2025 XC Weekend Roundup: Week 3

This weekend will be a major one of note as this is the ffirst weekend of the season where one of the three detweiller meets take place. There are other invites throughout the state that also need to be shown love other than just the high powered invite. Check out some of the other best meets in the state this weekend.

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Editor Note: We apologize for the short list of meets. We wanted to write about more meets, but became crunched for time this week.

Lake Park Harvey Braus Invite

Key Boys Teams: 3A - #8 St. Charles North, #10 Chicago (Lane), #24 Wheaton Warrenville South; Wheaton North, St. Charles East, Huntley

Key Girls Teams: 3A - #2 Elmhurst (York), #3 Chicago (St. Ignatius), #5 Mt. Prospect (Prospect), #6 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West), #15 Huntley, #17 St. Charles North, #18 South Elgin, #21 Downers Grove North; Schaumburg, Chicago (Lane), Park Ridge (Maine South), St. Charles East

Key Boys Individuals: 3A - #7 Sam Hill (Jr., St. Charles North), Charlie Calderone (Sr., Hoffman Estates [Conant]), Alexander Fitzpatrick (Sr., Chicago [Lane]) 

Key Girls Individuals: 3A - #1 Annika Swan (Sr., Chicago [St. Ignatius]), #2 Allison Shutler (So., Chicago [St. Ignatius]), #3 Kara Glenn (So., St. Charles North), #4 Karlin Janowski (So., Elmhurst [York]), #6 Meg Peterson (Sr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect]), #10 Alexa Novak (Sr., Glen Ellyn [Glenbard West]), #12 Macy Ermitage (So., Downers Grove North), #13 Adley Wilson (So., St. Charles East), #15 Luna Pozos (Fr., South Elgin), #20 Isabella Ciesla (Sr., Huntley), #22 Irma Jimenez (Fr., South Elgin), #24 Molly McGreal (Sr., Elmhurst [York]), #25 Kayleia Lindsay (Fr., South Elgin); Lily Eddington (Sr., Downers Grove North), Gwen Hobson (Jr., St. Charles North), Julia Rodney (Jr., St. Charles North), Ruth Dellaria (Jr., Roselle [Lake Park]), Nicole Mayer (Jr., St. Charles East), Sophia Galiano-Sanchez (Sr., Elmhurst [York]), Maggie Quinn (Sr., Elmhurst [York]), Lila Stanley (Sr., Elmhurst [York]), Greta Sheaffer (So., Chicago [St. Ignatius]), Elle Sheaffer (Jr., Chicago [St. Ignatius]), Alessandra Gregory (Sr., Bartlett), Ella MacNider (Jr., Hoffman Estates), Tessie Bradley (Jr., Park Ridge [Maine South]), Maya Zabiegly (Sr., Hoffman Estates), Cori Kilvinger (Sr., Huntley)

Outlook: The Lake Park Harvey Braus Invite looks to bring big action from Chicagoland this weekend. Key girls teams include four out of the top 10 teams in 3A (#2 York, #3 St. Ignatious, #5 Prospect, #6 Glenbard West), another four in the top 25 (#15 Huntley, #17 St. Charles North, #18 South Elgin, #21 Downers Grove North), and four more that landed just outside the rankings (Schaumburg, Lane Tech, Maine South, St. Charles East). The team race is going to be an absolute dog fight between all of these teams, and the deciding factor will be tight packs and low scoring splits. St. Ignatius has two low-sticks with 3A #1 Annika Swan and #2 Allison Shutler, but York, St. Charles North, Prospect, Downers Grove North, Glenbard West, and South Elgin all have lowsticks of their own. In addition to Swan and Shutler, York’s Karlin Janowski, St. Charles North’s Kara Glenn, Prospect’s Meg Peterson, and Glenbard West’s Alexa Novak could all contend for at least a top 5 finish, and maybe even the win. As for the rest of the packs, York and South Elgin have the strongest numbers. Joining Janowski will be Lila Stanley, Sophia Galiano-Sanchez, and Maggie Quinn. If their scoring split is low, they will make a very good case for the win. South Elgin is led by three strong freshmen who have all run 18:00 or faster for three miles this season. If their 4th and 5th runners can close the gap behind Luna Pozos, Irma Jimenez, and Kayleia Lindsay, the Storm could pull off a shocker.

