Here’s a look at fall sports teams around the Vedette area:
Boys cross country
Manteno
Three seniors return in Seth McHugh, the program’s lone four-year runner, who has a 17:02 personal best; Caden Reiter, who has a 17:12 PR; and Brayden Pawlak.
Girls cross country
Manteno
Klarke Goranson is coming off a stellar freshman year that featured a state medal in cross country (sixth in Class 2A) and two state medals in track (second in the 2A 800 meters and third in the 2A 1,600). Fellow soph Lyla Nevel also qualified for state cross country last fall, while junior Olivia Zwirkoski is a rrturning top-five runner.
Freshman DeLanie Monroe was 14th in the Class 3A IESA state meet as an eighth grader last fall.
The Panthers, who drop from Class 2A to 1A this year, are looking to compete for the Illinois Central Eight title and advance to sectional or beyond as a team.
Boys golf
Beecher
Senior Peyton Serafin is back to lead the way after finishing third in the Class 1A state meet last fall.
Also returning from that state-qualifying team are seniors Ben Anaclerio and Danny Vallos along with junior Chuck Nowak.
Seniors Jayden Weishaar and Michael O’Neill move up from JV to varsity and freshman Jacob Benck also is in the mix.
The Bobcats swept confererence, regional and sectional titles last season and look to bring home more hardware this season.
“Our outlook this year remains positive,” coach David Serafin said. “We need to work on some weak areas to get prepared for the end of the season. We’ve got a great group of hard-working players that love the game so we’ll continue to get better as the year moves along.”
Grant Park
Junior JT Huante, a transfer from Illinois Lutheran, is the Dragons’ most experienced player. Sophomores Gavin Franke and Isaiah Salin are back from last year, while three freshmen come on board this fall: Taggart Thompson, Micah Hoekstra and Kamdyn Bradley.
Manteno
Two of last year’s top three players return in junior all-conference pick Landon Bukowski and senior Ty Carlile. Junior Carson Russert and and sophomore Liam Jedlicka should also contribute. Finishing over .500 is a goal.
Peotone
The top three scorers return from the team that finished fourth in the Illinois Central Eight last season: seniors Gavin Costanzo, Andrew Barta and Billy Giese. “This will be a rebuilding year,” coach David Church said. “We are hoping to develop some younger golfers to improve and play varsity, and continue to grow the program.”
Girls golf
Manteno
Three all-conference players return from the team that launched the program last fall: seniors Camryn Haines and Sophie Peterson and sophomore Ginny Kvasnicka. Newcomer Olivia Bukowski. a sophomore, shows promise for a team looking to win conference and do well in tournaments.
Boys soccer
Beecher
After finishing 20-6 and winning the River Valley Conference last fall, the Bobcats will be chasing league and regional titles.
Senior striker Wences Baumgartner was Beecher’s leading scorer a year ago en route to earning first-team All-Area and all-conference honors. Other returning starters are senior defender Jadyn Hill, junior defender Axel Avila and senior midfielder Gavin Graham.
Additional players to watch include junior midfielder Axel Surez, junior striker Tyler Olson, sophomore defender Duke Doran and sophomore midfielder Trevor Panozzo.
“We return several starters with a ton of varsity experience, coupled with more depth this season,” coach Dawn Compton said. “We could surprise some teams along the way.”
Crete-Monee
Senior Caedman Vanderhoogt is back at keeper after breaking the program record for saves each of the past two seasons. Other senior mainstays returning include defenders Carlos Aguilar and Deiker Rondon along with striker Ricky Nava and midfielder Mark Azarte.
Junior midfielder Edinson Giron and freshman defender Wisneydji Merilien also are expected to contribute.
“Their goal is to win the Rivals Cup Tournament this season,” coach Michelle Costalunga said. “We also hope to finish over .500.”
Grant Park
Junior all-conference players Ian Hamann and Aiden Overbeek return to lead the Dragons, who also have a talented freshman in Dirk VanDrunen. Competing for the River Valley title is a goal.
Manteno
The Panthers return some key pieces from an 18-4-2 team that won Class 1A regional and sectional titles before falling to Normal U-High in the supersectional.
Leading the way are a pair of senior midfielders: Justin Foster, a two-time all-conference, two-time all-sectional and one-time All-Area pick; and Maddox Toepper, who has made all-conference twice and all-sectional and All-Area once each. Senior winger Eric Eldridge also is a returning all-conference, all-sectional and All-Area pick.
“We have a good balance of veteran leadership with young talent,” coach Oscar Farfan said. “Our seniors have played a lot of soccer and are looking to continue the success from last year and finish their high school career off strong.”
Girls volleyball
Beecher
Playing at a quick pace is job one for the Bobcats, who were 24-11 last season.
The top veterans are senior outside hitters Elena Kvasnicka and Emily Avelar, senior right-side Molly Vladika, senior libero Aubrey Tiltges and junior setter Mallory Berry. Freshman right-side/setter Sydney Kettmann is a newcomer to watch.
Crete-Monee
The Warriors, who finished 18-18 last season, are looking to repeat as Southland Athletic Conference champs and win at least one tournament.
Top returners include sophomore outside hitter Lucy Joyce, a returning all-conference pick who was second on the team in kills last year; senior opposite Cadence Argue, the team leader in aces who hits a top-spin jump serve at 60 mph; and sophomore all-conference setter Sophie Wisczorek. Also watch sophomore middle hitter London Shelton, who steps in for graduated league MVP Alexis Wisczorek.
Grant Park
The Dragons will build around three veterans: sophomore outside hitter Taylor Panozzo, who led the team in kills and digs last year; senior middle blocker Natalie Smiley, the team leader in blocks; and junior middle blocker/opposite Camryn Karstensen. Freshman middle blocker Mackenna Wells should contribute immediately. “We’re looking to continue improving and being a competitive team in the area,” coach Caitlin Meyer said. Goals include a winning record and finishing near the top of the River Valley Conference.
Illinois Lutheran
The Chargers will be young this year after graduating the bulk of their team. Lola Spada and Abby Gebbia are the returning players who will be joined by a number of sophomores and freshmen. Finishing above .500 is a goal.