to hit their goals and I'm excited to see what they will accomplish this season. Hoping that Ben Coonce will show up to help them out but has missed a lot of summer training. Wyatt Herrington has been battling asthma/breathing issues for the past year but was able to end his season at state last year on an extremely good note with a great personal best time. Hoping that these issues do not cause a setback for him this year. He should easily advance to the state meet and I'd love to see him earn "All-State". Austin Carter, Jason Tingley and Kaden Pasero have put in the work this summer and I'd love to see them advance to the state meet this year. I believe they have what it takes.

Savanna (West Carroll)

Coaches: Chris McDermott

Last Year's Finish: 8th @ 1A Rock Island Alleman Regional

Key Returners: Roscoe Davies (Sr.), Brody Lietzen (Jr.), Joey Blasen (Sr.), Enrique Rucobo (Sr.), Ethan Urbanowitz (Jr.), Jacen Anderson (Jr.), 

Key Newcomers: Leo Zach (Fr.)

Coach McDermott's Outlook: Last year was my first year with a scoring team and we sought to make it to Sectionals, unfortunately we drew a more difficult Regional assignment, had an injury to a top 5 runner and we were inconsistent with our ability to get the correct effect from some of the trainings and I was not able to effectively diagnose what was occurring until later in season, so we didn't ultimately get to our potential, but we learned from that hard lesson and we all understand the importance of training effect. I think we should be able to make Sectionals this year, but there are some unknowns with the newer runners. I will have a much clearer picture after our first meet at the Rock Falls Rocket run. 

Fairfield

Coaches: Justin Sanders

Last Year's Finish: 13th @ 1A Cumberland Sectional

Key Returners: Skylar Bladel (Jr.), Ashton King (Jr.), Kanyen Lingafelter (Jr.), Jarrett Vaughan (Jr.), Treyton Lewis (Jr.), Vance Vanway (Jr.)

Coach Sanders' Outlook: Going into the season, it appears we will only have 7 members on the team. Of those 7, 6 are juniors, most of which have varsity experience. I would have liked more consistency in summer attendance, but I still feel this team can be very good. I believe this team will work hard all season and compete to the best of their abilities. I am hoping for big jumps in all my Juniors. 

Toulon (Stark County)

Coaches: Robert Rennick / James Owens

Last Year's Finish: <5 @ 1A Riverdale Regional

Key Returners: Evan Knobloch (So.), Hunter Ely (So.), Ethan Grinell (Sr.), Keyshon Webster (Jr.), Erik Knobloch

Key Newcomers: Jackson Smith (Fr.),  Will Denton (Fr.), Erik Knobloch (Fr.)

Coach Rennick's Outlook: I am really happy to have enough runners to have a full team. The guys are working really hard. We are young but I am confident in this group. Evan should be in the mix for All State honors this year and has put in the work to get himself there. He is extremely gifted to say the least and he has been working at his craft. Keep an eye on this young man. He is special.

Sherrard

Coaches: Grant Iles / Laura Johnson, Zach Johnson, Matthew Schlehuber

Last Year's Finish: 8th @ 1A Rock Island Alleman Sectional

Key Returners: Alex Belha (Jr.), Luke Anderson (Sr.), David Browning (Sr.), Dominic Fahrenkrog (So.), Braiden Krahl (Jr.), Mason Schnell (So.), Brayve Wakeland (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Payton Summers (Jr.) [transfer from Tennessee], Hunter Shemek (Fr.)

Coach Iles' Outlook: The 2024 season was my first as Head Coach at Sherrard HS. We were able to enjoy a very successful season and build a great motivational piece for the 2025 season. Every runner from the ‘24 season is returning this year. The boys won the TRAC Conference meet for the first time ever. The team finished their season very strong placing 2nd at Regionals, tying for 7th at Sectionals, and narrowly missed qualifying for the state championship by only 4 points. Sophomore Alex Belha qualified for state as an individual and placed 54th overall. His time of 15:44 is the fastest time by a Sherrard boy at the state meet in school history.

Kankakee (Bishop McNamara)

Coaches: Jose Martinez / Haven Provost, Laura Anderson

Last Year's Finish: 11th @ 1A Lisle Sectional

Key Returners: Justice Provost (Sr.), Jhaiden Ochoa (So.), Sebastian Cortes (So.) Elijah Muthami (So.), Cooper Austif (Sr.), 

Key Newcomers: Sebastian Fransechini (Fr.)

Coach Martinez's Outlook: This year, our only loss was David Quigley who graduated. We only have one incoming freshman Sebastian Fransechini. Justice Provost and Jhaiden Ochoa have had really good summers. We have several guys that will be competing for the top seven spots. Right now I expect our top three to be Provost, Sebastian Cortes, and Ochoa. The others that will be looking to make the top seven are Elijah Muthami, Cooper Austif, Miles Serpe, Diego Perez, and Sebastian Fransechini. Our team goal is to qualify for state as a team. It is a tough but realistic goal for this group.

Aledo (Mercer County)

Coaches: Peter Nelson

Last Year's Finish: 7th @ 1A Rock Island Alleman Sectional

Key Returners: Brody Clark (Sr.), Josh Struble (Jr.), Brady McPeek (Jr.), Payton Thirtyacre (Jr.), Jewlious Brown (So.) 

Key Newcomers: Silas Hayes (Fr.), Paxton Cardine (Fr.), Miles Ward (Jr.)

Coach Nelson's Outlook: This boys team is looking to pack up again even more this year. Losing our top 2 to graduation hurts. But our team's strength lies in its ability to get our 5 across the line before other teams. I believe in another strong top 4 this year. We look to really work with our 5-7 guys in closing the gap to really solidify a strong top 5.  

Effingham (St. Anthony)

Coaches: Art Geen / Chuck Keller

Last Year's Finish: 7th @ 1A Cumberland Sectional

Key Returners: Julius Ramos (Sr.), Camden Bloemer (So.), Isaac Tays (So.), Oliver Kreke (Sr.) 

Key Newcomers: Elijah Whittier (Fr.)

Coach Geen's Outlook: With only 5 boys it will be interesting to see how they work together. Freshman Elijah has been working hard so with him pushing to move up from the 5 spot that will make everyone work harder to keep their spots hopefully. The 5 we have I think might surprise some teams. It just depends on how hard they work to get better because they are a very talented group. 

Seneca

Coaches: Kim Foster / Blake Slutz

Last Year's Finish: 20th @ 1A Rock Island Alleman Sectional

Key Returners: Callum Wright (So.), Brady Fort (So.), Jaxson Finch (Sr.), Landon Hebel (Jr.), Nathan Aye (So.), Pierce GIlbertson (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Liam Baima (Fr.)

Coach Foster's Outlook: Our boys are very eager to start the season. We have a solid incoming freshman who will be fighting for the top spot on the team. My sophomore boys are very driven and have really been focused on workouts and building up their long run. I'm hoping once school starts we will get a few more boys to help round out the team, but what I've seen so far is exciting.

Manteno

Coaches: Troy Mitchell

Last Year's Finish: <5 @ 2A Morris Regional

Key Returners: Seth McHugh (Sr.), Caden Reiter (Sr.), Brayden Pawlak (Sr.)

Key Newcomers: Ethan Tudor (So.), Spencer Michalesko (Fr.)

Coach Mitchell's Outlook: With the school year fast approaching, our hope is to get some new runners out to solidify a full team. In addition, after competing at the 2A division during the past two seasons, we are looking

forward to the 1A level this year, and potentially qualifying a few of our seniors as individuals!