2026 Pre-Season XC Previews: 1A Boys Teams Unranked

While the teams ranked in our preseason Top 25 enter the season with the highest expectations, they are far from the only programs capable of making an impact this fall. Illinois Class 1A is filled with talented squads that narrowly missed the rankings and have the potential to emerge as contenders as the season progresses. The teams featured below were not included in our preseason rankings but had their coaches complete the preseason questionnaire that was sent via email, allowing us to provide a preview of their returning athletes, key additions, and outlook for the 2026 season. These programs will certainly be worth following as they look to exceed expectations and make their presence felt throughout the fall.

Newton

Head Coach/Coaches: Tim Bower

Key Returners: Holden Barthlemey, Alec Bower, Kendall Probst, Levi Salyers, Jeremiah Hills

Coach's Outlook: We are young and a small team. I do feel like Alec Bower was hitting it hard right after track season so he might make an improvement. We want to support each other and improve everyday.

Athens

Head Coach/Coaches: Layne Hill / James Goodenow

Key Returners: Michael Mitchell (Sr.), Clayton Dunford (So.), Sawyer Hill (Sr.),

New Additions: Hunter Susko (Fr.), Noah Sokolis (Fr.), Quinton King (Fr.)

Coach's Outlook: I think our top 2 are ready for a big jump from last season. Michael Mitchell has had a great summer already, and has some big goals to chase down for this fall. His workouts are already better than they were during peak XC last year, so staying healthy for him will be the primary goal. Clayton Dunford has been in Mesa, AZ the last month and a half training. He has gotten some good base miles in the dry heat, but hoping he can take that and turn it into a great fall! These two were 15:50 and 17:30 last season, so expect to see those marks fall pretty early on!

Broadlands (Heritage)

Head Coach/Coaches: Charles Montgomery

Key Returners: Clark Roland, Christian Paul, Greyson Guevara, Colby Schrock, Owen Elmore

Coach's Outlook: Our summer preparation has been a bit of an uphill climb with some up-and-down moments due to injuries, but because we’ve committed to higher overall mileage and integrated more dynamic workouts than in years past, I expect to see much better results this season. Leading the pack is our top runner, Clark Roland; though he is currently recovering from an ankle injury, he has been putting in massive cross-training work on the bike and in the pool. We hope to see him running with full confidence about three weeks into the season, eye on his goal to win a State title—though a Top 5 finish would absolutely make for a successful year. We are also eager to welcome back Christian Paul by mid-season as he recovers from surgery. Christian is a naturally gifted, remarkably strong runner, and once we get him competing pain-free, we'll really see what he is capable of. Adding fantastic depth and competitive fire to our varsity squad, Greyson Guevara and Colby Schrock are poised to push one another daily, providing great mutual support while battling for position. Meanwhile, our second-year runner, Owen Elmore, is highly motivated and ready to be pushed to his limit to secure those critical team points. If we can navigate these early-season recoveries and stay focused, this group has all the ingredients for a fantastic breakthrough season.

Macomb

Head Coach/Coaches: Doug Bradley / Ryan Ames

Key Returners: Alex Simmons (Sr.), Marc Simmons (Sr.), Eymen Tasdan (Sr.), Xander Merritt (Jr.), Grant Potteet (Jr.), Jackson Petitgout (So.), Landon Richards (So.)

New Additions: Alaric Gordon (So.) Owen Haley (So.), Ethan Sherwood (So.) Leslie Antah (Fr.), Frasier Brown (Fr.), Ben Enroth (Fr.), Apurva Kapale (Fr.), TJ Steele (Fr.)

Coach's Outlook: Can this team compete for a top six sectional finish in Elmwood at the end of October? The answer is yes if there is significant improvement out of each returning runner from a year ago. They will also need to stay healthy as the depth pieces are young and will need time to develop. This coach is unfamiliar with the Class 1A landscape as I’ve spent my entire high school coaching career in class 2A. What I do know is that the Elmwoods, the EPGs and the Eurekas would be perennial state qualifiers in class 2A. I also know that IVC got bumped down to 1A this year and expect them to be qualifying out of Elmwood too. 

Dwight

Head Coach/Coaches: Lawrence Lane / Stephanie Stickel

Key Returners: Joe Faris (Sr.), David Allen (So.), Michael Josefik (So.), Luke Josefik (Sr.)

New Additions: Axel Kargle (Jr.), Moises Martin (Jr.)

