The Urbana boys cross country program spent years building toward the moment it finally reached the top. In November of last year, the Hawks captured their first state championship in 22 years, turning years of work, growth and near-misses into the 2025 4A state title.
Now, Urbana enters 2026 with a championship to defend and a new generation ready to carry the program forward. Senior captains Simon Lipchock, Evan Madraymootoo, and Cole Cline return to lead a team that has become accustomed to success, but remains focused on the process that got it there. Head Coach Jacqueline Suarez sat down with MileSplit to reflect on last year's championship, the evolution of the program and what comes next for the Hawks.
Coach Questions - Answered by Jacqueline Suarez
1. Looking back now, what does that championship mean to you and your program?
Coach Suarez: The championship represented the culmination of years of UHS teams building brick by brick, year by year -- as we say on the team "planting seeds in a garden they would never get to see". In 2022, we did not even qualify for states as a team, and to see the freshmen on that team, Joshua Rothery and Korey Kauflin lead us to a state title as seniors was an incredible full circle. All seven of our guys ran for each other that day and held the rope to the very end. My assistant coach, Coach Kauflin (who I can never thank enough for all of his help), and myself are so incredibly proud of them.
2. Was there a race, workout, or turning point when you realized your team had the potential to accomplish something special?
Coach Suarez: The Gettysburg Invitational. We executed our pack running perfectly for the first time that season and I think it really clicked for our guys that if we can just move together like this we are an incredibly tough team to beat. A funny side note is I was walking behind two other coaches, and overheard them say "Did you see Urbana? They can win the state title running like that." I had to agree!
3. As you turn the page to 2026, what excites you most about this year's team?
Coach Suarez: There are a lot of things that excite me about this season, but one in particular is this year's team is our senior leadership in Simon Lipchock, Evan Madraymootoo, Cole Cline, and Riley Gallogly. They were freshmen in 2023, which was our breakout year as a team, and each year they have been key pieces to the continued success and growth of the program. Watching their growth as athletes, students, and people over the years has been incredible. As senior captains they are ready to cement their legacy as Hawks and get the next generation ready to take the baton from them. We have a huge new freshman class, with so much potential over these next four years.
I am also really excited to bring on our new assistant coach, Coach Chris Sappe. Coach Chris was a freshman my very first year of coaching and was a huge part of setting us on the path to be the team we are today. After his very successful college career at Hood College, having him back with us is such an awesome full circle moment.
4. Who are some athletes that you expect to take on bigger roles this fall?
Coach Suarez: We are returning such a strong core from last year's team, but with three graduating seniors there are some spots ready to be filled -- I am really excited to see how our guys on the Varsity 12 last year, but outside the top 7 -- Omar Beraich, Koen Edwards, Luke Osher, Matthew Rodrigues, and Alex Verdi -- will rise to the occasion. Some new names to keep an eye out for will be Ali Beraich, Knox Kauflin, Henry Anderson, Nathan Kannaian.
5. What goals have you and your team set for this season, and are there any invitationals or championship meets you're especially looking forward to?
Coach Suarez: We of course have the goal to repeat as state champions, but more than that our biggest goal is being committed to the journey to get there. We can never control the outcome of a race, but if we can cross the finish line with no doubt that we held the rope all the way then our goals are achieved. The invitational we are most excited for is the Woodbridge Classic in Irvine, California! We are so grateful for the opportunity to race at probably the biggest meet of the year outside of the national meets!
6. What do you hope this year's team is remembered for when the season is over?
Coach Suarez: I hope this year's team is remembered for being selfless, relentless, and grateful.
7. How long have you been coaching? How did you get your start?
Coach Suarez: This will be my ninth year coaching overall, but my seventh season as cross country head coach and third as head track and field coach. I got my start at Urbana High School thanks to CJ Ecalono who brought me on as a girls volunteer coach, and then Kyle Grimm and Tim Snyder gave me an opportunity to take on a bigger role with the boys team, where I have been ever since! I actually started out as a hurdles and jumps coach because that is my background as an athlete -- I was a heptathlete in college.
In 2020 I was given the opportunity to step in as boys head cross country coach and I honestly did not know that much about distance training at all, but I really dedicated myself to learning everything I could researching, reading, taking courses and took the leap. I really credit that first team in 2020 for giving me a chance. One of those most meaningful things an athlete ever said to me was "when I first heard you were taking over the team I thought 'Great. What does a hurdle coach know about distance running but, you proved me wrong.'"
8. What's one of your favorite memories from your coaching career that still makes you smile?
Coach Suarez: The 2023 4A West Region Championship. Like I said in 2022 we did not even qualify for states as a team and our biggest goal in 2023 was just to make it there, but we ended up winning the region title by one point. One singular point! There were no live results at the meet, so we actually had to wait for the results to be counted and printed. I will never forget when I first saw the results I asked the timer "are these the real results?" I just couldn't believe it and I ran over to the team to tell them. There were so many smiles, hugs, and maybe even a few tears.
9. If someone spent one practice with your team, what's something they'd quickly learn about your program's culture?
Coach Suarez: That this is a team that always believes the best is yet to come.
Captain Questions - Answered by Evan Madraymootoo
1. What's one word that best describes this year's team, and why?
Evan: Driven.
2. What's one goal this team has that goes beyond winning races?
Evan: Creating a legacy.
3. What message would you like to send to your teammates and fans as the 2026 season begins?
Evan: Stay strong physically, but more importantly, mentally as well. Everyone has a chance to grow no matter how slow or fast you are. Not backing down from obstacles is what makes a great cross country runner.