2024 2A Girls Cross Country Preview: Unranked and 25-21

The team will be led by Abigail Burke and Teagan Cathcart, with all the other available varsity spots open for grabs. Burke was the only qualifier to the state meet for the Rockets last year, running a personal best of 18:14 and finishing 37th. "She is set to compete for another spot in the state meet this year, too, but hopes to bring her team down, as it has been a bit of a qualification drought," says coach Neil. Ivy Didomenico, Emalyn Davis, Izzy Gutierrez, and Aayna Vyas are the top returners on a team that returns all their varsity scorers but is looking for some newcomers, including Sophia Arnold, to make an impact for Central in 2024.

"We are incredibly confident in the group of girls we have this year," says Vick. "The summer training has proven to be successful. We have significant buy-in from the team, with nearly everyone showing up daily, working hard, pushing each other, and having fun. We couldn't possibly ask for anything more from this group at this point in the pre-season. Our top 7-8 girls are a strong group hungry to improve. After placing as an individual at state for the past two years, Sunny Weber will be fighting for a state title. Overall, we're expecting significant improvement across our entire roster."

Following up on that performance, culminating in a 24th place performance, will be challenging, with new faces stepping up to play. "We lost a few of our top seven but have a large freshman class coming in that will help us," says Grady. Of the returners, it's Delia Block, Laney Zuithoff, and Jaz'Mya Castaneda who return the experience of making it over the state qualifying hump. Some of the freshmen from that large class include Lilian Hauck, Kaelin Morris, and Laura Shumard.

Geneseo coach Aaron Skopec on Sterling: "Within our conference, Sterling is always a competitive and well-coached team. We matched up well with them last year, and I expect many of our runners to compete at the same level as them again this year."

A strong southern sectional will make returning to Detweiller difficult, but that hasn't deterred the Bulldogs from developing as necessary and shooting for that goal. "The girls showed so much growth during the [2023] season," says Grotelueschen. "Many had a successful track season with our 4x800 qualifying for state. This year, we have a great team vibe and are adding several new runners. It should be an exciting year.  If we work together like we can, this team could surprise people by the end of the season."

A new runner who will make a big impact for Effingham is freshman Emery Spicer. Spicer was eighth at the 3A IESA state meet in 2023 and had a successful spring that included a 5:43 1600m mark in early May and a 2:24 PR in the 800 at the IESA state meet. She is likely to find her way into the top five for Effingham before too long while also playing volleyball for Effingham.

The goal is clear for the Flaming Hearts, says Kirk. "We hope to make it back to the state XC meet for the girl's team this year and, hopefully, a couple of boys to advance as well.  We will be working on team leadership and [camaraderie] and working hard to accomplish our team goals."

Morris returns all of their key runners from last year to extend their state qualifying streak to four and achieve the other 'lofty' goals the girls have set forth. Former all-stater Makensi Martin returns with twin sister and fellow soccer player Danica Martin as two sub-19:00 runners who led Morris throughout this run. They have a formidable pack supporting them from behind, including Leah Ortiz and talented all-around track athlete Aubrey Lines (who did not run for most of the fall season). Ortiz, in particular, is well-positioned to step into a crucial top three or better spot for Morris, as evidenced by her 19:49 Detweiller at Dark run that matched her all-time best three-mile mark. Paityn Valentine, Hope Emmerich, and Zara Lugo added veteran depth for Morris and helped cross country recruit some crucial new members, including tennis player Ava Conley, a member of the state-qualifying 4x200 in the spring. 

"As a team, we have set some goals that some people would say are lofty," says senior Makensi Martin. "We believe [these goals] are possible as we have everyone returning from last year's conference title [team] and believe that is in our reach again. "We hope to do whatever it takes to stay healthy and run for each other," says Paityn Valentine. "Along the way, we hope to bring home some hardware, including conference champs, regional champs, top three in sectionals, and top ten at state." A deep team, combined with a close team, says the girls, is the recipe for success for Morris in 2024. "Over these past few years, we've taken the time to build strong bonds," says Leah Ortiz. "We trust each other and have fun together, so running hard with them in mind is like clockwork - it just happens. Us girls spend so much time together during runs, stretches, races, and other team bonding activities, and there is never a dull moment."

Gara returns shooting for a top-10 placing in a very top-heavy classification. Hannah Salbilla and Kate Catalano should join her in the top seven, who both stepped up during their freshman seasons to fill in some crucial spots for Lakes in 2023. Lauren Rymer and Diksha Guganathan return varsity experience and leadership, and they lead a young team that is boosted by IESA state qualifiers Kylie Smith and Timyra Caces. 

"For 2024, this team will be in the mix to qualify for the state finals," says Shepherd. "We feel really good about their ability to gel as a team, grow as athletes, & put it together when it matters most. At our best, we can challenge for NLCC & Regional titles. We're obviously a long way from that, but the potential is there.  Bri Gara is a returning All-State athlete and will be someone to watch all year. Behind her, we'll have a really strong pack with 4-5 girls capable of scoring for us. We will be working all season on running together and reducing the split on our 1-5."