Girls track and field / Scouting Northwest
MID-SUBURBAN EAST Buffalo Grove Coach: Ron Brusa (2nd year)
Last year: 11th in MSL
2013 state qualifier: Kaitlyn Ko (3,200).
Key losses: Niki Salzman, Calla Ziemba, Jordan Mann, Cristina Meza, Hannah Baldwin.
Top returnees: Seniors: Katie Geraghty (distance), Carmen Bustamante (sprints); juniors: Mia Inman (sprints, jumps); sophomores: Kaitlyn Ko (distance), Natalie Lezama (distance), Rebecca Rabs (sprints, jumps), Gabrielle Sowa (sprint, jumps).
Promising newcomers: Senior: Kendall Marthaler (distance); sophomores: Meliza Ott (sprints, jumps); freshmen: Sherrielle McNeal (sprints, jumps), Natalie Fitch (distance), Sarah Prommer (distance), Kellie Ventress (sprints) Tania Mendoza.
Outlook: Ko is definitely one to watch. The sophomore is a two-time all-state runner in Class 3A for cross country including a seventh-place finish last fall. Ko won the 3,200 and finished second in the 1,600 at the MSL meet last spring, she finished her season by taking 15th in Class 3A for the 3,200. Unfortunately, Ko missed the entire indoor season with a knee injury and is just now beginning her comeback. Brusa welcomes a young class that is looking to build the Bison attack. Rabs showed plenty of promise in the sprint as a freshman contributing to the relays and finishing sixth in the 400 at the conference meet.
Elk Grove Coach: Dave Johnson (7th year)
Last year: 12th in MSL
Key losses: Jessica Morrill (Loras), Abby Brandt
Top returnees: Seniors: Loredana Lappano (distance), Jamie Lankford (sprints), Vanessa Gomez (sprints, jumps); juniors: Becky McDonough (distance); sophomores: Amy Haderspeck (distance), Inga Augustaitis (throws), Emily Mallek (sprints).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen: Emily Stegmeier (distance), Megan Manoj (distance), Mary Cronin (sprints).
Outlook: Elk Grove is showing signs of improvement. Lappano and Lankford are back after injuries stalled them last season. The two senior will provide leadership for a young Grenadier attack. Johnson is also optimistic of putting together a competitive 3,200 relay. Haderspeck, Stegmeier, and Manoj were part of the EG team that took second at MSL soph/frosh meet last fall. The three will be looking to continue their growth this spring. Augustaitis has also shown promise in shot put.
Hersey Coach: Jim Miks (11th year)
Last year: 7th in MSL
2013 state qualifiers: Erica Hill (long jump), Kelly Hill (pole vault).
Key losses: Erica Hill, Clarissa Cruz, Amanda Cortese (North Central College), Carolyn Crost (Dominican College), Michelle Brown.
Top returnees: Seniors: Marianne Morales (hurdles), Lenna Fotos (sprints), Lauren Solberg (distance), Callie Joncas(distance), Patrycja Krupa (distance), Madison Lipowski (distance), Collie Torotorello (throws), Izzy Dolba (throws); juniors: Kelly Hill (pole vault, jumps, sprints), Laura Bjankini (sprints), Rachel Fredrick (sprints), Halle Lyons (distance); sophomores: Paige Pawlis (sprints), Michelle Fugiel (distance).
Promising newcomers: Junior: Venus Jones (throws); sophomores: Taylor Square (throws); freshmen: Grace Pichiotti (hurdles), Lillie Rose (distance, vault), Hailey Bowes (distance), Hannah Goldberg, Allanna Ratusz (distance).
Outlook: Kelly Hill will be the one to watch this season for the Huskies. The junior is the two-time defending MSL pole vault champion and also qualified to the Class 3A state meet the past two seasons. Hill will also be looking to make a mark in the jumps this season. Hersey is always a threat in the jumps, but the Huskies will miss 2013 state qualifier Erica Hill who was the top point scorer for the Huskies in both long jump and triple jump. Morales should be a threat in the hurdles picking up where Brown left off. Bjankini will have an impact in the sprints and will be looking to make some noise along with Fotos, Fredrick, and Pawlis in the 800 relay. Bowes has shown promise in the distance.
Prospect Coach: Dave Wurster (30th year)
Last year: MSL champions, York sectional champions, MSL East division champions.
