High Five: The top prep sports girls teams of the 2025-26 school year
Now that we’ve brought you the area’s top boys and girls prep sports performances from the 2025-26 school year, it’s time for more tips of the cap.
This edition of the High Five looks at the top prep sports girls teams of the school year. Next week we’ll bring you the top boys teams.
5. Maine South flag football
There’s a new football power in Park Ridge.
The Hawks’ flag football team won its first state title in the second year of the IHSA state series, topping Young 28-6 in the final after breaking out to a 13-0 halftime lead.
Senior quarterback Aribella Spandiary completed 22 of 30 passes for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns, and ran for 57 yards and a fourth score.
Leaning on an experienced group, the Hawks (26-3) made a huge leap from a year ago when they were knocked out in the regional final.
4. Stevenson swimming and diving
The Patriots claimed the program’s first state title, becoming just the second school since 2005 to top the standings other than New Trier, Rosary or Neuqua Valley.
Junior sprinter Aria Grossenbach swam to victory in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle finals, while Nelli Sandor won the 100 breaststroke. Vanessa Miecznikowski, Sandor, Linnea Florin and Claire Wang took first in the 200 medley relay.
Stevenson also gained critical points throughout the state meet from Shay Donovan, Anika Donovan and Heidi Swerkun.
3. Barrington cross country
Such a gutty effort by the Fillies, who won a second straight Class 3A title despite competing in the state meet at Detweiller Park without defending individual champion Mia Sirois due to injury.
Barrington’s highest finisher was eighth-place sophomore Victoria Tarara, but team depth pushed the pack to the top again with 144 points, 15 ahead of Mid-Suburban League rival Prospect.
Angelica Hil and Ashleigh Forbes finished 22nd and 23rd, respectively, to also garner all-state honors.
2. Antioch softball
When you’ve got someone like Samantha Hillner leading the way, you like your chances. All she did this season was hit .426 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI and 22 stolen bases.
Much more importantly, though, the Sequoits won the program’s first state title by beating Glenwood 7-2 in the Class 3A final. Antioch had been knocking on the door for years, posting two runner-up finishes and a third since 2022.
1. Stevenson water polo
All-everything Olivia Spieth and her fellow senior teammates graduated with a dream — four state titles in four seasons.
The Patriots may not have matched last year’s unbeaten romp, but that one loss this season to national power Honolulu Punahou, Hawaii proved invaluable in the long run.
Seniors Erika White, Shanee Sheinman, Arohi Mathur, Elsa Kusevskis and Spieth pulled the group together as they closed the season with a 32-match winning streak.