Coach's Outlook: Our summer attendance and running are as good as I can remember as a xc coach. The athletes are excited for the season to start. Health and determination to succeed is quite high. I have seen improvement in everyone since summer work began. The sessions the team is putting is the necessary miles to build a great base for fall success. We are about ready to run hills and lactate intervals. We have not discussed goals yet. In the last 11 seasons, we have sent 2 squads to a sectional and I believe the 2026 team is stronger than either one of those fine teams. We could put 5 runners ahead of our number 2 finisher’s time from the 2025 conference meet. Compared to the 2015 and 2023 years, our 2026 team is better than each of the 6 spots of those previous squads. When we run a full team, our placing in meets will be much better than the 2025 season. Joe Faris is our #1 and expects to be a low number in every race. Axel Kargle and David Allen will be the best #2 and #3 runners in a long time. Our #4 and #5, Moises Martin and Michael Josefik are also an improvement over recent finishers in those spots. Our 6 th runner, Luke Josefik, was a great leader for us last season and will be again.

Manteno

Head Coach/Coaches: Troy Mitchell

Key Returners: Max Marshal (Jr.)

New Additions: Nick Iwanus (Sr.), Noah Nevel (Fr.), Lucas Skrobot (Fr.), Kolton Kramerich (Fr.), Dylan Hoots (Fr.), Declan Matys (Fr.)

Coach's Outlook: It would be great to have a few All Conference individuals and possibly at least one individual State qualifier. This is our youngest team in many years. Our freshmen boys have put in a lot of good work this summer, which will help prepare us for a competitive f/s Team early in the season and a great foundation for the future of our boy’s team!

Amboy

Head Coach/Coaches: Michael Robinson

Key Returners: Henry Nichols, Anthony Linder, Tyler Mahar, Otto Horner, Jhett Cowser, Landon Carter

New Additions: Channing Bellows (Jr.), Damien Bender (Jr.)

Coach's Outlook: This team has a chance to be one of the better teams I have had. They are hungry and want to prove they are a good team. Henry, Anthony and Tyler have been working really hard and ran at Detweiller a couple weeks ago. Our goal is to make it to state as a team.

Aledo (Mercer County)

Head Coach/Coaches: Peter Nelson

Key Returners: Collier Fisher, Brady McPeek, Josh Struble, Payton Thirtyacre, Paxton Cardine, Silas Hays, DJ Senatra

New Additions: Brendan Bernas (Jr.), Parker Simpson (Fr.)

Coach's Outlook: I see our boys competing and grinding out races. It is a very gritty, scrappy boys team. I know better than to ever count them out. The goal is to stay healthy and hungry. This team is a fairly new breed of team. What we lack in depth, we make up for with ability and experience. Comparing the boys team with the girls team looks very different with a very deep girls team. But it doesnt change the fact you need 5 really good races to compete in 1A. And we have a very capable and competitive boys squad.

Seneca

Head Coach/Coaches: Kim Foster / Blake Slutz

Key Returners: Callum Wright, Liam Baima, Landon Hebel, Brady Fort, Chris Thompson, Alex Gagnon, Pierce Gilbertson, Henry Tallarico

New Additions: Camryn Chapman

Coach's Outlook: I think our team is going to have a good season and see improvements on individual times. I hope to see our top 5 running sub 18s. This group of young men are very coachable and will listen to the racing strategy I give them.  We will pack together and pick each other up when needed.

Sullivan

Head Coach/Coaches: Isaiah Plank

Key Returners: Grant Martin, David Eaton, Bryson Wilson, River Polley, Gavin Finn, Austin Martin, Dakota Polley

Unexpected Losses: Easton Wickline

Coach's Outlook: In years past the Sullivan Redskins have been a team competing largely on the high competitive level of Johnathon Iacobazzi backed up by Grant Martin and then a pretty significant gap to the third runner. This year will be quite a bit different as we will be led by Grant Martin who will be expected to be a strong lead runner. What makes this season different is that I expect our 2 and 3 runners to be much closer to Grant than last year and then our 4 and 5 will be similar to the level of our number 3 last year. So while we lost an all stater we may be more competitive this year and be able to compete a little better. Specifically look for big jumps in performance from both David Eaton and Bryson Wilson led by Grant Martin and the top five rounded out by some combination of River Polley, Austin Martin, and Gavin Finn. 

Toulon (Stark County)

Head Coach/Coaches: Bob Rennick / James Owens

Key Returners: Evan Knobloch, Jackson Smith, Will Denton, Keyshon Webster, and Aidan Grinnell.

