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Midwest Region Girls Early Season Rankings 2024Published by
Michigan Champions Romeo Brings Back Six, Looks To Keep Pace With Illinois Powers By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor Girls NXR Midwest Preview Illinois sent three representatives to Nike Cross Nationals last year, with Elmhurst (York) taking 12th, Mt. Prospect (Prospect) placing 14th and Downers Grove (North) finishing 16th. With 25 NXN appearances, Illinois has controlled the NXR Midwest for years. But a team on the rise in Michigan, Romeo, could upset the apple cart. The Bulldogs bring back six runners who finished eighth at NXR Midwest, competing as Runners High, and one of the team's usual scorers wasn't with them. The battle for supremacy in Illinois could still produce the NXN qualifiers. Barrington, fourth at the regional last year, and Prospect and Downers Grove (North) all have solid groups back and depth that will keep them in contention. Romeo's path to NXN isn't certain, even if it proves to be the top team. State association rules in Michigan discourage participation at NXN. So even if the focus is on defending its state title, the quality of team can't be overlooked. Senior Jessica Jazwinski of Hart MI, a two-time national qualifier for Foot Locker, is highly regarded as the top runner in the Midwest region this fall. Helen Sachs from Holland West Ottawa in Michigan, who qualified for NXN in 2022, won her first race of the season in 16:53 and by a margin of 76 seconds. Isabella Keller of Effingham (St. Anthony) was third at the NXR Midwest as a freshman last year. Indiana state champion Libby Dowty of Indian Creek IN was fourth. 1. Romeo MI. Michigan has only ever sent one team to Nike Cross Nationals (Northville in 2015), primarily because state association rules in Michigan make it so difficult. But the reigning Michigan Division 1 champions, who return their top six from last year, competed as Runners High last year and finished eighth. Sophomore Annie Hrabovsky is the No. 4 returner from NXR Midwest last year, when the team placed eighth. Junior Natalia Guaresimo, seniors Lillian Deskins, Violet Hrabovsky and Olivia Purdy, and junior Emmerson Clor give the team plenty of options. They are clear favorites in Michigan. On paper, they can run with the Illinois teams too. 2. Barrington IL.The Broncos finished fourth, behind Prospect, Downers Grove (North) and York, at the NXR Midwest regional last year. They bring back five of the seven and the way they could leap-frog their in-state rivals is with the state champions they have up front. Senior Scout Storms is the defending Class 3A cross country champion and sophomore Mia Sirois won the 3,200 meters state final last spring. Seniors Viktoria Higgins and Sabrina Roach, and juniors Abby Lewis and Madison Miles, could put Barrington on equal footing with DGN and Prospect. Or slightly ahead. 3. Downers Grove (North) IL. A year after placing 16th at NXN, this group returns five of its top seven. DGN scored 24 points to win the EIU Showdown already this season and showed that the team is ready to pick up where it left off in 2023. Junior Lily Eddington and senior Alayna Todnem went 1-2 in the EIU meet. There is depth in the lineup with seniors McKenzie Willard, Ava Gilley, Audrey Casten and Hannah Renner. Junior Helen Justice could also be poised to big move forward. 4. Prospect IL. Last year's NXR Midwest champion and 14th place Nike Cross Nationals team returns four of its top five. Junior Meg Peterson and senior Veronica Znajda give the team a strong 1-2 up front and seniors Ireland Wildhart and Sophie Fransen are solid at 3-4. Seniors Mary Laba, Ava Collins, Carmen Wooten and Emma Skelton, and junior Samantha Phillips, are all candidates to help the team out at No. 5. If any of them can close the gap on their teammates up ahead, it will give this team a chance to rise back into the NXN picture and make a third consecutive trip to Portland. 5. Hilliard Davidson OH. The Wildcats return six of the runners that placed sixth at last year's NXR Midwest. Juniors Erica Kaulen and Celia Schulte push one another up front and give the team a great 1-2 punch. The team had eight runners going under 20 minutes at the recent Hilliard Davidson Hot Summer Bash and the deepest team in Ohio could be poised to move up in the postseason. The last time an Ohio team advanced to NXN was Beavercreek in 2019. Seniors Ashley Alsko, Anna Gagliano and Laney Tarr, junior Gemma Pusateri and sophomore Sophia Tartaglia and freshmen Laken Wenclewicz give the team depth and a fighting chance to reach the NXR Midwest podium. WATCHLIST More news |
