2026 IESA State Preview: 1A

The IESA Class 1A State Meet is set to bring together the top middle school cross country runners and teams from across Illinois for a championship weekend at Maxwell Park in Normal. After a season of conference meets, invitationals, and sectional competitions, the state's best runners will have one final opportunity to compete for individual titles and lead their teams to the podium. With rising young talents looking to make their mark and top teams hoping to cap off their seasons with a state championship, the Class 1A races should deliver plenty of excitement and close competition.

Girls Individuals

The IESA Girls 1A State Meet is shaping up to be an exciting battle at Maxwell Park in Normal, with several runners entering the championship with title aspirations. Maud Nelson of Brimfield leads the conversation as the top returning finisher from last year's state meet, but Brooke Kennett, Leigh Blandford, and Sydney Schmieg have all shown they can challenge for the top spot. With a deep group of contenders bringing strong cross country performances and impressive track credentials into the race, the battle for the state championship and the all-state positions should be one to watch.

Maud Nelson (7th, Brimfield) enters the state meet as the favorite after finishing third at the 2025 state meet, making her the top returning runner in the field. Nelson ran a personal best of 12:01 at last year's Detweiller Park Sectional and has continued to put together a strong season, highlighted by her Donovan Park Sectional championship. She also finished fourth at the Delavan Dare Invite and ninth at the Dunlap Invite. Nelson's track season further demonstrated her ability to compete at a high level, as she finished third in the 2A 1600m at the state meet. With her experience competing at the state level and a sectional victory behind her, Nelson will look to turn last year's third-place finish into a state championship at Maxwell Park.

Brooke Kennett (7th, South Pekin) has established herself as one of the biggest threats to Nelson's title hopes. Kennett finished 18th at last year's state meet but has made significant strides since then, including a second-place finish behind Nelson at the Donovan Park Sectional. She also placed eighth at the Delavan Dare Invite and second at the St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite, where she defeated Nelson. Kennett's track season adds even more intrigue to her championship potential, as she finished third in the 1A 800m and captured the 1A state title in the 1600m. With the ability to compete with Nelson head-to-head and the credentials to back it up, Kennett has a legitimate opportunity to leave Maxwell Park with the state championship.

Leigh Blandford (8th, Arlington Heights [St. James]) could be the biggest challenger to the top two. Blandford has lost just once this season and enters the state meet after winning the Melas Park Sectional and capturing the NWCC Conference championship. She also ran 11:48 for 3,000 meters last November and finished seventh in the 2A 1600m at the state track meet. Blandford's consistency throughout the season makes her a dangerous contender, particularly if she can translate her strong performances into a big effort on the state course. With only one loss on her record this year, Blandford has shown she belongs in the championship conversation and has a chance to challenge for the individual title.

Remi Cahill (7th, Brimfield) gives Brimfield another potential all-state finisher and could play a major role in the battle near the front of the field. Cahill placed third behind Nelson and Kennett at the Donovan Park Sectional after finishing fourth at the St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite. She also recorded finishes of 18th at the Dunlap Invite and 11th at the Delavan Dare Invite. On the track, Cahill finished 11th in the 2A 800m at the state meet, adding valuable championship experience to her resume. With a strong sectional performance and the ability to compete against several of the state's top runners, Cahill has an opportunity to challenge for a top-five finish at Maxwell Park.

Sydney Schmieg (8th, Elmwood) is another name to watch closely after showing she can defeat the leading contenders. Schmieg won the St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite, beating both Nelson and Kennett in the process. Although she finished fourth at the Donovan Park Sectional and 39th at the Dunlap Invite, her victory over the two leading championship contenders demonstrates the potential she brings into the state meet. Schmieg will need to put together another strong performance against a deep field, but she has already proven she can compete with the best in 1A. If she finds that same form at Maxwell Park, Schmieg could emerge as a top-three finisher.

Hattie Butterfield (8th, Brimfield) has the credentials to make a run at the podium and would give Brimfield another strong contender near the front. Butterfield finished 19th at last year's state meet and has recorded finishes of fifth at the Donovan Park Sectional, ninth at the Delavan Dare Invite, 12th at the Dunlap Invite, and fifth at the St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite. She also owns a personal best of 12:09 for two miles. Her track season showed off her versatility, as she finished second in the 2A 400m, fourth in the 2A 1600m, and second in the 2A sprint medley relay at the state meet. Butterfield has the speed and championship experience to make a jump from last year's state finish, and if everything comes together on race day, she could challenge for a top-five spot.

