25. Illinois Fighting Illini
24. Villanova Wildcats
23. Eastern Michigan Eagles
22. Iowa State Cyclones
21. Oklahoma State Cowboys
20. Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
19. Michigan State Spartans
18. Boise State Broncos
17. Washington State Cougars
16. Indiana Hoosiers
15. Washington Huskies
14. Eastern Kentucky Colonials
13. BYU Cougars
12. Wisconsin Badgers
11. Furman Paladins
10. Virginia Cavaliers
9. Colorado State Rams
8. Norther Arizona Lumberjacks
7. Arkansas Razorbacks
6. Colorado Buffaloes
5. Iona Gaels
25. Illinois Fighting Illini
Flotrack’s #25: Michigan State Spartans
Flotrack's Ranking of Illinois: 30th
Flotrack's Ranking of Illinois: 30th
Coach: Jake Stewart
Notable Departures: Ian Barnett
Notable Additions: Jon Davis
Projected Scoring Five: Dylan Lafond (SR) [ET#34], Jesse Reiser (SO), Dan Lathrop (SO), Zack Smith (SO), Billy Magnessen (SO)
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Throughout the 2015 season, Illinois was one of the more underrated and under appreciated teams in the nation. It wasn't until week 6 of last year's team rankings when Illinois broke into the top 25 thanks to their performance at BIG 10's.
Of course, BIG 10's wasn't the only impressive performance Illinois had last year. The addition of Dylan Lafond helped the Fighting Illini get wins over teams like Eastern Kentucky and Wisconsin (at the Greater Louisville Classic) as well as teams like Stanford and Oklahoma (at the Wisconsin Invite). Still, no one took them seriously on account that EKU and Stanford hadn't run their 'A' squads and that the Wisconsin program was falling apart. But once BIG 10's came around, that narrative changed. Illinois snuck into the runner-up position behind Michigan while defeating teams like Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan State in the process. That, however, would be the peak of their season as Illinois ended the fall of 2015 at regionals when they placed 8th overall. The inexperience and youth from Illinois had finally caught up to them and only their leader Dylan Lafond had a chance to run at nationals (where he placed 29th).
Now, in 2016, things are different. Lafond is a returning All-American and has four sophomores to work with instead four freshmen. Not only that, but Illinois will even get some backup and an addition to their depth thanks to incoming freshman Jon Davis (4:03 mile, 8:51 3200). How good will Davis be? We don't know. But with times and talent like his, he will certainly be of use during the 2016 season.
Illinois wasn't always consistent last season, but they showed a lot of potential and promise especially when you consider how young that team was (and is). With a year of experience under their belts, the rising sophomore could make a huge leap in fitness and start knocking off established running programs. Of course, a couple things need to change for this squad to make nationals and place well. Someone needs to step up and get closer to Lafond in the results. Some of the best teams in the nation typically have a great 1-2 punch up front. In my eyes, Reiser is the best chance to become Lafond's right hand man. We've seen promising performances from his post-season performances during cross and his 5k PR of 14:17 during the spring. He'll need to be another consistent low-stick for Illinois who has been leaning on Lafond for the past year.
Then there are the final three (projected) scorers who hold a lot of upside. Lathrop, Smith, and Magnessen are ready to have breakout seasons and establish Illinois as a true threat on the national scene. There's no doubt that they'll improve, but by the question is by how much? They'll need to be consistent and they need to keep a tight pack. If they can do that, then there is a good chance that the Fighting Illini will qualify to race in Terre Haute.
Of course, BIG 10's wasn't the only impressive performance Illinois had last year. The addition of Dylan Lafond helped the Fighting Illini get wins over teams like Eastern Kentucky and Wisconsin (at the Greater Louisville Classic) as well as teams like Stanford and Oklahoma (at the Wisconsin Invite). Still, no one took them seriously on account that EKU and Stanford hadn't run their 'A' squads and that the Wisconsin program was falling apart. But once BIG 10's came around, that narrative changed. Illinois snuck into the runner-up position behind Michigan while defeating teams like Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan State in the process. That, however, would be the peak of their season as Illinois ended the fall of 2015 at regionals when they placed 8th overall. The inexperience and youth from Illinois had finally caught up to them and only their leader Dylan Lafond had a chance to run at nationals (where he placed 29th).
Now, in 2016, things are different. Lafond is a returning All-American and has four sophomores to work with instead four freshmen. Not only that, but Illinois will even get some backup and an addition to their depth thanks to incoming freshman Jon Davis (4:03 mile, 8:51 3200). How good will Davis be? We don't know. But with times and talent like his, he will certainly be of use during the 2016 season.
Illinois wasn't always consistent last season, but they showed a lot of potential and promise especially when you consider how young that team was (and is). With a year of experience under their belts, the rising sophomore could make a huge leap in fitness and start knocking off established running programs. Of course, a couple things need to change for this squad to make nationals and place well. Someone needs to step up and get closer to Lafond in the results. Some of the best teams in the nation typically have a great 1-2 punch up front. In my eyes, Reiser is the best chance to become Lafond's right hand man. We've seen promising performances from his post-season performances during cross and his 5k PR of 14:17 during the spring. He'll need to be another consistent low-stick for Illinois who has been leaning on Lafond for the past year.
Then there are the final three (projected) scorers who hold a lot of upside. Lathrop, Smith, and Magnessen are ready to have breakout seasons and establish Illinois as a true threat on the national scene. There's no doubt that they'll improve, but by the question is by how much? They'll need to be consistent and they need to keep a tight pack. If they can do that, then there is a good chance that the Fighting Illini will qualify to race in Terre Haute.
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