2026 Pre-Season XC Previews: 1A Girls 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: Heather Bergbower, Avery Geier, Chloe Holsapple, Josie Vogt, Kim Bierman, Nora Street
New Additions: Chloe Holsapple (Fr.)
Coach Hopes For The Team: Support each other and improve everyday. This team would love to make some noise in the postseason but understand we will again be in a difficult sectional, but being a top 25 team in the state is not out of the question
Macomb
Head Coach/Coaches: Doug Bradley / Ryan Ames
Key Returners: Ava Weaver (Sr.), Laney Weaver (Sr.), Sofia Cardenas-Roman (Jr.), Khloe Diggs (So.), Leah Gorman (So.), Allexis Gray (So.), and Ella McKee (So.).
New Additions: Olyvia Clark (So.), Jalaine Archdale (Fr.), Chloe Depoy (Fr.), and Jaidyn Sollenberger (Fr.).
Coach Outlook: The team put four girls under 21:06 last year at the regional in Bartonville and they all return. Putting five under 21:06 at sectional this season might be enough to qualify them to state, especially if they can get some low sticks up front.
Edwardsville (Metro-East Lutheran)
Head Coach/Coaches: Kevin Reiseck / Scott Edwards, Sara Mudd
Key Returners: Lucy Doyle (Jr.), Marion Hemmer (Jr.), Moira Krueger (Jr.), Abby Ayer (Jr.), Lily Walloch (Jr.), Kaitlyn Pickerell (Sr.), Emilia Malcomb (Jr.)
New Additions: Caroline Stajkowski (Fr.), Agnes Hemmer (Fr.), Livy Packer (Fr.), Averie Stolle (Fr.), Meghan Maske (So.)
Coach Outlook: I'm really excited about the direction of this team heading into the season. Our athletes put together an outstanding summer of training, and their commitment to improving has been evident every step of the way. One of the biggest highlights was our four-day team camp, where we not only logged some great miles but also focused on developing leadership, accountability, and the culture we want to build as a program. The athletes created a set of team standards that they'll hold each other to throughout the season, and you can already see the chemistry and camaraderie that have come from that experience. We have a strong group of returning runners who bring valuable experience and leadership, along with several talented newcomers who will add depth and energy to our lineup. If we continue to trust the process and improve each week, I believe this team has the potential to accomplish some special things. Our goal is to be running our best when championship season arrives and to put ourselves in position to compete for conference, regional, and sectional success. Our goal is to continue climbing the rankings at the Sectional Meet, and I believe this group has a legitimate chance to earn the program's first trip to the IHSA State Finals in over 10 years. Individually, Lucy Doyle has put together an outstanding summer of training, and I expect that work ethic to translate into improved finishes at both the Regional and Sectional meets. We're excited to see what she—and the rest of the team—can accomplish this fall.
Seneca
Head Coach/Coaches: Kim Foster / Blake Slutz
Key Returners: Julie Mueller (Sr.), Taylor Schaefer (Jr.), Talia Jenkins (So.)
New Additions: Annika Jackson (Fr.), Aurora Jackson (Fr.), Josie Mueller (Fr.), Elly Thompson (Fr.), Addison Kilmer (Fr.)
Coach Outlook: I think our team will be stronger than last season. We have some young women who are excited for the season and are very coachable. The summer showed us that they are willing to put the work in and give us 100%. I'm happy with the current paces we are running at and hope to see many of the girls running sub 21 in the post season. This will be a fun group to watch over the next couple years.
Toulon (Stark County)
Head Coach/Coaches: Bob Rennick / James Owens
Key Returners: Dusti Smith (Sr.), Norah Rorem (So.), Darilis Knobloch (Jr.), Lyla Rosado (Sr.), Kaylee Goerks (So.)
New Additions: Gemma Listwan (Fr.), Brailynn Galli (Fr.)
Coach Outlook: We are very young this year and the new runners worked well over the summer. Dusti Smith and Norah had very good summer training sessions. The outlook of the team will depend on the development of the young runners. If they come along and make big progress, I think we will surprise people.
Princeville
Head Coach/Coaches: Jeremy Melick
Key Returners: Bethany Sennett (Sr.), Emma Davis (So.), Ella Buckley (So.), Aubrey Mareachen (So.)
