Here are five boys golfers to watch in the Northwest Herald area this season.

Here are five girls golfers to watch in the Northwest Herald area for the 2023 season.

Crystal Lake South graduate Christina Toniolo won a bronze medal for Team Italy at the Canada Cup International Softball Championship last month in British Columbia. "Playing for a country is unlike anything else."

Huntley's Clara Hudgens was unsure if she would continue playing softball at the next level after the Red Raiders' season ended in June. Hudgens recently announced her commitment to NCAA Division I Coastal Carolina. "I’m just really excited to start again."

Cara Neff dreamed of running her own softball program when she interviewed for a teaching position at Cary-Grove five years ago. Neff, a 2011 Wauconda graduate, was officially hired as the Trojans varsity coach last month.

Briana Bower, who helped Huntley softball win a Class 4A state title in 2019, has transferred to the University of Illinois after playing two seasons at Mississippi State. “It’s really a full-circle moment,” Bower said.

Huntley's Katie Mitchell is the 2023 Northwest Herald Softball Player of the Year after leading the Red Raiders to their third straight Fox Valley Conference and eighth straight regional titles. The senior outfielder led the area in hits, runs scored and stolen bases.

Meet the 2023 Northwest Herald All-Area softball team.

Marengo's Rob Jasinski is the 2023 Northwest Herald Softball Coach of the Year after leading the Indians to their first conference title since 2018 and 30 wins for the first time since 2017. Marengo went undefeated in conference and won a Class 2A regional.