MATT PEREIRA/LAKE ZURICH
The sophomore has emerged as this area’s top long-distance runner and his victory in the North Suburban Conference meet at Lake Forest helped the Bears win the NSC team title for the sixth time in seven seasons. He finished in 14:44, three seconds clear of Stevenson’s Sam Oh. Earlier this month, Matt won the Wheeling Invitational. Last year, he finished second in the NSC meet, and last May, he finished eighth at state in the Class 3A 3,200-meter run.
KARYNA BIHEL/Warren
The Blue Devils won the team title at the Lakes Sectional and this junior led the way by winning the singles championship. She beat teammate Alex Mela 0 & 3 in the finals and qualified for state last fall and reached the Round of 16 before losing. So far this season, she’s 26-3 despite playing top-end competition from Stevenson, Lake Forest, Libertyville and even Grant. Both of Warren’s singles players and doubles teams qualified for state.
