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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.

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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.

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.