Fox Valley Conference

Burlington Central

Coach: Vince Neil (23rd season)

Last year’s finish: Fourth in FVC Meet, eighth in the Class 3A Hoffman Estates Sectional, tied for 46th in state meet

Top returning athletes: LaRaiya Cunningham, so. (long jump/triple jump/sprints); Cailen O’Brien, jr. (high jump/sprints); Julia Scheuer, jr. (distance/sprints); Gracelin Turschman, so. (pole vault); Emilie Anderson, sr. (throws)

Top new athletes: Callie Gates, fr. (triple jump/long jump/sprints); Addy Davis, fr. (middle distance/long distance)

Worth noting: The Rockets should be particularly strong in the field events. As a freshman last spring, Cunningham won the triple jump in the FVC Meet and took sixth in the event at state (Class 3A). Turschman already has vaulted over 10 feet, and Neil says thrower Anderson is stronger and faster than a year ago. “We return quite a few of our top athletes and have added some new freshman athletes who will have an impact on our program and team scoring,” Neil said. “With us transitioning from [Class] 2A to 3A just two years ago, each year we continue to progress in the right direction and strive to set the bar higher. ... This indoor season has already been shaping into one of the most successful indoor seasons that we have ever had. The girls are not only competitive and hungry for success, but they are a supportive group as well. Look for some great things out of this team and the continued success over the course of the outdoor season.”

Cary-Grove

Coach: Mark Anderson (26th season)

Last year’s finish: Third in FVC Meet, seventh in Class 3A Huntley Sectional, tied for 49th in state meet

Top returning athletes: Kennedy Manning, sr. (sprints/jumps); Olivia Parker, sr. (sprints/hurdles); Caelie Mendro, sr. (pole vault/sprints/jumps); Becca DeKett, sr. (sprints/hurdles); Maddie Roy, sr. (throws); Sarah Korn, sr. (sprints); Hannah McFaul, jr. (throws); Penelope Olsen, sr. (jumps); Fiyinfunoluwa Onafeko, jr. (sprints/jumps); Sofia Seaburg, jr. (sprints); Addie Hankin, so. (sprints); Maggie Jablonski, so. (sprints); Bella Limburg, so. (distance); Alexandra Santoyo, so. (distance)

Top new athletes: Kara Dunker, fr. (sprints/jumps); Erin Rebscher, fr. (sprints/jumps); Leah Tatroe, fr. (sprints/jumps); Erin Erpelding, fr. (sprints); Melissa Stepan, so. (throws); Kaitlyn Bartels, so. (sprints/hurdles); Kristen Streit, so. (sprints/hurdles/jumps); Molly Croghan, jr. (sprints/hurdles)

Worth noting: Anderson says his Trojans have a lot of depth in sprints and hurdles. The speedy Parker is one of the best hurdlers in the state. The senior earned her first state medal last spring by finishing seventh in the Class 3A 300 hurdles, after winning both hurdles events in the Huntley Sectional. Anderson called the sophomore Santoyo an “outstanding front-runner” in cross country. “The girls have had a good and competitive indoor season,” Anderson said. “It is a well-balanced team that can cover a lot of events and has had outstanding leadership from upperclassmen.”

Crystal Lake Central

Coach: Brett Willhoit (11th season)

Last year’s finish: Eighth in FVC Meet, 10th in Class 3A Huntley Sectional, tied for 41st in state meet

Top returning athletes: Grace Fujino, sr. (pole vault); Ryleigh Mazzacano, jr. (high jump); Elynor Raithel, so. (sprints); Gwen Kidd, sr. (distance); Jacqueline Orvis, sr. (distance); Molly Sterzik, sr. (distance); Jordann O’Brien, sr. (sprints)

Top new athletes: Mya Williams, fr. (sprints); Zofia Knezevic, fr. (sprints); Gabrielle Fujino, fr. (pole vault)

Worth noting: As a freshman last spring, Raithel won the 200 meters in the Class 3A Huntley Sectional and also qualified for state in the 100. Mazzacano (high jump) and Fujino (pole vault) were also state qualifiers for the Tigers. “We have some individual talent returning and a good group of freshmen coming in,” Willhoit said. “We are trying to get the group to come together as a team and work together for overall team success in the very competitive (FVC).”