Jersey Hoerr (8th, Brimfield) rounds out a particularly strong group of Brimfield runners and has the potential to outperform her recent results. Hoerr finished 14th at last year's state meet and has placed sixth at the Donovan Park Sectional, 16th at the Delavan Dare Invite, third at the St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite, and 21st at the Dunlap Invite. She also competed at the 2A state track meet, finishing 15th in the 1600m. Hoerr's previous state experience gives her a useful foundation heading into the race, and her third-place finish at the St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite shows she can compete near the front of this field. A strong day at Maxwell Park could put her in contention for a top-five finish and give Brimfield an impressive collection of runners near the front of the results.

Autumn Hencinski (7th, South Wilmington) enters the state meet with momentum after winning the Kankakee Community College Sectional in a personal-best 12:48. Hencinski narrowly missed all-state honors last year, finishing 26th, and will look to make the jump into the top 25 this season. Her track performances suggest she has the ability to make that move, as she finished fourth in the 1A 1600m and 10th in the 1A 800m at the state meet. The sectional championship is an encouraging sign heading into the weekend, and Hencinski has a chance to build on last year's experience and challenge for a top-five finish.

Meg O’Connor (8th, Evanston [St. Athanasius]) could be a name to watch outside the leading championship contenders. O'Connor won the Westmont Sectional and finished third at the Loyola Academy JH Flight Night, giving her a pair of strong results heading into the state meet. While she may not have received as much attention as some of the runners at the top of the field, her sectional victory demonstrates that she can handle a championship setting. O'Connor will look to carry that momentum into Maxwell Park and position herself among the top 10 finishers.

Regina Reigler (8th, Arlington Heights [St. James]) may be the most intriguing runner in the entire field. Reigler finished fourth at last year's state meet and has the championship experience to contend with anyone in the field. She also placed 67th at USATF Junior Nationals in the 11–12 age group and ran 12:43 over the summer. Her most recent cross country results have been less impressive, including a third-place finish at the Melas Park Sectional, but her track season suggests she should not be overlooked. Reigler finished third in the 2A 800m and second in the 2A 1600m at the state track meet. If she can rediscover her best cross country form, she has the experience and ability to challenge for another high finish. Her performance at Maxwell Park could have a major impact on the race, particularly if she returns to the form that made her one of the state's top runners last fall.

Projected Girls All-Staters

Girls Teams

The IESA Girls 1A State Meet at Maxwell Park in Normal features a clear favorite at the top, but the battle for the remaining state trophies could be highly competitive. Brimfield enters the meet looking to defend its state championship and potentially put together one of the greatest team performances in IESA 1A history. Meanwhile, Evanston St. Athanasius, Elmwood, Arlington Heights St. James, Sigel St. Michael’s, and Mt. Prospect St. Raymond all have their sights set on bringing home hardware. With several teams boasting strong front runners and others relying on tightly packed scoring groups, the team race will come down to both individual performances and how well each team's fifth runner closes the gap.

Brimfield enters the state meet as the heavy favorite after putting together an outstanding season and winning the Donovan Park Sectional. The Indians finished third at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic behind Mt. Prospect Lincoln and Batavia Rotolo before capturing victories at the Galesburg JH Invite and St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite. They also finished third at the Dunlap Invite. Now, Brimfield is looking to defend its state championship from last year and potentially make history. Maud Nelson, Remi Cahill, Hattie Butterfield, and Jersey Hoerr give the Indians the potential to put four runners inside the top 10, while the team could have five all-state finishers. If that front pack delivers, Brimfield could challenge the IESA 1A girls state record for the lowest team score, set by the 2019 Chicago Queen of All Saints team with 51 points. With their depth and championship experience, the Indians have an opportunity to produce a historic performance and strengthen their case as one of the greatest 1A girls teams in IESA history.

Evanston St. Athanasius has put together an impressive season and looks to improve on its seventh-place finish at last year's state meet. The team has collected victories at Loyola Academy JH Flight Night, the Windy City Stampede, the Notre Dame Invite, and the Westmont Sectional. Although the Saints haven't gone undefeated, their collection of wins demonstrates that they can compete with some of the best teams in the state. Meg O’Connor, Ryn Kustok, and Frances Lamb headline the lineup and all have the potential to earn all-state honors. Keeping the gap between its first and fifth runners under one minute would give the Saints a strong chance to contend for a state trophy. If their front runners deliver and the rest of the lineup stays connected, St. Athanasius could make a significant jump from last year's seventh-place finish.

