The Lincoln-Way Central girls cross country team continued its impressive start to the season on Saturday by winning the Joliet Central Invitational, competing against 20 teams.
According to reports, this victory marks the Knights’ third consecutive invitational title in 2025. The team previously secured wins at the SouthWest Suburban Conference Pre-Conference Meet and the Verona Invitational. Six varsity runners finished in the top 20, with each athlete achieving personal, season, or course bests. Mia Forystek led the team with a third-place finish in 18 minutes and 14 seconds, nearly a minute faster than her time at last year’s meet. Keira Faxel finished fifth in 18:17, also almost a minute quicker than her previous season’s performance.
Other medalists included Ava Dughetti, who placed ninth with a time of 19:06; Jillian Davies, who came in 13th; Macy Gallagher, who finished 14th; and Ana Dal Ponte, who took 16th place. Gallagher improved her career best by nearly 30 seconds, while Dal Ponte ran under 20 minutes for the first time.
Coach Liz Stapinski praised the team’s consistency during a demanding training period. “Despite back-to-back hard training weeks, the team continues to perform at an elite level, showing grit and progress each meet,” she said.
The Knights are set to compete next at the Peoria Richard Spring Invitational.
