By Michael Newman

mike@dyestat.com

 

Here is a look at each of the 15 3A regional s that will take place throughout Illinois on Saturday. The top six teams along with the next five runners on a non-qualifying team will qualify for the sectional meets on November 1.

 

Chicago Marist Sectional

 

Hinsdale Central Regional @ Katherine Legge Memorial Park

 

Girls (11:00 AM) - #2 Hinsdale Central did not run their best race (or worst race) of the year last weekend at their conference meet when they finished second behind #1 Glenbard West. The Red Devils should have front runner Alexa Haff back in their top seven after being held out for precautionary reasons. Even without Haff, this team is still the favorite to win this regional. #18 Downers Grove South and #20 Downers Grove North should battle for the second spot. Lyons Township did not have a good race at conference. Watch for the Lions to bounce back in this meet. Haff, if running, should be the individual favorite. Otherwise, watch for teammate Annie Zaher to be the favorite.

 

Boys (11:45 AM) – It will be the third week in a row and the fifth time this season that #1 Hinsdale Central and #4 Lyons Township have raced against each other. The two will push each other to some fast times Saturday morning at Katherine Legge. The key will be to see if Lyons Township can move their pack closer to the front. #16 Downers Grove North will look to bounce back after a dismal team race at Proviso West last week. WSC-Gold rivals Morton and Downers Grove South could surprise for a top three finish. Ryan Clevenger (North HS, Downers Grove) made it look easy in his conference win last week. He should be the favorite in this regional. Chris Brenk and Blake Evertsen (Hinsdale Central HS) and Connor Madell (Lyons Township HS, LaGrange) will challenge for the next spot.

 

Lockport Regional @ Dellwood Park

 

Girls (10:00 AM) – Host #10 Lockport should be the favorite in this meet with #17 Neuqua Valley and #22 Oswego will push to knock off the Porters. Oswego East, Plainfield South, Bolingbrook, and Plainfield North should challenge for the final three qualifying spots. Morgan Bollinger (Lockport Township HS), Rachael Lau (North HS, Plainfield) and Alexis Grigg (South HS, Plainfield) will all battle for the regional individual championship.

 

Boys (10:30 AM) - #3 Neuqua Valley ran a tight 24 second split last week in dominating their conference meet. They will look to take the next step forward on Saturday. The Wildcats should be the favorite in this regional. #18 Oswego surprised #20 Plainfield South last week at their conference. The Cougars will look to bounce back. They will need to move their tight pack up a little to challenge the strong front two runners of Oswego. Oswego East and Plainfield North should take the next two qualifying spots. Peter Johnsrud (Oswego HS) and Connor Horn (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville) are the individual favorites. Michael Widmann and Daniel Weiss (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville), Jack Sebok (North HS, Plainfield), Sergio Llanes and Joseph Suarez (East HS, Plainfield), and Bennett Peterson (Oswego HS) will challenge for the next spots.

 

Orland Park Sandburg Regional @ Midlothian Meadows

 

Girls (10:00 AM) – Sandburg ran a good race last week in finishing second in their conference meet behind Lockport. The Eagles should be the meet favorite on their home course ahead of Marist, Trinity, and Mother McAuley. Mary Clare Leonard (Marist HS, Chicago) will be challenged by Casey Jensen (Sandburg HS, Orland Park) in the individual race.

 

Boys (10:30 AM) – The depth will be displayed in this regional by #2 Sandburg. The past few years at the regional meets, Sandburg did not run their top five runners. Even with their 6-12 runners, the Eagles should be the big favorite in this meet. Shepard and Oak Lawn should be the next teams behind Sandburg. Martin Skucas and Greg Burzinski (Sandburg HS, Orland Park) will be challenged by Caleb Washington (Shepard HS, Palos Heights) for the regional individual title.

 

Quincy Sectional

 

Belleville West Regional

 

Girls (10:30 AM) – This should be a replay of the Southwest Conference Meet that took place on this same course last week. O’Fallon’s pack won out ahead of Edwardsville in that race. We should see close to the same thing Saturday morning. Conference champion Lizzie Lynn (Edwardsville HS) should be the favorite in this race.

 

Boys (11:30 AM) – Just like the Girls race, this race could be a replay of the conference meet. #21 Edwardsville was only 10 points behind #14 O’Fallon in that race. The question will be if O’Fallon will rest some of their top runners in this race. That will be the question when we approach race time. Dorrian Gordon (O’Fallon HS) should be the favorite ahead of Brydon Groves-Scott (Edwardsville HS) if both runners are in the race.