Crystal Lake South

Coach: Sam Babick (first season)

Last year’s finish: Ninth in FVC Meet, 12th in Class 3A Huntley Sectional

Top returning athletes: Emme Reall, so. (sprints); Reagan Marsett, so. (400/800); Caroline Lucas, so. (distance); Analise Strauss, jr. (long jump/sprints); Addison Nabielec, sr. (sprints); Madisyn Patrick, so. (throws); Sedona Semradek, jr. (discus/sprints/800)

Top new athletes: Alivia Hadzic, fr. (high jump/pole vault/100); Olivia Barnat, fr. (sprints); Victoria Sarakhman, fr. (hurdles/long jump/pole vault); Makayla Westermann, fr. (high jump)

Worth noting: Babick replaces longtime Gators coach Matt Dunker and takes over a young squad. Lucas finished 40th in the Class 2A state cross country meet last fall. “We are a growing team that is returning young talent from last year,” Babick said. “We have amazing leadership and support from our seniors and very promising new athletes. This team looks forward to pushing its limits and finding its strengths within competition.”

Dundee-Crown

Coach: Christine Hopkins-Muehl (14th season)

Last year’s finish: 10th in FVC Meet, 13th in Class 3A Huntley Sectional

Top returning athletes: Alexa Baxter, sr. (sprints); Michelle Garcia, sr. (sprints); Jordyn Shelley, sr. (sprints); Lisa Hahn, sr. (throws); Yazleen Santos, sr. (distance); Delilah Kissane, jr. (sprints); Jade Adegbusi, jr. (sprints); Penny Murray, jr. (hurdles/jumps); Aaliyah Olla, jr. (hurdles/sprints); Alexandra Burczynski, jr. (distance); Ashly Castro, jr. (distance); Sarah Hillyer, jr. (distance); Clara Meier, so. (throws); Praise Komolofe, so. (sprints); Maggie Firek, so. (high jump)

Top new athletes: Daisy Lopez, fr. (sprints/jumps/hurdles); Ivett Castaneda, fr. (sprints/jumps/hurdles); Zoie Finley, fr. (sprints/jumps/hurdles); Kenadie London, fr. (sprints/jumps/hurdles); Truly Slater, fr. (sprints/jumps/hurdles); Melina Nomikoudis, fr. (distance); Brigid McCrate, fr. (distance); Julieivette Castro, fr. (distance)

Worth noting: The Chargers received a fourth-place finish from Kissane in the 400 meters in the sectional last spring. “We are hoping to make gradual improvements each and every meet,” Hopkins-Muehl said. “We are trying to foster a mindset of commitment, cooperation and improvement. We know we are facing an uphill battle compared to other teams in our conference. We just want to show consistent growth as a team and as individuals.”

Hampshire

Coach: Bo Price (fourth season)

Last year’s finish: Second in FVC Meet, second in Class 3A Huntley Sectional, tied for 54th in state meet

Top returning athletes: Alyssa Garcia, sr. (400/800); Ava Garcia, sr. (100/200/400); Hailey Homola, sr. (throws); Annabelle Haskins, sr. (800/1,600/3,200); Elianna Miranda, sr. (pole vault)

Top new athletes: Hannah Nalugemwa, fr. (hurdles)

Worth noting: Homola took eighth in the Class 3A shot put last spring. Price said his Whip-Purs will have strong relays, while sisters Alyssa and Ava Garcia will lead the relays. Alyssa Garcia won the 400 meters at the Huntley Sectional.

Huntley

Coach: Jason Monson (seventh season)

Last year’s finish: First in FVC Meet, first in Class 3A Huntley Sectional, tied for 10th in state meet

Top returning athletes: Addi Busam, sr. (jumps/sprints); Brianna Felde, sr. (throws); Elena Fetzer, jr. (throws); Emma Garofalo, sr. (pole vault); Izzy Ciesla, sr. (distance); Haley Rahman, jr. (distance); Morgan Sauber, jr. (distance); Cori Kilvinger, sr. (distance); Aspen Maldonado, sr. (distance); Reagan Ellis, so. (sprints/middle distance); Myla Wade, so. (sprints/middle distance); Ava Acevedo, sr. (middle distance); Rachel Hogan, so. (sprints)

Top new athletes: Olivia Pontious, jr.; Abi McKoy, sr.; Kalia Parris, jr.; Ari Ford, jr.; Maddie Hilliard, sr.; Tife Amu, jr.

