2025 Cross Country Previews: 3A Boys Ranked

The 3A Boys classification has been strong over the last few years, producing many teams with national berths. This year looks different, as we have more top-tier teams than perhaps ever before in the state. Let’s take a look at our top 25 teams. Our 3A boys rankings are produced by a committee of people associated to Illinois Running News.

1. Plainfield North

Coaches: Andy Derks / Sam Barranco, Roxanne Hall, Emilie Hatzl

Last Year's Finish: 2nd @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Thomas Czerwinski (Sr.), Aidan Connors (Sr.), James Maso (Sr.), Gavin Hall (Sr.), Logan Dodson (Jr.), Dominic Frigo (Jr.), Sean Jansen (Sr.), Jacob Schmauderer (Sr.), Aidan Kyrychenko (Sr.), Cal Anderson (Sr.), Liam Beavers (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Karl Miller (Fr.), Biruk Melak (So.)

Outlook: The Tigers enter the season as most people’s favorites to take home the State Championship in November. It won’t come easy, though, with many great teams lurking in the shadows. This squad will be led by the duo of Thomas Czerwinski and Aidan Connors. Czerwinski has been the team’s top performer for the past two years and already boasts multiple top-10 finishes at State. Connors had a massive track season, running 4:17 in the 1600m and 9:10 in the 3200m. He could surprise many this year and possibly sneak into a top-10 finish after narrowly missing All-State last year. Following them will be Logan Dodson and James Maso, who both aim to be in the mid-to-high 14:00s this season. Dodson had a breakout spring, covering 3200m in 9:24, while Maso ran 14:49 at last year’s State Meet but struggled during track season—something worth keeping an eye on. According to Coach Derks, projected fifth runner Gavin Hall is primed for a breakout year after running 15:19 at the State Meet last fall. Dominic Frigo, Jake Schmauderer, Sean Jansen, and Aidan Kyrychenko are also fully capable of stepping in as the team’s fifth scorer if anyone falters. Coach Derks stated, "I am very proud to coach this team. Extremely proud. These guys have given their everything to PNXC over the years, particularly our seniors. No matter what happens this season, it has been a privilege to be a part of the journey with them. While our core group up front will be seniors, we are developing some strong underclassmen that will surprise, and I am really excited to see how the team progresses throughout the season. I have no idea who will be at the starting line come championship season, but I do know that whoever it is will be sharpened by their teammates. I believe we have a team that can compete to be not only a top team in IL, but a top-10 team in the nation. But, that's out of our control. We'll just train hard, recover hard, and have fun."

2. Plainfield South

Coaches: Jason Crowe / Ryan Thompsen, Carson Vittorio

Last Year's Finish: 3rd @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Alex Batsala (Jr.), Dylan Buturusis (Jr.), Austin Cory (Sr.), Kellan Hernandez (Jr.), Ethan Ensign (Jr.), Tyler Miller (Sr.), Reid Maranowicz (Jr.), Brady Prokop (Sr.), Atticus Stevens (Jr.), Logan Capalbo (So.), Gio Acosta (Jr.), Asim Saba (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Phoenix Viger (Fr.)

Unexpected Losses: KC Coleman (Sr.), Ivan Schultz (Sr.)

Outlook: The Cougars once again enter the year ranked among the top three teams in the state. They graduate Dylan Maloney, leaving no remaining members from their 2022 State Championship squad. Now, leadership falls to Alex Batsala and Dylan Buturusis, both coming off outstanding track seasons and capable of earning All-State honors this November. Batsala posted an impressive 9:18 in the 3200m at Distance Night in Palatine. Buturusis capped his outdoor season with a remarkable double at Race @ State—running 4:20 in the 1600m and 1:54 in the 800m with only about 30 minutes of rest—before clocking a stellar 4:16 at Magis Miles in the 1600m. The pack for this squad will likely consist of Austin Cory, Ethan Ensign, and Kellan Hernandez, all of whom have sub-15:00 potential. Cory was a major beneficiary of the track season, running 4:20 in the 1600m and 9:35 in the 3200m. Ensign matched that 9:35 in the 3200m and ran 4:31 in the 1600m, making both strong candidates to break 15:00. Hernandez shined at the 2024 State Meet, stepping up to run 15:22, and followed that with a strong track campaign of 4:31 in the 1600m and 9:44 in the 3200m. This team also has several potential breakout contributors if anyone falters. Tyler Miller, Brady Prokop, and Phoenix Viger are all capable of running in the low-to-mid 15:00s this fall, giving the Cougars valuable depth. Coach Crowe stated, "We have a great group of underclassmen that are improving and accepting the challenge of putting in the necessary work to be a successful team in this sport. I am very excited to see this 2025 team develop it's own and new identity as we have graduated some excellent people recently.  We have a few seniors and a good number of juniors that are already stepping up this summer and will lead this team to more success as the season progresses this fall."

3. Downers Grove North

Coaches: John Sipple / Andrew Adelmann, Eric Buhot, Alexa Harris, Ethan Wood, Josh Williams, Robby Prescott

Last Year's Finish: State Champions @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Philip Cupial (Sr.), Will Surratt (Sr.), Joshua Farrero (Sr.), Brennan Hardy (Sr.), Matt Novak (Sr.), Tyler Lynch-Goff (Sr.), Kiran Krishnan (Sr.) Ryan Morton (Jr.), Steve Cox (Jr.), Luke Figliomeni (Jr.), Isaak Stein (Jr.), Mark Krishnan (Jr.), Johnny Newell (Jr.), Dylan Wood (Jr.) 

