DGN actually returns a better group of 4 than both Plainfield teams. Wouldn’t be surprised if DGN wins it next year. They should be able to find a fifth man. They are very good at reloading.
PS has only been a school for ~20 years. Not shocking that this is their first title in XC. It does look like they have a bowling title already though
Great Oak ca was created in 2004.
They won NXN in 2015 and have so many state titles
Great Choke has an enrollment over 3100 students. Plainfield is a town of 45000 and PS splits talent with Plainfield East, Central and North (which took 4th at Illinois state this season). If they combined only South and North they would smoke The Choke.
Boys Championship Race TEAMS 2:00pm Last NameFirst NameGradeClubHigh SchoolBiltimierThomas11Lemrac A, INCarmelCapesJack10Lemrac A, INCarmelGroveKyle11Lemrac A, INCarmelJayKiefer10Lemrac A, INCarmelMallonConnor12Lemrac A, INCa...
1. Hinsdale Central. Looking to finish one spot higher after last year’s runner up finish. They return 4 guys as well as 4:27 and 4:29 guys who were not on varsity last year. 2. Plainfield South. Placed 7th last year but they return virtually their whole squad. 3. Lake Zurich. Placed 6th and returns 4 guys. If they find a 5th they could have an insane season. 4. OPRF. Did not go to state last year but returns 5 varsity guys. 5 returns under 16:45 5. Downers Grove North. Placed 3rd. Great program that went to NXN a couple of times and finished high once. Returns a 9:53 average. 3 under 9:54. Returns a great pack of guys. 6. Plainfield North. Placed 11th. 4 returners. 9:54 average is back. 3 under 10 mins. 7. New Trier. Placed 4th. Strong program. Even after 5 seniors are gone, they still return a 9:55 average. 3 under 9:55 actually. 8. Palatine. Returns 4 of their top 6 and a 10:12 guy who wasn’t at state. (loses their #3 4 and 7 from state). Placed 9th last year and looking to move to a spot after returning so many guys. 9. Park Ridge (Maine South). Yeah they only placed 24th but they lose no one. They return a 9:57 average in addition to their #2 guy from CC. 10. Chicago (Jones). Didn’t go to state but they return 5 guys in addition to a 10:07 and a 10:13 guy.
Interesting to look back at this and compare to what happened at state What I missed from this list: LaGrange Lyons. Not sure how I missed this. they went to state last year and returned 5 guys from last year
Team from this list that didn’t get top 10: Chicago (Jones)
And of course, some teams finished in a different order than in this list
Way too early predictions for 2023 3a boys 1- Downers Grove North- returns their 1,2,5, and 6. DGN always seems to reload so I’m sure they will find a fifth. 2- Barrington. Returns their whole team. Nice sophomore class. Could challenge for a title as well. 3- Plainfield North. Another Plainfield team that is capable of challenging for a title. Returns their entire team save their 1 and 6. But they will need to close the 4-5 gap. 4- O’Fallon. Placed 14th but only loses their #5 5- Lagrange (Lyons). Returns their 1,2,6 from state and another guy who ran at NXR but not state. I’m sure they will find a fifth 6- Palatine. Returns 3 scorers from NXR and another incoming freshman who was only 3 seconds behind a Krieg in one race. With the way they found depth this year, I’m sure they will find a fifth. 7- Hersey. Josh Methner’s alma mater placed 17th and returns everybody. 8- Benet Academy. There are 2 things they didn’t have this year: a) a state appearance b) a senior on varsity 9- West Aurora. Didn’t make sections as a team, but they will have everyone back 10- Plainfield South. Their 1/2 from state will be back. Boerger will need to be as healthy as he was last year and during Hoka One One. Their success will also depend on their ability to find a 4 and 5. If they close the 2-5 gap they could go back to back
Seeing a lot of talk about teams returning guys and predictions of state titles and I don't want to be negative but just a cautionary tale. First, a lot of teams mentioned here haven't really had any long term success at state and there is a reason for that in development from year to year. The programs that you see up near the top year after year is because they develop guys constantly and reload in a very short time frame. Many have the advantage of larger rosters as well as good coaches who have more guys to work with.
There is also the irrefutable fact that development isn't linear, some guys will get better but others may not. Because a team is returning a lot doesn't mean they'll be better the next year.
A case is the Niles North team in the early 2000s. They took 13th at state with a frosh, 2 sophs and 4 juniors and the frosh was their top runner and the 2 sophs were scoring runners. The next year they improved slightly to 10th, the year after that not only didn't qualify as a team, they didn't even send an individual to state. And the program has disappeared since.
I hope these teams do have success, it's always great to see the old guard challenged but claiming a state title is a putting the horse well before cart.
Seeing a lot of talk about teams returning guys and predictions of state titles and I don't want to be negative but just a cautionary tale. First, a lot of teams mentioned here haven't really had any long term success at state and there is a reason for that in development from year to year. The programs that you see up near the top year after year is because they develop guys constantly and reload in a very short time frame. Many have the advantage of larger rosters as well as good coaches who have more guys to work with.
There is also the irrefutable fact that development isn't linear, some guys will get better but others may not. Because a team is returning a lot doesn't mean they'll be better the next year.
A case is the Niles North team in the early 2000s. They took 13th at state with a frosh, 2 sophs and 4 juniors and the frosh was their top runner and the 2 sophs were scoring runners. The next year they improved slightly to 10th, the year after that not only didn't qualify as a team, they didn't even send an individual to state. And the program has disappeared since.
I hope these teams do have success, it's always great to see the old guard challenged but claiming a state title is a putting the horse well before cart.
Did Niles North get a new coach at that time?
I don't know. All I know is they just vanished in a couple years after having a good, young team.
DGN makes the field. 3 Illinois teams in. Carmel ran poorly at regionals but still were highly ranked and gave Jesuit a good race. I think all 3 should make a good showing.
