We kick off our 2A previews with the unranked girls teams! Here we highlight some teams that missed the cut to make the top 25. Learn about them here!
Urbana
Head Coach/Coaches: Zach Boehmke / Maggie Byrne, Justice Carter, Hawke Marlow
Last Year's Finish: 13th @ 2A Jacksonville Sectional
Key Returners: Marley Yau (So.), Genesis Walker (So.), Lily Schroeder (Jr.), Lavie Maisha-Wema (Jr.), Ellie Scully (Sr.), Syniyah Quenga (Sr.)
New Additions: Cadence Williams (So.), Madelyn Scherer (Fr.), Maria Poblano (Fr.)
Coach Boehmke's Outlook: Our team will be taking on a bit of a new identity this season. We graduated a large senior class led by two incredible people (Adam Fairbanks and Beatrice Ebel). The group has been working diligently on replacing the energy this previous senior class brought on a daily basis as well as making sure any drop-off that may take place from last year is minimal. Marley Yau loves to race and is someone who is looking to grab an all-state medal this season. Genisis Walker has overcome some IT Band woes to turn in her healthiest running yet, which will hopefully yield a season filled with personal bests as a strong #2 option. Lily Schroeder has pushed herself hard this summer, becoming the group’s leader and running a lot of miles with her teammates. The rest of our group needs to continue to work together, grow in their love for running and if we accomplish that, we should have a fun and rewarding season.
Sycamore
Head Coach: Adam Bezinovich
Last Year's Finish: 18th @ 2A Woodstock Sectional
Key Returners: Layla Janisch (Jr.), Zoe Field (Jr.), Maya Rivera (Sr.), Alyssa Stacy (Sr.), Carley Jones (Sr.), Kendall Green (So.)
New Additions: Layna Berry (Fr.), Kaitlyn Page (Fr.)
Coach Bezinovich's Outlook: Our number one runner this season should be a Layla Janisch. She had a great track season and finished the season running 2:23 for the 800 and qualifying for the state meet. She has had a great summer of running and looks to improve this season from last season where she ran 19:17 for a season PR for 3 miles. Our 2-5 this season will be made up of senior Maya Rivera, Junior Zoe Field, and Freshmen Layna Berry and Kaitlyn Page. Layna Berry and Kaitlyn Page have both been consistent this summer and will help us this season in the top 5. Zoe Field had a great summer last season and really improved her 3 mile time, and has had another great summer this year. Maya Rivera had a strong season last year finishing in our top 5, and has looked determined this summer at workouts.
Sandwich
Head Coach/Coaches: Elizabeth Vick / Brian Long and Mike Lee
Last Year's Finish: 7th @ 2A Woodstock Sectional
Key Returners: Sunny Weber (Jr.), Erin Lissman (Sr.), Joanna Rivera (Sr.), Emily Urbanski (Jr.), Karlee Henkins (Jr.), Hannah Treptow (Sr.), Kayla Kressin (So.), Norah Vick (So.)
New Additions: Lydia Cartwright (Fr.)
Coach Vick's Outlook: The summer training has proven to be successful. We have significant buy-in from the team with nearly everyone showing up every day, working hard, pushing each other, and having fun. We couldn't possibly ask for anything more from this group at this point in the pre-season. Our top 7-8 girls are a strong group that are hungry to improve. After placing as an individual at state for the past two years, Sunny Weber will be fighting for a state title. Erin Lissman is due for a huge PR, especially after the summer she's had. Overall, we're expecting significant improvement across our entire roster.
Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge)
Head Coach: Kelly MacDonald / Rachel Kautz, Judd Shutt
Last Year's Finish: 10th @ 2A Woodstock Sectional
Key Returners: Lila Stewart (Jr.), Nella Robinson (Sr.), Genvieve Torgerson (So.), Leah Berning (So.), Maggie Marchyshyn (So.), Lydia Jensen (Sr.)
New Additions: Emaline Foster (Fr.), Maeve Clough (Fr.), Anneka Dam (Fr.)