Outlook: The back-to-back State Champions will be aiming for their third consecutive title this fall, and they have a strong chance of achieving it. They are led by superstars Phillip Cupial and Will Surratt, both likely to be top-five runners in the classification. Cupial, an All-American at Foot Locker in 2024, finished 10th at Nationals and will be a favorite to win the Individual State Championship this year. Surratt took another step forward during track season, splitting 1:51 in the 4x800m at Nationals and running 4:11 in the 1600m. He is projected to be in the 14:10s this fall. The key for this squad will be the performance of Joshua Farrero, Stephen Cox, and Ryan Morton. If all three can break 15:00, this team has an excellent chance of winning the State Title; if they’re all under 15:10, another trophy is well within reach. All three excelled during the spring season—Farrero ran 9:38 in the 3200m, Cox posted 4:27 in the 1600m, and Morton clocked 9:45 in the 3200m. With plenty of depth, this team may even see an unmentioned runner break into their top five. Coach Sipple stated, "I am excited about this team and its hidden potential - yes we have two big dogs returning this year but it takes a lot more than just two guys - it takes the whole team to be pushing and pulling each other.  Everyone matters and plays a role on the team and this team will be a lot of fun to coach."

4. Mt. Prospect (Prospect)

Coaches: Jay Renaud / Bryan Quesea, Dave Frintner, Tim Phillips, Andrew Bensing

Last Year's Finish: 10th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Luke Robinson (Sr.), Brody Cushing (Sr.), Landon Samp (Jr.), Quinn Davis (Sr.), Bobby Wintermute (So.), Collin Ryan (Sr.), Pierce Baker (So.), James Hanna (Sr.)

Outlook: The Knights will be a very intriguing team to watch throughout the 2025 season. Like last year, they’ll rely on tight splits across the roster to stay competitive. Leading the way is Luke Robinson, who had a terrific track season with a 9:20 in the 3200m and is the team’s most likely candidate for all-state honors this year. Following him is a strong, interchangeable group of Brody Cushing, Quinn Davis, Collin Ryan, Bobby Wintermute, and Landon Samp. All of these athletes have the potential to break 15:00 or come close, making them a dangerous pack. The key for this group will be maintaining their position near the front to avoid the congestion that has held back similar teams in the past—teams that lacked front-end talent and barely cracked the top ten at State. Coach Renaud stated, "We are putting in the work, we are running the minutes, but we are still focused on building the total athlete both physically and mentally. It will be the best season in school history. We will focus on ourselves and what we do and wherever we finish at the end is where we will finish. As long as we are happy with our process then I'll also be a happy coach."

5. Lake Zurich

Coaches: JB Hanson / Courtney May

Last Year's Finish: 4th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Philip Adams (Jr.), Merrick Barth (Sr.), Luke Firkin (So.), Jacob Hinojosa (So.), Owen Holzhauer (Sr.), Sushant Kesevan (Sr.), Gordy Libby (Sr.), Marc MacCormac (Sr.), Nishanth Mandavilli (Sr.), Luke Marshall (Jr.), Esau Meza (Jr.), Camden Niemiec (So.), Karanveer Patil (So.), Carson Porter (Jr.), Nick Smith (Jr.)

Outlook: The Bears enter the season with plenty of intrigue following their impressive 4th-place finish at the 2024 XC State Meet, returning all but one member of that squad. They will be led up front by Karanveer Patil and Gordy Libby. Patil earned All-State honors last year as a freshman with a 21st-place finish and will aim for a top-10 spot as a sophomore after running 9:12 in the 3200m during track season. Libby had an equally impressive spring, running 9:25 in the 3200m, and then outkicked Patil to win at Detweiller @ Dark this summer, positioning himself as a likely All-Stater this fall. Luke Marshall projects as the team’s third runner after placing 53rd at State last year in 14:54 and running 9:38 for 3200m this spring. Sushant Kesavan, the team’s fifth runner a year ago, is expected to move up to the fourth spot. He ran 15:23 at last year’s State Meet and will be looking to dip into the low 15:00s this season. The big question for this group is who will step into the fifth scoring role. The most likely candidate is Carson Porter, coming off a strong track season that included a 9:58 in the 3200m. If he can lower his time into the low 15:00s, the Bears could very well be in the hunt for a State trophy. Coach Hanson stated, "Gordy Libby and Karanveer Patil are elite. They will compete as front runners this season. Our goals are always the same: run our best races at conference and state."

6. Arlington Heights (Hersey)

Coaches: Michael Glosson / Todd Custable, Adam Varnas

Last Year's Finish: 8th @ 3A Rolling Meadows Sectional

Key Returners: Elliot Baik (Sr.), Luke Carlson (So.), Aidan Korb (Sr.), Gabe Gronski (Jr.), Nathan Marotta (Sr.), Brandon Rugg (Sr.), Mateus Salomao (Sr.), Max Sternburgh (Jr.)

