Evanston Boys Cross Country Advances to Sectionals

The Wildkits secure a spot in the next round after a fifth-place team finish at the IHSA regional race.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Running

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a cross country runner in motion on a wooded trail, navy and white color palette. — The Evanston Township High School boys cross country team advanced to the sectional competition after placing fifth at the IHSA regional race. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Evanston Township High School boys cross country team qualified for the sectional competition after placing fifth at the IHSA Class 3A Niles West Regional. The team secured their advancement by totaling 125 points to outpace sixth-place Glenbrook North.

Why it matters

Qualifying for the sectional round marks a key step in the state series, where only the top six teams from the regional meet move forward. This advancement keeps the team in contention as they move toward the championship races at Busse Woods.

Evanston finished with 125 team points, while the sixth-place finisher, Glenbrook North, logged 167 points. The team now prepares for the upcoming sectional meet after meeting the requirement for the top six teams to advance.

The players

Evanston Township High School

This is a public secondary school located in Evanston, Illinois, known for its comprehensive athletic program known as the Wildkits.

Andrew Praeuner

He is a runner for the Evanston boys cross country team who placed second in the individual results at the regional race.

Naod Abreha

He is an Evanston cross country athlete who participated in the regional meet alongside the team.

Mairead Blunk

She is an Evanston runner who qualified as an individual for the sectional competition following her performance in the girls race.

Olympia Folger

She is an Evanston athlete who earned a spot at the upcoming sectional meet based on her finish in the regional girls race.

The details

Andrew Praeuner finished second overall with a time of 14:37.5, just slightly behind Naod Abreha who crossed the line in 14:37.4. Additionally, Mairead Blunk and Olympia Folger qualified for the sectional round as individuals after the Evanston girls team placed seventh with 188 points.

The IHSA Class 3A Niles West Regional race occurred on October 24, 2026.
The Elk Grove Sectional competition is scheduled for October 31, 2026.

Season Trajectory

By qualifying for the sectional, the Wildkits have successfully navigated the first major hurdle of the IHSA Class 3A state series. This performance positions them to maintain their momentum as they transition into the competitive field at Busse Woods.

The team must now prepare for the Elk Grove Sectional race, which requires finishing in the top tier to secure a spot at the state championship. Individual runners like Praeuner will aim to maintain their sub-15-minute pace to remain competitive against the top regional field.

The takeaway

Advancing to the next level of the state series requires both collective team discipline and strong individual performances. Local supporters can look forward to seeing how these athletes perform under the pressure of the upcoming sectional meet.