On paper, it is going to be a different look than normal because the Ohio State Championship was held a day prior. Some of the key teams from the Buckeye state may or may not make the trek to compete for a spot for a spot to Portland or even pride sake. It is unfortunate as a whole for the Midwest Regional which typically is considered one of the deepest posts in the NXNR chain.
MileSplit 50 teams/key teams: #3 Naperville North, #8 Yorkville, #14 Downers Grove South, #18 Lee's Summit West; West Lafayette IN, Carmel IN
The resistance to Illinois looks a bit slimmer-
Even if #11 Beavercreek OH, #17 Centerville OH or any powerhouse team from that state makes to the trip to compete on Sunday, the prospects of making it to nationals appear bleak. They are holding their state championship a day prior due to a weather outage that disabled the course. Defending regional champion Naperville North won the 3A state title last weekend by a slim 80-87 margin over Yorkville. Downers Grove South in their customary suite finished third. They all have dominant and faced each other numerous times this fall. The key to advancing to Portland and keeping with the tradition of 1,2,3 is the upfront running, strong pack play, and closing out the race like a strong baseball bullpen closer. No team in the field can touch this trio if they can execute their game plan. Each has a front-runner: Alex Morris (NN), Brenna Cohoon (DGS), Helena Kleronomos (Yrk), Emily Eberhart (Yrk), Kailey Fox (Yrk). Indiana's best representative is state third placer West Lafayette. The Hoosier state champion Ft. Wayne Carroll did not have a full roster at press time.
The individual race will feature some great talent. Illinois' premier runner junior Katelynne Hart of Glenbard West will lead things off. She is the defending champion who had an amazing performance at her state meet last weekend in which she ran 15:59 (3m). She had some company in freshman sensation Katrina Schlenker of Batavia who finished in 16:07 and Morris was third three seconds back. The Hoosiers have two time defending state champion Emma Wilson of Greencastle, who took 2nd last year. She and Missouri's top runner Ginger Murnieks of Lee's Summit will challenge for a top five spot. Look for the "dual threat" Taylor Ewert of Beavercreek to return less than a day from her state meet and qualify. She is a national record holder race walker and champion steeplechaser. If anyone can do it, she can.