2025 IHSA XC State Previews: 3A Girls

The stage is set for the IHSA Girls 3A State Cross Country Championship, taking place this Saturday at the legendary Detweiller Park. The state’s largest and most competitive division once again features powerhouse programs and elite individual talent ready to leave their mark on Illinois cross country history. With several top-ranked teams peaking at the right time and a handful of challengers eager to disrupt the hierarchy, the 3A race is shaping up to be a fast, fierce, and unforgettable showdown.

3A State Preview Podcast

Team Projections -

Team Preview -

The girls team race looks wide open with several programs capable of bringing home a trophy. Prospect enters as one of the hottest teams in the state. Since adding their talented freshman to the varsity lineup at the Nike Twilight Meet, the Knights have been rolling. They are led by Meg Peterson, one of the most consistent runners in Illinois, who has placed 8th, 8th, and 7th in her previous state meets and should again finish in the top 10. Adelaide Galla has been fantastic in recent weeks and could finish among the top 20 after placing 6th in a loaded sectional with a 17:21. Their depth with Caitlin Resac, Brooklyn Stocking, and Allison Kalkwarf, who all ran between 17:36 and 17:49 at sectionals, makes Prospect the favorite heading into the weekend. Barrington will look to defend their title without top runner Mia Sirois, who will miss state due to injury. Even so, the Fillies are dangerous, led by the duo of Victoria Tarara and Angelica Hil. Both have had some inconsistencies this season, but when they’re on, they’re nearly unbeatable. The key for Barrington will be tightening their 3–5 split. They managed just 14 seconds between those runners at the Palatine Invite and will need something similar here. A strong race from Madison Miles, who looked sharp at sectionals, will be crucial, as will solid performances from Ashleigh Forbes and Abby Lewis. Lake Zurich has surged back into trophy contention after a terrific regional meet. This squad has the talent to make noise if all five runners hit on the same day. Chloe Wettstein has been a revelation in her freshman season and will contend for an all-state medal, while Cecilia Blaylock could be a difference maker if she replicates her NSC Conference performance, where she actually beat Wettstein. With Abigail Kocher, Avery Muhr, and Patricia Johnson rounding out a pack that had just a 19-second 1–5 split at regionals, the Bears could make a serious push for hardware if they stay within 20 seconds again. Earlier in the year, Hersey looked like the best team in Illinois after wins at the Red Devil Invite and Richard Spring. To win a trophy, they’ll need to recapture that Richard Spring form. Graceleen Mabry leads the Huskies and could finish in the top 15. At their best, Hersey’s 2–5 pack of Alexa Izenstark, JoJo Messer, Clara Vincent, and Sofia Donner has been within 16 seconds of each other, a key factor for a podium finish. If Alex Kopacz, who missed sectionals due to injury, returns, that would give them a boost. York reenters the trophy picture thanks to the return of Molly McGreal, a huge addition for a team that has earned state trophies in four straight seasons. Karlin Janowski will again lead the Lady Dukes and will contend for the individual crown. For York to reach the podium, Sophia Galiano Sanchez and McGreal will need to be in all-state contention, while Maggie Quinn, who ran under 18:00 at sectionals, will need to repeat that effort. Expect Stella Rosso, Lila Stanley, or Amelia Crotty to be crucial in keeping their 1–5 split tight. Glenbard West has shown flashes of being a trophy team this season, taking a big step forward at regionals. Alexa Novak, who ran sub-17:00 at Richard Spring, gives them a top-10 threat, while Shayne Dietzen’s breakout regional performance adds momentum. Their pack of Katie King, Lauren Bennett, and Alyssa Novak finished just eight seconds apart at regionals. If they repeat that, they could be in the hunt for a trophy. Lincoln Way Central is another team loaded with talent. They won their sectional with Mia Forystek and Brea Counihan leading the way, while Keira Faxel, their top runner at Richard Spring, was fourth on the team there. To place in the top three, they’ll need to keep their 1–5 gap under 25 seconds, with Jillian Davies and Macy Gallagher playing key roles. Plainfield North, one of the youngest teams in the field, has a legitimate shot at a trophy as well. They’re led by Marlie Czarniewski, who’s been one of the state’s most consistent top-10 runners all season. The key will be Tessa Russo, last year’s 10th-place finisher, who always rises to the occasion at state. A strong race from her could seal a podium finish. Laurel Eager broke 18:00 for the first time at the regional, and if Olivia Eager and Ayla Czarniewski can stay within 20 seconds of her, Plainfield North will be in a strong position. Teams such as New Trier, Hinsdale Central, Lane Tech, Huntley, St. Ignatius, and Batavia will also be firmly in contention for top-10 finishes.

Individual Projections -

Individual Preview -

The individual race has shifted dramatically over the past few weeks following the season-ending injuries to Mia Sirois and Kara Glenn, opening the door for several new contenders. Annika Swan of St. Ignatius enters as the favorite after winning perhaps the toughest sectional in the classification, blazing to a 16:26 victory at the Lake Park Sectional. It was her first win of the season after spending much of the year in the shadow of teammate Ally Shutler. Swan, the defending 800m and 1600m state champion from track, has proven she performs best when it matters most, making her the athlete to beat. Ally Shutler of St. Ignatius has had an electric season of her own, running under 16:32 three times, including a 16:15 at Lakes Sunset. She’s been one of the state’s most consistent and dominant runners and could very well be crowned the individual state champion herself. A 1-2 finish for the Wolfpack is a real possibility. Karlin Janowski of York, last year’s state runner-up to Sirois, will be hungry for redemption. She placed third at the Lake Park Sectional behind the Ignatius duo and owns wins at major meets like the Palatine Invite and WSC Silver Conference Meet, putting her squarely in title contention. Lennox Szymonik of Jacobs has been phenomenal all season, with her only setbacks coming at sectionals and in early season matchups against Glenn and Emaline Foster. The freshman phenom owns a 16:39 PR from the Flyin Hawk Invite and has collected wins at the EIU Showdown, First To The Finish Invite, Larry Eddington Invite, Flyin Hawk Invite, and Peoria High Invite. She’s a strong bet for a top five finish. Macy Ermitage of Downers Grove North ran her best race at the Naperville Twilight Invite, clocking 16:52 for second. If she can replicate that performance, she’ll be firmly in the mix for a top five spot. Having cruised through regionals and sectionals largely unchallenged, she remains a wildcard. Avery Hacker of Batavia is another top five contender after running a lifetime best of 16:39 for fourth in a stacked sectional, fast enough for fifth place at state last year. Expect her to push into the low 16:30s range. Meg Peterson of Prospect can’t be counted out either. A perennial title threat, she has one of the best finishing kicks in the field, making her especially dangerous if the race comes down to the final stretch. Marlie Czarniewski of Plainfield North has quietly built a strong résumé with third at First To The Finish, fourth at Palatine, and fourth at Naperville Twilight, and she looked sharp through conference and sectionals, putting her right in the top five conversation. Other runners to watch for top 10 finishes include Victoria Tarara of Barrington, Sofia Borter of Geneva, Miriam Eynon of New Trier, Alexa Novak of Glenbard West, Angelica Hil of Barrington, Adelaide Galla of Prospect, and Graceleen Mabry of Hersey.