Girls track / Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIE
Antioch
Coach: Dan Oslage
Last season: tie for seventh in NSC meet, eighth in Class 2A Richmond-Burton sectional
Returners: Jr. Catharine Long (pole vault, sprints), Jr. Veronica Jandura (hurdles, middle distance), Sr. Katie Brito, Sr. Leslie Beake, So. Rikki Moncrief (sprints), Sr. Pam Rodriguez (sprints)
Newcomers: Fr. Ashley Lapoint (middle distance), Fr. Samantha Olson (middle distance), So. Alyssa Aschenbrenner (middle distance), Fr. Tiffany Gantz (middle distance), Fr. Madeline Johnson (jumps), Fr. Lindsey Horn (jumps), Jr. Tonya Sippy (jumps), Jr. Andrea Sodt (sprints)
Outlook: Long qualified for state in the pole vault and is a good sprinter, as well. Jandura took third in the sectional last year in the 300 hurdles. The Sequoits graduated the great Erin Poss (Drake), who wrapped up her Sequoits career last May by earning Class 2A state medals in the 3,200 (fourth) and 1,600 (fifth). She also won a pair of state medals in 2009.
Grant
Coach: Jacquelyn Randall
Last season: tie for 11th in NSC meet
Returners: Jr. Kim Heersche (jumps), Sr. Breha Davis (sprints), Sr. Becca McMullin (throws), Melissa Dunham (throws), Jr. Kacie Wodek (distance), So. Ana Hebein (sprints, middle distance), Jr. Tara Cwiak
Newcomers: Kaylie Kanzler (sprints, jumps), Julia Sangster (hurdles)
Outlook: The Bulldogs tied for eighth out of 13 teams at the prestigious Byron indoor meet a couple of weeks ago. Heersche set the school record in the high jump, placing third. Other highlights included McMullin and Dunham placing third and fourth, respectively, in the shot put. The same two girls went 2-3 in the shot put in the Lake Michigan invite at Carthage College last weekend.
Lakes
Coach: Matt Rife
Last season: ninth in NSC meet, fifth at Class 2A Richmond-Burton sectional
Returners: Sarah Goth, Peyton Kirkland, Grace Dean, Hannah Wittman, Dana Ollendick, Camille Ivory, Rachel Terry, Kara Morway, Mary Doupis
Newcomers: Marisa Franson, Geena Paoli, Taylor McDonald, Sarah Wojnicki
Outlook: The Eagles were hit hard by graduation, losing Katie Mulloy (eighth at state in the shot put), four-year state qualifiers Melissa Lewis (hurdles, jumps) and Shanna Hertz (sprints), and three-year state qualifier Kecia Morway (sprints). Last season, Lewis went to state in the high jump. Tran was the sectional runner-up in the 100 hurdles. Goth and Kirkland ran on the sectional-winning 400 relay. “Our goal is to win the Prairie Division, win the conference meet, and win the (Belvidere North) sectional,” Rife said. “Our sectional continues to be one of the toughest in AA, so we consistently will be running against very strong competition during the season to prepare for that. We had a successful indoor season and are ready to compete outside.”
Vernon Hills
Coach: Jason Rush
Last season: tie for 11th in NSC meet, 1st in Class 2A Richmond-Burton sectional
Returners: Sr. Kelley Gallagher (distance), Sr. Kelley Firnbach (distance), Jr. Maryam Abdallah (throws), Jr. Abbie Letts (distance), Jr. Danielle Fiarito (distance), Jr. Taylor Krue (sprints, jumps), Jr. Rachel Lira (sprints, jumps), Jr. Stacy Rowland (sprints/jumps), So. Alli Tran (sprints, hurdles, jumps), So. Ali Peacock (sprints, hurdles, jumps), So. Taryn Rawles (sprints, hurdles, jumps), So. Shannon Nugent (high jump), So. Ali Marks (distance), So. Tara Rooney (distance)
Newcomers: Jr. Taylor Pearson (sprints), Jr. Kara Sage (sprints), Jr. Zoe Eldridge (distance), Jr. Taylor Rigwood (throws), So. Kristen Whitney (distance), Fr. Shannon Healey (sprints/jumps), Fr. Helen Deng (distance)
Outlook: The Cougars went from finishing last in the conference meet to winning their sectional. They’re hoping to win a trophy before the sectional meet this spring. They finished second in the NSC Prairie to four-time champ Lakes last year. “I also think we can be a top-three team in the North Suburban Conference championship meet,” said Rush, whose team will host the conference meet.