New Additions: Aleah Martin (Fr.), Annie Hofmann (Jr.).
Coach Outlook: I think our girls had a mixed bag of a summer that wasn't necessarily by their choice. As I mentioned in earlier questions, Bethany had another strong, consistent summer. It has worked for her the last several summers and will once again put her in a position where I can push her during practices due to the base that she has built up. I think Emma and Ella started off their summers strong, but unfortunately ran into some injuries that halted the momentum they had been building up. They are currently working to build that back up and I'm excited to see what they can do in their second year of high school cross country, especially if I can help find a way to get them, and keep them, healthy. I think all of the girls are hard workers and have a desire to improve and get faster. They get along with one another and are enjoyable to coach. Those are all good qualities that will increase the likelihood that they improve this season.
Lisle
Head Coach/Coaches: Derek Miller
Key Returners: Jennifer Duban (Jr.), Dani Erickson (Sr.), Madi Madsen (So.), Molly Martin (Sr.),
New Additions: Ashley Ritchey (Jr.), Summer Klein (Jr.), Sadie Shields (Fr.), Lila Helderle (Fr.)
Coach Outlook: Dani Erickson will be the leader of our team this year as she is looking to break our school record of 18:43 and earn All-State honors. Ashley Ritchey and Summer Klein could put some pressure on Dani at the top, though, and that healthy competition will make our team even better. We have depth, though, and Jennifer Duban, Madi Madsen and Molly Martin all have State experience and could make the gap from our top 3 to our last 4 a lot smaller. Our 7th runner is a question mark, but there are a few runners who could fill that spot.
Sherrard
Head Coach/Coaches: Grant Iles / Laura Johnson, Zach Johnson, Matthew Schlehuber
Key Returners: Anna Churchill (Sr.), Sophia Bradarich (Jr.), Althea Gnatovich (So.), Kia Ray (So.), Glory Wakeland (So.)
New Additions: Kammie Swanson (Fr.), Khloe Kunz (Fr.)
Unexpected Losses: Kylie Mathis (Jr.)
Coach Outlook: Summer training has been strong. Lots of incoming sophomores still getting used to the training but huge improvements from day 1 to day 60 on the girls team. Anna Churchill is a contender to be All-State this season.
Robinson
Head Coach/Coaches: Lauren Cook / Jessica Anderson, Tony Cork
Key Returners: Terynn Loftis (Sr.), Karmyn Coffman (So.), Kira Williams (Sr.), Kaylin Doucet (So.), Alivia Bilyew (So.)
New Additions: Kwyn Goebel (Fr.), Aleighea Henry (Fr.), Clara Zinc (Fr.)
Coach Outlook: We have had a great turn out for summer running and everyone is working hard and motivated to get better. Our goal this season is to improve our times from last season and get better and more confident with each practice and each race.
Rock Island (Alleman)
Head Coach/Coaches: Shane Shemek / Josh Sherrod, Emma Beardsley
Key Returners: Sami Layer (Sr.), Ava, Rogers (Sr.), Shawn Gende (Sr.), Emma Mercy (Jr.), Lucy Trefry (So.), Maggie Reagan (Jr.), Lily Shrake (Sr.), Olivia Strupp (So.)
New Additions: Itzel Rosas (Fr.)
Coach Outlook: The Alleman Girls Cross Country team will be turning some heads this year. The improvement in running, confidence, and motivation from last year as a whole has been fun to watch. They are looking to prove something this year.
Tuscola
Head Coach/Coaches: Drew Sterkel
Key Returners: Sami Walker (Jr.), Amelia Manus (So.), Hanna Carswell (Sr.), Celeste Rebollo (Sr.), Bella Dueker (Sr.)
New Additions: Montsi Xolo (Sr.), Charlotte Coad (Fr.), Emma Spillman (Sr.)
Coach Outlook: The biggest strength this year will be our togetherness. In the past, when we went out for runs there were times that some would come back solo but this year they are working together and building eachother up, together. Our goal is to continue to compete at our home meet as well as try to make it to the sectional meet for the 4th straight year which would be the most in our girls program history.
