2026 IESA State Preview: 4A

The IESA 4A State Meet will bring together the top middle school cross country runners and teams from across Illinois at Maxwell Park in Normal. The individual races feature undefeated runners, returning state medalists, and several athletes capable of challenging for state titles. On the team side, both the boys and girls competitions feature multiple contenders, setting up close battles for the championship and the remaining trophy spots.

Girls Individuals

The IESA Girls 4A individual race features a loaded field with returning state medalists, track state champions, and several runners who have put together outstanding seasons. Callie Ding enters as the favorite after an undefeated campaign, but returning runner-up Chloe Crim and third-place finisher Julia Farley have the experience and credentials to challenge for the title. With a deep group of contenders behind the top three, the battle for the podium and the top 10 should be one of the highlights of the state meet at Maxwell Park in Normal.

Callie Ding (8th, Barrington [Station]) enters the state meet as the favorite after remaining undefeated throughout the season. Ding has won the Hawthorn Invite, Palatine Pack Meet of Champions, and Lake Zurich South Sectional, continuing to establish herself as one of the strongest runners in the classification. She finished 10th at last year's state meet and has since added impressive track results, placing fourth in the 800m and sixth in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet. With her consistency this fall and experience competing at the highest level, Ding will look to turn her undefeated season into a state championship.

Chloe Crim (8th, Shorewood [Troy]) will be one of the biggest threats to Ding after finishing second at last year's state meet. Crim has enjoyed another strong season, winning the Wildcat Invite, Channahon Invite, and Cronin Elementary Sectional after opening her campaign with a third-place finish at the Troy Invite. She also proved her ability to compete against the state's best on the track, winning the 800m and finishing third in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet. With a runner-up finish already on her résumé and state championship speed, Crim has a legitimate chance to take home the title.

Julia Farley (8th, Lemont [Old Quarry]) returns as another major championship contender after finishing third at last year's state meet. Farley has won the Parkside Invite and SDEAA Conference Meet while finishing second at both the Troy Invite and Cronin Elementary Sectional. Her success extends beyond the IESA circuit, as she finished 22nd at the USATF Junior Olympics cross country championships last year to earn All-American honors. She also placed second in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet. Farley has the experience and talent to challenge for the state title in what could be a thrilling battle at the front.

Vanessa Silva (8th, Bloomington) has steadily established herself as one of the top contenders in the field. Silva has won the Tom Koonce Redbird Invite, Intercity XC Meet, Kingsley Invite, and Lake of the Woods Sectional while finishing second at the Dunlap Invite. She also placed third at the Mascoutah XC Kickoff and fourth at Parkside, showing that she can compete against strong fields throughout the season. After finishing 18th at last year's state meet, Silva will look to make a significant jump this fall. Her 11th-place finish in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet adds to her credentials, and she has the potential to challenge for a top-five finish.

Maria Bollweg (8th, Arlington Heights South) could be one of the biggest challengers to the returning state medalists. Bollweg finished eighth at the Troy Invite before taking second at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions, one of the strongest fields on her schedule. She then capped that stretch with a victory at the Melas Park Sectional. That combination of success against high-level competition and a sectional championship gives Bollweg plenty of momentum heading into the state meet. If she delivers another performance like the one at Palatine, she could put herself in contention for a top-five finish.

Caitlyn Daniel (8th, St. Charles [Thompson]) returns to the state meet after finishing eighth last year and will look to move even closer to the podium. Daniel has won both the Kane County Invite and Mid-Valley XC Meet. She finished fourth at the Settlers Hill Sectional, but her previous state experience should give her confidence heading into the championship. With a top-eight finish already on her résumé, Daniel has the potential to challenge for a top-five spot if she puts together her best race of the season.

Aanya Patel (8th, St. Charles [Wredling]) has been one of the most consistent performers in the field and enters the state meet after winning the Fox Trot Invite and Settlers Hill Sectional. Patel also finished second at the Kane County Invite and Mid-Valley XC Meet, along with earning a victory at the Marmion Invite. Her ability to compete near the front across multiple meets makes her a serious contender in a deep field. With her recent sectional victory providing momentum, Patel has a chance to break into the top five and challenge the returning state medalists.

