Morris/Sussex 2026 high school girls cross country preview capsules
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BOONTON
Coach: Zachary Sabatino, fifth season
Last year: 3-2
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Returning letter-winners: Sr. Jocelyn Hanna
Newcomers: Fr. Anthea Ceci
Outlook: The Bombers are aiming for individual progress.
BUTLER
Coach: Ward Flynn
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Samantha Merrick, Sr. Kiki Boudaher, Jr. Sophia Villano
Outlook: Butler is focusing on individual improvement.
CHATHAM
Coach: Kathryn Franz, second season
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Beatrice Hughes, Sr. Kathryn Hefflin, Sr. Jaqueline Horan, Sr. Brooke Thomas, Jr. Julianna Falzarano, Jr. Giovanna DiDonato, Jr. Meegan Carrey,
Newcomers: Jr. Sophia Burgo, Jr. Victoria Slattery, Jr. Abigail Reed, So. Allison McCormick, So. Lea Reardon, So. Emma Scheuber, Fr. Raquel Funes
Outlook: Almost half the team is new cross country runners, mostly drawn from the track and field program.
HACKETTSTOWN
Coach: Pamela Willson, ninth season
letter-winners: Jr. Isabella Sisto, So. Sullivan Cassidy, So. Malika Khurana
Newcomers: So. Kamryn Alzate, Fr. Marbella Lopez Oseguera
Outlook: Sisto is leading a young, small Tigers squad.
HIGH POINT
Coach: Lisabeth Sunda, 19th season
Returning letter-winners: So. Layla Praschil, So. Lauren Minong
Newcomers: Jr. Ryleigh Kinney, Jr. Michelle Vidal-Mendez, So. Alissa Bahtic, Fr. Madeline Christensen
Outlook: The Wildcats are rebuilding after graduating five runners.
HOPATCONG
Coach: Jamie Douglas, first season
Returning letter-winners: So. Angelina Oforiwaah-Edusei, So. Alyssa Garcia, So. Melisenda Senat, So. Leah Mathesius
Newcomers: So. Amaly Gallego, Fr. Jenalee Maida, Fr. Regan Yarosz
Outlook: Douglas, a former Hopatcong assistant, inherits a young squad from Peter Oesen, who had been at the helm for almost 30 years.
JEFFERSON
Coach: Shannon Chapman, 15th season
Returning letter-winners: Jr. Olivia Alvarez
Newcomers: Jr. Sandra Malave, Jr. Emely Campos, So. Viktorija Kovacevik, So. Remely Farto, Fr. Jorie Cook, Fr. Reign Dalton, Fr. Morgan Zichelli
Outlook: The Falcons are building off a solid spring track season.
KINNELON
Coach: Laura Chegwidden-Jacobs, 18th season
Last year: 4-1
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Polina Shardakova-Scorzafava, Jr. Emily Sun, So. Nicole Kates, So. Emily Vetter, So. Mikayla Gadaleta, So. Valentina Handler, So. Maddy Portman
Outlook: The Colts expect to remain competitive at the championship meets.
KITTATINNY
Coach: Melissa Fischer, second season
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Aubrey Kline
Newcomers: Jr. Ava Hull, Jr. Gianna Goedeke
Outlook: The Cougars are aiming at individual success.
LENAPE VALLEY
Coach: Keith Morrissey, fifth season
Last year: 1-10
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Alexa Valeich
Outlook: The Patriots are striving for individual improvement.
MADISON
Coach: Christopher Monaco, seventh season
Last year: Fourth, NJSIAA North 2 Group 2
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Isabella Bolstad, Sr. Samantha Berkowitz, Sr. Sharon Park, Sr. Ella Jones, Jr. Camila Cannon Salas, So. Julia Castanon, So. Lily Facciani
Newcomers: So. Lexie Currie, Fr. Sonya Jones
Outlook: Madison hopes to finish in the top three at sectionals and top six at Group 2.
MENDHAM
Coach: Robert Kertesz, 21st season
Last year: 3-2; second, Morris County Championships; third, NJSIAA North 2 Group 2
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Leela Thayyar, Sr. Cecelia Marran, Sr. Maeve Murray, So. Chloe Gleason
Outlook: The Minutemen hope to remain consistent.