2013 state qualifiers: Christina Santiago (3rd in 1,600), Erin Reese (5th in shot put, discus), Catherine Sherwood (9th in long jump), 3,200 relay (4th place finish), Lauren Poplawski (800), Brooke Wolf (1,600), Alicia Nicolau (shot put), 400 relay.
Key losses: Maggie Devereux, Lauren Poplawski, Carissa Weis (Clavin College), Brooke Wolfe (Missouri), Taylor Will, Ally Zach , Lauren Yearian, Anna Batcha, Katrina Leeney.
Top returnees: Seniors: Erin Reese (throws), Christina Santiago (distance), Heidi Eurich (jumps), Alicia Nicolau (throws), Maddy Kiepura (pole vault), Rachel Henk (distance), Tara Stokes (distance, hurdles); juniors: Catherine Sherwood (jumps, sprints, hurdles), Hannah Getschman (distance), Ellen Siefke (distance); sophomores: Maya Mason (sprints, hurdles), Jes Skudlarek (high jump, sprint relays), Cassidy Selep (hurdles, high jump, relays), Brenda Kendziera (jumps, hurdles, sprints), Lana Korf (throws), Carolyn Ryan (sprints), Kaetlyn Czurylo (sprints, jumps).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore: Angelina Villasin (hurdles, sprints, pole vault); freshmen: Brooke Wilson (distance), Autumn Stone (sprints, jumps), Aileen White (distance), Jillian Hennig (sprints, hurdles, jumps), Amanda Page (sprints, jumps), Danielle Wawryk (sprints), Alyssa Sharp (sprints).
Outlook: Wurster is in his 30th and final year as head coach for Prospect, and this may be one of his strongest teams. And that is saying a lot especially after the Knights have won back-to-back MSL titles. Prospect will be the favorite to win the MSL this year. Last year the Knights showed great depth in having double point-scorers in 9 of the 14 individual events at the conference meet; they also placed in each of the four relays. Look for the same this year. Santiago has earned five state medals including three in the 3,200 relay and two in the 1,600 where she finished 3rd in Class 3A last season. Santiago is coming off a double victory in the 800 and 1,600 at the MSL indoor meet, setting school indoor record in both events. Sherwood is the reigning MSL champion in both the long jump and triple jump, and she concluded last season by finishing ninth in Class 3A for the long jump. Reese and Nicolau give the Knights a powerful 1-2 punch in the throws, with Reese taking 5th in Class 3A in the shot put. Reese will continue her throwing career at Dayton University next year. Mason is quietly developing into one of the top hurdlers in the MSL and will also aid the Knights' sprint relays. Skudlarek won the MSL high jump title last season and took first in the high jump at the MSL indoor meet this season. Selep, Kendziera, Eurich, and Kiepura add depth and talent to ande impressive field events squad that scored 70 points at last year's MSL conference meet. Getschman adds experience to the distance squad that welcomes a pair of talented freshman in Wilson and White. Prospect lost quite a bit of talent from last year's squad, including Poplawski and Wolfe, but the Knights have reloaded and seemed destined to send Wurster out on a high note.
Rolling Meadows Coach: Kevin Young (2nd year).
Last year: 9th in MSL
2013 state qualifiers: Morgan Keller ( 2nd in discus, 3rd in shot put)
Key losses: Morgan Keller (Illinois State), Bailey Banger, Mariah Heck.
Top returnees: Seniors: Vanessa Sanchez (distance), Katie Shewmon (throws), , Jordanne Wynter (sprints); junior: Lindsay Bryda (sprints), Leslie Rosiles (mid-sprints), Zoe Frantom (distance); sophomores: Gabby Sanchez (distance), Sara O'Malley (distance), Hannah Mickey (sprints, jumps), Hannah Schulz (sprints, jumps).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen: Michelle Nebel (sprints), Mikayla Williams (sprints), Kiki Gaiter (throws), Anna Czulno (distance).
Outlook: Rolling Meadows will miss the contributions of Keller, who earned seven state track medals during her four years. Young will be counting on a pair of distance runners to help the Mustangs. Gabby Sanchez is looking for a breakout season in the MSL; she took fourth in the 3,200 at the MSL indoor meet. Vanessa Sanchez is coming off a strong cross country season in which she qualified to the Class 3A meet. She finished fourth in the 1,600 in an impressive 5:09 at the MSL indoor meet. Bryda will lead a young group of sprinters that will be looking to improve as the season progresses. Wynter is healthy and has posted some solid marks in the sprints this season. Shewmon is looking to move up in the throws. Frantom will also add to the distatnce.
