Best HS team in the country? They took down York a few weeks back and look very strong.
Best HS team in the country? They took down York a few weeks back and look very strong.
They have perhaps the best 1-2-3 punch in the country, but their fourth and fifth are too far back to be considered the best in the country. They have a shot to win the Illinois state title, but they'll have their hands full with York and Neuqua Valley. It's going to be a great state meet.
On another note...I am pretty sure the high school Loyola Academy team could beat their college counterpart of Loyola (Chicago) University, whether the XC race is 5k or 8k. Loyola University is awful!
Rumor is that York's top returner from last year, Adam Cecil, is out for state. In my opinion, that makes things a lot more interesting, since I think York would have had a solid win with him in the mix. Now, it's a three team race with Loyola, York, and Neuqua, and I can see any of the three taking it. With so many runners going under 15 at Peoria mid season, Loyola's 5th man can't let too many guys get in front of him. But like it's been said, their 1-2-3 is filthy. Neuqua has a runner that should be in the top 5, then a very solid pack (1-7 in their GOOD conference). York has 2 studs up front, a solid 3rd guy who is on a roll, and a good pack behind him. I have no idea who will take it.
I've been around IL xc for a long time, and last's years meet with Naperville North beating York by one point was the best team race I've ever seen. Maybe this year can match it.