Samantha Chavez (7th, Palatine [Winston]) is one of the most intriguing runners in the field, especially considering she is still in seventh grade. Chavez won the D15 Championships and finished second at the Lake Zurich South Sectional, putting herself in position to contend with the classification's best runners. She also finished 14th at last year's state meet and showed impressive speed on the track, placing sixth in the 800m and seventh in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet. With that combination of experience and track ability, Chavez could make a significant move up the standings and challenge for a top-five finish.

Alexandra Koulentes (8th, Mt. Prospect [Lincoln]) returns after finishing seventh at last year's state meet and will look to build on that performance. Koulentes has been a consistent presence near the front of competitive fields, placing fourth at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic, third at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions, and sixth at the Troy Invite. She won the MSMAC Conference Meet before finishing second at the Melas Park Sectional. Koulentes also placed 12th in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet, giving her additional experience against top competition. With a top-seven state finish already behind her, she has a strong chance to contend for another top-five result.

Gabrielle Hamilton (7th, Minooka) has put together a promising season and could be a factor in the top 10. Hamilton finished second at both the Chicagoland XC Classic and Manhattan Invite before earning a victory at the Troy Invite. She also placed sixth at the Dunlap Invite and third at the Cronin Elementary Sectional. As a seventh grader, Hamilton has plenty of room to develop, but her results this season show that she can already compete with many of the top runners in the classification. A strong performance at Maxwell Park could put her among the top 10 finishers.

Adrienne Castillo (8th, Batavia [Rotolo]) has consistently produced strong results against the Kane County area competition. Castillo finished fourth at the Kane County Invite, second at the Marmion Invite, and third at the Mid-Valley XC Meet before taking second at the Settlers Hill Sectional. That runner-up finish at the sectional gives her momentum heading into the state championship. Castillo will look to carry that form into Normal and position herself among the top 10 runners in the field.

Kate Kusmerz (8th, Barrington [Prairie]) brings an impressive combination of cross country consistency and track speed into the state meet. Kusmerz finished second at the Hawthorn XC Invite, fifth at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions, and third at the Lake Zurich South Sectional. On the track, she placed fifth in the 800m and 10th in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet. Those performances show that she has the speed to compete with the top runners, particularly in the closing stages of the race. Kusmerz has the potential to make a push for a top-10 finish.

Lydia Leffelman (8th, Arlington Heights [South]) rounds out this group of top-10 contenders after putting together a consistent season against strong competition. Leffelman finished second at the St. Viator Artman Classic, sixth at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions, and seventh at the Fox Trot Invite. She then placed third at the Melas Park Sectional, positioning herself for a strong finish at the state meet. With several competitive performances under her belt, Leffelman will look to make another move forward and secure a top-10 finish.

Projected Girls All-Staters

Girls Teams

The IESA Girls 4A team race is shaping up to be one of the tightest battles of the state meet, with Mt. Prospect Lincoln, Batavia Rotolo, and defending champion Minooka all entering with legitimate championship aspirations. Lincoln and Rotolo have been dominant throughout the season, while Minooka has the experience of winning the title in 2025. All three teams have the depth to put multiple runners near the front, and the championship could come down to which program can produce the most all-state finishers. Behind the top contenders, Lemont Old Quarry, Yorkville, Shorewood Troy, and Barrington Prairie will look to break into the trophy conversation at Maxwell Park in Normal.

