Harvard coach Morgan Hamilton said in an email interview that it was a good summer for the program.
“We saw a lot more participation during the summer, and I anticipate that to mean a lot of great progress,” Hamilton said. “Both boys' and girls' teams have lost a few key athletes that were seniors last year, but we also have quite a few newcomers. That, combined with our returning athletes, will make for a great season.”
Top returners for the girls' team are senior Lisette Sanchez, juniors Maria Juarez Mercado and Catherine Austin, and sophomores Kayla Austin and Sarah Logan. Key newcomers are sophomore Savannah Melson and freshman Haily Hill.
On the boys' team, seniors Jacob Cobb, Saul Esquivel and Miguel Mercado, and sophomore Reid Stricker are the top returning runners, with freshmen JJ Lich and Levi Austin being the key newcomers.
Cobb was the top finisher on the boys' team at the Crystal Lake South Invitational on Sept. 3, crossing the finish line in 78th place. Juarez Mercado finished 70th for the top placing in the girls' team.
WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL
It's a new year and a new conference for the Blue Streaks, who now are in the Kishwaukee River Conference.
The top returning runners on the boys' team are seniors Jarod Baker, Justin Kucharski and Austin Castillo; juniors Anthony Thomas and Carter Hansen; and sophomore Julio Arellano. The top newcomers are sophomore Diego Cruz and freshman Adam Thomas.
“The program is looking forward to competing in the new KRC and for the conference championship,” coach Jay Fuller said in an email interview.
The top returners for the girls' team are seniors Kate Jacobs, Izzy Solberg and Emma Bateman; junior Kayla Deegan; and sophomores Kylie Hagmann and Julia Walsdorf.
Sophomore Lauren Wietermann and freshman Shannon Koscinski are the top newcomers.
MARENGO
Top returning runners include seniors Sarah Shefcik and Cameron VadDerLinden, and juniors Jadon Kozin, Alex Leonard, Hannah Secor and Brianna St. Clair.
“We are looking forward to the new conference and what challenges that brings us,” coach Brian Tveter said in an email interview. “With the new (Kishwaukee River) conference, we are looking to finish in the top half for both boys and girls.”
Secor placed 12th at the McHenry County Meet on Aug. 27 in Woodstock, according to nwherald.com.
Note: Not all teams returned information requests by press time.
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