Worth noting: The four-time defending FVC champion Red Raiders remain loaded, despite the graduation of three-time state triple jump champ Dominique Johnson (Miami). Busam (4x100, 4x200 relays, long jump), Felde (shot put), Fetzer (shot put), Garofalo (pole vault), Ciesla (3,200), Rahman (1,600, 4x800 relay); Sauber (800, 4x800 relay), Kilvinger (4x800 relay), Maldonado (4x800 relay), Ellis (4x100, 4x200 relays), Wade (400, 4x400 relay), Acevedo (4x400 relay) and Hogan (relays) all have state-meet experience, as does Parris, who ran for Marian Central in Class 1A last spring. “I think we are strong and deep enough to be extremely competitive,” Monson said. “Our girls have put in a ton of work in the offseason, and it’s shown throughout the indoor season. We should be very competitive at the conference and sectional level, and we have quite a few opportunities to reach the podium this year at state. We are very young and have a lot of contributing underclassmen, but many of them got great experience last year. We are strong in the field and relays, and our distance kids have put up some impressive numbers this indoor season, breaking multiple school records.”

Jacobs

Coach: Jason Wright (third season)

Last year’s finish: Sixth in FVC Meet, eighth in Class 3A Huntley Sectional, tied for 34th in state meet

Top returning athletes: Carly Uehlein, sr. (throws); MacKenzie Cronin, sr. (1,600/800/4x800 relay); Brylan Lemon, so. (100/300 hurdles/4x400 relay); Aaliyah Guichon, jr. (100/200/4x100 relay/4x200 relay); Julia Felton, so. (800); Rylie Warczak, sr. (400/800); Matylda Maciejczyk, sr. (3,200)

Top new athletes: Lennox Szymonik, fr. (1,600/3,200); Dani Soto, fr. (1,600/3,200); Jamie Lakeman, so. (400/800); Briana Ramsey, sr. (100/200/4x100 relay/4x200 relay)

Worth noting: Uehlein finished second in the Class 3A discus in her first state meet last year and also qualified in the shot put. Golden Eagles newcomer Szymonik was an all-state cross country runner in the fall, finishing 10th in Class 3A. “We are looking to finish in the top three of our conference and send a few kids to state,” Wright said. “Carly Uehlein has stated her goal is to come home from state with two medals [shot put and discus]. We’ve seen some great improvements out of the group so far this year, and I’m excited to see what they can do in the outdoor portion of our season.”

McHenry

Coach: Kyle Owens (18th season)

Last year’s finish: Seventh in FVC Meet, sixth in Class 3A Huntley Sectional

Top returning athletes: Alexis Danz, jr. (distance); Brianna Amedio, sr. (long jump/sprints); Mackenzie Grieve, sr. (sprints); Addison Hoffmann, so. (sprints); Bria Larak, so. (hurdles/pole vault); Olivia Meyer, jr. (hurdles)

Top new athletes: Kennedy Harding, fr. (distance); Carley Rowe, fr. (sprints); Ebony Vasquez, fr. (middle distance); Kateryna Vykhrystiuk, fr. (middle distance); Afton Ingraffia, jr. (sprints/jumps); Addison Cichocki, fr. (hurdles); Izabella Eguizabal, fr. (sprints/jumps); Bella Stone, fr. (sprints/jumps)

Worth noting: Speedsters Hoffmann (100, 200) and Meyer (100 hurdles) give the Warriors two returning state qualifiers. The Warriors should be strong in sprints (Hoffman and Amedio), sprint relays, hurdles (Meyer and Larak), long jump (Amedio) and distance (Danz and freshman Harding). “Our young team has been steadily improving each week throughout the indoor season,” Owens said. “We are looking to continue that progression as we head into the outdoor season so we can be competitive in all events come championship season in May.”