 

Minooka Regional @ Channahon Park

 

Girls (10:00 AM) - #12 Minooka has a strong first three and should roll to the team title in their own regional. The key for their team is to see if their 5 runner split goes under 100 seconds in this race. Normal Community looked strong in their second place effort in the Big 12 meet last Saturday. They could make things interesting. Lincoln-Way Central, Moline, and Providence will be the next teams to advance. Rock Island and Pekin should challenge for the final qualifying spot. Ashley Tutt has run strong the past weeks. She should be the favorite in this race. Teammate Mackenzie Callahan along with Danielle Beckstead (Normal Community HS) and Ayook Aguen (Rock Island HS) should also be towards the front.

 

Boys (10:45 AM) - #22 Lincoln-Way Central should be the favorite in this race but Big 12 champion Normal Community could challenge the Knights. Minooka, Pekin, Moline, and East Moline United should be the next teams in. Austin Peters (Normal Community HS), Tommy Kolacki & Ian Peterson (Lincoln-Way Central HS, New Lenox), and Gabe Ceballos (Minooka HS) will be up front in the individual race.

 

Tinley Park Andrew Regional @ Turtlehead Lake

 

Girls (10:00 AM) – Lincoln-Way North and Joliet West should challenge for the regional championship. Charlotte Youell (West HS, Joliet) will be pushed by Carly Marchal (Lincoln-Way North HS, Frankfort) and Kristy Dertz (Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort) for the individual regional title.

 

Boys (10:45 AM) – Joliet Central, Lincoln-Way North, and Joliet West will be the favorites to win the team title. North has the strong front runners that give them the edge. Raul Rosendo (Central HS, Joliet) will be the individual favorite.

 

Schaumburg Sectional

 

Hoffman Estates Regional @ Busse Woods, Schaumburg

 

Girls (10:00 AM) – Three of the top 15 3A teams are in this field. It should be a close race. #9 Schaumburg finished second on this course last week in the MSL Meet. If they have a runner in the first three with a tight pack that they have exhibited in their last two races, the Saxons could be on top. #13 Fremd & #14 Hoffman Estates have the top runners to challenge Schaumburg in this meet for the team championship. Prospect, Conant and Rolling Meadows should be the favorites to capture the final three qualifying spots in this ten team field. It should be a great individual race. Ayako Higuchi & Katie Escobar (Fremd HS, Palatine),Ali Gutt & Ellie O’Connell (Schaumburg HS),  Megan Biddle (Hoffman Estates HS) Brooke Wilson (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect), and Sydney Davis (Conant HS, Hoffman Estates) will be up front in this race.

 

Boys (11:00 AM) - #12 Hersey should be the team favorite in this meet after they captured the MSL crown last week. Prospect, Hoffman Estates, Wheeling, and Conant should be the next teams to qualify. How will Zach Dale race on this Saturday a week before his showdown against McHenry’s Jesse Reiser? Dale should roll to a win in this race. David Rodriguez (Hersey HS, Arlington Heights) and Justin Loquercio (Wheeling HS) should battle each other for the second spot.

 

Libertyville Regional @ Adler Park

 

Girls (2:00 PM) – Host #25 Libertyville will look for a little revenge after finishing four points behind #23 Warren for second in the North Suburban Conference meet. It was Warren’s pack that put five runners in before Libertyville’s third that was the difference in that meet. Libertyville’s pack will need to move up just a little bit. Grant and Stevenson should battle for the next spot. Melissa Manetsch (Libertyville HS) won the NSC Conference race last week. The freshman should be the favorite in this race. She will be pushed by teammate and fellow freshman Avryl Johnson, Becky Haight (Warren Township HS, Gurnee), Kaitlyn Ko (Buffalo Grove HS), and Isabelle Sparreo (Stevenson HS, Lincolnshire).

 

Boys (2:30 PM) - #15 Buffalo Grove was only four points behind MSL Champ Hersey last week with a 52 second split. Watch for the Bison pack to get a little tighter this week. They should be the favorite in this meet. Stevenson, Warren, Highland Park, Libertyville, Mundelein, and Grant will fight for the five remaining qualifying spots. Kevin Salvano (Buffalo Grove HS), Sam Oh and Jared Borowsky (Stevenson HS, Lincolnshire), Ben Casey (Highland Park HS), and Dustin Macuiba (Warren Township HS, Gurnee) will be the runners to watch for the individual regional title.