The Cougars return Class 2A all-staters Nugent (tie for seventh in the high jump) and Gallagher (ninth in the 1,600), and Rush says the two athletes look much better than last year already. The coach is looking for big contributions from Tran and Peacock in the sprints/jumps/hurdles. Tran won the long jump at the sectional and placed second in the100 hurdles. Peacock was the sectional runner-up in the 300 hurdles, while Krue also qualified for state individually, taking second in the 400. Marks earned a state berth in the 3,200 run. “We have a strong supporting cast of distance runners around Kelley Gallagher that is going to make us very good in the distances and in the 4 x 800 relay,” Rush said. “Our 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 relays are wicked fast and I expect them to be all-state this year.”
Wauconda
Coach: Al Willhoit
Last season: 10th in NSC meet, ninth at Class 2A Richmond-Burton sectional
Returners: Sr. Janelle DaCosta (sprints), So. Megan Tallman (jumps), Sr. Roslyn Summerville (throws), Sr. Paulina Kulesza (throws), So. Andrea Lichterman (hurdles), Jr. Megan Mikenas (distance), Sr. Alicia Cervantes (sprints), So. Karyn Maki (sprints, middle distance), So. Jamie Buechner (sprints), Jr. Tori Vlaovic (pole vault), Jr. Emily Dorolek (sprints, middle distance, distance), So. Ariana Koehler (pole vault, hurdles), Sr. Cathy Miller (jumps. sprints)
Newcomers: Sr. Chavez Coombs (throws, jumps), Fr. Kailey Koehler (pole vault)
Outlook: The Bulldogs got a nice surprise last season when Tallman, Lichterman and Maki all stepped in as freshmen and contributed points on varsity. Tallman captured the long jump at the conference meet and just missed qualifying for state. Three-sport athlete Summerville just signed with Lewis University to throw the shot and discus. DaCosta is one of the Bulldogs’ fastest runners. Sisters Ariana and Kailey Koehler are high-level water skiers who will compete in the pole vault. Veteran coach Willhoit isn’t lacking athletes, as he reports that he has 75 girls out. “I think we’re going to be all right,” he said. “We went 5-3 (4-2 NSC Prairie) last year, and I hope to at least duplicate that. I think we’re going to be a good dual-meet team.”
NORTH SUBURBAN LAKE
Lake Zurich
Coach: Lance Pacernick
Last season: second in NSC meet
Returners: Sr. Marissa Wagner (sprints), Sr. Kelly Doheny (sprints), Sr. Amy Polhemus (multiple events), So. Lindsey Moritz (sprints), So. Madeline Jordan (sprints), Sr. Emily Trittschuh (pole vault), Jr. Cassie Houghton (middle distance/miler), So. Teagan Hough (sprints), Jr. Kelly Tufano (hurdles), Jr. Kaely Ferguson (jumps)
Newcomers: Jr. Alin Alpaslan (throws), Jr. Stacia Henderson (middle distance), So. Jennifer Finney (hurdles/middle distance)
Outlook: The Bears graduated state-qualifying pole vaulter Julia Rossdeutcher but look loaded with a blend of speed and state experience. Wagner won the 400 at conference last season and sprinted at state for the third straight spring. Polhemus qualified for state in the 300 hurdles, and Moritz ran on three relays at state as a freshman. “We are almost 70 strong and bring back a strong group of experienced sprinters,” Pacernick said. “Led by senior captains Marissa Wagner, Kelly Doheny and Mary Scheck, we hope to have a successful campaign.”
Last year’s 1,600 relay shattered the school record, and with most of the relay returning, Pacernick says there are aspirations of competing in the state final. The coach also says his team is still smarting from last year’s conference meet, when the Bears (86.5 points) lost the title to Lake Forest (87) by the narrowest of margins. “The conference is expected to be deeper than usual,” Pacernick said. “Mundelein, Warren and Libertyville should be much tougher, but we expect to compete once again for the title.”
