It was as if Sarah Schmitt and Co. were playing a game of Monopoly Saturday morning in Aurora.
Naperville North is not only the defending Class 3A state champion in girls cross country, but also is ranked among the top programs in the nation.
Schmitt, who skipped the West Chicago Regional last week, returned in dramatic fashion at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional to defend her individual championship in 17 minutes, 17 seconds.
Alex Morris, Hannah Ricci and Claire Hill were second through fourth for Naperville North, which coasted to a 27-96 win over runner-up Batavia.
Oswego East (151), Naperville Central (165) and Oswego (165) also advanced to the state finals at Detweiller Park in Peoria next weekend.
Schmitt offered a scary thought for North’s opponents.
“We’re excited for another opportunity to get better as a team,” Schmitt said.
“It’s definitely so comforting to have your teammates out there,” said Morris, runner-up in 17:38.6.
The Neuqua Valley boys also stood at the top of the Class 3A team podium last fall in Peoria.
Even with returning All-Stater Zach Kinne resting, the Wildcats eased to another sectional title by a 52-80 margin over Naperville Central.
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St. Charles East (150), Geneva (161) and Batavia (163) also advanced.
Ryan Kennedy and Chris Keely were fourth and seventh for Neuqua Valley.
“I never really thought about (redemption),” said Kennedy, who failed to crack the Wildcats’ top seven last fall. “We are ready for the state meet. This is a stepping stone for getting there.”
Thomas Shilgalis was third and junior Adam Balutowski fifth to pace Naperville Central.
Geneva junior Josh Rodgers, who won the West Chicago Regional the week before, added another title. He ran 15:24.2 to finish more than two seconds ahead of runner-up Matt Blanco of Oswego East.
“I heard my fans screaming my name around the last turn,” Rodgers said. “I had to give them something to watch. I knew they wanted to see something special. I felt wonderful out there.”
It will be the fourth consecutive state appearance for the St. Charles East boys, who were led by Cole Adesso in ninth.
“To finish in the top 10 is a nice confidence boost for (Adesso),” St. Charles East coach Chris Bosworth said. “He is going to be our No. 1 runner.”
Jacobs’ Zachary Albrecht (sixth) and Huntley’s Ian Geisler (16th) were among the individual qualifiers.
“I wanted to get top five,” Albrecht said. “I’m good with (sixth). My strategy was to go out fast, and it worked pretty well.”
Mia Gianfrancesco was the linchpin for the second-place Batavia girls with her sixth-place finish.
Alice Abbott was ninth for St. Charles East; St. Charles North junior Natalie Galvan was the final Courier-News area runner to advance.
“I had to forget about the pain and just run,” said Galvan, who pulled out of the West Chicago Regional during the race with an injury.
Kevin McGavin is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.