Outlook: The Huskies have the potential to surprise some teams and contend for a trophy this season. They will be led by Mateus Salomao, who ran an impressive 4:14 in the 1600m and dipped under 15:00 at the sectional with a 14:58. He is poised to be an all-state contender this year. The duo of Nathan Marotta and Gabriel Gronski will fill the second and third spots, with Marotta posting a 9:27 and Gronski a 9:32 in the 3200m—both times that suggest they can break 15:00 on the cross country course. Elliot Baik, who ran 4:23 in the 1600 this spring, looks set to be the team’s fourth runner and could also break 15:00 depending on his development. Rounding out the top five is Aidan Korb, who ran a solid 9:47 this spring and should finish in the mid-to-low 15:00 range. Coach Glosson stated, "Last year was a transition year for the guys as they had to adjust to a new head caoch.  We had also lost a trmendous group of seniors and had a lot of holes to fill.  I learned a lot in year one and we are hungry to compete with the top programs in Illinos.  We will have a senior heavy group.  The guys are putting in a solid summer of training and are comitted to a team first mentality.  Last year we relied heavily on our pack.  This year we are going to continue to run together but are definitely looking to have the pack all having a front runner mentality.  The guys had a really solid spring with some great performances.  If we continue to work hard and continue to run for each other, I believe that we will have a very good year!"

7. Orland Park (Sandburg)

Coaches: John O'Malley

Last Year's Finish: 12th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Mateo Ramiro-Garcia (Sr.), Matthew Miller (Sr.), Brayden Gaffud (Jr.), Gavin Smalarz (Sr.), Jake Crotty (Sr.), Hunter Covolo (Sr.), Michael Krupa (Jr.), Gavin Crotty (Jr.), Ronald Rolla (So.)

Outlook: The Eagles are emerging as a team to watch this year, aiming to break into the state’s top five. They will be led by Mateo Ramiro-Garcia, who ran an impressive 4:12 in the 1600m and had a standout track season in both the 4x800 and 1600m. He is expected to contend for a top ten finish at the state meet this November. The core pack will consist of Matthew Miller, Brayden Gaffud, and Gavin Smalarz, all coming off strong track seasons—Miller ran 4:22 in the 1600m, Gaffud posted a 9:35 in the 3200m, and Smalarz ran 4:23 in the 1600m. Each of them looks capable of challenging the 15:00 barrier this fall. Rounding out the scoring five is Jake Crotty, who ran 15:27 in the 3-mile last fall but had a less impressive track season. If Crotty can rebound, this squad will be in great shape. Coach O'Malley stated, "We’re really excited about the potential of this year’s group. The summer has been marked by consistency, commitment, and great energy across the board. We return a mix of experienced athletes and eager newcomers, and it’s been encouraging to see how they’ve blended together and pushed each other. While it’s still early, we feel we have a deep group capable of being dynamic. The focus has been on building momentum and taking pride in the daily presence, and the team has embraced that mindset. It'll take some time to develop all parts of the group so it'll be fun to see them grow together throughout the season. We're a little bit behind in training but will get there. Matt Miller and Brayden Gaffud specifically had phenomenal summers. Those guys have developed cohesive, competitive, driven energy to their mission. We do not have any outcome goals. We're just enjoying and embracing the time together."

8. Elmhurst (York)

Coaches: Charlie Kern / Patrick Sheridan, Nick Karavolos, Matt Mimlitz, Ron Hedman

Last Year's Finish: 5th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Carter Olsen (Sr.), Ryker Harges (Sr.), Joseph Zbiegiel (Sr.), Harrison Manternach (Jr.), Anders Dochoff (Jr.), Thomas Gonzalez (Jr.), Patrick Hill (So.), Michael Gurgone (So.), George Knott (So.)

Key Newcomers: Jacob McKillop (Fr.)

Outlook: The Dukes of York returned to a top-five finish at the 2024 State Meet and are looking to build on that success this season. This young team aims to secure another top-ten finish in the state. Leading the way up front will be Carter Olsen and Patrick Hill, both expected to run in the mid-14:00s this year. Hill, a sophomore who ran an impressive 4:18 in the 1600m, will be a strong all-state contender. Olsen, who posted a 14:45 last fall, will look to bounce back after a challenging track season. Michael Gurgone and Harrison Manternach will round out the three and four spots, having run 9:42 and 9:49 in the 3200m, respectively, and are aiming to break into the low 15:00s this fall. The fifth scoring spot remains open, with several candidates including Ryker Harges, Dylan Golomb, and George Knott. Freshmen Jacob McKillop comes in with an impressive IESA career and multiple top-ten state finishes, he could also surprise many this season. Coach Kern stated, "Our summer training was wonderful.  Everyone who attended was focused on supporting each other with words and actions.  They have focused on the team.  They prepared together and focused on getting better together.   When they stand on the line this fall they will be able to look at each other and know in their heart that they will run for their teammates and their teammates will run for them.  On August 11th, we are excited to work with all our athletes and look forward to their development. Who will be the surprise addition to our team? Who will be the best supporter of all? Who will add some levity to the tension present in a training session or race? These are the fun and satisfying moments that make the experience all the richer. As we look to the varsity season, we are excited to see York athletes near the frontrunners for the first time in a few years.  Carter Olsen is the 13th best returner from last year and he has been preparing better than ever.  Patrick Hill and Harrison Manternach had tremendous track seasons and are preparing to run alongside Carter to help give the team a strong one-two-three punch.  We are looking forward to a strong pack behind them.  The rest of our lineup will be in flux as we keep our F/S runners down in order to learn to race their immediate peers.  Once we get to October, we will begin to put our best 7 together.  As we move into the championship part of the season, we certainly want to finish in the top 3 in the WSC.  Based on previous training, we have four athletes that are charting summer numbers that indicate sub 15 minute possibilities at Detweiller.  If we can do that, then we will have top 5 state potential.  In the end, all we can do is support each other, train, rest and repeat.  The final result will be exciting as will every step along the way."