Elmwood has consistently been one of the top teams in the field, finishing second at the Galesburg JH Invite, St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite, Limestone Walters Invite, and Donovan Park Sectional. The Trojans have shown that they can stay near the front of competitive fields, but they will need another strong team performance at Maxwell Park to turn those runner-up finishes into a state trophy. Sydney Schmieg leads the way and enters the meet as a contender for the individual state title, while Isla Harmon also has a chance to finish among the all-state runners. The key will be keeping the team's first-to-fifth runner split under 1:20. The Trojans haven't won a state trophy since 2021 and will be motivated to end that drought. With Schmieg capable of scoring near the front, Elmwood has an opportunity to return to the podium if the rest of its lineup can close the gaps.

Arlington Heights St. James could be one of the most dangerous teams in the race after putting together its best performances at the right time. St. James won the NWCC Conference Meet before capturing the Melas Park Sectional. Leigh Blandford and Regina Riegler lead the way, with both runners returning as all-staters and bringing the experience needed to compete near the front of the field. St. James didn't score at many meets this season because of its small roster, making its sectional victory an encouraging sign that the team is peaking at the right time. The Knights finished second at last year's state meet and won the state championship in 2024, so they know what it takes to compete for a trophy. Their biggest challenge will be supporting Blandford and Riegler with a strong pack behind them. Keeping runners three through five within 1:30 of Blandford will be crucial if St. James wants to return to the podium.

Sigel St. Michael’s enters the state meet with plenty of momentum after winning the Chrisman Sectional and putting together a strong series of results throughout the season. The team finished third at the Cumberland Middle School Invite and second at Who Let the Dogs Out before winning the NTC Conference Meet, CMS Raiders Home Meet, Bullpup Pride Invite, and Okaw Valley Invite. Nora Schumacher and Violet Walk lead the way and both have the potential to earn all-state honors. The next step for the team will be ensuring that its depth can match the strength of its front runners. St. Michael’s will need its fifth runner to finish within 20 seconds of its fourth runner to give itself a strong chance of earning a trophy. The program has never won a state cross country trophy, making this a significant opportunity for the team to make school history. If Schumacher and Walk lead the way and the rest of the lineup delivers a compact performance, St. Michael’s could become one of the biggest stories of the meet.

Mt. Prospect St. Raymond enters the championship looking to build on last year's third-place state trophy finish. The team placed third at the NWCC Conference Meet before finishing second at the Melas Park Sectional, where it put together its best performance of the season. With three returning runners from last year's trophy-winning lineup, St. Raymond has valuable championship experience and a foundation to build on. Lilian Herrnreiter leads the team and has the potential to finish among the all-state runners, giving the squad a strong scoring presence near the front. The key will be maintaining a first-to-fifth runner split under 1:20, ensuring the team can limit its scoring total and stay competitive with the other trophy contenders. St. Raymond has already proven it can finish on the podium, and its strong sectional performance suggests it is finding its form at the right time. If the team can keep its pack together and deliver another strong performance at Maxwell Park, a return trip to the awards stand is well within reach.

Projected Girls Team Finishes

Boys Individuals

The IESA Boys 1A State Meet at Maxwell Park in Normal features a talented field with several runners capable of making a run at the state championship. Emmett Voyles of Mt. Prospect St. Raymond enters as the favorite after an outstanding season, but his teammate Owen Khamo, breakout star Reece Vandeventer, and track standout David Surratt are among the runners who could challenge him. With a mix of returning all-staters, emerging talents, and athletes with impressive track credentials, the battle for the state title and the top 10 should be exciting from the opening mile to the finish.

Emmett Voyles (7th, Mt. Prospect [St. Raymond]) enters the state meet as the favorite after putting together an exceptional season. Voyles owns a personal best of 11:04 and has lost just once this year, finishing behind the top competition at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic. Since then, he has won the Chicagoland Cross Country Championships, St. Viator Artman Classic, NWCC Conference Meet, and Melas Park Sectional. He also finished fourth at Detweiller at Dark over the summer. Voyles placed 20th at last year's state meet and finished 14th in the 11–12 age group at the USATF Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships. With his consistency and experience, Voyles has positioned himself as the runner to beat at Maxwell Park. If he delivers another performance like the ones he has produced throughout the season, he could turn last year's 20th-place finish into an individual state championship.

