Senior Nick Houghton and his Oak Park and River Forest High School boys cross country teammates came ever so close to the Class 3A state meet as a group.
The Huskies finished eighth at the Lake Park Sectional, one place from the sectional’s last state-advancing team. Additionally, the 35th-place Houghton missed being the 10th and last individual state qualifier by one place and one-tenth of a second over 3.0 miles.
“That was a motivating factor for him all track season and the summer. He’s got a lot of confidence because of the training he’s doing,” OPRF coach Chris Baldwin said. “(As a group) they’ve set pretty high goals for themselves. Missing state was pretty heartbreaking.”
The Huskies seek their fourth team state berth in the past five seasons with three sectional lineup returnees – Houghton, senior Connor Harmon and junior Gus Singer. Graduated Yonni Rafter was the lone individual state qualifier (103rd in 3A).
Seniors Ryan Wangerow, Gavin Furrow, Matteo Drummer, Ryan Solberg and Charlie Stone also return. Other possible contributors include juniors Finn Derhammer, Aaron Jones, Emmett Washburn and Aydin Curtis and sophomores Gabe Lynch and Santos Martinez.
“(One team strength is) just their love for each other, their camaraderie. Our top 20 kids ran a lot of miles together (this summer). I think they sacrificed for each other tremendously,” Baldwin said. “It always comes down to the fifth guy (in competition), but I really feel good about our No. 1 to 15 depth. I feel like our No. 1 runner could be a different guy every couple of meets.”
A 2024 state competitor (193rd), Harmon overcame shin splints at the start of last season. Wangerow also was injured but had a solid track season.
“(This summer collectively was) the most volume they’ve ever run in their lives. We’re looking forward to a successful season,” Baldwin said.
OPRF girls cross country
Sierra Downey may be the new OPRF girls head coach but she’s among many returning faces from 2025. Downey served as an OPRF assistant coach in her debut season. Six of the seven runners from last year’s 11th-place 3A Lake Park Sectional lineup also return – seniors Emily Jones and Bella Crowe, junior Eileen Easton and sophomores Loie Burwell, Rose Super and Reilly O’Connor.
Jones (53rd) and Burwell (61st) were the Huskies’ No. 2-3 finishers. Graduating was individual state qualifier Violet Schnizlein, who finished 29th in 3A.
“I actually worked on the varsity last year (for head coach Laura Turk),” Downey said. “It’s important that they know me and we trust each other from last season. But I’m also working to build those relationships to keep the transition smooth.”
The Huskies also return senior Lily Harmon and several promising newcomers, including freshmen Abby Denneen and Mickey O’Connor, Riley’s sister. Both were standouts at Brooks Middle School.
“I feel like we have a really great group of girls and we might surprise some people,” said Downey, who ran at Morton High School and St. Xavier University. Before OPRF, she coached for two years at Heritage Middle School in Berwyn, where she is a social worker.
Downey joined the 2025 OPRF coaching staff after head coach Ashley Raymond stepped down following the birth of her daughter. Assistant coaches are Julia Stenger and staff newcomers Keya Willis and Samantha Duwe, a 2022 OPRF graduate.
“(Raymond) is still an assistant coach and around to mentor me so it’s great to have her,” Downey said. “(Head coach) was truly an opportunity. I didn’t know was going to come along as quickly as it did but I’m still very thankful. I’ve been running for a long time and head coaching has always been a dream of mine. To be able to do it at OPRF feels really great.”