Mt. Prospect Lincoln enters as a co-favorite for the state championship after putting together a remarkable season. Lincoln has won the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic, Palatine Pack Meet of Champions, MSMAC Conference Meet, and Melas Park Sectional, establishing itself as one of the most complete teams in the classification. Alexandra Koulentes will lead the way as she looks to finish inside the top 10 individually, while Ada Wintermute, Lily Ryan, Julia Adamczyk, and Olivia Diakoumis give the team four more runners with all-state potential. With five girls capable of finishing among the state's best, Lincoln has the depth to challenge for the title. The key will be turning that potential into at least three all-state finishes. After placing fourth in 2025 and second in 2024, Lincoln will look to take the final step and capture the championship.

Batavia Rotolo has been one of the most consistent teams in the state this season and will enter the championship as another co-favorite. Rotolo has won the Kane County Invite, Marmion Invite, Mid-Valley XC Meet, Fox Trot Invite, and Settlers Hill Sectional while finishing second at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic. The team's strength lies in its balanced lineup, with Adrienne Castillo, Charlotte Costello, Audrina Korn, Sarah Kennedy, and Rebecca Halsall all having the potential to earn all-state honors. If Rotolo can get at least three runners into the all-state group, it will put itself in an excellent position to win the state title. The program finished second in 2025 and also took runner-up honors in 2023, along with a third-place finish in 2022. Rotolo has consistently been near the top of the classification, and this could be the year it finally breaks through for a championship.

Minooka will look to defend its state title after another dominant season. The Indians have won the Manhattan Invite, Dunlap Invite, Channahon Invite, and Cronin Elementary Sectional, building plenty of momentum heading into the championship. Gabrielle Hamilton, Elsie Thomas, Addy Vahl, and Rowen Slowinski will lead the way, with all four capable of earning all-state honors on the right day. Minooka has already demonstrated that it can deliver when the stakes are highest, winning the state championship in 2025 after finishing fourth in both 2024 and 2023. To repeat, the Indians will likely need at least three all-state finishers and a strong performance from the rest of their lineup. With championship experience and a successful season behind them, Minooka will be a serious threat to defend its crown.

Lemont Old Quarry could be one of the teams capable of disrupting the championship contenders and earning a state trophy. Lemont finished fourth at the Parkside Invite before winning the SDEAA Conference Meet and placing second at the Cronin Elementary Sectional. Julia Farley will headline the lineup and could be in contention for the individual state championship, giving Lemont a potential front-runner capable of scoring valuable points. Lexi Lewandowski also has the potential to earn all-state honors on the right day. For Lemont to reach the podium, the rest of the lineup will need to stay close together, with a one-through-five split under 1 minute and 10 seconds serving as an important target. If the team can maintain that balance behind Farley, it could make a push for a trophy.

Yorkville enters the state meet looking to return to the trophy stand for the first time since 2016. The team finished seventh at Parkside, third at both the Marmion Invite and Fox Trot Invite, and second at the Settlers Hill Sectional. Hadley Vaclavik and Quinn Gargo will lead the charge, with both runners having the potential to finish among the all-state competitors. For Yorkville to turn its strong season into a state trophy, keeping the one-through-five split under 30 seconds will be critical. That kind of pack running could allow the Foxes to score consistently throughout the lineup and challenge teams with stronger individual front-runners. With a runner-up sectional finish providing momentum, Yorkville has an opportunity to make a run at the podium.

Shorewood Troy has shown it can compete near the front of the classification after winning the Wildcat Invite and finishing third at the Cronin Elementary Sectional. Chloe Crim will be the centerpiece of the lineup and one of the leading contenders for the individual state championship. Her ability to finish near the front could give Troy a valuable low score, but the team's trophy hopes will depend on the runners behind her. If Troy can keep its second-through-fifth runners within 30 seconds of one another, it could have the pack strength needed to challenge for a state trophy. With Crim leading the way, Troy will look to complement its individual strength with a strong team performance.

Barrington Prairie rounds out the group of teams looking to make a push for the state trophy. Prairie finished fifth at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic and second at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions before winning the Lake Zurich South Sectional. Kate Kusmerz and Madeline Juster will lead the lineup, with both runners capable of earning all-state honors. The key for Prairie will be keeping its one-through-five split under one minute. Barrington Prairie finished fourth at the state meet in 2022 and will look to return to the podium after several seasons away. A strong performance from its top two, paired with a tightly packed group behind them, could put Prairie in the trophy conversation.

