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Midwest Region Girls Early Season Rankings 2022Published by
Illinois and Indiana remain front and center as strongest states in region, with York, Prospect and Columbus North having potential to upstage perennial qualifiers and earn first trips to NXN; Naperville North looks to extend run of consecutive appearances in Oregon after eight-year streak was paused due to pandemic By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Girls NXR Midwest Preview Teams from Illinois and Indiana have been the most successful in representing the Midwest in the history of Nike Team Nationals and Nike Cross Nationals, accounting for 31 combined appearances by the two states from 2004-19, before the pandemic prevented the event from being held in Portland, Ore., the past two years. The states expect to be front and center again Nov. 13 at the regional competition at the prestigious LaVern Gibson course in Terre Haute, Ind., but it could be new representatives pursuing their opportunities to advance to race Dec. 3 at Glendoveer Golf Course. York High from Illinois has had the potential to qualify the past two years, but still has enough depth to secure its first NXN appearance, as does 3A rival Prospect. York won the title at NXR Midwest last year, although Ann Arbor Pioneer from Michigan – competing as Purple Track Club – was allowed to race unattached and didn’t score. The Michigan Division 1 state champion would’ve been credited with a lower score than the top program in Illinois 3A, but only individuals from the state are allowed to compete unattached at the regionals, as teams have been advised by Michigan officials that they risk the punishment of being ineligible for spring track competition should they pursue the opportunity to race at NXN. Still, junior Rachel Forsyth of Ann Arbor Pioneer and senior Arianne Olson of Holland West Ottawa are both capable of qualifying to represent Michigan at NXN, along with Tatum David of Olney High in Illinois, Lily Cridge of Bishop Chatard in Indiana, and teammates Sophia Kennedy and Gretchen Farley of Park Tudor High in Indiana. Prospect was runner-up to York at last year’s regional, with Indiana state champion Columbus North taking third. In addition to York and Prospect seeking their first opportunities to race in Oregon, Columbus North is hoping to make similar history as well. Since NXN has been canceled the past two years, Naperville North from Illinois still has a streak of eight consecutive appearances competing in Portland from 2012-19 that it can build on, the most successful stretch in regional history, surpassing the seven straight trips made by Carmel High of Indiana from 2010-16. Ohio was represented in 2019 by Beavercreek, which became the third program from the state to compete in Oregon, along with Magnificat and Bowling Green. It will be a significant challenge this year for Ohio Division 3 program Minster or reigning Division 1 state champion Perrysburg, as well as any group from Missouri, to prevent the elite teams from Illinois and Indiana from taking the top two spots at NXR Midwest. 1. York IL. After completing a dominant run to its first 3A state championship since 2000 in Illinois last year with a 62-151 victory over Prospect, along with finishing fourth at the RunningLane Championships – one point behind third-place Arapahoe from Colorado – York has the necessary components to not only win the NXR Midwest title Nov. 13, but contend for a podium finish Dec. 3 at Nike Cross Nationals. Junior Katherine Klimek, senior Bria Bennis and junior Michaela Quinn all placed in the top 100 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala., with senior Brooke Berger supporting the trio with another top-30 finish at the state final. Although junior Maggie Owens is still rehabilitating from a summer injury in order to be healthy in time for the postseason, York has plenty of depth on its roster capable of contributing, including senior Lily Beerhalter and junior Anna McGrail, along with the arrival of promising freshman Maggie Quinn. Although York isn’t scheduled to travel outside Illinois during the regular season, it will be more than ready to compete at the regional meet in Terre Haute, Ind., and challenge for an automatic berth to make its long-awaited debut at NXN, with four competitors who placed in the top 40 at NXR Midwest last season bringing valuable experience to this year’s lineup. Since finishing 18th at the state final and 29th at the regional meet in 2019, York won the Division 3 crown at the ShaZam Club Championships in 2020, followed by the 3A title last season and isn’t slowing down at all this season. 