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Crystal Lake Central freshman Hadley Ferrero did not run in the varsity race at the McHenry County Cross Country Meet to open the season.
But at the Wauconda Invitational the next week, Ferrero won the varsity race, setting the tone for the rest of her season. She won every race, with the exception of her 17th-place finish at the Palatine Invitational, through the Class 2A Woodstock Regional.
Ferrero finished by taking fourth in the Class 2A state meet, making her the decisive choice as Northwest Herald Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, selected by the sports staff with input from local coaches.
Ferrero was in strong company, as the other four All-Area first-team members also were Class 2A All-Staters.
Ferrero won the Fox Valley Conference Meet before her highly successful postseason run, which included a trip with her team (and her older sister teammates Annie and Hope) to the state meet.
Ferrero answered a few questions about her season with sports writer Joe Stevenson.
What will you remember most about the season?
Ferrero: The thing I will remember most was the team bonding amongst our team throughout the season. Rain or shine, win or lose, our team always stuck together and supported each other. It didn’t matter if you were a freshman or senior, everyone bonded like sisters.
Who was your favorite Disney character when you were younger?
Ferrero: When I was younger, my favorite Disney character was Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” because she is open-minded, humble and courageous.
What do you like to eat the morning before a race?
Ferrero: The morning before a race, my parents usually make me eggs, toast and bacon or sausage. When they didn’t make my breakfast, I would usually have fruit and either oatmeal or cereal.
What is something funny that happened to you during a race this season?
Ferrero: At the Antioch meet when I fell while running around a corner flag. Another eventful race was at Cary-Grove when I got lost twice on the course. Although I was disappointed with myself, my teammates were able to make me remember it as a fun meet and use it as a learning experience.
What was it like running with your older sisters Annie and Hope?
Ferrero: At the beginning of the season and during summer running, I was nervous about running with them because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. My sisters prepared me for all of the meets, and I’m glad I get to experience it with them both for another year.
What is a song or artist on your playlist that would surprise people?
Ferrero: A song on my playlist that might surprise people is the song “Glorious” by Macklemore. I don’t know why, but that has been my favorite song since middle school.
Who is the most famous person you have taken a picture with?
Ferrero: I haven’t met many famous people, and the only person I can remember taking a picture with is Bryn Sato from the Grayslake Central girls cross country team. My team considers her famous because she has around 1.5 million followers on TikTok. My teammates and a couple of friends from Prairie Ridge took a picture with her at one of the Saturday invites.
What is your favorite professional sports team?
Ferrero: I don’t watch a lot of TV, but probably the Chicago Bears.
Can you remember what you were thinking in the few minutes before your first state race?
Ferrero: Right before my first state race, I was thinking about not starting out too fast and to stay towards the middle of the group when going around the first flag.
What is your favorite class?
Ferrero: My favorite class is Algebra 2 w/trig because it just clicks in my head. My teacher also is very helpful in making it a nonstressful class.
What is the last really good book you read?
Ferrero: The last book I read was “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson, and it was a very eventful book that had many lessons throughout the story.
What is the longest distance you have ever run?
Ferrero: The longest distance I have run was a half-marathon, which I ran with my family and friends.
You run cross country, play basketball and soccer. What is another sport that you think you would be good at?
Ferrrero: I used to be a swimmer and gymnast, and those would be the sports I would do if I had the time for it.
What is one of your biggest pet peeves?
Ferrero: It’s when people aren’t humble whether they win or lose. Some people are too focused on beating others when you should be having fun while competing and not worrying about everything else.
What scares you?
Ferrero: The thing that scares me the most are planes. I don’t travel by plane often, but when I do, the turbulence always scares me.