2025 XC Conference Rundown: Thursday Edition

SIRR Conference

Key Boys Teams: Herrin, Carterville, Murphysboro

Key Boys Individuals: Caiden Cook (DuQuoin), Edgar Garcia (Murphysboro), Nolen Frost (Herrin), Mason King (Herrin), Hayden Swiney (DuQuoin), August Anderson (Carterville)

Key Girls Teams: Anna Jonesboro

Key Girls Individuals: Jayden Gerardi (Anna Jonesboro), Laney Samburski (Carterville), Sophia Hill (Anna Jonesboro)

Outlook: A strong 1A conference on both sides, you’ll see some big names in the smallest division go off at SIRR. On the boys side, Caiden Cook of DuQuoin is the big favorite. He had a great race at the 2.96 course at the Benton Invite, running 14:28 for a big win over Edgar Garcia of Murphysboro. They will have themselves a rematch here, as both Cook and Garcia are expected to go 1 and 2 here at SIRR. On the team side, Herrin should clean up shop. Nolen Frost and Mason King will lead the Tigers up front, both of them could challenge Garcia for second. They had a great day at the Peoria High invite and they are looking like a top 15 team in 2A, it should be an easy win for them. On the girls side, Jayden Gerardi of Anna Jonesboro is the individual favorite. She ran 18:26 at the Wesclin Invite and is a former all-stater. Her resume speaks for herself, there isn’t really anyone here who can challenge her. She will help propel her team to a conference title, as Anna Jonesboro is the big team favorite. As one of the best teams in 1A this year, it’s no surprise that they should be unchallenged in their own conference. They have sat in the top 5 for most of the season and they’ll continue their streak of excellence with a conference title.

MVC Conference

Key Boys Teams: Highland, Bethalto (Civic Memorial)

Key Boys Individuals: Max Weber (Bethalto [Civic Memorial]), Tyler DeVilder (Waterloo), Joshua Knobloch (Highland), Caleb Knobloch (Highland)

Key Girls Teams: Waterloo, Highland

Key Girls Individuals: Lydia Huffman (Waterloo), Emberlie Goins (Troy [Triad])

Outlook: Last year, we saw some heartstopping times on this MVC course, this year we could be in for a treat. Max Weber of Civic Memorial still has yet to lose a race against Illinois competition, and he is expected to drop a heater at his conference meet. Ever since he ran 14:28 during week 2, we’ve been waiting to see what he can really do on a fast course, and now we get our chance to see what he’s capable of. Behind Weber, you’ll see Tyler DeVilder of Waterloo leading on Joshua and Caleb Knobloch of Highland. DeVilder ran out of his socks at the Lakes Sunset invite, running a new PR of 15:07. The Knobloch twins have looked great all year, they actually made it within 20 seconds of Weber last week at their county meet. It’ll be a close toss up for second between these three. On the team side, Highland has a slight edge over Civic Memorial. Highland ran some great times at the Peoria invite and they are the defending conference champions. Civic Memorial has been back and forth all year, but on a good day, they are a better team than Highland. If today happens to be one of Civic Memorial’s good days, they should take home a conference dub. If not, then it will go to the Highland Bulldogs. On the girls side, Lydia Huffman of Waterloo is the big individual favorite. She ran an incredible 17:26 at the Belleville West invite and she is leagues ahead of the competition here. She will help lead Waterloo to a close conference title over Highland. Waterloo has a solid #2 in Emily Vogt, but their 4 and 5 are a tad weaker than Highland’s 4 and 5. It’ll come down to who has the better chase pack on the day, but Waterloo has the advantage going in. 

South 7 Conference

Key Boys Teams: Marion, Mt. Vernon

Key Boys Individuals: Gabriel Greer (Marion), Raphael Greer (Marion), Joel Hayes (Mt. Vernon), Zion Wilkins (Carbondale), Trace Elliot (Mt. Vernon)

Key Girls Teams: Mt. Vernon, Centralia

Key Girls Individuals: Sophie Krupa (Carbondale), Kara Odum (Marion)

Outlook: Double trouble is officially back, as the Marion duo is finally free from injury. You might’ve noticed in the last few weeks that Gabriel Greer has been tearing it up without any trace of his brother Raphael Greer. Well, those are times past, as Raphy finally got back to racing last week, taking a 20 second win at the Centralia Invite. With both of these two upfront, Marion is poised to have a great day right when they need it most. Mt. Vernon finally broke through at the Peoria High Invite, and they are now looking like the top 10 team they were projected to be early on. With such a good team developing right in Marion’s way, they got their deuces back at just the right time. Instead of the blowout that was expected from the Rams, it will now be a close team race between Mt. Vernon and Marion. The girls race should be close between Sophie Krupa of Carbondale and Kara Odum of Marion. Both girls have run in the low 18:50s, with Odum coming out on top in their most recent matchup at the Centralia invite. It should be very back and forth between these two, expect an electric matchup for the individual win. Teamwise, Mt. Vernon and Centralia will duke it out for the win. It’s expected to be a difference of just a few points, so expect another close race there. 

Western Big 6 Conference

Key Boys Teams: Quincy, Rock Island

Key Boys Individuals: Elliot Batz (Rock Island), Isaiah Engle (Moline), Malik Gbadamassi (East Moline [United]), Charles Ray (Quincy), Gabe Mahn (Rock Island)

Key Girls Teams: Genesseo, Quincy

Key Girls Individuals: Brooklyn Smith (Genesseo), Peyton Kuhl (Quincy)

Outlook: Last year Quincy took the win over Geneseo, however, this year this meet could turn out differently as Rock Island can shock Quincy for the team title. The duo of Elliot Batz and Gabe Mahn of Rock Island could give the Rocks the team title. Quincy will be led by sophomore Charles Ray. Rock Island's 1-3 are faster than Quincy’s, however Rock Island needs a tighter team split in order to beat Quincy, if so Rock Island has the opportunity to beat Quincy and take the tittle home. Individually Batz is the favorite to win the meet, behind him will be Isaiah Engle of Moline. Another runner to look out for at this meet are Malik Gbadamassi of East Moline [United]. On the girls side Geneseo took the win, and it looks like they can double up again this year. Geneseo will be led by Brooklyn Smith, who is also the favorite to win this meet, however Quincy is also a factor at this meet. Similarly to the boys race they will need a tighter split or better placing from their 2-5 in order to win the race. Quincy will be led by sophomore Payton Kuhl who will challenge Smith for the individual and team title.