 

Palatine Regional @ Deer Grove East Forest Preserve

 

Girls (10:00 AM) – This could be the toughest Girls 3A girls regionals in the state with seven ranked teams in DyeStat Illinois’ sectional rankings in this meet. #3 Palatine will be the team to watch in this meet. Their strong front running will be the difference in them winning on their home course. #15 Lake Zurich looked strong in winning the North Suburban Conference Meet. The Bears should qualify out of this regional. #16 Barrington did not have a great race last week in the MSL. They have the good front running that should advance them out. Crystal Lake South finished ahead of Jacobs, McHenry, and Cary Grove in the FVC last Saturday. Cary was without Morgan Schulz in last week’s meet. If she is out again, the Trojans may have trouble making it out. Grant finished sixth last week in the NSC but was only eight points out of fourth. This team could be a surprise. Kelly O’Brien (Palatine HS) and Lauren Van Vlierbergen (Jacobs HS, Algonquin) are two of the top runners in the state. They should push each other to fast times at Deer Grove East. Lauren Conroy and Jocelyn Long (Barrington HS) Caitlin Shepard (Lake Zurich HS), Lauren Opatrny (McHenry HS), Amy Kieliszewski and Megan Beach (Palatine HS), and Madison Romig (Grant HS, Fox Lake) should be the runners to watch in the next pack behind O’Brien and Van Vlierbergen.

 

Boys (11:00 AM) – It could be the same kind of pressure in the Boys race as seven teams could battle for the six qualifying spots. Ever since Lake Zurich coach JB Hanson moved three of his frosh/soph runners up to varsity before the Wheeling Invitational, the Bears have taken off winning that invitational and the NSC last week. #10 Lake Zurich should be the team favorite in this meet. Host #25 Palatine is peaking at the right time after their fourth place finish at the MSL. They have the potential to make it down state. They should advance also. Crystal Lake South won the FVC last week and should push Palatine for the second spot along with Barrington. Jacobs, Grant, and McHenry should battle for the final two spots. The individual race should be dynamite. Jesse Reiser (McHenry HS) will be the favorite in this regional. He will be pushed by Graham Brown (Palatine HS) and Matt Pereira (Lake Zurich HS). Jack Becker (South HS, Crystal Lake) Michael Hahndorf (McHenry HS), Brian Leonard (Palatine HS), Kyle Monahan (Barrington HS), and Frank Cardy (Grant HS, Fox Lake) should be in the next pack.

 

Skokie Niles West Sectional

 

Chicago St. Ignatius Regional @ Washington Park

 

Girls (3:00 PM) - #24 St. Ignatius will be the slight favorite in this regional team chase. Northside Prep, Whitney Young, and Lane Tech all finished within four points at the Chicago Public League Championships last week. The three teams will battle for the second spot. It should be a tight race for the individual regional championship with Kyleigh Spearing (St. Ignatius Prep, Chicago), Maggie Scholle (Lane Tech HS, Chicago), and Jocelyne Mendoza (Taft HS, Chicago) all challenging for the top spot.

 

Boys (3:30 PM) - #7 St. Ignatius and #13 Jones College Prep should be the top two teams in this regional. St. Ignatius has the solid front runners. Jones ran a 36 second split at Palatine and will need to get their front runners closer to that of St. Ignatius. Whitney Young and Lane Tech should be the next teams in line to advance. Pavlo Hutsalyuk (Lane Tech HS, Chicago) and Dan Santino (St. Ignatius Prep, Chicago) will be the runners to watch in the individual race. Andy Weber (St. Ignatius Prep, Chicago), Kyle Maloney and Mark Protsiv (Jones College Prep, Chicago), Clayton Mendez (Whitney Young HS, Chicago), and Abraham Tobias (Taft HS, Chicago) should be also near the front.

 

Roselle Lake Park Regional @ Lake Park East Campus, Medinah

 

Girls (1:00 PM) - #1 Glenbard West is the big favorite in this regional meet. I would not be surprised if they put 7 runners in the first 11. #19 Fenwick has come on strong since the beginning of October. They should be the second team in this meet. Glenbard East, York, and Oak Park-River Forest should be the next three teams in. A great individual matchup with Lindsey Graham (Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn) and Olivia Ryan (Fenwick HS, Oak Park) vying for the individual championship.

 

Boys (2:00 PM) – The team that has come on strong over the past few weeks is #5 Glenbard West. The Hilltoppers were only two points behind Lyons Township in placing third at the WSC-Silver meet. They have a strong first three. Their pack needs to get closer together (last week: 52 seconds) if they want to win this regional. #9 York was only three points behind Glenbard in the WSC-Silver. If Matt Plowman can run with freshman Charlie Kern, York could leave Lake Park with the regional win. Oak Park-River Forest and Fenwick should challenge for the next two spots. The individual race is up for grabs with Chris Buechner (Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn) Matt Plowman and Charlie Kern (York HS, Elmhurst) and Jimmy Fuentas (Willowbrook HS, Villa Park) favorites to win the regional championship.

