National State Meet Preview

Illinois

Twins Sean and Chris Torpy look to lead No. 2 nationally ranked Sandburg to a state title after finishing runners-up at the Class 3A State Championship last year. (Photo by Steven Bugarin)

Peoria, IL | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Central | Live Results | Illinois MileSplit coverage

Notable individuals: No. 8 Jon Davis, No. 25 Kevin Salvano, Irwin Loud, No. 14 Judy Pendergast, No. 18 Maryjeanne Gilbert, Bubble: Lindsey Payne, Anna Sophia Keller
Notable teams: No. 2 Sandburg boys, No. 24 Neuqua Valley boys, Lyons Township boys, York boys, No. 6 Naperville North girls, No. 18 Yorkville girls, Glenbard West girls, Minooka girls

The boys of Sandburg High School are currently ranked No. 2 in the Saucony Flo50 rankings and may well be the best team in the nation. But can they win the elusive Illinois state title? They were upset last year in Class 3A by Hinsdale Central, despite later qualifying for NXN. 2015 seems to be the year to make history by bringing home the school's first-ever team crown.

Detweiller Park produces some of the quickest three mile times in the nation every year and 2015 is no exception as No. 8 Jon Davis ran 14:10.9 this year. Girls' national three mile leader and No. 14 ranked Judy Pendergast leads No. 6 Naperville North to a hopeful Class 3A title defense. Senior Pendergast, a Harvard commit, placed ninth last year but is the title favorite for 2015 over hotshot sophomore Lindsey Payne, who was fifth at the state meet as a freshman in 2014. However, the fastest girls time of the day could easily come from Class 1A in defending state champion Anna Sophia Keller, who has never lost to an Illinois girl, or Class 2A in defending champ and No. 18 ranked Maryjeanne Gilbert.