ALAH Cross Country 2021 Preseason Overview
Expectations are high for the 2021 edition of the Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond Knights Cross Country squad. Coming off the most successful season in school history, the defending Division 1 Shazam State Championship Runnerups return 4 of last year’s top 5 runners.
Top returners include Seniors Jace Green and Jacob Duzan, Juniors Logan Beckmier, Lyle Adcock, Jacob Adcock, Connor Edmonds, and Sophomore Jesus Corona. Newcomers include Junior Steven Edwards, Sophomore Nathan Codgill and Freshman Caden Binder.
Ranked #2 statewide in Class 1A by MileSplit.com in their preseason poll, their comments were as follows.
“Four of the top five starters are back for a team that’s expected to contend for a state championship. Logan Beckmier returns as Coach Dorjahn’s top runner after he narrowly missed All-Shazam honors a year ago. The Adcock brothers have made significant improvements during the track season. Both cracked 10:30 for 3200m. “Lyle was a sectional medalist and a consistent #3 a year ago and Jacob was MileSplit IL #5 Runner of the Year in 2020 for 1A”, stated Dorjahn. “Green won his section at Shazam to help propel ALAH to a 2nd place finish.
Jacob Duzan, Senior, our #7 last year is coming off a stress fracture from track season. When he rounds into form, he will contribute with his can-do/tough as nails attitude.”
Dorjahn believes sophomore Jesus Corona will make an impact after a strong summer base.
Connor Edmonds will try and fill the gap that his brother Reggie leaves as Reggie is not running for his Senior season. Overall, this is a team that can match those in the classification 1-4.
Getting a trophy in November will be very high on the priority list.”
The Lady Knight harriers will be led by returning letter winner Emma Edwards. Entering her 3rd cross country campaign, she expects to be among the conference’s best and has high hopes of advancing through the state championship series. She leads a group of rookies out for their
1st season of distance running. That group includes Junior Emma Jones and a promising quartet of Freshmen. They are Lindsay Rohacs, Kori Klay, Kayla Johnson, and Maddie Kingery.
The Running Knights season begins with their annual Quad Opener at Sullivan Thursday, August 26 at 4:30pm. They follow up with a new meet at the Under The Lights Invitational at Clinton High School on Saturday, August 28 at 7:00pm.
Remainder of the schedule is as follows:
August 30 @ Shelbyville. 4:30pm
September 4 @ Charleston Invitational 9:00am
September 11 @ PBL Invitational in Paxon 9:00am
Septermber 14 @ Uni High Potluck Meet @ Uof I Arboretum in Urbana 4:00pm
September 18 @ Warrior Invitational @ Tuscola 10:00am
September 25 @ Spartan Classic Invitation @ St. Joseph 9:00am
September 28 @ Great Pumpkin Patch Run/ Arthur 5:00pm
October 2 @ Lincoln Prairie Conference Championship . TBD
October 9 @ Cumberland Invitational @ Lakeland College/Mattoon. 9:00am
October 16 @ Patriot Invitational /Detwiler Park/Peoria, Time TBD
October 23 @ IHSA Regional TBD
October 30 @ IHSA Regional @ Hickory Point Golf Club, Forsyth 9:00am
November 5 @ IHSA State Championship @ Detwiler Park, Peoria, 9:00am