Wheeling Coach: Tim Nowicki (first year)
Last year: 4th in MSL
2013 state qualifiers: Sydney Keith (100, 200), 400 relay
Key losses: Sydney Keith (Iowa), Eva Poznanski (Lewis), Angela Reinhart, Brie Majkowski, Jessie Zuba.
Top returnees: Seniors: Marta Dzundza (distance), Jacky Guerrero (hurdles), Ashley Sicard (throws), Elizabeth Smith (hurdles); juniors: Hailey Dammeier (distances, jumps), Hannah Dobrowski (throws), Joanna Jachim (sprints), Alexa Laureano (sprints), Aurora Mala (distance), Ashley Talken (pole vault); sophomore Katherine Kowalski (sprints).
Promising newcomers: Junior: Alanah Greenberg (throws); freshmen: Hannah DeGraff (sprints, jumps), Timber Terrell (sprints, jumps).
Outlook: Wheeling ran to an impressive fourth-place finish in the MSL behind Keith, who won the 100 and 200, and was the anchor for the first place 400 relay at the MSL meet. The Wildcats will miss the contributions of Keith, who is running for Iowa this season. Nowicki takes over for Mike Theodosakis, who was Wheeling's head coach for eight years. Kowalski and Laureano return from last year's state qualifying 400 relay, and Laureano won the MSL indoor 55-meter dash title. Jachim and Terrell will add to the sprints. Smith will be looking to make a mark in the 300 low hurdles. Dzundra took fourth in the 800 at the MSL meet last year and just missed qualifying for the state meet. She will be looking for a bit of redemption this year and will lead the distance crew. The Wildcats also look strong in the field events as Dammeier returns from an injury last season and will be looking to make a mark in the high jump. Talken is rising fast in the pole vault and Sicard will add points in the throws. Terrell is also coming on strong in the triple jump to aid the Wildcats.
MID-SUBURBAN WEST Barrington Coach: Jody Gitelis (27 years).
Last year: 3rd in MSL
2013 state qualifiers: Anna Cosio (high jump), Rachel Simon (3,200), Cary Reynolds (1,600), McCall Braun (100 high hurdles), Samantha Babiuk (400), 800 relay, 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay.
Key losses: Rebecca Batliner (Missouri), Rachel Simon (Kansas), Samantha Babiuk, McKenzie Hess.
Top returnees: Seniors: McCall Braun (sprints, hurdles, jumps), Kristin Clarke (sprints), Cary Reynolds (distance); juniors: Stephanie Bergren (mid-distance), Lauren Cropsey (mid-distance), Nina Hodges (sprints); sophomores: Sara Kate Capel (sprints, hurdles, jumps), Anna Cossio (mid-distance, jumps, hurdles).
Promising newcomers: Seniors: Gabby Mclaurin (sprints), Brooke Morgan (jumps); sophomores: Liz Streiff (mid-distance, jumps); freshmen: Annika Cowen (sprints, jumps), Addi Coy ( sprints, mid-distance), Rianna DeLaurentis (sprints, jumps), Brooke Elias (sprints, hurdles), Kristin Gadbois (sprints, jumps), Sophie Harwood (mid-distance), Kelsey Mclaurin (sprints, jumps), Sammie Samaryczew (distance), Jenna Wolfrum (distance), Morgan Young (sprints, hurdles).
Outlook: Barrington once again looks strong and its starts with the relays. Last year the Fillies qualified to state in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 relays and the core of those relays is back. Hodges, Capel, and Clarke led the Fillies to first place in the 800 relay at the MSL conference meet and the Fillies were set to win the MSL indoor title before be disqualified. Bergren, Cropsey, and Cosio led the Fillies to last year MSL title in the 1,600 relay. Coy will be looking to join that group, the freshman has already hit a 60.97 mark indoors for the 400. Braun has emerged as a big threat and is looking to defend her MSL 100 high hurdles title, and she won the long jump at the MSL indoor meet. She will be a key part to the Fillies' success. Cossio is coming off a strong freshman season that included a second-place finish in the high jump and a third-place finish in the 300 low hurdles at the MSL meet. Reynold came on strong last season, finishing fourth in the MSL in the 1,600 and had a strong cross country season. The senior will be a difference-maker this spring. And look for Hodges to join the fun - she already has captured the 200 MSL indoor title this season. The Fillies have their eyes on the MSL title and have the talent to compete.