Libertyville
Coach: Tom Bizosky
Last season: tie for third in NSC meet, fifth at Class 3A Palatine sectional
Returners: Jen Angster (sprints), Taylor Primrose (jumps), Haley Becker (jumps), Jackie Hansen (jumps), Molly Moon (jumps), Carly Stewart (distance), Erin Jaffke (distance), Erica Danckers (distance)
Newcomers: Rachel Metcalf (sprints), Lauren Post (sprints), Katie Sackett (sprints), Whitney Mitchell (distance), Maggie Fiorito (distance), Emily Moroz (distance), Maddie Hansen (field)
Outlook: The Wildcats lost many of their top athletes to graduation, Bizosky said, but the returners include state qualifiers Primrose (senior, high jump), Stewart (sophomore, 800) and Angster (junior, 200). As a freshman last year, Becker won the high jump at conference. “With the majority of the team out for the first time, regardless of year in school, we are treating this as a year of building, nurturing and teaching,” Bizosky said. “It is our hope to find a couple positive surprises along the way.”
Mundelein
Coach: John Osmanski
Last season: tie for third in NSC meet
Returners: Sr. Megan Geldernick (hurdles) Sr. Lauren Ozimek (jumps), So. Lauren Anderson (middle distance, distance), So. Marisa Perreault (middle distance), So. Emily Zagula
Newcomers: So. Morgan Lohr (distance), So. Claire Naughton (distance), So. Ellie Palacios (distance), So. Zindy Avila (middle distance), Fr. Emma McGowen (middle distance), Fr. Clarissa Montiel (middle distance), Jr. Katie Christensen (pole vault), Fr. Alina Shumov (pole vault), So. Shabria Frison (sprints), So. Erica Caballero (sprints), So. Tia Jackson-Burnette (sprints), Jr. Zoe Spector (sprints)
Outlook: The Mustangs boast some star power. Ozimek is a two-time state qualifier in the high jump. Geldernick is the reigning NSC champ in the 300 low hurdles and went to state in the event last season. As a freshman last year, Anderson made state in the 1,600 run and also ran on the Mustangs’ state-qualifying 3,200 relay. Perreault also ran on the state-qualifying 3,200 relay. “Where we are good we are very good with multiple returning state qualifiers,” Osmanski said. “We were third in the conference last year with five people making huge contributions. In order to move up in the standings, we are going to have to have more people contribute. A lot of the fun is watching some of our veterans develop and our newcomers make an impact on the varsity level. How well they contribute will determine our overall team standing.”
Stevenson
Coach: Don Proft
Last season: tie for seventh at NSC meet
Returners: Emily Cunningham, Gabby Ehrens, Anna Franke, Sara Grimes, Nia Johnson, Rachel Krakauer, Andrea Lafnitzegger, Tessa Lancaster, Mackenzie Levy, Christina Pritchett, Rachel Redmond, Samantha Tarnoff
Newcomers: Melissa Engel, Rebecca Feltman-Frank, Andi Keane, Riley Kirby, Lindsay Pontello
Outlook: The Patriots boast senior thrower Redmond, who went to state in both the shot put and discus, winning the shot put at sectional and placing seventh in Class 3A at state. The sophomore Levy qualified for state in the 3,200 and 1,600 runs. “Our coaching staff is very excited about our outdoor season,” Proft said. “Our returning varsity athletes have shown much improvement during our indoor meets. Their attitude and work ethic along with some strong first-year runners should give us a chance to compete with the best teams in the conference.”
Warren
Coach: Ryan Dunn
Last season: sixth in NSC meet
Returners: Sr. Gabby Nystrom, So. Meg Tully, Jr. Jada Keys, Jr. Amber Cook
Newcomers: Fr. Greta Doden, Fr. Heidi Doden, Fr. Allison Goad
Outlook: Cook is the reigning conference champ in the high jump and qualified for state in the event. Nystrom and Tully ran on the state-qualifying 3,200 relay. At Carthage College last weekend, Tully won the 3,200 and placed second in the 1,600, as the Blue Devils capped the indoor season with a fourth-place finish in the 25-team Lake Michigan Invitational. “Our hope is to be competitive within the conference (top three) and qualify for state in several events,” Dunn said. The Blue Devils tied for the NSC Lake crown last season with a 5-1 mark.