Even though the boys race will have less action, there will still be highly anticipated matchups, specifically between 3A #8 St. Charles North and #10 Lane Tech. St. Charles North has gotten off to a hot start led by Sam Hill. Hill has won both races this season, boasting a PR of 14:51 from the Leavey Invite at Settler’s Hill. Behind him, look out for Matthew Russell and Logan Hitchings as other top scorers for the North Stars. Similarly, Lane Tech comes in with a pack who all had strong track seasons, as the top 6 all ran sub-10 for 3200. Expect to see Alex Fitzpatrick, Sam Assefa, Quinn Anderson, Hugo Ayala and Tristan Wong leading the way for the Champions. Along with the St. Charles North and Lane Tech packs, look out for Conant’s Charlie Calderone who could finish within the top three.

Al Willhoit Wauconda Invite

Key Boys Teams: 3A - #12 Libertyville, 2A - #17 Crystal Lake Central, Glenview (Glenbrook South), Arlington Heights (Hersey) JV, Chicago (Lane) JV

Key Girls Teams: 3A - #4 Arlington Heights (Hersey), 2A - #25 Crystal Lake Central; Chicago (Lane) JV

Key Boys Individuals: Filip Vojvodic (Jr., Libertyville), Taylor Rihm (So., Libertyville)

Key Girls Individuals: 3A - #19 Graceleen Mabry (Fr., Arlington Heights [Hersey]), #21 Alexa Izenstark (Jr., Arlington Heights [Hersey]); Kaitlyn Burns (Sr., Glenview [Glenbrook South]), Sofia Donner (Jr., Arlington Heights [Hersey]), Madison Petersen (Sr., Grayslake North), Alexandra Kopacz (Jr., Arlington Heights [Hersey]), JoJo Messer (Jr., Arlington Heights [Hersey])

Outlook: While the Al Wilhoit Wauconda Invite is on the smaller side, there will still be quality competition. On the girl’s side, 3A #4 Arlington Heights (Hersey) is expected to dominate the team race. Behind them, there will be a solid battle for second between 2A #25 Crystal Lake Central and Chicago (Lane)’s B-team. Individually, Hersey freshman Graceleen Mabry, junior Alexa Izenstark and Glenbrook South senior Kaitlyn Burns are all in contention for the win. As for the boys, 3A #12 Libertyville comes in as the favorite, but there will be competition from 2A #17 Crystal Lake Central, Glenbrook South, Hersey, and Chicago (Lane)’s JV squad. Individually, look out for the Libertyville duo of Filip Vojovodic and Taylor Rihm to battle for the win.

Lee Halberg/Lanphier Invite

Key Boys Teams: 2A - #3 Mahomet-Seymour, #7 Taylorville, #23 Springfield, 1A - #17 Monticello; Quincy, Normal Community, Mundelein

Key Girls Teams: 2A - #5 Mahomet-Seymour, #7 Rochester, #20 Bloomington, 1A - #16 Monticello, Normal Community, Quincy

Key Boys Individuals: 2A - #5 Liam Bettis (Jr., Taylorville), 1A - #23 Eli Anderson (So., Monticello),  #25 Tim Sikorski (So., Monticello); Augustus Gaudio (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour), Henry McMurry (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour), Elijah Mendoza (Sr., Mundelein), Caleb Mathias (Sr., Champaign Central), AJ Ince (Sr., Normal Community)

Key Girls Individuals: 2A - #13 Elayna Harker (So., Taylorville), #15 Paityn Brady (So., Springfield [Sacred Heart-Griffin]), #20 Ashley Zeibert (Sr., Rochester), #22 Phoebe DeFrain (Fr., Springfield [Sacred Heart-Griffin]); 1A - #15 Macie Owen (So., Monticello); Peyton Kuhl (So., Quincy), Natalie Nichols (Sr., Rochester), Taylor Mills (Jr., Mahomet-Seymour), Emily Anand (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour)

