PEORIA - Batavia sophomore Mia Gianfrancesco made quite a jump this year. Last year Gianfrancesco was the Bulldogs' third runner at the Class 3A state meet finishing in 104th place. But Gianfrancesco capped a pretty special sophomore season by run...

Girls cross country / State meet scouting, Northwest Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria When: Saturday, Class 1A at 9 a.m.; Class 2A at 11 a.m.; Class 3A at 1 p.m. What to know: Naperville North has been on pretty special run. The Huskies have earned si...

Boys cross country: State meet scouting, Northwest Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria When: Saturday; Class 1A at 10 a.m.; Class 2A at noon, Class 3A at 2 p.m. What to know: Neuqua Valley and Downers Grove North finished 1-2 in Class 3A last year; the s...

Angel Barriga, Fenton At times, this senior would draw three or four defenders, but he was still so crafty that he'd find a way to score or set up a teammate. The All-Area team captain scored 35 goals and also had 24 assists to help the Bison win a...

Sydney Aitchison, Metea Valley Once this senior setter helped the team shift to a 5-1 offense after the team suffered injuries, the Mustangs took off and swept through the DVC and went on to win a school-record 29 matches. "The wins and the quality ...

Kaitlyn Beebe Aurora Christian Committed to Western Illinois, this junior played both outside and set for the Northeastern Athletic Conference champion Eagles, who were 29-7 after their Class 2A sectional championship. Beebe had 181 kills, 153 assist...

Wheaton Warrenville South junior Laurel Moneysmith gladly approaches her third Class 3A girls cross country meet Nov. 4 in Peoria with more responsibility. "I'm more of a leader figure because I'm one of the oldest. It's such an honor," Moneysmith s...