Owen Khamo (6th, Mt. Prospect [St. Raymond]) could be one of the biggest threats to Voyles, and the fact that the two train and race for the same school makes their matchup especially intriguing. Khamo finished second at the St. Viator Artman Classic and sixth at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic before placing second at the Melas Park Sectional. He also won the junior varsity race at the NWCC Conference Meet. Khamo finished just behind Voyles at sectionals. He is an extremely talented athlete who could surprise the field if he puts everything together on race day. While Voyles has been the more consistent winner this season, Khamo has the potential to make the championship battle much closer than expected and could even pull off the victory with the right performance.

Reece Vandeventer (8th, Villa Grove) has enjoyed a breakout season and has established himself as a legitimate contender for the state title. Vandeventer finished second at both the St. Joseph Invite and Monticello Middle School Invite before winning the Chrisman Sectional. His strong cross country season is backed by an impressive track resume, including a sixth-place finish in the 2A 800m and a third-place finish in the 2A 1600m at the state meet. Vandeventer will face a challenging field at Maxwell Park, but his sectional championship and continued improvement make him one of the most intriguing runners in the race. If he carries his recent momentum into the state meet, he could challenge Voyles and Khamo for the individual championship.

Brendan Bush (8th, Inverness [Holy Family]) has been putting together an excellent season and enters the state meet with the talent to compete for a podium finish. Bush placed second at the NWCC Conference Meet and third at the Melas Park Sectional, putting himself among the leading contenders heading into the state championships. He also brings experience competing against top national competition, having earned All-American honors in the 11–12 age group at the 2024 USATF Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships. On the track, Bush finished eighth in the 1A 800m and seventh in the 1A 1600m at the state meet. His combination of cross country consistency and track ability makes him a dangerous competitor, particularly in a race where several runners could challenge one another near the front. Bush has a legitimate chance to finish in the top three if he produces his best performance of the season.

Hudson Chebny (7th, Grayslake [St. Gilbert]) returns to the state meet looking to build on last year's performance, when he finished 25th to claim the final all-state position. Chebny has continued to develop this season, finishing second at the Vicky Piela Invite before placing fourth at the Melas Park Sectional. He also finished ninth in the 2A 1600m at the state track meet. His sectional result puts him in a position to improve on last year's state finish, and he will look to move further up the standings at Maxwell Park. With the potential to challenge for a top-five finish, Chebny is a runner who could make a significant impact on the final results.

David Surratt (8th, Champaign [Holy Cross]) is one of the most versatile athletes in the field and has the credentials to challenge for a top-three finish. Surratt finished third at the Chrisman Cow Chip and St. Joseph Invite, along with placing 13th at the Parkside Invite, before winning the Eastview Christian Church Sectional. He also finished 12th at last year's state meet. His track season was particularly impressive, as he finished third in the 1A 800m, second in the 1A 1600m, and second in the 1A 110m hurdles at the state meet. Those results demonstrate his speed and versatility across multiple events. Surratt has shown that he can compete at a high level in both distance and hurdle events, and his sectional victory provides momentum heading into the state championship. If he puts together a strong race at Maxwell Park, he has the potential to challenge for a podium spot.

Philip Strand (8th, Mt. Prospect [St. Raymond]) gives St. Raymond another potential top-10 finisher and adds to what could be one of the deepest teams in the field. Strand finished fourth at the NWCC Conference Meet and fifth at the Melas Park Sectional, putting together consistent performances against a competitive group of runners. He will look to carry that form into the state meet and improve his position against the state's top athletes. Strand's twin brother, Vincent, is also competing in the race, creating an interesting storyline for the St. Raymond lineup. With several strong runners from the same program in the field, Philip could benefit from the competitive environment and challenge for a top-10 finish at Maxwell Park.