Projected Girls Teams

Boys Individuals

The IESA Boys 4A individual race will feature an undefeated favorite, a potential challenger who nearly caught him at sectionals, and a deep field of runners capable of making a run at the podium. Carter Janello enters as the runner to beat after dominating the season and winning three events at the IHSA Class 4A State Track and Field Meet. Eugene Preston will look to make things interesting after finishing close behind Janello last week, while Austin Ryter and seventh grader Owen Knecht headline the contenders for a top-three finish. With several more runners capable of breaking into the top 10, the championship at Maxwell Park in Normal should provide plenty of excitement.

Carter Janello (8th, Normal [Kingsley]) enters the state meet as the clear favorite after putting together an undefeated season. Janello has won the Intercity XC Meet, EPGJH XC Invite, Parkside Invite, Evans Invite, Dunlap Invite, Glenwood Halloween Race, Kingsley Invite, and Lake of the Woods Sectional. After finishing 14th at last year's state meet, he has taken a significant step forward and established himself as the runner to beat. His track season was equally impressive, as he won the 800m, 1600m, and 4x400m relay at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet. With his unbeaten record and championship experience, Janello will look to cap off his season with an individual state title.

Eugene Preston (8th, Urbana) could be the biggest threat to Janello after coming close to catching him at last week's Lake of the Woods Sectional. Preston has finished second at the Saber Corn Invite and Chrisman Cow Chip Invite while winning the Urbana Invite and UJHS Champaign County Meet. Although he finished eighth at the Dunlap Invite, his recent performances have shown that he can compete with the best in the classification. Preston also finished third at Detweiller at Dark this summer. If he can stay close to Janello through the final stages, Preston has a legitimate chance to challenge for the state championship.

Austin Ryter (8th, Arlington Heights [Thomas]) has put together an impressive season and enters the championship as a strong contender for the podium. Ryter finished third at the St. Viator Artman Classic and fifth at the Troy Invite before earning a major victory at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions. He followed that performance with another win at the Melas Park Sectional. Ryter also placed seventh in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet, giving him valuable experience competing against top-level runners. With his recent success and proven ability on the track, Ryter has the potential to challenge for a top-three finish.

Owen Knecht (7th, Geneva North) is one of the most exciting young runners in the field and has the results to contend for a top-three finish. Knecht has won the Marmion Invite, Mid-Valley XC Meet, and Settlers Hill Sectional while finishing second at the Fox Trot Invite. His ability to consistently finish near the front of competitive fields has made him one of the strongest runners in the classification. As a seventh grader, Knecht will have a chance to make a major statement against the state's top eighth graders. If he delivers another strong performance at Maxwell Park, he could find himself fighting for a spot on the podium.

Peter Jezior (8th, Mt. Prospect [Lincoln]) has been a consistent performer throughout the season and will look to turn that consistency into a top-five finish. Jezior placed fifth at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic and eighth at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions before finishing second at both the MSMAC Conference Meet and Melas Park Sectional. Those results show that he can compete near the front against strong fields, and his runner-up sectional finish gives him momentum heading into the championship. Jezior will look to stay within striking distance of the leaders and make a push for a podium position.

Luca Scarpelli (8th, St. Charles [Wredling]) appears to be peaking at the right time after producing his best performance of the season at the Settlers Hill Sectional, where he finished second. Scarpelli has also placed third at the Kane County Invite, Marmion Invite, and Mid-Valley XC Meet, showing impressive consistency throughout the fall. While he finished seventh at the Fox Trot Invite, his sectional performance suggests he is moving in the right direction heading into the state meet. If Scarpelli can carry that momentum into Normal, he has a strong chance to challenge for a top-five finish.