MONTVILLE
Coach: John Larkin, 10th season
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Sierra Shevchik, Sr. Chloe Finnerty, Jr. Kelsie Faherty, Jr. Alaina Henninger, Jr. Stella Edelstein, So. Gabriella Pelov
Outlook: Pelov leads a deep squad.
MORRIS CATHOLIC
Coach: Gregory Ross, first season
Returning letter-winners: Jr. Emma Mainardi, So. Ellie Greenman, So. Brielle Stappas, So. Sophia DiFilippo
Newcomers: Sr. Hailey Nolan, Fr. Vanessa Leloia
Outlook: Ross takes over a developing team from Mary Christian after a decade.
MORRIS HILLS
Coach: Mark DiGennaro, eighth season
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Maddie Cromwell, Sr. Anina Mullen, Jr. Isabella Carro, So. Julianna Kuber, So. Sophia Turner
Newcomers: Jr. Mel Diaz Vinals
Outlook: Morris Hills brings back depth and experience.
MORRIS KNOLLS
Coach: Peter Staluppi, fifth season
Last year: 5-0; third, NJSIAA North 1 Group 3; fourth, NJAC-Large
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Ella Mikolay, Sr. Julia Pirog, Sr. Ashlyn Crocker, Jr. Cassie Graham, So. Kamila Capala
Newcomers: Jr. Grace Helmbach, Jr. Brianna Ricker, Fr. Catalina Falls
Outlook: The Golden Eagles are building around veteran, year-round runners.
MORRIS TECH
Coach: Colleen Pascale, eighth season
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Grace Corcoran, Sr. Siddhee Pathak, Sr. Julia Sztolberg, Jr. Arya Malaviya, So. Cameron Mikaela Fuerte, So. Liana Horanic, So. Maeve McNeil
Newcomers: Fr. Zoe Zara
Outlook: The veteran Devils expect success in the NJAC-Liberty and the NJTAC Championships.
MORRISTOWN
Coach: Bernadette Componile, eighth season
Last year: 3-3; fourth, NJSIAA North 1 Group 4
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Loretta Langlois, Sr. Lucy Mintz, Jr. Kaleigh Policano, Jr. Adrianna Hummer
Newcomers: Fr. Zoe Brouillette, Fr. Reagan Doyle
Outlook: Four of the Colonials' top five scorers are back, led by Policano.
MORRISTOWN BEARD
Coach: Barbara Erickson, fourth season
Returning letter-winners: So. Corazon Graham, So. Lake Heinze,
Newcomers: So. Elle Bonsignore, Fr. Nina Droney
Outlook: The young Crimson are developing.
MOUNT OLIVE
Coach: Kathleen Cerezo, first season
Last year: Second, NJSIAA North 1 Group 3
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Leah Welsch, Sr. Lilah Jarvis, Jr. Lindsey Rogoff, Jr. Mia Lyon, So. Kendall Pizzirusso, So. Julia Costa-Stienstra, So. Eleanor Shilley
Outlook: Veteran Mount Olive hopes to qualify for Group 3 as a team again.
MOUNTAIN LAKES
Coach: Vicki Allison, 20th season
Last year: NJAC-Liberty champion; NJSIAA North 1 Group 1 champion; third, Morris County Championships
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Isabella Marotta, Sr. Skye Cooper, Jr. Violet Page, Jr. Josie Marotta, Jr. Kathryn Walsh, So. Gia LeDonne, So. Evie Marotta
Outlook: Veteran Mountain Lakes expects more success.
NEWTON
Coach: Diana Eigner, 30th season
Last year: 5-0, NJAC-Freedom champion; third, NJSIAA North 1 Group 1
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Piper Torella, Sr. Bella Guzzo, Jr. Maggie Daggett, Jr. Tess Porter
Outlook: The Braves have put in extra summer mileage.
PARSIPPANY HILLS
Coach: Michelle Perry, 18th season
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Kaylee Thormann, JSo. Sydney Troiani, So. Agustina Vinals
Newcomers: Fr. Kara O'Callaghan, Fr. Raaga Saha, Fr. Tejal Shah
Outlook: Parsippany Hills is building around freshmen.
PEQUANNOCK
Coach: Rick Mullins, 43rd season
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Grace Cheng, Sr. Lucy White, Jr. Kat Kaminski, So. Lydia Topps, So. Amber Meyer, So. Lily Martin, So. Rayna Tuttle
Outlook: With the top five intact, Pequannock is aiming at a Group 1 berth.
