Avon High School Shines in 2025 Cross Country All-Stars

The 2025 Morning Journal All-Stars have recognized exceptional talent in high school girls’ cross country, with Avon High School taking center stage. Leading the pack is senior Kaitlyn Reese, who has been named Runner of the Year for the second consecutive year. Reese, a promising recruit for Michigan State, showcased her prowess by winning three races this season, including the Riverside, Wooster, and Southwest Conference (SWC) meet. She capped off her impressive season with a fifth-place finish at the Division I state meet, leading her team to a third-place overall finish.

Reese’s performance at the Wooster meet was particularly noteworthy, as she set a personal record of 17:15.45. In the SWC meet held at Lorain County Community College, she recorded the second-fastest time ever on the course, clocking in at 17:59.72.

Recognizing coaching excellence, Justin Carroll of Avon has been named Coach of the Year. Since taking over the program, Carroll has driven significant growth, leading the Eagles to their fourth consecutive appearance at the state meet. Their third-place finish this year tied the program’s best result from 1988, the last time Avon competed at the state level before Carroll’s tenure. Under his guidance, the Eagles triumphed in four meets this season, reinforcing his reputation as an energetic and supportive coach who nurtures both elite athletes and the entire team.

First Team Standouts

Several athletes have earned recognition on the First Team, showcasing remarkable determination and skill throughout the season. Maya Gonzalez from Bay, a freshman, emerged as a standout competitor by winning the Cleveland West Conference meet in a swift 18:42.71. Unfortunately, she faced injury challenges later in the season, hindering her performance at the district meet, where she finished in 21:49.40.

From Rocky River, Lauren Lavelle made a strong comeback after struggling with injuries the previous year. This season, she placed second in the CWC meet and earned Division II All-Ohio honors by finishing 21st in the state meet with a time of 18:47.67. Teammate Jane McCann also shined, securing All-Ohio recognition with her impressive finishes throughout the season, culminating in a 33rd place at the state meet with a time of 19:10.94.

Another notable performance came from Kara McCann, a freshman who contributed to Rocky River’s CWC title by finishing third in the conference meet. She also placed 26th at the state meet with a time of 18:59.52.

Avon’s Ava Melott continued her upward trajectory by improving her state meet placement by 42 spots, finishing 53rd in 19:29.19. Olivia Pajak, a senior, also performed admirably, finishing as Avon’s second runner in the state meet, placing 49th with a time of 19:24.61.

Second Team and Honorable Mentions

The Second Team features athletes who displayed significant potential and determination. Madison Colaizzi from Avon had a standout performance, winning the open race in the SWC meet, which secured her a spot on the varsity squad. She finished as the team’s third runner in the regional meet and fifth in the state meet with a time of 19:37.27.

Another Avon athlete, Jessica Pendleton, showed versatility by transitioning from a state qualifier in track to a strong cross-country runner. She placed fourth in the SWC meet and finished 60th in the state meet.

The contributions of Julia Richards from Westlake and Abby Thompson from Olmsted Falls also deserve recognition. Richards ended her high school career with notable finishes, while Thompson earned an individual berth at the Division II state meet.

Honorable mentions included athletes from various schools, highlighting the depth of talent in the region. This recognition not only underscores individual achievements but also emphasizes the spirit of high school athletics, where perseverance and teamwork shine brightly.

The 2025 Morning Journal All-Stars reflect the dedication and hard work of these young athletes, showcasing the promising future of cross country running in the region.