Matthew Jahnke (8th, Palatine [Winston]) brings an impressive combination of cross country consistency and track speed into the championship. Jahnke finished second at the NWCC Friendly and third at the Lake Zurich South meet before winning the D15 Championships. He then placed third at the Lake Zurich South Sectional, positioning himself for a strong state meet performance. On the track, Jahnke finished sixth in the 800m and fifth in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet. That experience against top competition should help him when the race gets tight late, and he has the potential to challenge for a top-five finish.

Noah Wahls (7th, Barrington [Prairie]) has emerged as a strong contender despite being just a seventh grader. Wahls finished third at the Hawthorn Invite and seventh at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic before taking second at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions. He then captured the Lake Zurich South Sectional title, showing that he can win against a competitive field. Wahls also placed 15th in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet, gaining valuable experience on the track. With his recent sectional victory and ability to compete near the front, Wahls has a chance to finish among the top 10.

Nathan Erickson (8th, Arlington Heights [Thomas]) gives Arlington Heights Thomas another potential top-10 finisher. Erickson placed fifth at the St. Viator Artman Classic and 10th at the Troy Invite before taking fourth at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions. He followed those results with a third-place finish at the Melas Park Sectional. Erickson also finished 16th in the 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet, giving him additional experience against some of the state's best runners. If he can build on his recent sectional performance, Erickson could work his way into the top 10.

Adrian Ferdinand (8th, Edwardsville [Lincoln]) has built momentum throughout the season and enters the championship after winning both the MEAC Conference Meet and Wilson Park Sectional. Ferdinand also placed fourth at the Mascoutah XC Kickoff and Coolidge Invite, showing that he can compete against strong competition across the state. His track credentials make him an especially interesting contender, as he finished third in both the 800m and 1600m at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet. That combination of speed and endurance could help him move up in the closing stages, and Ferdinand has a realistic chance to finish in the top 10.

Ben Underwood (8th, Danville [North Ridge]) will look to carry his strong track performances into the state cross country championship. Underwood finished second at the Parkside Invite and won the St. Joseph Invite before taking third at the Lake of the Woods Sectional. He also placed second in the 800m and seventh in the sprint medley relay at the IHSA Class 4A State Meet. His speed could be an advantage in a close finish, especially if he can remain in contact with the leading group. Underwood has the potential to challenge for a top-10 finish.

Nathan Jastrzab (7th, New Lenox [Liberty]) is another seventh grader capable of making an impact on the state stage. Jastrzab finished fourth at the Manhattan Invite, fifth at the Wildcat Invite, and second at the Channahon Invite before winning the Cronin Elementary Sectional. That sectional victory is an important sign heading into the championship, as it shows he can rise to the occasion against a strong field. Jastrzab will look to carry that momentum into Normal and compete for a top-10 finish.

Ethan Wiess (7th, St. Charles [Thompson]) rounds out this group of top-10 contenders after a consistent season against strong competition. Wiess finished second at both the Kane County Invite and Mid-Valley XC Meet before placing third at the Settlers Hill Sectional. Those results show that he can compete near the front and has the potential to make a move up the standings at the state meet. As a seventh grader, Wiess will have an opportunity to test himself against the classification's best runners and could finish among the top 10 with another strong performance.

Projected Boys All-Staters

Boys Teams

The IESA Boys 4A team race has a clear favorite in Arlington Heights Thomas, but several programs will be looking to challenge for the remaining spots on the podium. Thomas has the firepower to potentially score fewer than 50 points, while Lake Zurich North, Danville North Ridge, Lemont Old Quarry, Mt. Prospect Lincoln, Normal Kingsley, and Arlington Heights South all have reasons to believe they can bring home a state trophy. With several teams relying on tightly packed lineups and others counting on individual stars to lead the way, the battle for the podium at Maxwell Park in Normal should be competitive.

