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DeKalb Barbs
Coach: Mike Wolf (24th season)
2020 record: Qualified two runners for sectional
Top returners: Annika Burchell, sr.; Leah Valentiner, sr.
Key newcomers: Korima Gonzalez, so.; Benda Aquino, fr.; Reese Zimmer, fr.
Worth noting: The Barbs have two top-end runners in Burchell and Valentiner and have added a lot of young talent to the varsity roster. … The team will have quite a few freshmen, so the development of the younger runners will play a big part in how the team does. … ”(The) Veteran senior leaders will guide a nice group of young newcomers,” Wolf said. “The girls have worked hard this summer and they are having fun and pushing each other at practice.”
Genoa-Kingston Cogs
Coach: Tiffany Thurlby
2020 record: Seventh in BNC
Top returners: Kaitlyn Jerbi, sr.; Violet Northrup, jr.; Jessica Zweifel, jr.
Key newcomers: Allison Poegel, fr.; Rowan Ellis, fr.; Keara Ellis, fr.
Worth noting: Jerbi returns as the only senior for a Cogs team that will feature four freshmen. …There will be some growing pains as this young team learns how to race, but with only one senior, they will have a chance to gain experience for the future. … “With practices organized based on social distancing and not having the ability to push one another alongside on distance runs and workouts with their teammates, every member on the team improved their times, which is something to be proud of.,” Thurlby said.
Indian Creek Timberwolves
Coach: Jody Olive (fourth season)
2020 record: One runner with a state-qualifying time.
Top returners: Caroline Bend, jr.; Cheyenne Fay, so.
Worth noting: Bend qualified for the state meet for the Timberwolves last season and Fay has been putting in the work to have a breakout season. …They are the only two runners on the team, so they will be pushing each other all season. …” We have a talented group of runners that continue to work hard,” Olive said. “They also have strong character.”
Kaneland Knights
Coach: Doug Ecker (34th season)
2020 record: First in I8, third at regional, eight at sectional
Top returners: Rose Dallal, jr.; Caroline Nosek, sr.; Lindsey Andrae, jr.
Key newcomers: Alli Gonnella, jr.; Jade Unzueta, fr.
Worth noting: The Knights lost three seniors who were four-year varsity runners from their conference champion team, but still have three all-conference runners in Dallal, Nosek, and Andrae. … Gonnella returns after not running last season and has already been the top runner at a meet. …”If they stay healthy they could content for the conference XC title again this year and have a respectable showing in the state series,” Ecker said.
Sycamore Spartans
Coach: Adam Bezinovich (10th season)
2020 record: second in I8, fourth at regional, 12th at sectional
Top returners: Lily Baker, sr.; Hayley King, so.; Grace Parks, jr.
Key newcomers: Alyssa Stacy, fr.
Worth noting: The Spartans return Baker and King from last year as their top two runners. ... Parks returns to the team after an injury that kept her out last season and will be in the top three. … Stacy was a top runner on the middle school team last year and should be in the top five. …”Our top three runners should be very close together, which will help our overall score at bigger meets,” Bezinovich said. “Our number 4 and 5 runners have a very high ceiling.”