FOX VALLEY FOX
Grayslake Central
Coach: Burke Binning
Last season: 10th in Class 2A Richmond-Burton sectional
Returners: Sr. Jacqui Kirk (sprints), Jr. Lisa Vuong (sprints), Sr. Roxy Acoff (jumps, sprints), Jr. Clara Wong (hurdles, sprints), Jr. Beth Arnold (hurdles, sprints), Jr. Stefani Canadzic (hurdles, sprints), Sr. Alexa Cabaltera (pole vault), Sr. Hannah Isosaki (pole vault), Sr. Erika Garcia (distance)
Newcomers: Sr. Hannah Hobson (middle distance), So. Elsie Rehberg (middle distance), So. Miranda Gomez (distance), Fr. Korina Gomez (distance), So. Claire Haggerty (distance), So. Miranda Adams (sprints), Fr. Brianna Fitzpatrick (hurdles, sprints), Fr. Eilish Haggerty (hurdles, sprints), Jr. Je’Risha Coburn (throws), Fr. Pharah Mondesir (throws, sprints), So. Jamie Mara (hurdles)
Outlook: The Rams feature a good mixture of returning leaders and new faces. “We have great depth in the distance events,” first-year coach Binning said. “Distance coach Rob Duncan has been doing a fantastic job getting the girls ready to roll this season.” The 3,200 relay qualified for state last year. “Of course, they have aspirations of running well and placing this year,” Binning said. “Coach Duncan is hoping a few girls can qualify in individual events, as well. The distance crew has more than enough talent to help score big points at meets this spring. Jumps coach Karen D’Angelo has been getting our jumpers ready for an excellent season.”
Acoff is expected to contribute big points in both the long jump and triple jump. Pole-vaulting seniors Cabaltera and Isosaki have already reached last year’s best marks at couple indoor meets. Throws coach Ryan Jordan does not have a girl who has varsity experience. The sprint/hurdle group returns some valuable leaders in sprinters Kirk and Vuong, and junior hurdlers Arnold, Wong and Canadzic. All five are expected to score valuable points in meets and contribute to the three sprint relays. Kirk finished third at the sectional meet last year, just missing out on qualifying for state. “Competing in the Fox Valley Conference gives us a great opportunity to compete against much larger 3A teams, which prepares us for sectionals and state competition,” Binning said.
Grayslake North
Coach: Brian Hamlett
Last season: 13th at Class 2A Richmond-Burton sectional
Outlook: Hamlett takes over a program that fielded a young squad at last year’s sectional. As a freshman last year, Felicia Stancil placed fifth in the triple jump at the sectional.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
Carmel
Coach: Jim Halford
Last season: second in ESCC meet, second at Class 3A Palatine sectional, 16th at state
Returners: Jr. Megan Paul (sprints), Sr. Mary Beth Berg (sprints), Jr. Shannon Baucus (high jump, hurdles), Sarah Myss (800, pole vault), Sr. Monica McClure, Sr. Brooke Amsler, Sr. Gina Sapienza, So. Dana Weege, So. Katee Housner
Newcomers: Fr. Paige Gauthier, So. Clarine Stephens, So. Crystal Knauf, Fr. Eugenia Shin, So. Colleen Scott, So. Anna Avampato, Fr. Britanny Prather
Outlook: Paul and Berg comprised half of the Corsairs’ 1,600 relay team that placed fifth in the Class 3A state meet and ran a school-record 3:53.82. The other two members — Hilary Halford and Shannon Howell — graduated. Paul is one of the state’s fastest, taking third in the 400 at state last May. At the ESCC meet. she set the conference record in the 400. Berg also flies. She’s been a state medalist on the 1,600 relay the last two seasons. Baucus won the high jump at conference last year. “We hope to challenge for the ESCC crown and advance individuals and a relay to state,” veteran coach Halford said. “So much depends on how the young kids develop. We have girls who can score points in the big meets, so if the young kids develop, we will have a strong team.”