In a sectional that has been dominated by Northridge and Goshen for the past several years, could the Fairfield Falcons be the favorite at the Goshen Girls Cross Country Sectional this fall?
Don’t bet against it.
Veteran Fairfield coach Kirt Hunsberger has six of his top seven runners back for 2026 from a team that finished second to Goshen at the sectional and was a solid 10th at a loaded New Prairie Regional. The Falcons were also the NECC champions and won the Culver Academies Invitational.
“All our girls have had a great off-season and trained as expected this summer,’’ Hunsberger said. “I expect our top four runners to be as good as any top four we see all season. The challenge we have is finding a fifth runner that can compete with other team’s fifth.’’
The Falcons top returnee is sophomore Layna Stoltzfus, who finished third at the sectional and qualified for the state finals by coming home 14th at the regional. She also set the school 3,200 record during track season last spring.
But seniors Lyla Dennis and Lorelei Shively, along with junior Jules Hinkle, aren’t far behind Stoltzfus, as all three finished in the top 14 at the sectional.
“We must stay injury free, so this old stubborn coach needs to be reminded of that in his training plans,’’ Hunsberger said. “Our goals remain the same ... compete for our conference title and advance out of the sectional at Ox Bow Park.’’
Despite having the sectional champion in Dakotah Moore last fall, Northridge slipped to third place behind Goshen and Fairfield.
But you can never count the Raiders out for long, as coach Ryan McClane returns sophomore Brayleigh Adams, who was fifth in the sectional a year ago and qualified for state. McClane is also high on his freshman class.
“This is truly a different team than we have had over the past couple of years,’’ McClane said. “Although we have lost one of the state’s best in Dakotah, I am excited for this year because I believe that we have improved a ton and that we have picked up a very solid freshman class.
“I am excited to see these freshmen develop along with experienced veteran runners that have something to prove. We would love to get back to racing for championships again and getting back to the state meet will surely be at the top of our priority list.
In addition to Adams, other Northridge returnees are juniors Aubrey Cronin, Hailey Bowser and Rebekah Miller along with seniors Jade Snyder, Kloey Swathwood, Natalie Gillette and Brie Bemis.
“I feel that this team will definitely be more competitive than we have been and it could be an interesting season for the Lady Raiders, McClane added.
Elkhart missed qualifying for the regional last year at Ox Bow Park, but the Lions do have one runner – senior Rosell Robles – returning after qualifying for the regional. It was Robles third trip to the New Prairie Regional.
After winning the past two local sectionals, the Goshen RedHawks will be rebuilding with new coach Erin Smeltzer, who is part of the husband-wife team replacing longtime coach Mike Wynn.
The only Goshen returning letterwinners are senior Emilia Martin and sophomore Lauren Wohlford.
“We have a fun group of girls this year,’’ Smeltzer said. “It’s a young team, but we are excited to see how much they will improve over the course of the season.’’
Lions’ coach Bekah Shenk has named seniors Robles, Alexus Elion, Brianna Canfield and Ariana Garcia as team captains heading into the 2026 season.
“It’s been an eventful summer of preparations for the 2026 season and many of the girls have shown an increased commitment to training,’’ Shenk said. “The captains are ready to lead the team with their experience, commitment and care as we look to improve our results from 2025.
Other returnees for the Lions include Sadie Dibley, Kayisha Patel and Eilee Huckleberry, while Shenk is high on the potential of freshman Leah Walker.
“We had a great first week of practice,’’ Shenk said. “We got closer as a team through many fun experiences, including a pancake breakfast, a dunes trip and a pool party.’’
NorthWood qualified for the regional as a team in 2025, with the Panthers top three runners all coming back.
Perhaps the biggest change for the Panthers is new head coach Austin Hamsher, who replaced longtime coach Mark Mikel, who retired after track season last spring. Hamsher had been an assistant for NorthWood.
Junior Clara Boecher and sophomores Julianna Maxwell and Ayanna Kafatia reached the New Prairie Regional in the fall and will be counted on to lead the Panthers this season.
“I’m really encouraged by the commitment our girls have shown,’’ Hamsher said. “They’ve worked hard, supported one another and have embraced high standards we’re trying to build as a team.
“Although this is my first year as head coach, it’s not my first year with the program. I’ve had the privilege of working with many of these athletes over the past several years, so there is already a great level of trust and familiarity.’’
The Panthers have four seniors in Annelea Ortiz, Claudia Withey, Karissa Mason and Madelyn Blakely.
Coming off a fifth-place finish at the state finals a year ago, Penn coach Michael Clements has his two top runners back and a deep group behind her.
“I am very excited for us to build on last year’s team, which was the most accomplished in school history,’’ Clements said. “After making it on the podium at the state meet, we bring back a very deep squad that is more than capable of equaling or bettering that feat.’’
Senior Ella Neuenschwander is back after finishing eighth at the state finals in 2025, while teammate Shreya Nayee, just a junior, returns after an 11th place finish at the finals.
“It starts at the top with Lila and Shreya who have the two fastest 5k times in school history,” Clements said. “Three other girls bring invaluable tournament and state meet experience in Cali Lederer, Riley Holland and Sami Pentelow.
Junior Sami Pentelow and sophomores Riley Holland and Cali Lederer are expected to move into the three, four and five spots for the Kingsmen to help fill in for the graduation losses of Ari Balinnang and Gabby Smith.
Elkhart Christian just missed qualifying for the regional after finishing sixth at the Goshen Sectional, but coach Peter Cassaletto’s team does have three runners back that qualified as individuals for the regional.
Juniors Lily Maxwell and Addi Mojica, along with sophomore Anna Meyer all reached the regional in 2025. Junior Miriam Burch is also returning for the Eagles, while Cassaletto likes the potential of freshman Audrey Wilkinson and Bo Maxwell.
“This looks to be a strong girls team,’’ Cassaletto said. “Lily Maxwell hit 19s at regional last fall and Anna Meyer wasn’t far behind. Our incoming freshman look strong as well.’’
Concord coach Jerry Redmond has six returning letterwinners, including sophomore Danica Montiel, who was the lone CHS runner to reach the regional in 2025.
“Danica led us in every race a year ago and qualified for the regional,’’ Redmond said. “I’m looking to see her improve on where she left off a year ago.’’
Other returnees for the Minutemen are seniors Evie Mashala, Zoe Smith and Breeze Valenzuela and sophomores Addie Doherty and Aubrey Eslinger.
Mashala is back after missing the 2025 season after suffering a serious injury during the track season.
Senior Kylee Anglemyer leads the newcomers, along with junior Linda Juan Francisco, sophomores Baylie Riffle, Lily Hernandez, Amanda Molina Medina and freshman Bella Sherck.
“We are looking to improve from last year and get some conference wins,’’ Redmond said. “We will be challenging the girls to do things and work harder than they ever have. if they put forth those type of efforts, everything else will take care of itself.’’
Jimtown coach Ryan Woolwine continues to help grow the Jimmies’ program, which has two runners back after reaching the regional in 2025.
Both Cammi Schwartz and Makayla Pratt reached the New Prairie Regional last fall after solid runs at the sectional. Norah Gorbics is also back after earning All-Indiana Northern State Conference honors a year ago.
“I am really excited for this upcoming season,’’ Woolwine said. “Our team is growing yet again, with our girls team returning nearly all of their varsity runners.’’