Conant Coach: Bob Borczak (13 th year)
Last year: 9th in MSL
2013 state qualifiers: Jennifer Donnell (9th in shot put, discus), Tracy Iroegbulem (200), Daisy Okpa (200).
Key losses: Emily Day.
Top returnees: Seniors: Daisy Okpa (sprints, hurdles), Tracey Iroegbulem (sprints, hurdles), Jennifer Donnell (throws), Sarah Kliora (sprints, jumps), Courtney Sherman (distance); juniors: Ola Urbanski (sprints, hurdles), Jonniece Jones (sprints, jumps), Kyrah Sherrod (sprints), Abby Tripp (distance), Michelle Marasigan (distance); sophomores: Natalie Lakomski (distance), Heather Cizek (distance), Julie Rummel (pole vault).
Promising newcomers: Senior: Maci Bennett (sprints, jumps, pole vault); sophomores: Rachel Mckenzie (sprints); freshmen: Sydney Davis (distance), Vanessa Iroegbulem (throws).
Outlook: Senior Jennifer Donnell returns to lead the Conant attack. The senior took ninth in shot put in Class 3A last season and is among the leaders in a very deep and talented group of throwers from the MSL. Donnell hit a school record indoor mark at the MSL indoor meet (42-04) and still finished second. Borczak will also count on a group of talented sprinters to push the Cougars 400 and 800 relays. Tracy Iroegbulem and Okpa can be counted among those sprinters, both qualified to the state meet in the 200 last season and Iroegbulem finished second in the 200 at the MSL indoor meet. Sherrod will also add to the sprinting depth. Tripp and Lakomski will aid a developing distance group
Fremd Coach: Hali Yoshimura (7th year)
Last year: 5th in MSL
Key losses: Leah Ferguson (LeHigh), Kelly Breen (Iowa), Katie Filosa (Drake)
Top returnees: Seniors: Anne Mahoney (sprints), Cat Ogilvy (sprints); juniors: Ayako Higuchi (distance), Lauren Ciardiello (distance); sophomores: Nora Finegan (distance), Brianna Lewis (sprints)
Promising newcomers: Junior: Katie Escober (distance). Maggie Hanna (distance); sophomore: Arial Niederding (sprints)
Outlook: Fremd lost 20 seniors to graduation from the 2013 team including top sprinter Ferguson, but Yoshimura is very optimistic about this year's squad. Mahoney will contribute in many areas including the hurdles, sprints, and relays. The Vikings will depend upon her versatility. Fremd relays seem to be coming together including the 3,200 relay that took third at the MSL indoor meet and the 1,600 relay that added an impressive fourth place finish at the same invite. Finnegan and Ciardiello will play a key role in both relays. Higuchi had a strong cross country season that included a second-place finish in the MSL, and the Viking junior took sixth in a loaded 1,600 field at the MSL indoor meet. Look for a number of newcomers to add to the excitement.
Hoffman Estates Coach: Dan Andersen (9th year)
Last year: 6th in MSL
2013 state qualifiers: Banke Oginni (4th in shot put, 9th in discus), Meagan Biddle (1,600), 3,200 relay.
Key losses: Mary-Bianca Fuller (Western Illinois).
Top returnees: Seniors: Banke Oginni (throws), Alex Baez (jumps), Solome Haile (distance), Elsabet Haile (distance), Shayan Dussard (sprints), Brenda Regalado (sprints, hurdles, Esther Cho (pole vault); juniors: Edyta Kraweic (sprints), Kaylan Williams (sprints), Alondra Aguirre (distance), Yazmin Nunez (distance), Melanie Bliudzius (throws) ; sophomores: Meagan Biddle (distance), Reena Prabhu (distance).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen: Destinee Jones (hurdles), Destinee Jackson (sprints), Luna Herandez (jumps).
Outlook: Hoffman Estates is expecting big things from Oginni this season. The Wisconsin-bound senior currently hold the top state mark (47-09.50) for shot put in Class 3A for the indoors season. She is coming off a strong junior season in which she took 4th place in the shot put and 9th place in the discus in Class 3A. This year Oginni should be a contender for the state title in the shot put. The Hawks also can count very talented distance squad. Biddle is a star in the making finishing second at the MSL indoor meet in the 1,600 (5:00.3). The Hawks sophomore will combine with Solome Haile, Elsabet Haile, and Aguirre as the quartet aims for an elusive state medal in the 3,200 relay. Andersen welcomes back the core of his sprint group, including Dussard. The Hawks took first at the MSL indoor meet in the 800 relay and seem primed for a big outdoor season. Andersen has the pieces to put together a strong run and will push Prospect, Palatine, and Barrington in the MSL race.