2. Prospect IL. Another Illinois 3A program motivated to make its NXN debut is Prospect, which is more than familiar with the strength of York, placing second at both the state final and NXR Midwest last season, the latter competition by a 49-116 margin. Despite graduating Audrey Ginsberg, the Knights return junior standout Lily Ginsberg and seniors Hailey Erickson, Cameron Kalaway and Samantha Patterson. Sophomore Ireland Wildhart and junior Bridget Derengowski are also reliable contributors for Prospect, which has juniors Fiona Chojdecki and Kaitlin Skelton, as well as sophomore Veronica Znajda all capable of earning roles in the Knights’ lineup before the postseason. Freshmen Ella Hennig and Anna Zajac are also primed to challenge the returning athletes for varsity opportunities, looking to help Prospect close the gap against York. The Knights will square off Sept. 17 against York at the Richard Spring Invitational, but will also look to benefit from another opportunity to compete on the regional layout at the LaVern Gibson course Oct. 1 at the Nike XC Town Twilight, presented by the Garrett Companies. 3. Columbus North IN. The reigning Indiana state champions, who captured their first team title since 2009, also had an opportunity to make history last year with a lineup capable of challenging for the program’s first NXN berth, but the Bulldogs still showcased their strength by finishing 12th at the RunningLane Championships in Alabama. The top three athletes from that lineup, all seniors, return for Columbus North with the veteran presence of Lily Baker, Julia Kiesler and Brianna Newell, with the trio all finishing in the top 50 at last year’s regional meet. Baker and Kiesler also placed in the top 100 at the national competition at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. The Bulldogs benefit from even more experience from seniors Sydney Morlok, Ellen White and Jessica Meza. Columbus North will try to become the first Indiana girls program to repeat as state champion since Fort Wayne Carroll in 2018-19 and only the fourth group from the state to advance to NXN, along with Carmel, Westfield and Lake Central. The Bulldogs finished eight points behind Prospect of Illinois to take third at NXR Midwest and will likely need to earn an automatic berth by finishing in the top two at the regional meet in order to race in Oregon. 4. Naperville North IL. The nine-time state champions, including five in the 3A classification, along with a nine-time Nike Cross Nationals qualifier, the Huskies couldn’t overcome illness and injury during the postseason and finished an uncharacteristic seventh at the state championship meet last year followed by a fourth-place performance at NXR Midwest. Despite graduating Lucy Westlake and Sophie Golobitsh, Naperville North returns enough experience to put itself in contention for another podium finish at the 3A final, along with being able to challenge for an automatic berth at the regional meet. Junior Julie Piot and sophomore Emma Berres are the catalysts for Naperville North, with sophomore Anika Lovisa and seniors Logan Brennan and Marissa Magana also returning for the Huskies. With Magana improving her fitness after being slowed by an injury during the summer, freshmen twins Shania Tandon and Rianna Tandon will be thrust into the spotlight quickly, along with junior Kayla Marx and seniors Norah Hess and Samantha Falkman potentially filling valuable roles. Naperville North has a pair of significant opportunities early in the season by traveling Sept. 3 to the Pleasant Valley Spartan Invitational in Iowa and Sept. 23 to the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota, providing important evaluation for the Huskies in pursuit of another top-two finish at the state final after its streak of nine straight podium appearances was halted last season. 5. Naperville Central IL. There was valuable experience gained last year for the Redhawks, who finished sixth at the Illinois 3A state final and 18th at NXR Midwest. But with six athletes in that lineup and 11 overall competitors on the roster returning this season, the building blocks are in place for Naperville Central to thrive in an underdog role this fall. Juniors Liv Phillips, Ava Hendren and Kate Tueting provide stability and consistency in leading Naperville Central, with seniors Addison George and Julia Laird, as well as sophomore Lola Satre-Morales benefitting from those postseason opportunities last year. Juniors Abby Mogg and Becca Liaw also have improved significantly since last season and give the Redhawks even more depth, in addition to freshman Eloise Graft and sophomore Allie Opalka. Naperville Central has not achieved a top-three finish at the state meet since 1987, and the group will compete in invitationals throughout the state in order to prepare itself for the challenges of November racing for the 3A championship at Detweiller Park and at the regional competition at LaVern Gibson course in Indiana. WATCHLIST |