 

Wilmette Loyola Academy Regional @ Harms Woods

 

Girls (2:00 PM) – This could be an interesting race. #5 New Trier is the clear favorite. After that, it could be murky who will finish in the next five spots. Loyola Academy looked strong in their second place finish in the GCAC on this same course. Glenbrook South was second at the CSL Meet. They should advance to Niles West. Maine South, Evanston, and Niles West are teams that could qualify. Mimi Smith (New Trier HS, Winnetka) is the big favorite to win the individual race.

 

Boys (2:45 PM) – Two of the top six teams in this sectional complex will challenge for the regional championship. #6 Loyola Academy has the good pack led by Jack Carroll up front. #9 New Trier also has a similar good pack led by Jack Rosenkranz. #19 Maine South should easily advance. Niles North, Glenbrook North, and Glenbrook South should be the other three teams to advance. The individual race is wide open with Rosenkranz, Carroll, Henry Mierzwa (Maine South HS, Park Ridge), and Dhruvil Patel (Niles North HS, Skokie) challenging for the regional championship.

 

St. Charles East Sectional

 

Carol Stream Glenbard North Regional @ Camera Park, Glendale Heights

 

Girls – #8 Geneva came on strong last week to tie Batavia for the overall UEC Championship. Their front runners up front will need a solid pack under one minute to win. #10 Wheaton Warrenville South has the good runners up front. It will come down to a runner on runner battle between these two teams. #21 St. Charles East should bounce back after their UEC performance. They could be the wildcard in this race. Streamwood, St. Charles North, and Wheaton North should take the final three qualifying positions. Audrey Ernst (North HS, St. Charles) and Gabby Juarez (Streamwood HS) were separated by less than a second last week. The two should challenge each other again. The individual race is deep. Wheaton Warrenville South’s Sara Atkins and Allison McGrath should challenge up front along with Torree Scull (East HS, St. Charles), and Emma Ehrhart & McKenzie Altmayer (Geneva HS).

 

Boys - #24 St. Charles East is the big favorite for the team championship. Wheaton North, Wheaton-Warrenville South, Geneva, and St. Charles North should also advance. Kyle Cepeda (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS) will be the individual favorite.

 

Rockford Guilford Regional @ Searls Park

 

Girls – Huntley and Rockton Hononegah should be the two teams to watch as the regional favorites. Kelly Meehlieb (Huntley HS) finished sixth at the FVC Meet. She should be the favorite in this race.

 

Boys – Rockton Hononegah surprised Belvidere North to win the NIC-10 championship. They could surprise regional favorite Huntley in this meet. They will need to get their pack in ahead of Huntley’s fourth runner in order to win. Huntley’s strength up front will be evident in this race. Keagan Smith and Seth Conroy could go 1-2 in this race.

 

West Chicago Regional @ Kress Creek Farm Park

 

Girls – Last week, #4 Naperville North & #6 Naperville Central both scored 37 points at the DVC Meet. It was the Huskies depth that won the meet. Naperville North will have the pack. Central just needs to keep their pack under 50 seconds along with the same presence they had last week up front. #7 Batavia could finish ahead of the two Naperville schools. With four freshman in their first five, this young team will need to keep their split near 35 seconds with Dakota Roman near the front five. Benet Academy should be in the next spot. Metea Valley, West Chicago, and Waubonsie Valley should challenge for the final two spots. Rachel Hoffman (Central HS, Naperville) should be the favorite in this race. She will be pushed by teammate Alana Austin, Elly DeTurris and Judy Pendergast (North HS, Naperville), Dakota Roman & Emma Stephens (Batavia HS), and Clare McCabe (Benet Academy HS, Lisle).

 

Boys – It should be another battle between the DVC’s two top teams #11 Naperville North and #17 Naperville Central. The key will be for Central to have their pack closer to the Naperville North first at the half way point of the race. They moved last week in the last mile but they were too far back. Five teams will challenge for the final four qualifying spots. Batavia, East Aurora, Benet Academy, Marmion Academy, and Waubonsie Valley will all have to have their “A” races if they want to race another week. Jon Klaiber (North HS, Naperville) should be the favorite in this race. 

 

Good luck to all athletes, coaches, parents, and fans this Saturday!