Outlook: The boys’ race sets up as an excellent showdown between two of 2A’s top squads: #3 Mahomet-Seymour and #7 Taylorville. Mahomet-Seymour looked nearly unbeatable at the Clinton “Light It Up” Invite, but Augustus Gaudio’s uneven performance at Charleston raised a few questions about their overall consistency. Taylorville, meanwhile, ran outstanding at the Rochester Invite, climbing to the #7 ranking. The Tornadoes have the momentum and could potentially pull off the upset here and move even higher in the rankings. Individually, this race runs through Liam Bettis. The junior ripped a 14:30 last weekend at Rochester and comes in as the heavy favorite. AJ Ince of Normal Community is a name to watch for a breakout. A 1:54 performer in the 800m last spring, he has the wheels to make some noise in cross country this fall. Caleb Mathias of Champaign Central will be making his season debut after being ranked among the top 25 in 3A during the preseason. Expect him to battle closely with Ince. Others like Henry McMurry and Augustus Gaudio of Mahomet-Seymour, along with Elijah Mendoza of Mundelein, will be in the hunt for top-five finishes. On the girls’ side, the team battle is just as intriguing between #5 Mahomet-Seymour and #7 Rochester. Mahomet-Seymour thrives on pack running and already claimed a key win over Rochester at the Clinton “Light It Up” Meet. Rochester, however, counters with two of the best front runners in the field: Ashley Zeibert and Natalie Nichols. Individually, the race could be a showdown between Elayna Harker of Taylorville and Paityn Brady for the win. Both have looked sharp early this season. Joining the chase pack will be Ashley Zeibert (Rochester), Phoebe DeFrain (Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin), Macie Owen (Monticello), and Payton Kuhl (Quincy), all of whom are capable of finishing in the top five.

DePaul Ram Invite/Catholic Cup Invite

Key Boys Teams: 3A - #23 Oak Park-River Forest, 2A -#19 Niles (Northridge Prep),1A - #13 Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy); Chicago (Whitney Young)

Key Girls Teams: 3A - #12 Chicago (DePaul); Wilmette (Loyola Academy)

Key Middle School Boys Teams: #16 Chicago (Old St. Mary’s); Evanston (St. Athanasius), Chicago (Immaculate Conception North Park)

Key Middle School Girls Teams: #9 River Forest (Roosevelt), #25 Chicago (St. Benedict)

Key Boys Individuals: John Masaka (Jr., Niles [Northridge Prep]), Peter Kipp (Sr., Niles [Northridge Prep]), Yonny Rafter (Sr., Oak Park-River Forest), Santino Conte (Jr., Niles [Notre Dame]), Liam Donehoo (Sr., Chicago [DePaul])

Key Girls Individuals: 3A - #17 Emily Stecky (Jr., Chicago [DePaul]), 2A - #18 Josslyn Wade (Sr., Bensenville [Fenton]), Giselle Moret (So., Elgin [Harvest Christian Academy]), Abigail Radich (So., Chicago [DePaul])

Outlook: The DePaul Ram Invite at Horner Park will showcase some strong programs and competitive races across all levels. On the boys’ side, the team battle should come down to Oak Park-River Forest and Northridge Prep, with both squads more than capable of taking home the title. The individual race will feature a compelling matchup as John Masaka and Peter Kipp of Northridge Prep square off against Yonny Rafter of OPRF. Expect these three to push the pace up front and establish themselves as names to watch this fall. In the girls’ race, the spotlight will be on 3A #12 DePaul College Prep, who come in as heavy favorites. The Rams are led by Emily Stecky, the top individual in the field and a strong contender to win comfortably. Josslyn Wade of Fenton should provide some challenge and could split up DePaul’s front pack. The middle school competition also brings intrigue, with three ranked squads toeing the line. On the boys’ side, #16 Old St. Mary’s enters as the top-ranked team, while the girls’ race features #9 River Forest Roosevelt and #25 St. Benedict. Individually, all eyes will be on Chloe Milton of St. Benedict, who has the talent to control the race and take home the win.

Parkside Junior High Invite

Key Boys Teams: #1 Edwardsville (Liberty), #5 Brimfield, #7 Edwardsville (Lincoln), #10 Mt. Zion, #11 Quincy, #12 Clinton, #13 Washington, #14 Downs (Tri-Valley), #19 Dunlap, #20 Tolono Unity, #21 Peoria (St. Jude), #22 El Paso-Gridley, #23 Chatham (Glenwood), #24 Dixon (Reagan); Champaign (Edison), Champaign (Franklin), Champaign (Holy Cross), Champaign (St. Matthew), Channahon, Normal (Kingsley), Mahomet-Seymour, Metamora, New Lenox (Martino), St. Joseph, Yorkville

Key Girls Teams: #1 Edwardsville (Lincoln), #2 Metamora, #6 Brimfield, #10 Mt. Zion, #12 Chatham (Glenwood), #14 Mahomet-Seymour, #19 Quincy, #20 Downs (Tri-Valley), #24 Normal (Metcalf); Channahon, Clinton, Edwardsville Liberty, El Paso-Gridley, Normal (Kingsley), New Lenox (Martino), Lemont (Old Quarry), Peoria (St. Jude), Dixon (Reagan), St. Joseph, Tolono Unity, Washington, Yorkville

