With four of seven runners back who competed at last year’s IHSA Class 3A boys cross-country finals, Lockport and Minooka are focused on not only returning to this year’s finals in Peoria, but also moving up in the standings. And with six of seven starters coming back, Joliet Catholic Academy also is determined to get back to the Class 1A finals.

And there’s two seniors looking to improve upon their all-state finishes: Bolingbrook’s Tyler Cushing, who took 10th place, and Lincoln-Way East’s Brett Gardner, who placed 14th. And after joining Gardner as an all-stater in the 3,200m run in track, Lincoln-Way Central senior Jared Kreis also seeks a trip to the awards stand at Detweiller Park.

Coach Tom Razo’s Porters hope to qualify for state for the third straight year, coach Kevin Gummerson’s Indians look to advance to state for the fourth time in the five years and coach Jason Midlock’s Hilltoppers want to follow up on their initial appearance at state.

Here’s a preview of the area’s largest schools with boys cross country teams:

Bolingbrook

Led by senior Tyler Cushing, who placed 10th in Class 3A, Raiders coach John Sullivan seeks another sectional trip with six runners back. Other senior returners include Jake Cozzi and Kendall Scott and sophomores Brett Wasick, Connor Wasick and Josh Beechler.

Joliet Catholic Academy

The Hilltoppers qualified for the Class 1A finals for their first state trip and coach Jason Midlock returns six of those seven: seniors Marcus Porchia and Michael Rodriguez, juniors Zach Bertino and Jacob Capalbo, and sophomores Andrew Ciarlette and Owen O’Connor.

“Six of the seven that ran in the state meet are back,” Midlock said. “We had a good summer of training and I am looking forward to seeing the runners improve their times as the season progresses.”

Joliet Central

Coach Doug Cherry’s team will be led by junior Jay Dworak, who was a state qualifier in both cross country and track and field last year. Other top Steelmen runners include seniors Daniel Rodriguez, Alex Robinson and Ben Baltz, and junior Erik Tejeda.

“We are untested, but optimistic about the season,” Cherry said .

“Last season, we did not advance out of the regional so one goal that we have is to advance to the sectional.”

Joliet West

The Tigers will be led by their captains, senior Julian Rosenbach and junior Luke Pollack. Top sophomores on coach Brian Newman’s team include George Limacher and Nick Blaauw.

“What I love about this team is the camaraderie,” Newman said. “These guys support each other and genuinely care about one another’s success.”

Lemont

Veteran Indians coach Tim Plotke returns two runners from last year’s sectional qualifier, junior Niko Vallianatos and sophomore Evan Schiffman.

Lincoln-Way Central

Leading the way for coach John Taylor’s Knights is senior Jared Kreis, who placed eighth in the 3,200m run at the IHSA track and field meet to earn all-state honors. Others in the mix are sophomore Caden Simone, seniors Erik Johnson and Lucas Dion, and junior Jay Parker.

“Our running Knights put in the miles this summer and are ready to go after the conference title for the fourth straight year,” Taylor said. “And Jared is looking to do great things at state.”

Lincoln-Way East

Senior Brett Gardner, an all-stater in both cross country and track and field last year, leads the way for coach Ross Widinski’s Griffins. Other runners include Ryan McEldowney, Nolan Enright, Ben Zinsky, Joe Pasyk, Steven Roberts, Cam Kavanaugh and Kyle Rodriguez.

“It will be on the shoulders of the juniors and seniors to step up and fill the talent gap,” Widinski said. “I trust they will or we will very quickly have a very young top seven.”

Lincoln-Way West

Coach Jason Van Swol returns senior Nolan Krol and juniors Bobby Ryan, Nick Reyes and Jack Auchstetter from last year’s team that was a sectional qualifier. Others on the squad are Jackson Cogan, Francis Balquin and Robert Macie.

Lockport

Coach Tom Razo returns seniors Jacob Hinchley, Ross Cronholm, Brenden Diamond and Aidan Pajeau from last year’s state qualifiers. Top juniors include Wil Kiley, Timothy Nielsen, Anthony Molitor and Devan Callahan, while other seniors are Josh Scholl and Michael Barber.

“It has been the most summer miles the Porters have logged in years,” Razo said. “We are hoping for a solid year and will have some extra depth that we have not had in years past.”

Minooka

Returning members for coach Kevin Gummerson’s Indians from last year’s state series roster include seniors Jason Hoffman, Hunter Phillips, Cameron Cimino, Nick Chaidez and Nate Chaidez, junior Vincent Van Eck and sophomore Dan Schalk.

“I am extremely excited about the potential of this group,” Gummerson said. “It’s a group that is willing to learn from each one of their races, which no doubt will pay off when it matters the most.”

Plainfield Central

Coach Jeff Purdom’s Wildcats return five of the top seven from their first sectional-qualifying team in nearly a decade. They are seniors Austin Emrath, Ryan Bonomo and Dean Eubanks, junior Tommy Adelmann and sophomore Aaron Wyckoff.

“After advancing to the sectionals for the first time since 2009, this team has seen what can be accomplished through commitment and hard Work,” Purdom said.

Plainfield North

Senior Matthew Thomas and junior Ryan Maseman figure to lead coach Andrew Derk’s Tigers, while others in the picture from the sectional-qualifying team are seniors Sean Curran and Jake Rutkowski, and juniors Ian Morrison and Andrew Radulovich.

“Our guys of put in a great summer of work, new leaders are emerging, and we look to take a big step forward from last year,” Derks said.

Plainfield South

Cougars coach Jason Crowe, who graduated five from a regional champion team, looks to seniors Jake Schoo, Ryan Wengler and Nick Escobar, and juniors Matt Jalcovik, Matt Graham, Grant Trentz, Riley Jepsen and Amari Townsend.

“I believe we can continue to grow with our leadership and contend for a spot downstate as a team,” Crowe said “We have a great group of young men to accomplish that goal.”

Providence Catholic

Only two runners return from a squad that advanced to the Class 2A state meet. Coach Dawn Gura looks to senior Josh Amann and sophomore Brian Matton to lead the way.

Romeoville

Top runners for coach Caitlin Mingey’s Spartans are seniors Leonardo Perez, Danny Loza and Kamerin Casas, and juniors Josh Kamuda and Chase Pruett.