A look at the top girls cross country runners in the NewsTribune area for the 2025 season.

Princeton juniors Ruby Acker and Payton Frueh are co-NewsTribune Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year after leading the Tigresses to a third-place finish at regional.

Sandwich senior Sunny Weber hopes to run to second XC state title at Detweiller Park in Saturday's Class 1A state meet, while Somonauk senior Landin Stillwell, Amboy junior Henry Nichols and Princeton junior Payton Frueh will also be running in the finals.

Seneca senior Lily Mueller and Ottawa freshman Connor Media captured titles at Saturday's La Salle County Invitational cross country meet at The Eastwood Golf Course in Streator.

Princeton's Payton Frueh, Ruby Acker and Alexandra Waca placed top 10 to lead the Tigresses to the team title at their own Gary Coates Invitational on Saturday.

Gallery

Teams from Amboy, Dixon, La Salle-Peru, Mendota, Fieldcrest, Morris, Princeton, Hall, and Newman all competed during the Gary Coates Invitational cross country meet on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 at Zearing Park in Princeton.

Something a little different to help get runners in shape and excited for the season is what Ottawa cross country coach Dan Heaver had in mind when putting together the Ottawa Nautical Mile Relays. Mission accomplished.

Gallery

Cross Country teams from Hall, L-P, Mendota, Princeton, Seneca, St Bede, Ottawa, Streator, and Somonauk/Leland competed in the Ottawa Nautical Mile Relay on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 at Catlin Park in Ottawa.

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