Where is the love for Illinois Cross Country?!

Wheresthelove wrote:

Illinois may the be most underrated state when it comes to cross country. As of right now, Illinois has 5 male runners who have broken 14:30 just a few weeks into the season! Jesse Reiser (Nationally ranked #9 overall/State runner-up last year) has already ran 14:20 just last week. Zach Dale (Nationally ranked #14/Finished 3rd for the 5k at New Balance Outdoor Nationals) ran 14:00 back in June, and has already run 14:29 for his first race of the season (solo effort without much competition). Illinois has many other nationally ranked runners...be on the looked for them during the NXN/Footlocker season!

I was just telling my high school son a few days ago that Illinois was one of the best running states.

HOWEVER, the more casual fan than me would have a better time getting it if IL went to 5,000 meters already and quit with this 3 mile run garbage.

...has already RUN...

Wheresthelove wrote:

Illinois may the be most underrated state when it comes to cross country. As of right now, Illinois has 5 male runners who have broken 14:30 just a few weeks into the season! Jesse Reiser (Nationally ranked #9 overall/State runner-up last year) has already ran 14:20 just last week. Zach Dale (Nationally ranked #14/Finished 3rd for the 5k at New Balance Outdoor Nationals) ran 14:00 back in June, and has already run 14:29 for his first race of the season (solo effort without much competition). Illinois has many other nationally ranked runners...be on the looked for them during the NXN/Footlocker season!

Go metric, but continue to give splits at one and two miles for the 5000 like the rest of the idiots ou there.

So how does York look this year? On the rebound?

all of us in the northeast have tremendous respect for Illinois XC

Yeah and as soon as the rest of the country starts contesting 2.8 mile grass-track races, we'll start showing some love for IL.

Actually York isn't looking to good this year. In fact, their coach was just fired for "illegally trying to recruit kids to a public highschool". A further investigation is under way!

asdfasdfddd wrote:

Yeah and as soon as the rest of the country starts contesting 2.8 mile grass-track races, we'll start showing some love for IL.

Come on, be honest: it's only ~50m short of 3 miles, though yes it is a net downhill course that couldn't possibly be much faster.

Come on, be honest: it's only ~50m short of 3 miles, though yes it is a net downhill course that couldn't possibly be much faster.

Right on the distance, and it's very flat - but can't be net downhill since start and finish are adjacent.

Some great individuals this year (Jesse Reiser, Zach Dale, Clevenger), and Hinsdale Central (defending state champs) and Sandburg look very tough on the boys side. York... is not looking like York.

Girls side looks even better: Glenbard West is looking absolutely amazing. Coach has rested a couple of his girls in some meets, so I hope he's just being cautious. If they're at full strength, and choose to compete at NXN (they opted out last year), they should threaten top 5 in Portland. Meanwhile, Hinsdale girls apparently caught the fever from the boys (not to mention scooping up a couple of star freshwomen) and could even challenge Glenbard W. But, they aren't as deep and their 5th runner is vulnerable. Naperville North returned 6/7 from last year's 13th place NXN team, yet might have to settle for 3rd in state (and even that is not guaranteed). Some great individuals, too: Alexa Haff (So) from Hinsdale C, Lindsay Graham from Glenbard, Maryjean Gilber from Peoria Notre Dame, and Anna Sophia Keller (from tiny private school downstate) - and don't ever count out defending state 3a champ Mimi Smith.

The times are to an accurate measure of their performance because IL doesn't run 5000. In a lot of cases the distance is 2.85 mile!

Rick wrote:

The times are to an accurate measure of their performance because IL doesn't run 5000. In a lot of cases the distance is 2.85 mile!

Will you quit trolling on every Illinois thread? Almost every race in Illinois is 3 miles or within .05 either way. I know ONE race where they go 2.85. Go spread your b.s. somewhere else

That state is too flat for me to think these times mean something.