Munster's girls run together as a pack during Saturday's Northwest Crossroads Conference meet. The Mustangs won the team title.

Lowell's Jessica Mescal was the individual champion at Saturday's Northwest Crossroads Conference meet.

Valparaiso freshman Elena Kipp finishes second at the Duneland Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships Saturday at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, helping the Vikings to the team title.

LaPorte's Kailee Schoof finishes in first place at the Duneland Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships Saturday at Sunset Hill Farm County Park.

Lake Central's Jenny Crague makes a strong finish to place fourth at the Duneland Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships Saturday at Sunset Hill Farm County Park.

Less than two months ago, Rachel Metzger's only experience in a race over a mile long was a track meet last spring when she competed in the 3,200-meter run.

(Previous ranking in parentheses; NR = not ranked)

Duneland Athletic Conference

When Wheeler wiins the Greater South Shore Conference, runners throw their shoes onto the "tree of life", located on the high school course. Junior Rachel Metzger hopes to continue the traditi…

Wheeler's Rachel Metzger stands near the "tree of life" on the high school cross country course, where runners throw their shoes after the Bearcats win the Greater South Shore Conference. The …