Arlington Heights Thomas enters the state meet as the team to beat after a dominant season. Thomas finished second at the St. Viator Artman Classic before winning the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions and Melas Park Sectional. The team has the potential to score fewer than 50 points if its top runners deliver their best performances on championship day. Austin Ryter, Nathan Erickson, Camden Erickson, and Anthony Hicks will lead the lineup, and all four have the potential to earn all-state honors. With that much firepower at the front, Thomas has the ability to build a commanding team score. The program finished second at the state meet in 2023 and will look to take the final step this year by capturing the championship.

Lake Zurich North will look to turn a strong season into a state trophy after finishing second at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions and winning the Lake Zurich South Sectional. Ryan Sanchez will lead the lineup and has the potential to finish among the all-state runners, giving the team a strong front-runner to build around. The key for Lake Zurich North will be the performance of its supporting pack. Nathan Czarnik, David Singeorzan, Colton Butterfield, and Camden Miller will need to stay within 10 seconds of one another to help the team score consistently across the lineup. If the group can maintain that tight formation, Lake Zurich North could be a serious contender for a podium finish.

Danville North Ridge has built momentum heading into the state meet after winning the St. Joseph Invite and Lake of the Woods Sectional. The team also finished fifth at the Parkside Invite, gaining valuable experience against strong competition. Ben Underwood and Roman Schweizer will lead the way, with both runners having the potential to earn all-state honors. For North Ridge to secure a trophy, the rest of the lineup will need to stay close behind its leaders. Keeping the one-through-five split under 45 seconds would put the team in a strong position to compete with the other podium contenders. With a sectional championship behind them, North Ridge will look to carry that momentum into Normal.

Lemont Old Quarry could be one of the teams to watch after delivering its best performance of the season at the Cronin Elementary Sectional, where it captured the championship. Lemont also finished second at the SDEAA Conference Meet, showing that it can compete near the front of a strong field. Alex Szkliniarz and Colin Nally will lead the lineup, and both have the potential to earn all-state honors. The key to a trophy will be the team's ability to keep its pack together, with a one-through-five split under 40 seconds serving as an important target. If Lemont can combine strong performances from its top two with a tightly packed group behind them, it could make a run at the podium.

Mt. Prospect Lincoln enters the state meet looking to end a long wait for another trophy. Lincoln finished third at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic, fourth at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions, second at the MSMAC Conference Meet, and third at the Melas Park Sectional. Peter Jezior will lead the lineup as a potential all-state finisher, while the return of Chris Marinov could provide a significant boost. If Marinov returns in strong form, he could give Lincoln another runner capable of competing near the front. The key will be keeping the one-through-five split under 40 seconds and making the most of that added depth. Lincoln has not won a state trophy since capturing the state championship in 2005, and this year's group will look to bring the program back onto the podium.

Normal Kingsley will be led by individual favorite Carter Janello, giving the team one of the strongest front-runners in the classification. Kingsley has won the Intercity Invite, Evans Invite, Glenwood Halloween Race, and Kingsley Invite while finishing second at the EPGJH XC Invite, Dunlap Invite, and Lake of the Woods Sectional. The team also placed third at Parkside, gaining experience against a competitive field. Janello's ability to win could provide a valuable low score, but the team's trophy hopes will depend on the runners behind him. Keeping the one-through-five split under 55 seconds will be important if Kingsley wants to compete with the deepest teams in the field. The program finished fourth in 2018 and will look to return to the podium with another strong championship performance.

Arlington Heights South rounds out the group of teams with a realistic chance to challenge for a state trophy. South finished fourth at the Plainfield Pack Labor Day Classic and third at the Palatine Pack Meet of Champions before winning the Fox Trot Invite. The team then placed second at the Melas Park Sectional, positioning itself well heading into the championship. Samuel Pagnotto will lead the lineup as a potential all-state runner, but the team's overall finish will depend on the strength of its supporting pack. Keeping the one-through-five split under 40 seconds will be critical to its trophy hopes. South finished third at the state meet in 2022 and will look to return to the podium by combining a strong performance from Pagnotto with consistent scoring throughout the lineup.

Projected Boys Teams