Cross-country season has started and some of our coaches have high expectations for their squads. Don’t see your squad below? Contact Michael Wojtychiw at mmwojtychiw@cps.edu for more information.

*All coaches were contacted for this exercise. Those responses are below.

School name: Chicago Academy

Key returners:

Khalil Crosby, Senior

Coach’s season outlook: 

CA has a small, but tight-knit group of runners. We recently graduated our strongest runners, but our current team has made giant leaps in their times over the last three seasons. They are ready for this season’s challenges and excited to run together.

School name: Kenwood

Last year’s record: 9th place at the CPL Championship 

Starters returning (name, position, year in school, stats/honors):

Takis Buie 12th (Track state qualifier 1600 meter)

Jude Lumpkin 10th (Freshman City Cross Country Champion)

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school, stats):

Dallas Dixon 10th (9th place in the Freshman City Cross Country Championship)

Neil Courtney 11th (11:11 3200m at last year’s sectional track meet)

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Brendan Courtney 9th (5th place CPS Score 1600 m)

Coaches’ season outlook: 

Building off of a strong group of returning athletes from last year we hope to continue our growth as a competitive cross country team in both the city and state now that we are in our second year in 3A.

School name: Lane Tech College Prep Boys

Last year’s record: City Champions on all 4 levels, Fr, FS, Var and JV, State Qualifying Team and 11th place at State. Will Kozlowsk was All-State 20th place.

Social media handle : lanetechxctf

College commits (if any available): ’24 graduates are now running in college. Will Kozlowski Indiana State, Anan Bauman Fordham, Brendan Bradish Case Western U, 

Key returners (name, year in school, stats/honors if available):

So. Quinn Anderson, So. Cole Magac, Jr. Gary Angelo, Jr. Hugo Ayala, Jr. Alex Fitzpatrick, Jr. Will Glenn, Jr. Peter Georgeopolous, Jr. Tristan Wong, Jr. Andy Lawrence

Key newcomers (name, year in school):

So. Sammy Assefa, Fr. Malcom Adams, Fr. Miles Trost, Fr. Giovanni Saccaro, Fr. Michael Peti

Coach’s season outlook: 

We have a very talented young team who should battle for another state qualifying position. They put in a great summer of training and are committed to be successful. The incoming freshmen squad is talented and we should compete again for a City sweep of the 4 races. 

School name: Lane Tech College Prep Girls

Last year’s record: City Champions, Regional and Sectional Qualifying Team.

Social media handle (if comfortable sharing): ltgirlsxctf

College commits (if any available): ’24 grad Sophie Mullins is running at Pitt. 

Key returners (name, year in school, stats/honors if available):

So. Ainsley Carter, Sr. Lucy McNally, Jr. Sydney Van Aken, Jr. Riley Coomer, Jr. Caitlin Thomas, Jr. Izzy Ide, Jr. Ada Lavery, Sr. Claire Davis, Jr. Celia Allaband-Gamble 

Key newcomers (name, year in school):

So. Eve Gray, Fr. Samantha Borg-Green, Fr. Lucille Rieger, Fr. Quinn Mueller, Fr. Greta Trinter, Fr. Annie Glenn, Fr. Marin Bohnsack

Coach’s season outlook: 

We have a Junior heavy team this year that is hoping to be the first Lane Girls XC team to qualify for state since 2001-2 when CPS had the automatic qualifier. So. Ainsley Carter is our current #1 and Sr. Lucy McNally will be in our top 5. We have a tremendous group of freshmen girls that will fill out our FS and Fr rosters well. We should once again vie for all 4 CPL race championships. 

School name: Senn

Social media handle: @officialsenn.xc.tf (Instagram)

Key returners:

Josh Anderson, Junior

Bek Oliver, Junior

Aryan Siddiki, Senior

Caden Trusty, Junior

Felix Qaasim, Junior

Key newcomers:

Caleb Kouame, Freshman

Coach’s season outlook: We have a great group of rising juniors at the core of our team this year, alongside some experienced seniors and incoming freshmen. The team is coming off a productive summer, and the energy and community amongst the runners is excellent. We are looking forward to improved individual and team performances across the board this season.

School name: Senn Girls

Key returners:

Sage Harmon (jr)

Dalia Torres-Adelstein (so)

Key newcomers:

Reese Straughn (jr)

Coach’s season outlook: After a season where our top athletes graduated or moved, we’ve got some rebuilding ahead of us. We have a lot of great people with strong work ethics, so I’m excited to see where the hard work leads them.