Here are five runners to watch in The Herald-News area during the 2025 cross country season.

Alex Batsala, Plainfield South

The Junior had the best finish at the 3A state meet of any Plainfield South returning runner, taking 58th place. The Cougars have finished first, third and third in 3A in the past three seasons.

Nico Cimino, Minooka

Cimino, a senior, was an all-Southwest Prairie Conference runner last season as well as a Class 3A state qualifier. He finished 36th at the state meet and posted a time of 14:46.

Thomas Czerwinski, Plainfield North

Czerwinski, a senior, finished 10th at the Class 3A state meet last season with a time of 14:25, helping lead the Tigers to a second-place finish.

Nick Dul, Lincoln-Way West

Dul, a senior, is a two-time all-Southwest Suburban Conference runner and qualified for the Class 3A state meet last season, where he finished 67th with a time of 14:59.

Cuyler Swanson, Morris

Swanson, a junior, has qualified for the 2A state meet the past two seasons, finishing fourth last year. He was the I-8 Conference individual champ and won the 2A regional.