Vincent Strand (8th, Mt. Prospect [St. Raymond]) has also put together a strong season and will look to join his twin brother Philip near the front of the results. Vincent finished fifth at the Chicagoland Cross Country Championships, eighth at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic, and third at the NWCC Conference Meet before placing sixth at the Melas Park Sectional. He also competed in the 2A state track meet, finishing 18th in the 800m. His cross country results show that he can consistently compete with strong fields, and he enters the championship with a realistic opportunity to finish among the top 10. With Voyles and Khamo leading St. Raymond's title contenders, Vincent and Philip could also play important roles in the team's overall performance while pursuing strong individual finishes.

Stevan Rogers (8th, Chrisman [Scottland]) enters the state meet with several strong performances and the potential to finish in the top 10. Rogers won the Doc Acklin Invite and the Three Rivers Conference Meet, finished fifth at the Chrisman Cow Chip Invite, and placed second at the Chrisman Sectional. He also had an impressive track season, finishing seventh in the 1A 800m, 13th in the 1A 1600m, and fourth in the 1A sprint medley relay at the state meet. His sectional runner-up finish provides a strong foundation heading into the championship. If he can maintain his momentum and deliver another consistent performance, he could emerge as one of the top-10 finishers at Maxwell Park.

Bennet Barry (8th, Woodstock [St. Mary's]) is another runner with the potential to break into the top 10. Barry finished third at the McHenry Run With the Warriors Invite before placing seventh at the Melas Park Sectional. He also brings valuable track experience, having finished eighth in the 1A 1600m and sixth in both the 1A 4x200m and 4x400m at the state meet. Barry will need to put together one of his best performances of the season to move into the top 10, but he has the potential to make that jump.

Dominic Oswald (8th, Mokena [St. Mary]) enters the championship with momentum after winning the Kankakee Community College Sectional. He also finished fifth at the Suburban Parochial League Meet, giving him a pair of solid results heading into the state meet. Oswald qualified for the state meet last year but did not compete, meaning this will be an opportunity to make his mark on the championship stage. His sectional victory shows that he can handle the pressure of a postseason race, and he will look to carry that performance into Maxwell Park. With a strong race, Oswald could become a contender for a top-10 finish.

Luke Laning (8th, Woodridge [St. Scholastica]) heads into the state meet after winning both the Suburban Parochial League Meet and the Westmont Sectional. Those victories give Laning valuable momentum as he prepares to face the state's top 1A runners. Laning will face a deeper field at Maxwell Park, but his recent results suggest he should not be overlooked. If he can maintain his form and run confidently against the leading contenders, he has a chance to finish among the top 10.

Projected Boys All-Staters

Boys Teams

The IESA Boys 1A State Meet at Maxwell Park in Normal features a dominant favorite at the top, but the battle for the remaining state trophies could be wide open. Mt. Prospect St. Raymond has put together an exceptional season and will look to capture its third consecutive state championship while potentially producing the lowest team score in IESA history. Behind the Mustangs, Peoria St. Jude, Brimfield, Evanston St. Athanasius, Normal Epiphany, St. Pius X, and Champaign St. Matthew will all be looking to put together strong performances and earn a spot on the awards stand. With several teams improving at the right time, the race for the remaining trophies should provide plenty of intrigue.

Mt. Prospect St. Raymond enters the state meet as the overwhelming favorite after dominating nearly every major competition this season. The Mustangs have won the St. Viator Artman Classic, Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic, NWCC Friendly Meet, NWCC Conference Meet, and Melas Park Sectional, establishing themselves as the team to beat in 1A. St. Raymond has already built an impressive championship tradition, finishing second in 2023 before winning state titles in both 2024 and 2025. Now, the Mustangs have an opportunity to capture a third consecutive championship and potentially produce the most dominant team performance in IESA history. The 2018 Chicago St. Benedict team holds the benchmark with 22 points, and St. Raymond will look to challenge that mark. Emmett Voyles and Owen Khamo could finish first and second individually, while the Strand twins and Everett Voyles all have the potential to place in the top 10. With the possibility of six all-state finishers, St. Raymond has an opportunity to overwhelm the field with its depth. If the Saints deliver their best performance of the season, they could not only defend their championship but also establish a new standard for team excellence in IESA cross country.

