Here are five Times-area girls cross country runners to keep an eye on during this fall season.

The cross country season is underway. Here are the team-by-team girls previews with top returners, key newcomers and info on every The Times area squad for the 2025 season.

A look at the La Salle-Peru, St. Bede, Mendota, Princeton, Bureau Valley, Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio, Henry-Midland and Fieldcrest girls cross country teams.

Carol Bauer has retired after more than three decades coaching cross country, track and field and volleyball at the high school and junior high levels at Fieldcrest.

Natalie Misener has committed to continue her education at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais and both her track and cross country careers at the NAIA level with the Tigers.

Sandwich junior Sunny Weber – who won the school's first girls cross country state championship – is the 2024 Times Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.

A look at the top girls cross country runners in the NewsTribune area for the 2024 season.

Henry-Midland junior Daniella Bumber is once again the NewsTribune Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year after winning the Lowpoint-Wasburn/Roanoke-Benson Invite and four other meets and returning to the IHSA Class 1A state meet.

Seneca's Natalie Misener, La Salle-Peru's Adam Kasperski ran to individual La Salle County XC Invitational titles on Saturday at The Eastwood Golf Course in Streator. The Ottawa girls claimed a fourth-straight team title and the Cavaliers boys won for the first time since 2021.