Key Boys Individuals: #4 Liam Coon (8th, Mt. Zion), #5 Samuel Garrison (8th, Champaign [Edison]), #9 Myles Bautista (8th, Dixon [Reagan]), #11 Guse Gusewelle (8th, Edwardsville Liberty), #14 Evan Thompson (8th, Edwardsville Liberty), #15 Camden Fisher (8th, St. Joseph), #19 Jared Klinger (8th, Effingham); Peyton Hlubek (8th, Quincy), Jasper Johnson (8th, Chatham [Glenwood]), Owen Troyer (8th, Clinton), Preston Brown (8th, Edwardsville [Lincoln]), Carter Janello (7th, Normal [Kingsley])

Key Girls Individuals: #9 Audrey Floyd (8th, Edwardsville [Lincoln]), #12 Rayleigh Reach (5th, Metamora), #14 McKenna Beck (8th, Clinton), #15 London Venovich (8th, Tremont), #25 Julia Farley (7th, Lemont [Old Quarry]), Chloe Wietfeldt (7th, Chatham [Glenwood]), Zoey Poignant (6th, Metamora), Katelyn Bentz (7th, Clinton), Gianna Domenighini (8th, Metamora), Zoe Scroggins (8th, Edwardsville [Lincoln]), Saige Potter (6th, Metamora), Charlotte Gould (8th, Peoria [St. Jude]), Abigail Godard (8th, Edwardsville [Lincoln])

Outlook: This weekend marks one of the biggest middle school showdown meets in Illinois, taking place on the very same course that will host the IESA State Championships. With so many top teams and athletes in the field, this is an early-season test that will draw plenty of attention. On the boys’ side, the team race is stacked, featuring 13 ranked squads on the starting line. Leading the way is Edwardsville (Liberty), the clear favorite and a tough team to knock off. Still, challengers such as Brimfield, Lincoln, and Mt. Zion will look to close the gap and make things interesting. The individual race should be just as compelling, with Liam Coon (Mt. Zion), Samuel Garrison (Champaign Edison), and Myles Bautista (Dixon Reagan) headlining the front of the pack. The girls’ race sets up an even more anticipated clash, with #1 Lincoln and #2 Metamora going head-to-head in what could be an early preview of the state title battle. Preseason #1 Old Quarry cannot be overlooked either, as they have the firepower to upset both favorites if everything clicks. The individual showdown will feature a deep front group, including Audrey Floyd (Edwardsville Lincoln), Rayleigh Reach (Metamora), McKenna Beck (Clinton), London Venovich (Tremont), and Julia Farley (Old Quarry). With elite programs and some of the state’s top individuals on both sides, this meet has all the makings of a classic.

Steelman Invite

Key Boys Teams: Elmhurst (York), Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

Key Girls Teams: New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central), Downers Grove South, Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East), Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

Key Boys Individuals: Patrick Hill (So., Elmhurst [York]), Brendan Hanrahan (So., Frankfort [Lincoln-Way East]), Michael Gurgone (So., Elmhurst [York]), Carter Olsen (Sr., Elmhurst [York]), Nicholas Dul (Sr., New Lenox [Lincoln-Way West])

Key Girls Individuals: Madison King (Sr., Joliet Central), Nia Ortega (Jr., Downers Grove South), Ariana Namvar (Jr., Naperville [Neuqua Valley]), Juliana Gamboa (Jr., Oak Park [Fenwick]), Keira Faxel (So., New Lenox [Lincoln-Way Central]), Mia Forystek (Jr., New Lenox [Lincoln-Way Central])

Outlook: The Joliet Steelman Invite should feature strong competition on both sides. On the boys’ side, York enters as the clear favorite and will likely be leaving with the Steelman plaque. The girls’ race, however, offers more intrigue, highlighted by #14 Lincoln-Way Central along with solid squads from Downers Grove South and Central’s crosstown rival Lincoln-Way East. For the boys, Brendan Hanrahan (Lincoln-Way East) is expected to battle with Patrick Hill (York), one of the state’s top sophomores, for the individual title. On the girls’ side, #23 Madison King (Joliet Central) will look to claim the individual crown. She’ll be challenged by Nia Ortega (Downers Grove South) and Ariana Namvar (Neuqua Valley), who should be working together near the front of the pack. Keira Faxel and Mia Forystek, both from Lincoln-Way Central, come in with similar times and will aim to stick together to push their squad toward the team victory.