Coach McDonald's Outlook: Fall 2024 is going to be a rebuilding season. There are a lot of unknowns. Many first time runners are Track athletes trying XC for the first time. Most of our current team prefers shorter distances so making the transition to 3 miles will be a challenge for many of them. Some of our freshman runners look strong and could make an impact on the varsity team right away. It will be fun to see how this team comes together and how competitive they will be.
Marengo
Head Coach/Coaches: Kimberly Hoffmeister / Aaron Moehrlin
Last Year's Finish: 9th @ 2A Woodstock North Regional
Key Returners: Amy Smith (So.), Nikole Czepczysnki (Sr.), Regan Heimsoth (Jr.), Alexis Harris (Jr.), Charlie Bown (Jr.)
New Additions: Amber Hagen (So.), Leah Koelper (Fr.), Haylie Nava (Fr.), Jean Bown (Fr.), Charlotte Conroy (Jr.)
Coach Hoffmeister's Outlook: The Marengo girls' team has numbers and youth on its side this year. Nikole Czepczynski, the lone senior, brings confidence and leadership to the squad. Along with teammates Alexis Harris, Amber Hagen and Amy Smith, she anchored the all conference 4 x 800 team in track last spring. Amber has joined cross for the first time and looks to make an immediate impact. Freshman Jean Bown also joins after a very successful middle school career. There are always last minute additions to the team; the girls will field a full squad for the first time in many years.
Wauconda
Head Coach/Coaches: Jacob O'Hara and Lisa Wajrowski / Austin Pequeno
Last Year's Finish: 9th @ 2A Lakes Regional
Key Returners: Lily Schubert (So.), Kylah Blohm (So.), Emilia Jozwiak (Jr.), Isabella Renguso (So.)
New Additions: Teagan Kinzle (Fr.), Riley Blue (Fr.)
Coach O'Hara's Outlook: WXC is entering its second season under Coaches Wajrowski and O'Hara, and are looking to continue a rise to prominence in the NLCC and IHSA 2A scene. With strong young runners entering the program on the girls side and a returning core of dedicated runners on the boys side, the team looks to improve its standings in both conference and regional competition and see some athletes competing late into the IHSA postseason racing calendar. With a focus on culture, consistency, and improvement, the Bulldogs are hoping to be a sleeper and a spoiler in the 2024 XC season.
Arlington Heights (St. Viator)
Head Coach/Coaches: Bill Stanczak / Mike Olayos and Nick Fratto
Last Year's Finish: 8th @ 2A Lakes Regional
Key Returners: Caroline Schermerhorn (Sr.), Emily Walberg (Jr.), Allie Long (Jr.), Jada Baer (Jr.), Grace VanFossen (Jr.), Ava Moreno (So.)
New Additions: Maddie Long (Fr.), Yuliana Manzabares (Fr.), Molly Hayes (Fr.)
Coach Stanczak's Outlook: We embraced pack running last year to great effect, finishing top three in half of our races. This year we foresee much of the same, but with faster times. Caroline, Emily, Allie and Jada will lead the way, with Ava, Grace and the freshmen runners Maddie, Molly & Yuliana looking to push the pack. It is a lot to ask of the freshmen, but they have been running at a good clip over the summer, and I think a little bit of sibling rivalry has kept the whole team focused on our goals.
Burlington Central
Head Coach/Coaches: Vince Neil / Dan Morgan
Last Year's Finish: 14th @ 2A Woodstock Sectional
Key Returners: Abby Burke (Sr.), Teagan Cathcart (Sr.), Emie Davis (Jr.), Izzy Gutierrez (So.), Ivy Didomenico (), Lydia Rickard (So.), Kyla Wagner (Sr.), Ashley Drummond (Sr.)
New Additions: Marlee Christiansen (So.), Sophia Arnold (Fr.), Valentina Klassy (Fr.), Paisley Pollock (Fr.), Sophia Monaco (Fr.), Gianna Monaco (Fr.), Callie Pflug (Fr.)
Coach Neil's Outlook: Abby Burke and Teagan Cathcart will lead our team. They are the leaders on and off the course. The next 5 positions are all open for the taking. We believe that the young group of ladies coming in combined with the core of our returning athletes will piece together a solid team that can be competitive during the most important time of our schedule.
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