Peoria St. Jude will look to return to the state podium after putting together a strong season highlighted by victories at the St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite, Limestone Walters Rocket Run, and Donovan Park Sectional. Knox Strader and Zachary Ryan lead the way and both have the potential to earn all-state honors, giving St. Jude a strong foundation at the front of its lineup. However, the key to earning a state trophy will be the team's depth. St. Jude will need to keep its first-to-fifth runner split under 30 seconds to maximize its scoring potential and compete with the other trophy contenders. The program has not won a state trophy since 2022, giving this year's group an opportunity to bring hardware back to Peoria. If Strader and Ryan deliver strong individual finishes and the rest of the lineup stays tightly packed, St. Jude could be one of the leading challengers for a podium spot.

Brimfield enters the state meet with plenty of momentum after producing its best performance of the season at the Donovan Park Sectional. The Indians finished fourth at the St. Jude Mini Yeti Invite before taking second at sectionals, where the team delivered a major breakout performance. Zach Bertsch and Henry Hill lead the lineup and both have the potential to finish among the all-state runners. Brimfield has already established itself as a strong championship team, finishing third at the 2024 state meet before improving to second in 2025. The Indians will now look to take another step and challenge for the state title, although St. Raymond remains the clear favorite. Brimfield's most important focus will be getting its fifth runner within 25 seconds of its fourth runner, allowing the team to keep its scoring group compact and limit the impact of other teams' depth. If the Indians can replicate their sectional performance and close the gap between their scoring runners, they have a strong chance of returning to the podium for a third consecutive season.

Evanston St. Athanasius has emerged as a team to watch after putting together an impressive stretch of performances over the past several weeks. The Saints finished second at the Loyola Academy JH Flight Night Invite before winning the LTAC XC Invite, Windy City Stampede, Notre Dame Invite, and Westmont Sectional. After a slower start to the season, the team appears to be finding its best form at the right time. Wells Kustok, Luke Jankowski, Conor Young, and Hayes Kustok form the strength of the lineup, with all four capable of challenging for all-state honors. Their ability to run together near the front could give St. Athanasius a significant advantage, but the team's fifth runner will be crucial. Keeping that fifth scorer within 20 seconds of the leading pack would give the Saints a strong chance of competing for a state trophy. The program has never won a state cross country trophy, making this a particularly meaningful opportunity. If the Redhawks can maintain their recent momentum and keep their lineup connected, they could make school history at Maxwell Park.

Normal Epiphany is another team entering the state meet with momentum after improving significantly over the past two weeks. Epiphany finished second at the SSAC Conference Meet before winning the Eastview Christian Church Sectional, giving the team an important boost heading into the championship. Graham Holcomb leads the lineup and will be looking to secure an all-state finish, providing a strong individual scorer for the team. The key for Epiphany will be getting enough support behind Holcomb to keep its overall score competitive. The team will need its fifth runner to break 13:00 to give itself a strong chance of contending for a trophy. With the team running well at the right time and coming off a sectional championship, Epiphany has an opportunity to turn its late-season improvement into a memorable state performance. Like St. Athanasius, the program has never won a state cross country trophy, adding extra significance to the challenge ahead.

St. Pius X enters the championship after delivering its best performance of the season at the Westmont Sectional, where it finished second. That result suggests the team is building momentum at an important point in the season and could be ready to challenge for a state trophy. Tommy Barrett leads the lineup and has the potential to earn all-state honors, giving St. Pius X a runner capable of scoring near the front of the field. The team's biggest priority will be keeping its scoring group together, with a first-to-fifth runner split under 50 seconds serving as an important target. A compact lineup would help St. Pius X take advantage of its front-end talent and remain competitive with the other trophy contenders. The program has never won a state cross country trophy, but its strong sectional performance provides reason for optimism. If Barrett leads the way and the rest of the team continues to improve, St. Pius X could make a run at the podium.

Champaign St. Matthew rounds out the group of teams looking to make a run at a state trophy. St. Matthew finished second at both the St. Joseph Invite and the Eastview Christian Church Sectional, demonstrating that it can compete near the front of strong fields. Jack Goldstein and Tommy Monahan lead the team, with both runners having the potential to earn all-state honors. Their performances will be important in keeping St. Matthew within reach of the leading teams, but the overall result will depend on the strength of the pack behind them. St. Matthew will need to keep its first-to-fifth runner split under 1:10 to remain in contention for a trophy. The program last won a state trophy in 2023 and will look to return to the awards stand this season. With two potential all-staters leading the way and a pair of runner-up finishes providing momentum, St. Matthew has a chance to challenge for a podium position if its entire lineup comes together on race day.

Projected Boys Team Finishes