Prairie Ridge

Coach: Michelle Roberts (first season)

Last year’s finish: Fifth in FVC Meet, second in Class 2A Genoa-Kingston Sectional, tied for 23rd in state meet

Top returning athletes: Lila Stewart, sr. (400/800); Anneke Dam, so. (400/800); Emmie Foster, so. (1,600/3,200); Ava Merklin, sr. (200); Madison Carver, jr. (100); Kelly Anderson, sr. (100 hurdles); Leah Berning, jr. (100 hurdles); Paige Arnold, so. (shot put); Jessie Merritt, jr. (high jump)

Top new athletes: Ava Cockrum, fr. (discus); Sylvia Columbaro, fr. (400); Lily Behrns, fr. (200); Anna Baade, fr. (200/400)

Worth noting: Foster is back after medaling in both of her distance races at state last spring, as she took fifth in the 3,200 and ninth in the 1,600. In the fall, she was the Northwest Herald Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year after a runner-up finish in the Class 2A state meet. Dam won the 800 meters at the sectional last spring. Anderson and Merklin also have state-meet experience for the Wolves. “We’ve got a solid mix of returners and new athletes, giving us good balance across the board,” Roberts said. “The 400/800 group is a big strength and should help us in both open events and relays. Distance brings consistency, and our sprint group adds speed and scoring potential. Hurdles and field events give us reliability and key points, and overall, we have more depth than in the past, which helps with lineup flexibility.”

Kishwaukee River Conference

Harvard

Coach: Casey Seyller (21st season)

Last year’s finish: Eighth in KRC Meet, tied for 11th in Class 2A Genoa-Kingston Sectional

Top returning athletes: Ella Martin, sr. (high jump/hurdles/relays); Hayden Binz, sr. (pole vault/relays/400), Ani Gonzalez, sr. (sprints/relays); Genah Arias, jr. (long jump/sprints/relays), Jocelyn Hernandez, jr. (throws); Melissa Sanchez, sr. (sprints), Mareli Hernandez, sr. (sprints); Macie Norgard, sr. (hurdles); Alexa Herrera, sr. (pole vault)

Top new athletes: Maya Garay, fr. (400/800); Olivia Nulle, so. (sprints/relays/long jump); Emree Taunis, so. (sprints/relays); Bria Olbrich, fr. (sprints/relays); Elena Olbrich, so. (triple jump/sprints); Hannah Jimenez, so. (400/800)

Worth noting: The Hornets boast returning state qualifier Binz (pole vault) and Martin (high jumper, hurdler), who’s a school-record holder. “With the biggest group of ladies I’ve had out, our team’s strengths will come from our sprints and field events,” Seyller said. “We had a very competitive indoor season and look to carry that to the outdoor season with our senior leadership.”

Johnsburg

Coach: Jacob Behrens (second season)

Last year’s finish: Third in KRC Meet, third in Class 2A Genoa-Kingston Sectional, tied for 56th in state meet

Top returning athletes: Hope Klosowicz, sr. (sprints/relays); Carly Duck, sr. (pole vault, sprint relays); Stori Hurckes, so. (throws); Summer Toussaint, so. (sprints/relays); Clara Nicoline, so. (distance), Abby Lane, jr. (sprints/relays); Maura Oeffling, so. (sprints/relays); Kailey Delulio, so. (sprints/relays)

Top new athletes: Carmen Sierra, jr. (throws); Addison Klos, fr. (middle distance/distance); Dorothy Ruth, fr. (sprints/pole vault); Brookelyn Russo, fr. (long jump/sprints)

Worth noting: Klosowicz returns after medaling (seventh) in the Class 2A 400 dash last spring. The speedster is also the reigning KRC champ in the 400. Hurckes (shot put, discus) and Duck (pole vault) also qualified for state last spring. Klosowicz, Oeffling, Lane and Toussaint comprised the Skyhawks’ sectional-winning 4x400 relay. “The Skyhawks enter the season with strong momentum and high expectations,” Behrens said. “After finishing third at the KRC Meet last season, just eight points out of first, the team is motivated to take the next step. With a solid core of returning talent and growing depth, this group is well-positioned to compete for a conference title and make another strong postseason run.”