New Additions: Levi Sparks

Coach's Outlook: Anytime you have Evan Knobloch running for you, well you’re gonna have a chance. Jackson Smith will take a step up this year and I am hoping for the same from Will Denton. I would hope spectators would see a team of hard workers and competitors. I think we will perform at a higher level, but how much higher will depend on the dedication I see.

Sparta

Head Coach/Coaches: Jordan Beckley / Eric Bayless

Key Returners: Seniors- Korbin Zweigart, Juniors- Max Baue, William Haynes, Sophomores- Logan Sternberg, Chris Moreno

New Additions: Parker Klausing, Hayden Montroy

Coach's Outlook: We have some kids who are hungry to get better. Coach Bayless does an amazing job of developing them as runners. They have put in the time over the off-season; hopefully, that translates to their times during the season as expected.

Princeville

Head Coach/Coaches: Jeremy Melick

Key Returners: Hunter Keyster (Jr.), Jacob Bosch (Sr.), Collin Bowers (Jr.), Michael Winters (Jr.)

New Additions: Alex Bohm, Blake Carroll, Colton Keyster, Easton Lynch

Coach's Outlook: We will have to wait and see what strengths emerge as the season goes on.  If someone watched our team race, I hope they would see a team that runs smart, competitive races.  I hope they would see athletes who give it their best each day, knowing that each day is different and their "best" one day may not be the same as their "best" another day.  I hope they would see a team who supports one another, gets along, and enjoys each other's company.  I hope they see a team that they would want to be a part of.

Lisle

Head Coach/Coaches: Derek Miller

Key Returners: Lincoln Calfo (12), Blake Madsen (10), Liam Newton (11), Aiden Slehofer (12), Simon Klein (12), Cayden Denhart (10)

New Additions: Charlie Wang (11), Carson Thomas (9), Luke Erickson (9), Steven King (9)

Unexpected Losses: Jimmy Mullen

Coach's Outlook: Last year our girl's team qualified for State for the first time in almost two decades, but just barely. I knew at the beginning of last year that the girls had the talent to qualify but needed a lot to go right. I think the boys are in a similar position this season. They have the talent to make State, but we need some things to go our way and we need to avoid injuries. If the boys stay focused on the goal of State and do the right things over the course of the season, State will be within their grasp.

Piasa (Southwestern)

Head Coach/Coaches: Amber Stewart / Kelly Gwillim

Key Returners: Thor Springman, Chase Kallal, Brayden Anderson, Trevor Rodney, Nate Clendenen, Renner Walden

New Additions: Easton Pruiett

Coach's Outlook: The team has been working hard over the summer months to be prepared to start the season where I want. I see Thor Springman running his best time ever, with Chase right behind him.  The rest of the boys have the learning curve to learn pace and timing, as none of the other boys have run cross-country previously.

Rock Island (Alleman)

Head Coach/Coaches: Shane Shemek / Josh Sherrod, Emma Beardsley

Key Returners: Cristian Saucedo(jr), Logan Kean(jr), Ben Debisschop(jr), Leo Graf(so), Audey Hobert(Sr), Owen Mathews(sr), Isaiah Rosas(jr)

New Additions: Ethan Sherrod(fr), Colton Randazzo(fr), Finnian Milner(fr)

Coach's Outlook: The Alleman boys Cross Country team is thirsty for state again after they had a taste for it last year.  They showed some success during the spring becoming all-staters in the 4x800 in state track last year and a few other underclassmen were on the edge of qualifying for state individually.  As the saying goes, October won't hide how their summer was spent.

Heyworth

Head Coach/Coaches: Eric Updegraff / Olivia Bonnell

Key Returners: Colt Stiehl, Kameron Leesman, Caleb Carpenter, Gabriel Roehrig, Garrett Reeser, Eddie Rutledge, Landon Nieslawski, Jack Hanrahan, Hunter Samuelson

New Additions: Parker Kollross (Fr.)

Coach's Outlook: We are excited about the potential of this year's group, given that many of our top runners are still underclassmen. Colt Stiehl and Kameron Leesman return after leading us last season, and both had strong summers that should put them in position to take another step forward. Incoming freshman Parker Kollross had an outstanding summer and gives us a third runner who could make a significant impact immediately. We have a large group competing for our 4-7 spots and I think that daily competition in practice will bring out the best in this group. The potential for this group to make some noise in the postseason is there, but potential doesn't score any points at the end of October.