3A Girls-
There is no classification that is strong and healthy as this one here. Last year, Illinois entered the post-state championship realm on a mission. Naperville North led the way followed Yorkville and Downers Grove South at the Midwest Nike Cross Regional. These three squads had virtually finished in this order all season long. The Mustangs as the third team deserved a spot in Portland, Oregon for a spot in the national finals. Depthwise, Illinois teams would take six of the top ten places in Terre Haute.
Naperville North is in the midst of a dynasty as the Huskies have won three state titles in a row and five since 2010. Guess what? The two-time NXN runner-up Huskies are the team to beat again despite graduating superstar talent Alex Morris and teammate Claire Hill to graduation. But great teams reload as they say. Look for Campbell Petersen and Maggie Gamboa to step up and take the mantle.
If the Huskies are Grade A quality, so is Yorkville. The Foxes return five of their top seven and will be in the running for another state trophy. This great program had won four titles in a row as a 2A representative and several runner-ups in this division. If there is a time to dethrone Naperville North, it would be now. Helena Kleronomos and Kailey Fox will do the damage up front in the big meets.
Downers Grove South is that third team that will be incredibly dangerous this season. After getting snubbed for nationals, watch for the Mustangs to come out blazing mad like the Jules Winnfield character from 'Pulp Fiction.' As with the other two powerhouse squads, there are five starters back with rising senior Brenna Cohoon leading the charge. If all goes well during the state portion of the season, look for another bid to Portland. Hopefully, we don't get Jules intervention when late November arrives.
Wheaton-Warrenville South, Batavia, Barrington, Cary-Grove, Lyons Twp, and Prospect will fight for top 10 status.
We already know that rising senior Katelynne Hart is sitting atop the throne for the fourth straight season. The multiple state champion will be going for a sweep and hopefully more national accolades in December. Despite everyone knowing the righteous pecking order, that does not mean that anyone is going to follow protocol. One such person is sophomore to be Katrina Schlenker of Batavia. She beats to her own drum and if her participation in the recent Detweiller at Dark meet, doesn't mean anything, we don't what does. By the way, she won in which she won in 16:50. So maybe Ms. Schlenker does not believe in the curse. There is plenty of good returning talents such as rising sophomore Aly Negovetich of Grant, seniors Abby Lopez of Argo and Fatima Giron of Round Lake. A person of interest to watch will be junior Sam Poglitsch of WWS.