Marengo

Coach: Kim Hoffmeister (third season)

Last year’s finish: Sixth in KRC Meet, tied for 11th in Class 2A Genoa-Kingston Sectional

Top returning athletes: Amy Smith, jr. (distance); Mikayla Barry, sr. (sprints); Ava Frederick, sr. (sprints); Leah Palanos, jr. (jumps); Olivia Walter, sr. (hurdles); Leah Koelper, so. (distance)

Top new athletes: Brooke Rubel, fr. (distance)

Worth noting: Walter (100 hurdles) was the Indians’ lone state qualifier last year. Distance runner Koelper “really improved over the summer,” Hoffmeister said. “Strengths are our senior leaders who are experienced and successful,” Hoffmeister said. “We have the highest numbers we have had in years, so we have lots of options in many events. We’ve had a productive indoor season, with lots of early-season PRs and are excited to see how outdoor goes.”

Richmond-Burton

Coach: Taylor Conroy (fourth season)

Last year’s finish: Second in KRC Meet, seventh in Class 2A Genoa-Kingston Sectional

Top returning athletes: Emerson Wold, sr. (800/relays); London Oudshoorn, jr. (400/200/relays); Sophia Komar, sr. (long jump/triple jump/200/100/relays); Emily Wisniewski, jr. (relays/hurdles); Karly Krashoc, jr. (400/200/relays); Sydney Frericks, so. (200/100/relays); Lianna Pekovitch, so (400/relays/hurdles); Reagan Wisniewski, jr. (high jump/4x200 relay/200); Olivia Liebich, so. (800/4x800 relay/distance); Madelyn Peterie, jr. (800/relays/throws); Maya Zmuda, so. (sprints/relays); AJ Sears, jr. (throws)

Top new athletes: Khloe Lundy, fr. (distance/800/relays); Sophie Nelson, fr. (long jump/triple jump/4x200 relay/sprints); Charlotte Sheedlo, fr. (triple jump/4x200 relay/200)

Worth noting: Conroy is optimistic about her Rockets, who return KRC champs Komar (long jump, triple jump) and Wold (800). Komar (long jump, 4x200 relay), Wold (4x800 relay), Wisniewski (4x200 relay), Frericks (4x200 relay) and Oudshoorn (4x800 relay) all competed at state last spring. “Looking to keep growing in size as a girls’ team,” Conroy said. “We have new athletes we are excited to have and returning athletes we are excited to have back. As always, we are looking to contend for a conference title and continue to qualify athletes to the state meet.”

Woodstock

Coach: Jon Brown (seventh season)

Last year’s finish: First in KRC Meet, fifth in Class 2A Genoa-Kingston Sectional, tied for 56th in state meet

Top returning athletes: Clementine Arana, jr. (pole vault); Martha Baker, jr. (distance); Emma Bierman, so. (jumps/sprints); DaNiyah Clopton, jr. (jumps/sprints); Sofia Krueger, sr. (sprints); Olivia Hasan, so. (throws/distance); Yaxiri Juarez, jr. (sprints); Kenzie Liebetrau, so. (distance); Mia Foss, sr. (horizontal jumps/sprints); Micaela Chiappetta, sr. (sprints); Brianna Crown, sr. (throws); DJ Lebron Rosado, sr. (throws); Hannah Olsen, sr. (pole vault); Sophie Sarabia, sr. (distance); Ella Smart, jr. (distance); Alexa Nevarez Del-Toral, so. (distance); Rihanna Payton, so. (sprints); Viviana Rodriguez, jr. (throws); Shylah Smith, jr. (jumps/sprints); Tess Wisner, so. (sprints/hurdles)

Top newcomers: Kate Foss, fr. (horizontal jumps/sprints); Haleah Olsen, so. (jumps/sprints); Darya Rebrov, fr. (hurdles); Hazel Rosemann, fr. (distance); Vicky Sarabia, fr. (distance); Courtney Schaal, fr. (throws); Lydia Weidner, so. (sprints/hurdles); Rylee Zawisza, fr. (sprints/hurdles); Reese Zawisza, fr. (sprints); Alexis Zimmerman, fr. (high jump/sprints/hurdles); Kiera Merrell, sr. (distance); Raea Morris, fr. (jumps/sprints); Grace Schaaf, fr. (hurdles)

Worth noting: The two-time defending KRC champion Blue Streaks have a young team but return state qualifiers Bierman, Smith (800 relay) and Mia Foss (800, 4x400 relay, triple jump). “A lot is expected of those three to score many points for the team as well as be leaders,” Brown said. “Our freshman class is the biggest we have had in years, and a good amount of them will step right in and fill important roles. The KRC has some very talented teams with outstanding coaches that will make it a lot of fun to compete against this year.”

