Elite Illinois 3A programs Prospect and York remain the top contenders to lead the Midwest to more success in Oregon, with quality challengers from Indiana and Ohio also present, along with a potential national presence in Michigan

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Girls NXR Midwest Preview

Even with a two-year absence of Nike Cross Nationals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, not much changed in the landscape of the Midwest Region when the event finally returned last year to Glendoveer Golf Course in Oregon.

Following 31 combined appearances by girls programs from Illinois and Indiana at Nike Team Nationals and NXN from 2004-19, not only did Prospect and York represent Illinois and the region in Portland, they both placed among the top 10 teams.

Both teams are capable of not only qualifying to race at NXN again this season based on their performances Nov. 12 at the regional meet at the LaVern Gibson course in Terre Haute, Ind., but they also have the potential to be in contention for top 10 performances in December.

Illinois, which has qualified at least one girls team to race at NXN for the past 13 championship meets, joined Colorado as the only two states to have a pair of programs in the top 10 at Glendoveer Golf Course last year.

Prospect prevailed by a 39-58 margin against York at the Illinois 3A state final, then secured a 52-73 victory at NXR Midwest, before placing fifth at NXN with 189 points. York, the 2021 regional winner, was 10th in Oregon with 278 points.

Indiana and Ohio both have a pair of teams with ambitions of closing the gap on the Illinois powers, with Michigan having a potential threat to be among the top programs nationally in reigning Division 2 champion Otsego, led by senior Megan Germain.

The Bulldogs had multiple athletes compete unattached last year in the championship race at LaVern Gibson, as only individuals from the state are allowed to compete unattached at the regionals. 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.

Hamilton Southeastern and reigning state champion Noblesville are leading the way in Indiana, with Carmel also in contention. Carmel was the last Indiana program to compete at NXN in 2016.

Mason, the reigning Division 1 state title holder, and Hilliard Davidson are the top programs once again in Ohio. Mason triumphed by a 75-91 margin at the state final, before Hilliard Davidson took third at the regional meet and the Comets secured sixth.

Beavercreek was the last Ohio girls program to compete at NXN in 2019.

Nicki Southerland of Delta and Addison Knoblauch from Homestead have the potential to represent Indiana as individual qualifiers at NXN, in addition to Evelyn Prodoehl from Lakota West and Sarah Peer of Westlake High in Ohio, along with Rachel Forsyth from Ann Arbor Pioneer and Jessica Jazwinski of Hart High in Michigan.

Helen Sachs from Holland West Ottawa in Michigan, who qualified for NXN last year, has spent the majority of the past nine months rehabilitating and regaining fitness.

Josie Baker of Kirkwood High in Missouri could also factor into the individual qualifiers, although it would take a significant effort by Raymore-Peculiar or Blue Springs South to become the first girls team from the state to advance to NXN.

1. Prospect IL. The Knights produced one of the most remarkable performances in Illinois state championship history to triumph last year in the 3A final, elevating from a second-place finish in 2021. Prospect then added its first regional title, before concluding the year with a top-five national result in its debut in Portland. Despite some key losses to graduation, the Knights still have plenty of firepower up front with the trio of junior Veronica Znajda, sophomore Meg Peterson and senior Lily Ginsberg. Ireland Wildhart, another junior, also returns from the NXN lineup. Depth isn’t a concern for Prospect, which will look for Sophie Fransen, Rachel Asper, Bridget Derengowski, Emma Skelton and Anna Zajac take on more significant roles in the Knights’ pursuit of back-to-back 3A state championships and another impressive showcase at the regional meet in Terre Haute.

2. York IL. The Dukes aren’t lacking any motivation after winning the 3A state title in 2021, only to have several exceptional efforts overshadowed last year by Prospect. York understands the pursuit of state and regional titles requires great health and consistent racing, but also the ability to rise to the occasion against another formidable Illinois program in Prospect in order to secure a second straight NXN appearance. Katherine Klimek and Michaela Quinn, both seniors, provide experience and leadership for the Dukes, who also return sophomore Maggie Quinn and senior Maggie Owens from last year’s national lineup in Oregon. Several sophomores also have the opportunity to become valuable contributors for York, including Lilly Bianchi, Sophia Galiano-Sanchez, Lila Stanley, Kate Geiger, Gigi Hill and Paige Byrne. Anna McGrail, a senior, in addition to junior Scarlett Moriarity and freshman Kate Tanny could also impact the Dukes’ lineup.

3. Hamilton Southeastern IN. The Royals aspire to become royalty this fall, looking to achieve one of the most significant turnarounds in state history following a 15th-place finish at last year’s championship meet by capturing their first title. Maggie Powers, a senior, was the only Hamilton Southeastern athlete to compete in the regional final last year, but the lessons learned from past challenges on the LaVern Gibson course could benefit the Royals this season. One of the deepest junior classes in the country provides support for Hamilton Southeastern, with Elizabeth Butler, Ava Powers, Addison Smith, Catey Campbell, Anaya Lammie and Ciara Kepner. Anissa Lammie, a freshman, has the potential to be a significant contributor for the Royals, who boast only one other senior in Elise Herman, in addition to sophomores Raegan Hissong and Aubrey Berger.

4. Noblesville IN. Following their first girls cross country championship in state history, the Millers secured sixth place at the regional meet, gaining valuable experience in an effort to close the gap on the top Illinois programs that advanced to compete at NXN. Noblesville is attempting to become the first back-to-back girls state champions since Fort Wayne Carroll in 2018-19 and will rely heavily on the performances of seniors Nadia Perez, Summer Rempe and Kennedy Applegate. The junior trio of Riley Flynn, Brinkley Cooper and Ella Wirkner provide additional depth for Noblesville, with sophomores Ansley Applegate and Gretchen Graham demonstrating significant growth that will benefit the Millers during the postseason. Carmel, which last won the state title in 2020, has the potential to stand in the way Oct. 28 of the aspirations of both Noblesville and Hamilton Southeastern at the championship meet at the LaVern Gibson course.

5. Mason OH. The Comets last won back-to-back Division 1 state titles in 2012-13 and have the potential to achieve the feat again a decade later. Mason faces another significant challenge from Hilliard Davidson, which did prevail in their final meeting last year at the regional meet and is seeking its first Division 1 state crown since 2002. Both elite Ohio programs are attempting to not only upstage Indiana’s finest at LaVern Gibson, but also track down Illinois’ best as well in November. Efa Paschka and Bella Tepley, both sophomores, demonstrated impressive maturity last year and will again be the catalysts for the Comets’ success. Freshmen Atalia Hawkins and Auna Korostyshevsky also add valuable depth to the Mason roster, which also includes seniors Carlie Condit, Sharanya Nair and Abigail Slife, in addition to juniors Addison Stephens and Dafne Lopez, as well as sophomore Tessa Palmer.

WATCHLIST

Carmel IN

Downers Grove North IL

Grand Rapids Christian MI

Grayslake Central IL

Hilliard Davidson OH

Naperville North IL

Otsego MI

Romeo MI

Saline MI

Tolono IL