A third-team All-Metro selection, Desmond was the Class 1A Wesclin Regional champion. Her personal best time of 18:10.6 was one of the fastest times among returning area athletes on a three-mile course. She ran to six top-10 finishes last year, including a sixth-place effort in the Class 1A Benton Sectional.
Brianna Krueger, St. Charles West
Brianna Krueger, junior, St. Charles West
Last year’s All-Metro runner of the year, Krueger captured the Class 3 state title with a time of 18:46.2. She helped lead West to its third successive team state championship. Her personal-best time of 18:09.58 was the third-fastest among area athletes. In 11 races, she never finished outside of the top four, including the Forest Park Festival title.
A returning first-team All-Metro selection, McKenzie finished eighth in the Class 5 state meet last year with a time of 18:25.6. Her season best last year (18:22.9) was fifth-fastest time among area athletes. Runner-up at Forest Park Festival, GISL and Class 5 District 3 meet. Finished fourth in Class 4 state track meet in the 3200 meters.
Bella Navaro-Sanchez, junior, Liberty
A first-team All-Metro selection last year after winning the Class 5 state championship with an area-best time of 18:08.3, outleaning the runner-up by one-tenth of a second. Never finished outside the top 10 last season but didn’t win until state. Runner-up in GAC Championships. On the track, was Class 5 runner-up in the 800 meters.
Caroline Tepe, senior, Okawville
A second team All-Metro selection last year, Tepe ran one of the fastest three-mile times among area athletes with an 18:14.5. She picked up a Class 1A Wesclin Regional runner-up finish. Was the Cahokia Conference champion as well as claiming titles in the Red Bud and Wesclin meets. Picked up seven individual championships last season.
