22. Hersey (IL)
Analysis: Hersey returns its two-top guys from the state meet in rising seniors Josh Methner and Max Svienty. In 2018 Methner won the Class 3A IHSA State Cross-Country individual title, running 14:11.50 for 3 miles at Detweiller Park. He will again be Hersey's No. 1 guy after making it to both NXN and Foot Locker last fall and finishing well. The team will need to improve its 1-5 split, which was over a minute at the state meet. Last year at the state meet, Hersey finished second behind Wheaton Warrenville South High School, which will also be strong again in 2019. Hersey was almost third as Neuqua Valley High School scored 159 points to its 156. The team graduated its third, fifth, and seventh runner from the state meet, so it will have some gaps to fill if it looks to challenge for not only an Illinois state title but repeat as NXN Midwest champion.
Biggest question: What does Hersey's depth look like behind Josh Methner?
Last year Hersey was second at the Class 3A IHSA Cross Country State Championship, but it had a huge 1:09-second 1-5 split. The team will need to close that down this year if it looks to improve on its runner-up team finish at state and repeat as the NXN Midwest Champion.
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MileSplit50 Boys Team National Rankings Countdown
| RANK | DATE -- TEAM |
|---|---|
25 | Aug. 20 -- Farmington (UT) |
24 | Aug. 20 -- Loan Peak (UT) |
23 | Aug. 20 -- Kamiakin (WA) |
22 | Aug. 20 -- Hersey (IL) |
21 | Aug. 20 -- Davis (UT) |
| 20 | Aug. 21 -- Jesuit (OR) |
| 19 | Aug. 22 -- Clovis North (CA) |
| 18 | Aug. 23 -- Bishop Hendricken (RI) |
| 17 | Aug. 24 -- Southlake Carroll (TX) |
| 16 | Aug. 25 -- La Salle Academy (RI) |
| 15 | Aug. 26 -- El Paso Eastwood (TX) |
| 14 | Aug. 27 -- Lewis And Clark (WA) |
| 13 | Aug. 28 -- Dublin (CA) |
| 12 | Aug. 29 -- St. Charles East (IL) |
| 11 | Aug. 30 -- Tahoma Senior (WA) |
| 10 | Aug. 31 -- Christian Brothers (NJ) |
| 9 | Sept. 1 -- Wheaton Warrenville South (IL) |
| 8 | Sept. 2 -- Corner Canyon (UT) |
| 7 | Sept. 3 -- Dakota Ridge (CO) |
| 6 | Sept. 4 -- The Woodlands (TX) |
| 5 | Sept. 6 -- York (IL) |
| 4 | Sept. 6 -- FM (NY) |
| 3 | Sept. 6 -- Newbury Park (CA) |
| 2 | Sept. 6 -- Great Oak (CA) |
| 1 | Sept. 6 -- Loudoun Valley (VA) |