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

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.

Somonauk junior Landin Stillwell – who won the school's first boys cross country state medal – is the 2024 Times Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

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.

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Boys and girls Cross Country teams from Mendota, La Salle-Peru, Princeton, Newman, Amboy, Morris, Hall and Fieldcrest all competed during the Gary Coates Invitational Cross Country meet on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Zearing Park in Princeton.

The cross country season is underway. Here are the team-by-team girls and boys previews with top returners, key newcomers and info on every The Times area squad for the 2024 season.

Check out our team-by-team girls cross country preview with top returners, key newcomers and info on every The Times area team for the 2023 season.