Local athletes compete in the IHSA Class 2A Richmond-Burton Sectional Boys Track and Field Sectional Meet on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Richmond-Burton High School.

McHenry senior Natalie Bender brought her cool and calm to the circle Wednesday, throwing a four-hit shutout to lead the Warriors past Jacobs 3-0 in the teams' Class 4A McHenry Regional softball semifinal.

The IHSA girls track and field state championships run Thursday-Saturday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Here is the full list of state qualifiers from the Northwest Herald area.

Diego Herrera doubled and recorded three RBIs for Huntley baseball, Christine Chmiel struck out 17 for Marian Central softball, Cary-Grove girls soccer advanced to the regional finals and McHenry boys lacrosse won its sectional opener. Plus more baseball, softball and soccer.

Cary-Grove's Olivia Osadzinski and Holly Streit had game-tying hits in the seventh and eighth innings, and Emily Glen provided a walk-off single in the ninth as the Trojans rallied to beat Harvard 5-4 in their Class 3A Prairie Ridge Regional semifinal Tuesday.

Kylee Nicholson threw a one-hitter with 13 strikeouts, and Woodstock North's softball team beat Woodstock 5-1 in a semifinal of the Class 3A Crystal Lake Central Regional. The win avenged the Thunder's lone loss in Kishwaukee River Conference play.

Ava Gertz posted her third hat trick in four games, freshman Maelyn Growney scored the first two goals of her varsity career, and Prairie Ridge shut out Crystal Lake South 5-0 in an IHSA Class 2A regional semifinal girls soccer match at Crystal Lake Central on Tuesday.

Prairie Ridge face Crystal Lake South in the Class 2A Crystal Lake Central Regional girls soccer semifinal on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Crystal Lake Central High School.

Marengo identical twins Grant and Jackson Heimsoth have helped the Indians excel in sprit relays this spring. Their next test comes Wednesday in the Class 2A Richmond-Burton Sectional.