Cross country: Previewing the state meet, Northwest
Girls
Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria
When: Saturday, Class 1A at 9 a.m.; Class 2A at 11 a.m.; Class 3A at 1 p.m.
Outlook: Prospect enters the meet on quite a roll. The Knights won the Mid-Suburban League title, Hoffman Estates regional title, and Hoffman Estates sectional title with a flexible and deep lineup. Seniors Julia O'Grady, Jenna Baltes, and Marissa Valentini have anchored the attack and provided leadership. Freshman Audrey Ginsberg has made steady progress throughout the season and has been the Knights' top runner at the conference meet and sectional meet. Junior Emily Hubbard and sophomore Annika Erickson have also been solid. The pack has been very consistent and should push the Knights on Saturday. Barrington offers plenty of firepower up front and finished second in both the MSL and sectional. Sophomore Molly Fitzpatrick will be seeking her second consecutive state medal. She won the MSL title and finished third at the Hoffman sectional. Junior Alyssa Norris will also be in contention for a state medal after finishing fourth at sectionals. Sophomore Anne Berquist has also been running up front all season. Senior Eve Hoeltgen had a big sectional and sophomore Morgan Magro and freshman Gaby Andrews have added to the Fillies' attack. Barrington may have had its best race of the season at sectionals and hopes to keep things going at state. Hersey definitely had its best race of the season at the Hoffman sectional and it paid off with a state qualification. Junior Katie Fredian has paced the Huskies all season and pushed them to a fourth-place finish at the sectional meet. Sophomore Jane Stefaniak ran big at the sectional and Erin Barton has come back strong from off season injury. Senior Teagan Beckley and junior Hannah Kersemeier have contributed to a strong Huskies postseason run. Palatine sophomore Anne Marie Jordan finished seventh at sectionals and qualified as an individual, but will not run at state due to an injury. Hoffman Estates senior Nikki Rong ran to a 13th place finish at sectionals and earned a spot at the state meet. In Class 2A, St. Viator sophomore Katie Castelli, senior Payton McDonnell, and freshman Joey Bergstrom helped qualify the Lions to a state qualification with a second-place finish at the Fenton sectional. In Class 1A Christian Liberty Academy freshman Julia Wolke ran to the individual title at the Lisle sectional and will be looking to continue her momentum in Peoria.
Boys
Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria
When: Saturday; Class 1A at 10 a.m.; Class 2A at 12 p.m.; Class 3A at 2 p.m.
Outlook: Hersey finished second at the state meet in 1972, earning its one and only state cross country trophy. The Huskies will be looking to add a second trophy on Saturday. Hersey has looked good in winning the Mid-Suburban League conference title, Hoffman Estates regional title, and the Hoffman Estates sectional title. Hersey junior Josh Methner will pace the attack. Methner has a shot to win the Class 3A state title and will definitely be in the front of the pack. Methner has been on a roll lately winning the MSL title, regional, and sectional titles. Senior Ryan Buch and junior Max Svienty will not be far behind. Both runners had big sectional runs and will be looking to continue that momentum on Saturday. Senior Thomas McCarthy and Colin Safford add depth to a talented Huskies attack. Barrington has also been on the move earning a pair of second place finishes at the MSL meet and Hoffman Estates sectional. Junior Paddy Furlong and senior Greg Van Hollen pace the Broncos. Sophomore Ben DeWeerdt has put together a solid season and freshman Joey Furlong and senior James Lyon had big sectional runs. The Broncos should be humming on Saturday. Rolling Meadows made a bit of history in qualifying for its first state meet. Senior Eddie Lennon has a chance to make all-state and will pace the Mustangs. Sophomore Stephen Barretto has been solid running No. 2 for the Mustangs for the season. Senior Matthew Schloessling, senior Nate Orlyk, senior CJ Miller, and senior Royce Piscitello will also contribute to the Mustangs' historic run. Palatine junior Richie Jacobo qualified as an individual running to a fourth-place finish at the sectional and will be joined by Wheeling senior Tyler Polak, who finished 11th at the sectional meet. Freshman Mickey Schumacher, junior Matt Goss, and junior Patric Natindim powered St. Viator to the Class 2A Fenton sectional title, helping push the Lions to their seventh state trip in eight years.