Girls cross country: Scouting Northwest
Barrington ran to the Mid-Suburban League girls cross country title last season, its first since 2006.
The Fillies are looking to add another one this season.
Despite losing top runner Joceyln Long to graduation, the Fillies return an experienced squad that finished eighth in Class 3A last season.
Junior Alyssa Norris, sophomore Molly Fitzpatrick and sophomore Anne Berquist form the core for a Fillies squad with high goals.
"We hadn't won the MSL title in a while," said Norris. "We were super excited, we wanted to do it for Coach (Deb Revolta) and the team. This year everyone kind of knows the ropes and now we know what we have to do."
Senior Eve Hoeltgen, senior Sophie Hoeltgen, senior Shelby Petersen and sophomore Katherine Shein also return to a team that took first at the Hoffman Estates sectional.
Fitpatrick, Berquist, and Shein made major contributions as freshman and are hoping that experience helps this season.
"Having that experience will be huge," said Berquist. "Last year I just wanted to run with the team and stick with the pack and it ended up working really well."
Long was a three-time state medalist in cross country and she will be missed, but Fitzpatrick had a sizzling debut season and should only get better.
The sophomore is the top returning runner in the MSL after earning all-state honors with a 21st place finish at the Class 3A state meet.
"It will definitely be a switch this year," said Fitzpatrick who also finished third in the MSL last season. "Every race last year I just paced off Jocelyn (Long). But I think I can handle it and I'm really excited."
The Fillies were a bit disappointed in their finish at the Class 3A state meet, but came back the following week with an impressive third-place finish at the Nike Cross Midwest Regional. They are hoping to use that meet as a springboard for the coming season.
"We didn't run our best race that day," said Norris. "Nike Cross, we went in with no expectations at all … we realized then this what we have to start doing now."
With a solid core returning and year worth of experience the Fillies seem to be in good shape.
"When we have all the pieces, we have some goals we are chasing," said Revolta. "We missed out on some things last year and that adds a bit of motivation. We just want to get better week by week."
Mid-Suburban East
Buffalo Grove: Sophomore Jillian Guittar, freshman Sydney Jacobs and junior Rachel Sakwa have been pushing the Bison attack. Senior Lauren Godsell, junior Kaylin Hellyer will also be in the mix. Freshman Cassidy Kallas and sophomore Maritza Dominguez will add to the Bison attack.
Elk Grove: Monica Casillas, Melissa Saettone, Gladys Duran, Nicole Ward and Sam Wadas will lead the Grenadiers this season.
Hersey: Katie Fredian and Erin Moran are back to lead a strong attack. Seniors Teagan Beckley and Veronika Makowski will also help. Sophomore Jane Stefaniak, junior Erin Barton, sophomore Katie O'Brien, junior Aubrey Hasley and junior Hannah Kersemeier will also be in the mix for a Huskies squad that has high aspirations.
Prospect: Julia O'Grady, Marissa Valentini, Jenna Baltes, Emily Hubbard, Gabrielle Piagari, Lia Skoufos, Reese Lettow, Annika Erickson, and Elena Barbaric all are hoping to make their mark on a deep Knights squad.
Rolling Meadows: Milena Suzuki, Andrea Vera, Elizabeth Clark, Dana Lapinski, Melissa Hernandez, Kate Quick and Brynn Moran will pace a senior-heavy Mustang squad that was slowed by injuries last season.
Wheeling: Senior Christina Pierini will pace the Wildcats' attack this season. Junior Lizeth Leon, senior Luz Martinez, senior Taylor Gutt, senior Nikki Ferraro, sophomore Jasmine Bautista, and sophomore Lizbeth Gutierrez will contribute.
Mid-Suburban West
Barrington: Sophomore Molly Fitzpatrick is the top returning runner in the MSL and will pace the Fillies. Senior Eve Hoeltgen, senior Sophie Hoeltgen, senior Shelby Petersen, junior Alyssa Noriss, sophomore Anne Berquist and sophomore Katherine Shein will also contribute to a group in pursuit of its second consecutive MSL title.
Conant: Calli Bessemer, Jessica Meister, Ava Miltz, and Gracie Palomo return to lead the Cougars. Newcomers Morgan Belcher, Jillian Grabowski, Angelina Graff, and Jessica States are also looking to make a mark for Conant.
Fremd: Marisa Ban, Julia Finegan, Julia LaDuke and Rebecca Markham form a Viking core with high goals. Emma Odle, Norah Odle and Kaitlin Ma will also contribute.
Hoffman Estates: Nikki Rong, Anna Miller, Michelle Diaz, Bella Alansari, Jenna Cochran, Jada Byndom and Mikkaela Palmer will lead the effort, with newcomer Valerie Daniel also adding to the Hawks' charge.
Palatine: Seniors Kate Lechowicz and Liz Lechowicz will combine with sophomore Anne Marie Jordan to pace the Pirates this fall. Mia Solano, Ellie Roy, Laura Seeberger, and Jennifer Lopez will also contribute to a team that has plenty of potential.
Schaumburg: The Saxons took a big hit in losing Madison Marasco, who finished ninth in Class 3A, to graduation. Mikeelie Jensen, Ashlee Jenks, Victoria Treni, Katie Smith, Elizabeth Sodimu and Izzy Herandez will look to pick up the pieces for the Saxons. Jensen and Jenks figure to pace the attack.
Other area schools
Maine West: Jocelyn Pantoja and Sarah Magnoni return to pace the Warriors attack. Alexia Avila and Jenna Cooper will look to add to the pack.
St. Viator: Sophomore Katie Castelli will pace a Lions squad looking to qualify to the Class 2A meet for the second consecutive year. Payton McDonell, Mary Grace Hegberg, Joy Bergstrom, Clare Bottcher, Maura Hogaboom and Sofia Limberacas will aid the Lions' charge.
Leyden: Senior Jazmin Santoyo, junior Brenda Bolivar, junior Julie Cruz, and sophomore Nicole Virzi make up the core of returning runners for the Eagles.