9. Chicago (Lane)

Coaches: Kris Roof / Tony Jones, Adrian Barrientos

Last Year's Finish: 27th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Samuel Assefa (Jr.), Tristan Wong (Sr.), Quinn Anderson (Jr.), Alexander Fitzgerald (Sr.), Peter Georgepoulos (Sr.), Miles Trost (So.), Hugo Ayala (Sr.), Gary Angelo (Sr.),

Key Newcomers: Julian Minkov (Fr.), Kenneth Kristofic (Fr.)

Unexpected Losses: Cole Magac (Jr.)

Outlook: The Champions are another intriguing team expected to stay tightly packed throughout the season. Leading the way is Alexander Fitzpatrick, who ran a strong 9:31 in the 3200m at Sectionals and is poised to break 15:00 this year. Close behind are Hugo Ayala, Samuel Assefa, Tristan Wong, Quinn Anderson, and Gary Angelo—all capable of running in the low 15:00s. This group is likely to shuffle positions throughout the year as they race closely together. Notably, each of them ran 9:45 in the 3200m during track season. A name to watch is Julian Minkov, who could make an immediate impact after clocking 4:35 in the full mile during middle school. Coach Barrientos stated, "Last Year we were young and inexperienced. This year we return our entire core of that team who are more mature and hungry to avenge our bottom of the table finish at state. Our key will be to stay healthy, especially illnesses. Last year that ate us alive all season."

10. Hinsdale Central

Coaches: Jim Westphal / Jim Kupres, Noah Lawrence, John Snee

Last Year's Finish: 8th @ 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional

Key Returners: Michael Gamboa (Sr.), Henry Miller (Jr.), Johnny Krueger (Jr.), Noah Mokhtarian (Jr.), Logan Tarasi (Sr.), Elliot Kotleba (Jr.), Ian Maxwell (Jr.), Joey Costello (Sr.), Mark Dillenburg (Jr.)

Outlook: The Red Devils are aiming to return to the state meet after missing out last year and have a strong chance of cracking the top ten teams in the state this season. Leading the way are Henry Miller and Michael Gamboa, who both excelled during the spring track season with impressive 3200m times of 9:22 and 9:24, respectively. Don’t be surprised if they run in the mid-to-high 14:00s this fall. Johnny Krueger and Cole Levin are expected to fill the third and fourth spots, each coming off solid track seasons—Krueger posted a 4:27 in the 1600m and 9:56 in the 3200m, while Levin ran 9:52 in the 3200m. Both are projected to run in the mid-to-low 15:00s. Rounding out the scoring will be Elliot Kotleba, Noah Mokhtarian, and Logan Tarasi, all likely to finish in the mid-to-high 15:00s this year. Coach Westphal stated, "Summer has been solid thus far, the core group is hungry and working hard. The primary goal is to compete well in the bigger invites and qualify for state."

11. Palatine

Coaches: Joe Parks / Mike Nigliaccio, Alec Bollman

Last Year's Finish: 8th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Alex Krieg (Sr.), James O'Sullivan (Sr.), Chris Quick (Sr.), Evan Salgado (So.), Anton Crane (Jr.), Andrew Schellenbach (So.), Sohum Gorladku (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: PJ Garrett (Fr.)

Outlook: The Pirates enter the season with a strong core of four runners and will spend much of the year searching for a dependable fifth. Alex Krieg will once again lead the charge, with the senior expected to be at the front in every race. He placed 8th at last year’s State Meet and followed that with standout track performances of 4:13 in the 1600m and 9:02 in the 3200m. James O’Sullivan slots in as the likely number two, coming off an excellent 2024 cross country season where he often looked like an all-state contender. He clocked 4:19 in the 1600m last spring and will aim for the mid-14:00s this fall, with an all-state finish well within reach. Christopher Quick emerged with a big race at the State Meet last year, running 15:13, and backed it up with track marks of 4:23 in the 1600m and 9:35 in the 3200m—positioning him to break 15:00 in November. Evan Salgado provides a reliable fourth scorer after a strong spring that included 4:33 in the 1600m and 10:00 in the 3200m, targeting mid-to-high 15:00s this fall. The key question will be the fifth spot, with Andrew Schellenbach—4:45 in the 1600m—looking like the frontrunner, while PJ Garrett, fresh off a strong IESA career, could also step up. For the Pirates to be a top-ten team at State, that final scorer will need to break 16:00. Coach Nigliaccio stated, "We are a small but very hungry group. We have had a very productive summer, by continuing on our strong track season form with Alex Krieg(SR 14:24 8th 3A, 4:13/9:02), who will be looking to continue on his success from last year and his classmate James O'Sullivan(SR 14:49 43rd, 4:18) will be looking to be right there with him. Chris Quick (SR) and Evan Salgado(Soph) make up the rest of our returnees from State XC last year and should continue to improve and help lead our group. PJ Garrett(Fr), Andrew Schellenbach(So), Anton Crane(Jr), and Sohum Gorladku(Jr) will all be working to close the gap to our top 4 and be strong contenders for our top 7.  We are looking to defend our MSL Title from last year and our hope is to be in the hunt come November."

12. Palatine (Fremd)

Coaches: Matt Zaluckyj / Michael Martinez

Last Year's Finish: 11th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Jack Jennings (Jr.), David Moore (Jr.), Trent Odachowski (Sr.)