POPE JOHN
Coach: Brian Corcoran, 31st season
Last year: 0-6
Returning letter-winners: Jr. Anne Giacchi, Jr. Alexis Pier, So. Layne Cilli
Newcomers: Jr. Casey Carney, Fr. Madelyn Mulvihill, Fr. Farrah Whaley
Outlook: The Lions are rebuilding.
RANDOLPH
Coach: Kevin Higgins, seventh season
Last year: NJAC-Large champion; Morris County champion; North 1 Group 3 champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Jaidyn Young, Jr. Julianna Young, Jr. Anjali George, Jr. Samantha Cerulo, So. Grace Carey
Newcomers: Sr. Alba Saguillo Leppanen, Jr. Angie Bucci, Jr. Mackenzie Sharrow
Outlook: Experienced Randolph expects continued success.
ROXBURY
Coach: Derek Bischoff, fifth season
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Faith Hurtado, Sr. Meghan Lynch, Sr. Ava Weah, Jr. Skyler Lovins, Jr. Lyla Keenan
Outlook: Roxbury's roster is small but experienced.
SPARTA
Coach: Sierra Horetsky, sixth season
Last year: Third, NJSIAA North 1 Group 2
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Sage Errichetti, Sr. Natalie Gilmartin, Sr. Sierra Harms, Sr. Sachi Paniker, Sr. Celia Rossettini, Jr. Abigail Crane, Jr. Sophie Gulbrandsen, Jr. Leisl Hessel, Jr. Rebecca Johnson, Jr. Julianna Reid, Jr. Kaelyn Sabanosh, So. Avery Barrett, So. Amy Puhala, So. Lila Villavicencio
Newcomers: Sr. Charlotte Kowalsky, So. Madison Guardia, Fr. Sarah Walsh, Fr. Ava Koerner, Fr. Madelyn Fasulo
Outlook: Veteran Sparta is hoping for a solid finish at North 1, Group 2.
SUSSEX TECH
Coach: Maria Re, 11th season
Last year: 5-4, 1-3 NJAC-Freedom; fourth, NJTAC Championships
Returning letter-winners: Jr. Abigail Shipman, Jr. Mia Locascio
Newcomers: Fr. Taylor Tittle
Outlook: The Mustangs are aiming at individual improvement.
VERNON
Coach: Jim Shenise, 18th season
Last year: NJAC-Freedom champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Alexandra Kovacs, Sr. Sarah Horler, Sr. Alicia Kovacs
Newcomers: Jr. Shea Harmon, So. Eva Lowell, Fr. Sabrina LoGiudice
Outlook: Newcomers will bolster Vernon.
VILLA WALSH
Coach: Mark Ladolcetta, fourth season
Last year: 5-1; NJAC small-school champion; fourth, Morris County Championships; NJISAA champion; NJSIAA Non-Public B champion
Returning letter-winners: So. Catherine Azares, So. Lucy Smart, So. Helena East, So. Natalia Bruzzichesi
Newcomers: So. Sophia Battista, Fr. Clair Johnson, Fr. Cymbeline Tee
Outlook: The young Vikings have a lot of potential.
WALLKILL VALLEY
Coach: Aimee Chegwidden, seventh season
Newcomers: Fr. Alexa Fleming, Fr. Courtney Mogavero
Outlook: The Rangers hope to improve.
WEST MORRIS
Coach: Andrea Olsen, fourth season
Last year: NJAC-National champion; second, NJSIAA North 2 Group 2; fifth, Group 2
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Abby Bailey, Sr. Milana Bankin, Sr. Brooke Wilson, Sr. Millie Moir, Jr. Stephanie Davila
Newcomers: Fr. Sloan Scimeca
Outlook: The Wolfpack aim to build on last fall's success after moving to the NJAC-American.
WHIPPANY PARK
Coach: Steve Manni, 21st season
Last year: 0-6
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Nina Balassone, So. Kate Rossi
Newcomers: Sr. Ciara Geary, So. Gabriella Organowski, Fr. Nicoletta O'Donnell, Fr. Lucia Saegers
Outlook: Whippany Park is rebuilding.
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris/Sussex 2026 high school girls cross country preview capsules