Girls cross country: Cook County and Lake County season preview

The Prospect girls cross country team enters the teams without many question marks. The Knights, who finished in second place in Class 3A last season, are deep, talented and motivated.

Junior Lily Ginsberg and senior Hailey Erickson are the top two returnees looking to help the Knights win a state title. Ginsberg earned an 11th-place medal last fall to lead the Knights. Seniors Cam Kalaway and Samantha Patterson join junior Bridget Derengowski and sophomore Ireland Wildhart to round out a talented top six.

"(We) are led by a dynamic one-two-three punch with veterans Ginsberg, Erickson and Kalaway who have paved the way," Prospect coach Pete Wintermute said. "Their experience and leadership has been contagious to the rest of the team."

Antioch is a young team that features four talented sophomores among the top five. Sophomores Piper Ipsen, Rosie Gonzalez, Annalise Lowrance and Angela Ortiz, join junior Addison Lane.

At Barrington, the Fillies are looking to top last season's 14th-place finish at Class 3A state. Some of their top runners include Kaleigh Burns (junior), Allie Edwards (junior), Viktoria Higgins (sophomore), Abby Lewis (freshman), Samantha Rowley (sophomore), Scout Storms (sophomore), Sydney Sukel (junior) and Claire Thome (sophomore).

"We have a strong group of young runners that will need to learn to run together in order to be successful this season," Barrington coach Debbie Revolta said.

Buffalo Grove senior Jenna Pullega leads an experienced team that includes talented junior Delaney Janus and senior Iva Scekic.

Carmel is looking for quality seasons from sophomore Izzy Bing and sophomore Norah Belmonte.

Senior Lucy Scales is among the top runners for Conant this season, along with Andrea Kehaiova, Aimee Antuna and Abigail Denna.

Grant returns five of its top seven runners, highlighted by senior Brianna Osmon, who placed seventh in the Northern Lake Country Conference meet last year.

Grayslake Central has one of the strongest junior duos in the state in Bella Domier and Sara Armstrong. The Rams are seeking to defend their Class 2A state team championship. Domier placed 10th and Armstrong took 20th last season.

"This team will be better than last year, but the competition will also be better," Grayslake Central coach James Centella said. "Bella has been looking strong again this season. Sara and newcomer Ava Henne have also been keeping pace with Bella this year, so far."

Grayslake North senior Nicole Brown is the headline returnee, while freshmen Madison Peterson and Lucy Roscoe are both ready for the spotlight.

Hersey senior Anna Harden is looking to finish her career with a big splash. She's the top returnee for the Huskies after placing 25th at state.

Lakes, which is coached by Travis Shepherd and Christine Zucker, brings back Becca Runyan, Madison Perez, Paige-Elicia Caruth, Madison Twarling, Bri Gara and Hannah Rojas.

"We return everyone back from our team that placed fifth at state," Shepherd said. "The girls had a strong summer and are motivated to improve on last season."

Lake Zurich is led by senior Brooke Johnston, Luciya Koenvoa, Lindsey Bitzer and McKenzie Bergfeld.

"Brooke has put in the best summer of her career," Lake Zurich coach Jeremy Kauffman said. "I'm excited to watch her this fall. She really is at another level."

Ashley Gaba and Shalini Patel are part of a young team at Maine East. Senior Sofia Milovanovic is the long senior on the team.

Maine South is a team to watch due to several returnees from last season's 16th-place showing in 3A. Sofia Arcuri and Olivia DeLuca are the Hawks' top two runners this fall.

At Maine West, Kennedy Young and Amelie Mach both are being counted on to be consistent runners and leaders this fall.

Palatine's goals are high thanks to the talents of senior Ruth Hall, sophomore Abigail Jordan and freshman Monika Urbaniak.

"With the strong and dedicated leadership of our upperclassmen, the team looks to improve upon their finishes from last year," Palatine coach Anthony DeStephano said. "We have had several runners step up to challenge for a top seven spot, giving our team a bit of depth. They've put together a strong summer of training and are eyeing to be in the running for a team state qualifying spot in the postseason."

Rolling Meadows' seniors Colette Lampa and Anita Konopka and sophomore Lucy Bollweg make the Mustangs a possible team to have a bust-out season.

Schaumburg's sophomore class is leading the way this season, with Milana Pisto, Jpia Sodimu and Abby Kilian joining juniors Emily Carlos and Grace Schluckbier.

"The team is looking to achieve new heights this season," Schaumburg coach Kristen Miller said.

St. Viator senior captain Maddie Reddin is the team leader while seniors Sidney Jones, junior Nadia Diaz and sophomore Caitie Glasstetter help absorb the loss of graduated Mary Grace Hegberg, who placed second in 2A in 2021.

Stevenson coach Lindsay DePaul has set the bar high because of the return of Adeline Gobble, Stella Plendl, Anna Edgcomb, Isabel Edgcomb and Nanoko Seki.

"We're looking forward to our best season in several years," she said. "Our junior class is particularly strong, with four returners poised to have their best seasons yet."

Warren senior Mia Pasah is one of the top returnees in the state. She claimed a sixth-place medal in 3A in 2021.

"Mia is going for top three in the state," Warren coach Jacob Buddell said. "We hope to place in the top two of our conference and make a run as a team to place top 10 at state."

Wauconda's Ashley Chan and Alyssa Vodicka are the top returnees for the Bulldogs.