Bryden Li (Jr.), Nihal Kalsi (Jr.), Daniel Bounpaseuth (Sr.), Jack Kelly (Sr.), Bowie Hewson (Sr.), Carter Bartkus (Jr.), Brian Sydor (So.)

Outlook: The Vikings and Pirates appear set for another intense rivalry, with both squads ranked side by side in the preseason. Despite graduating four of their top seven from last year, the Vikings enter 2024 with a promising top end led by Jack Jennings and David Moore, both aiming for all-state honors in November after strong track seasons where they ran 9:15 and 9:21 in the 3200m. Expect both to contend in the mid-14:00s this fall. Trent Odachowski projects as the team’s third runner after clocking 15:25 last season, while Daniel Bounpaseuth and Bryden Li, who ran 9:59 and 10:03 in the 3200m this spring, respectively, should round out the scoring. Coach Zaluckyj stated, "We return a good amount of experience (three of our usual top 5 from last season) in Jennings, Moore and Odachowski. Each have ran at the state meet for us before and are coming off solid track seasons, especially 3200 times. Behind them is a large group of emerging runners who have the ability to put this team in contention at large invites and the state series. This group has stepped up well in different spots over the last year and will look to help create consistent 4-7 spots."

13. LaGrange (Lyons)

Coaches: Michael Danner

Last Year's Finish: 7th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Tyler Gantt (Sr.), Patrick Collins (Sr.), Brenan Monohan (So.), Evan Ruse (So.), Parker Robinson (Sr.), Sean Tilles (Sr.), Becket Lettiere (Sr.), Henry James (So.), Ben Radtke (So.), Colin Shea (Jr.), Lucien Sullivan (Jr.), Joaquin Duarte (Jr.), Juan Contreras (Jr.), Mykola Washchuk (Sr.), Vincent Gennett (So.), Noah Robinson (Sr.), Isaac Phillips (Jr.)

Key Newcomers: Luke Borling (Fr.)

Outlook: The Lions face a rebuilding year after graduating four of their top seven from last season’s State Meet lineup. Leading the way will be Tyler Gantt and Brennan Monohan, both of whom will look to challenge the 15:00 barrier. Gantt posted a 4:19 in the 1600m, while Monohan ran 9:35 in the 3200m. The likely third and fourth spots belong to Evan Ruse and Patrick Collins, who should both be in the low-to-high 15:00s range this fall after recording 9:46 in the 3200m and 4:27 in the 1600m, respectively. Parker Robinson is the projected fifth runner, coming off a 4:39 performance in the 1600m. For the Lions to secure another top-ten finish at State, they will need their final scorer to step up and consistently hit the mid-15:00s. Coach Danner stated, "We seem to have gotten things where they need to be in July, and hopefully we can progress during August going into the season. We seem to have some kids ready to fill the roles as a top finisher for us replacing some graduating seniors, and we have developed some depth at the 5-8 positions."

14. Naperville North

Coaches: Tim Brown / Dan Hemmens, Will deBolt

Last Year's Finish: 16th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Simon Reckamp (Sr.), Jackson Truty (Sr.), Aidan Malana (Sr.), Lukas Keane (Sr.), Brian Hatlestad (Sr.), Charlie Minott (Jr.), Blake Pickering (Jr.), Kevin Chen (Jr.), Ethan Toms (Jr.), Breyland Partee (Jr.)

Outlook: The Huskies are coming off a strong 2024 cross country season and will look to build on that success this fall. Leading the charge will be Jackson Truty and Simon Reckamp, both poised to challenge the 15:00 barrier after clocking 15:02 and 15:09, respectively, in the 3-mile last year. Following them will be the trio of Brian Hatlestad, Lukas Keane, and Aidan Malana, all of whom ran 9:56 or 9:57 in the 3200m this past spring. Expect each of them to compete in the mid-15:00s range, giving the Huskies a well-rounded and competitive top five. Coach Brown stated, "We’re hoping for more depth this year at the varsity level and based on numbers this summer, look to have the potential to have a strong freshmen class.  We can definitely look for growth from the sophomore class based on our lower summer numbers, so I’m hopeful that a surprise or two may show up!  Like I mentioned before, the focus this summer has been so much more on the cohesiveness of the team and completing workouts together.  Simon Reckamp missed qualifying for the 3200 this past spring by tenths of seconds.  He has turned that frustration into such a positive mindset and work ethic, and the other 4 seniors are right there, too.  In addition, they have really taken a personal ownership of the team and have done a great job of holding the underclassmen accountable. It makes it exciting to see how their first race will go!"

15. St. Charles North

Coaches: Kevin Harrington

Last Year's Finish: 8th @ 3A Lake Park Sectional

Key Returners: Samuel Hill (Jr.), Logan Hitchings (Jr.), Lucas Reed (Sr.), Christian Enger (Jr.), Matthew Russell (Sr.), Miles Dill (So.), John Tanig (So.)

Outlook: This young, rising squad has the potential to surprise many this season. They will be led by junior standout Samuel Hill, who had an excellent track campaign, running 9:16 in the 3200m. Hill could be a top-10 runner in the state this year. The key for this team will be keeping their 2–5 split under 20 seconds. Each athlete in that group had a strong track season: Logan Hitchings is poised to be the team’s second runner after clocking 9:45 in the 3200m, Lucas Reed posted a sharp 4:30 in the 1600m, Christian Enger ran 4:34, and Matthew Russell recorded a 4:35. Keep an eye on Miles Dill, who could break into the top five as the season progresses.

16. Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)

Coaches: Bill Bloom

Last Year's Finish: 19th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Alex Rodriguez (Sr.), Orlando Sandoval (Sr.), Miguel Flores (Jr.), Gianni Calderon (Sr.), Gavin Quinn (Jr.), Carlos Aviles (Sr.), David Ocampo (Sr.), Perfecto Lopez (So.), Nathaniel Punti (So.), Ethan Ocampo (So.), Vladimir Diaz (So.)

Outlook: This is a unique squad that could turn plenty of heads this year after qualifying for the 2024 State Meet. They’ll be led by the big three of Miguel Flores, Alex Rodriguez, and Orlando Sandoval, all capable of earning all-state honors in November with potential to run in the mid-14:00s. Gavin Quinn slots in as the fourth runner after a strong track season where he posted 4:42 in the 1600m and 10:20 in the 3200m, putting him on pace to dip under 16:00 this fall. Gianni Calderon is expected to round out the scoring five following a 10:34 in the 3200m last spring, though the Mustangs will need him to stay close to Quinn to maximize their team score. Coach Bloom stated, "Berwyn/Cicero Morton is having a great summer we are looking forward to a great season. We have 4 returning runners from last year including our top 3. We have Alex Rodriguez(Sr), Orlando Sandoval(Sr), Miguel Flores(Jr) and Gianni Calderon(Sr).  Gavin Quinn(Jr) looks like our 4th runner . He is coming off a great Sophomore track season. He PR in 3200m 10:14 and 1600m 4:41. Carlos Aviles(Sr) looks to be my 6^th runner with all his hard work this summer,  My Sophomore group of Perfecto Lopez, Nathaniel Punti, Ethan Ocampo, and Vladimir Diaz will be pushing for a spot in the top 7. They are all having a great summer of running. The team goal is to Challenge Downers Grove South and Willowbrook for the Conference Title. Then try and make it back down State. The Big 3 of Alex, Orlando, and Miguel are really working hard this summer. I expect a big season from them."

17. Libertyville

Coaches: Stu Mendelsohn / Matt Condron, Nick Korhumel, Fred White

Last Year's Finish: 22nd @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Thomas Chudy (Jr.), Colin O'Connell (So.), Marcello Prinz (Jr.), Peter Rappa (Sr.), Emerson Reed (So.), Taylor Rihm (So.), Jack Steffe (Jr.), Filip Vojvodic (Jr.), Trace Whildin (Jr.)

Outlook: The Wildcats enter this season with intrigue as a young, developing squad. They will be led up front by the duo of Taylor Rihm and Filip Vojvodic, both aiming to break the 15:00 barrier. They excelled during the track season, posting PRs of 4:22 and 4:23 respectively in the 1600m. The supporting group of Jack Steffe, Thomas Chuddy, Peter Rappa, and Trace Whildin will look to round out the scoring, with an expected spread of just 15 seconds between them. All four had strong cross country seasons in 2024, though their track résumés offer limited data. If they developed well over the summer, this could be a sneaky team to watch. Coach Korhumel stated, "Our LHS boys team returns in 2025 after competing at State as a team in 2024 for the first time in decades. We look forward to carrying that momentum into 2025, as the majority of that 2024 state team is returning. This group has brought not only tremendous talent, but also fierce dedication to taking the Libertyville distance running program to the next level, with goals and expectations to compete at an All-State level consistently, year after year. We continue to develop reliable student-athletes, not tarnishing their ability to complete at the collegiate level upon graduating high school. We look forward to seeing a talented core of underclassmen become upperclassmen this season and assume new roles as leaders on our team."

18. Batavia

Coaches: Bronco Meeks / AJ Freeman

Last Year's Finish: 14th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Edward Polaski (Jr.), Will Polaski (Jr.), Luke Gianfrancesco (Sr.), Matt Guiry (Jr.), Seamus Samsami (Sr.), Gavin Warpinski (Sr.), Cody Rummel (Sr.), Peter Day (Jr.), Ryan Widmer (Sr.), Aaron Kernler (Jr.), Jeremy Shillair (So.), Brayden Korn (So.)

Outlook: Another team that can definitely move up throughout the year is the Bulldogs. They are led by Edward Polaski, who has had an outstanding past 12 months—running 14:41 at last year’s State Meet and 9:16 in the 3200m during track season. The junior is a strong candidate to claim an all-state medal in November. Will Polaski also had a stellar 2024 cross country season, posting a 15:07 last fall and aiming to break 15:00 this year. The key for this squad will be pushing their pack—Luke Gianfrancesco, Matt Guiry, Seamus Samsami, Gavin Warpinski, and Cody Rummel—into the mid-15:00 range if they want to be a top-15 team in the state. They certainly have the talent to make that jump. Coach Meeks stated, "Our team had a strong summer. We have at least 12 guys that are in the hunt for a varsity spot. We have a lot of youth on the team. Our senior leaders have been fantastic and have demonstrated daily what needs to be done to be successful in this sport. It will be exciting to watch this team grow throughout the season."

19. Oak Park-River Forest

Coaches: Chris Baldwin

Last Year's Finish: 18th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Connor Harmon (Jr.), Yonny Rafter (Sr.), Brady Creel (Sr.), Nick Houghton (Jr.), David Schiff (Sr.), Julian St. Pierre (Sr.), Bennett King (Sr.), Ryan Wangerow (Jr.), Charles Molony (Jr.), Tate Blecha (Jr.), Nicolas Palmisano (So.), Griffin Derhammer (So.)