Woodstock North

Coach: Cas Creighton (14th season)

Last year’s finish: Fifth in KRC Meet, eighth in Class 2A Genoa-Kingston Sectional

Top returning athletes: Lauren Bieszczad, sr. (high jump); Chloe Albrecht, jr. (pole vault); Ryan Cunningham, so. (distance); Elli Voss, sr. (jumps); Victoria Grant, jr. (sprints)

Top new athletes: Alison Picollo, fr. (sprints); Danica LaTessa, sr. (sprints/jumps); Divina Okwong, fr. (sprints/high jump); Gracie Duenas, sr. (sprints/jumps); Grace Mitchell, fr. (throws)

Worth noting: The Thunder boast a returning state qualifier in Bieszczad, who was second in the high jump in the sectional last spring. “This is the biggest team we have had,” Creighton said. “It’s exciting to see so many want to come out and put the work in. Girls are having to compete for spots, so it’s bringing competition and drive to the team dynamic. We had a great turnout this year between freshmen coming in and seniors joining for the first time.”

Chicagoland Christian Conference

Marian Central

Coach: Emily D’Antonio (second season)

Last year’s finish: Fourth in CCC Meet, sixth in Class 1A Lena-Winslow Sectional

Top returning athletes: Jenna Remke, sr. (sprints); Addie Leitzen, so. (sprints/horizontal jumps); Lainey Remke, so. (sprints/high jump); Emily Merryman, jr. (sprints); Natalia Lara, jr. (high jump); Clare Schneck, so. (sprints); Giuseppa Cipolla, jr. (throws); Charlotte Harrison, jr. (throws); Julia Dovidio, so. (horizontal jumps)

Top new athletes: Gabriella Lee, fr. (middle distance)

Worth noting: The Hurricanes return three of their four legs from last year’s state-qualifying 4x200 relay in the Remke sisters and Leitzen. Jenna Remke and Leitzen also ran on the state-qualifying 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Leitzen finished 10th in the triple jump at state. “Each year is a new story,” D’Antonio said. “Our relays should be competitive again this year. ... Jenna is the heart and soul of our team. No one works harder, and she holds herself and her teammates to high standards. Addie has such potential and could qualify for state in both horizontal jumps and each relay.” ... The Hurricanes graduated Kaitlyn Remke, and Kalia Paris transferred to Huntley, but D’Antonio says her team has a strong core in Merryman, Schneck and the freshman Lee. They “should take the baton and not lose a step,” said D’Antoni, adding she expects to have “big gains in our jumps core from Lara, Lainey Remke and Dovidio.”

Northeastern Athletic Conference

Alden-Hebron

Coach: Miguel Gil-Reyes (sixth season)

Last year’s finish: 10th in Class 1A Lena-Winslow Sectional

Top returning athletes: Kate Weber, sr. (high jump/100/100 hurdles); Nely Alvarez, sr. (400/800/1,600/3,200); Isabella Beck, jr. (sprints/long jump)

Top new athletes: Briana Nelson, sr. (200/400/800)

Worth noting: The Giants graduated sectional shot put champion Rileigh Gaddini. Weber will do a lot on the track and in jumps. “Kate showcased impressive versatility, excelling across sprints, hurdles and the high jump,” Gil-Reyes said. “Her well-rounded athleticism made her a key contributor in multiple events.” ... Alvarez is the team’s top returning middle-distance and distance runner. “Nely proved to be a powerhouse in distance events,” Gil-Reyes said. “Her stamina and consistency set her apart as a reliable performer. She is well within reach to qualify for state this year in the 800 and 3,200.” ... Beck gives the Giants another versatile athlete. “Isabella brought speed and skill to both sprinting and the long jump,“ Gil-Reyes said. ”Her dynamic performances made her a standout in multiple disciplines.”