Outlook: The Huskies will be a team that can clime the rankings throughout the year as they are a packed based team that can move up if they develop a front runner. Connor Harmon looks to be the best breakout canidate of this group as he ran 4:25 in the 1600m this spring. He should be able to run in the low 15:00s this year. The trio of Yonny Rafter, Brady Creel, and Nick Houghton will be just off of Harmon. We could very well see a 1-4 split for this team of 15 seconds. All three of these athletes ran great in the 3200m during track season with Rafter running 9:46, Creel running 9:49, and Houghton running 9:50. The key for this group will be getting either David Schiff or Julian St. Pierre with that pack. If they can then maybe they can be a top 15 team in the classification.

20. Edwardsville

Coaches: George Patrylak / Alexis Keller, Keri Burmester

Last Year's Finish: 13th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Colin Thomas (Sr.), Cooper Wittek (Sr.), Colin Luitjohan (Jr.), Taylor

Davis (Sr.), Max Horton (Sr.), Jackson Elliott (Sr.), Will McGinness (So.)

Key Newcomers: Jake Burris (Fr.), Evan Davis (Fr.), Conner Osborne (Fr.), Jack Whiteaker (Fr.)

Unexpected Losses: Gavin Rodgers (Sr.)

Outlook: Unfortunately, this squad loses its top runner from last year, Gavin Rodgers, who transferred to Georgia for his senior season. That departure now puts Colin Thomas in the role of team leader. Thomas ran 15:11 last year for three miles and will be aiming to break the 15:00 barrier this fall. The key for this team will be keeping its 1-5 split under 30 seconds if they want to contend for a top-15 spot in the state. Cooper Wittek, Colin Luitjohan, Taylor Davis, Jackson Elliott, and Will McGinness will make up the rest of the scoring group, each fighting for a place in the top five. According to Coach Patrylak, McGinness is having an excellent summer and could be running right alongside Thomas this season. Coach Patrylak stated, "I am excited to see where this team can end up. I know that we are returning four runners from last year’s state team. This group is hungry after a disappointing finish to the year. Add in a 10 th place finish in the 4 x 800 in the spring and think there are several team members looking to make a statement. We will be senior heavy this year, with probably five of our top seven being seniors. Add in Colin Luithjohan (Jr) and Will McGinnis (So) and we should have our top seven. I think as the year progresses, we will see people move in and out of the lineup. Our freshman class is talented enough that you may see one or two get some opportunities this post season. Overall, the majority of our seniors are doing well taking some leadership roles. I have seen some of these individuals more focused than I ever have before. Colin Thomas and Cooper Wittek have been working hard. Both have the ability to drop quite a bit of time off of last year’s performance. Taylor Davis is another senior to keep an eye on. Colin Luithjohan will be ready for a solid season. I am very interested to see where seniors Jackson Elliott and Max Horton wind up. They are both working hard and are very motivated. I also am excited about our underclassmen. Besides the freshman I already mentioned previously, sophomore Will McGinness is poised for a breakout sophomore season. I can see Will flirting with 15:00 flat at Detweiler by the end of the year. We surprised a lot of people in a good way at the midpoint of the season last year. We did the same in a negative way at state. I am hoping that this group is ready to learn from their experiences and to take this team to the next level."

21. Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

Coaches: James Janota / Michael Rossi, Jared Righter, Mike Kennedy

Last Year's Finish: 21st @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Jesse Gudauskas (Jr.), Grayson Meek (So.), Aidan Pour (Jr.), Reyaansh Bhagat (Jr.), Garrett Anderson (Sr.), Anish Bhagwat (Sr.), Ryan Lee (Sr.)

Outlook: The Wildcats had an impressive 2024 cross country season, far exceeding their preseason ranking thanks to the breakout performances of Jesse Gudauskas and Grayson Meek. Those two will now be counted on to lead the squad in 2025. While this team could easily be ranked higher, a rocky track season has them positioned here. Gudauskas shined on the track, running 9:22 in the 3200m, and will look to contend for all-state honors this fall. Meek missed most of his track season due to injury but still managed to clock 1:58 in the 800m as a freshman. If he had a strong summer, he could be a serious all-state threat after running 15:03 last fall. The key for this team will be getting the trio of Garrett Anderson, Anish Bhagwat, and Reyaansh Bhagwat into the mid-to-low 15:00s if they hope to finish as a top-15 team in the state. Coach Janota stated, "We have a young team who are committed to improving themselves through dedication and hard work.  I'm excited to see what they can do this year with the leadership of Jesse Gudauskas."

22. Chicago (Payton)

Coaches: Daniel Dziubski and Adam Palumbo / Mickhale Lamba

Last Year's Finish: State Champions @ IHSA 2A State

Key Returners: Declan Slavin (Sr.), Tra'Monti Williams (Sr.), John Falciglia (Jr.), Obree Fischer (Jr.), Gus Berlinghof (Jr.), Knox Winn (So.), Saatvik Viniak (So.), James Barrios (So.), Zach Wong (Jr.)

Unexpected Losses: Steven Jiang (Jr.)

Outlook: The Grizzlies unfortunately lose one of their top runners, Steven Jiang, to an internship in Washington, D.C., for the upcoming cross country season—a setback that drops them in the preseason rankings. This year, the team will be led by the dynamic duo of Tra’Monti Williams and Declan Slavin, both strong candidates to earn all-state honors as they transition into 3A. Williams, the 2A state champion in both the 800m and 4x800m, also had a stellar 2024 XC State Meet, placing with a time of 14:36, and will be aiming for a top-10 finish in the state this fall. Slavin shined on the track as well, running 4:14 in the 1600m and contributing to a 4x800m state title. The key to this squad’s success will be the development of Knox Winn, Obree Fischer, John Falciglia, and Gus Berlinghof, all of whom will need to be in the mid-15:00s if the Grizzlies want to be a top-15 team in Illinois. Coach Dziubski stated, "Only returning our top two from last year's state team, and the bump to 3A creates an incredibly challenging uphill battle for the Men of Payton.  They're up to the task and know there are 5 spots available in the top seven.  As always, the old adage "Next Man Up" applies once again. We have a young team with two incredible leaders who know how to perform when it counts.  The guys have learned to trust the process and know they're working in a system that has proven to work.  They're ready to do what it takes.  They know our program prepares them to run fastest on the most important day, and our 2nd pack will be ready to pop."

23. Naperville Central

Coaches: Grant Baganz / Dave Ashton, Steve Stack, Jeff Couch, Luke Laboe

Last Year's Finish: 20th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Manny Najera (Jr.), Toby Silder (So.), Gavin George (Sr.), Derek Williamson (Jr.), Vaughn Scherer (Sr.), Nick Norberg (So.), Nathan Kao (So.), Jack Anderson (So.), Grayson McKenna (So.), Lukas Probst (Sr.), Ryan Hendricks (Sr.), Alex Hostetler (So.), Leon Kao (So.)

Outlook: Another strong pack-running team with plenty of interchangeability this year, the Redhawks will be led by Manny Najera, a potential all-stater coming off an outstanding 2024 cross country campaign and an excellent track season. The core of this squad will be the main pack of Toby Silder, Vaughn Scherer, Gavin George, Derek Williamson, and Lukas Probst, who could produce an impressive 10-second 2-6 split. If this group can move up well throughout the season, the Redhawks will have a strong shot at qualifying for the State Meet. Coach Baganz stated, "We have a strong nucleus returning, and should be able to build on our 20th place finish at the state meet last year. It looks like we are poised to take that next step, but nothing is to be taken for granted. If we have a mindset of being healthy, hungry, humble and motivated, along with being mentally strong and confident, we will indeed take that next step!"

24. Winnetka (New Trier)

Coaches: Matt Sloan / Mike Richardson, Mike Stokes, Jamie Klotz, Brian Loring, Shawn Lucas, Greg Harper, Erik Saszik, Tyler Polak

Last Year's Finish: 6th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Jordan Kreiner (Sr.), Anders Giese (Sr.), Owen McLaughlin (Sr.), Tristan Daley (Jr.), Will Chiang (So,), Nico Hampton (So.), Martin Issa (So.), Lucas Rincon (So.), Sebastian Vining (So.)

Key Newcomers: Carter Hollis (Fr.), Maxwell Overstreet (Fr.)

Outlook: The Trevians enter a rebuilding year after graduating six of their top seven from last season. Leading the charge will be Jordan Kreiner, who posted impressive track times of 4:19 in the 1600m and 9:33 in the 3200m, and will aim to break the 15:00 barrier this fall. Following Kreiner is a young and developing pack featuring Martin Issa, Nicolas Hampton, Sebastian Vining, William Chiang, and Lucas Rincon, all of whom will look to run in the mid-15:00s. While this group is inexperienced, their potential growth throughout the season could make them a sleeper team to watch. Coach Sloan stated, "The 2025 Trevian team will be led by senior captain, Jordan Kreiner, a veteran of four state meets (2 XC, 2 Track). Jordan has been doing a great job leading our talented group of sophomores which includes five athletes who ran sub 10:14 as freshman. The sophomores pack plans to push their upperclassmen teammates for the opportunity to compete in the state series. I’m excited to see what we can become this season and see how we stack up against the excellent competition that Illinois always produces. Onward Trevians"

25. New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)

Coaches: John Taylor / Roy White, Chuck Hoff

Last Year's Finish: 15th @ IHSA 3A State

Key Returners: Bryce Counihan (Sr.), Ronin Borgeson (Sr.), Cian Scanlon (Jr.), Andrew Nilson (Jr.), Ryan Zartler (So.), Gavin Hoff (Jr.), James Giertuga (Jr.), Mekhai Wright (Sr.), Russell Welch (So.), Colin White (So.), Jaxson Oldenburg (So.)

Outlook: The Knights lost a lot of talent from 2024 but return one of the top runners in the classification in Bryce Counihan, who ran 4:19 in the 1600m this past track season. His most impressive mark, however, is his 14:47 performance on the grass last fall. Counihan will be the clear leader for this group, and he enters the year as their only returner from the team’s 2nd-place state finish in the 4x800m. Behind him, the quartet of Cian Scanlon, Ronin Borgeson, Andrew Nilson, and Ryan Zartler will look to tighten the team’s 1–5 split under 20 seconds in order to punch their ticket back to the state meet. Coach Taylor stated, "The Running Knights of Lincoln-Way Central are returning four out of the top seven from the 15th place State team last year. Senior Bryce Counihan will be leading the charge for the Knights, while Sophomore Ryan Zartler will surprise many this Fall. Senior runners Mekhai Wright and Ronin Borgeson and juniors Cian Scanlon and Andrew Nilson will add valuable experience to the team’s quest of improving on last year‘s performance. Other juniors looking to get in the top seven include Domenico DiSalvo and Gavin Hoff. All the boys put in a good number of miles this Summer and we all are looking forward to a great season of racing."