Palatine Coach: Joe Parks (4th year).
Last year: 2nd in MSL, MSL West division champions, Palatine sectional champions.
2013 state qualifiers: 3,200 relay (2nd in state), Meg Jump (6th in triple jump, long jump), Meg O'Brien (shot put, discus), Sabina Yosif (3,200), Jessica Lincoln (3,200), Cassidy McPherson (800), Caitlin Reidy (300 low hurdles), Liz Cox (1,600), Tess Wasowicz (1,600), 1,600 relay.
Key losses: Tess Wasowicz (Minnesota), Taylor Tenca (Carthage), Meg Jump, Megan O'Brien.
Top returnees: Seniors: Cassidy McPherson (mid-distance), Liz Cox (distance), Jessica Lincoln (distance), Lorena Sarabia (sprints); juniors: Kara Burton (mid-distance), Amy Kieliszewski (distance), Ashley Proska (sprints, jumps), Basiret Iginla (sprints, jumps), Caitlin Reidy (sprints, hurdles), Megan Thabuteau (jumps), Gabbie Heidrich (sprints, jumps) ; sophomores: Kelly O'Brien (distance), Sabina Yosif (distance).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen: Anna Buckstaff (distance), Jenny Sobkowiak (sprints, jumps), Corey Rinella (sprints, jumps), A'mauri Thomas (sprints), Sydney Wynter (sprints), Shelby Madison (throws).
Outlook: Palatine will be the main threat to dethrone two-time defending MSL champion Prospect. Despite losing a couple of big pieces, including Wasowicz and Jump, the Pirates are primed to make a run at the MSL title. Except for a few holes in the field events, Palatine can cover almost every event. The Pirates displayed that depth in winning the MSL indoor title. The Pirates' 3,200 relay has finished in the top four at state the last eight years, including a second-place state finish last season. Palatine hit the top state indoor mark on Saturday for the 3,200 relay (9:21.6) and with three returning runners the Pirates are good shape for the outdoor season. McPherson , Cox, Burton, O'Brien form the nucleus, with O'Brien coming off a sixth-place finish in Class 3A cross country meet. Lincoln and Yosif give the Pirates a powerful 1-2 punch in the 3,200; both were state qualifiers last season. What really has Parks excited is a group of junior sprinters/jumpers that seem to be emerging. Reidy established herself last season by taking first in the 300 low hurdles at the MSL meet and qualifying for state. Proska and Iginla will have a major impact this season, with Iginla showing her speed in winning the MSL 400 indoor title. Proska will be a threat in both sprints and long jumps. Thabuteau and Heidrich are looking strong in the triple jump after going 1-2 at the MSL indoor meet. McPherson has signed with the University of Chicago, and Cox will be running for Massachusetts Institute of Technology next fall. The two seniors will combine with Lincoln giving the Pirates strong leadership. Add the talented juniors and Palatine is primed for a big season.
Schaumburg Coach: Courtney Smith (third year)
Last year: 8th in MSL
2013 state qualifiers: Darneisha Spann (100 high hurdles/300 low hurdles), Caroline Kurdej (3,200), Ali Gutt (1,600), 3,200 relay.
Key losses: Tori Capozziello (North Central), Maika Kumamoto, Jasmie Bethea (Dubuque).
Top returnees: Senior: Darneisha Spann (sprints, hurdles), Krista Legan (throws); juniors: Erin Falsey (distance), Ali Gutt (distance), Caroline Kurdej (distance); sophomore: Enfiniti Kelly (sprints, jumps), Nadina Pola (mid-distance)
Promising newcomers: Freshmen: Ellie O'Connell (distance), Valerie Shackelton (mid-distance).
Outlook: Spann covers a lot of event for Schaumburg and it showed at the 2012 MSL meet when she won 100 high hurdles, 300 low hurdles, and 200 dash. Despite being out for most of the season last year with a pulled hamstring, she still qualified in both hurdle events. Spann was looking to make up for lost ground this season, but an injury at the MSL indoor meet put a scare into the Saxons . The initial report is she is out with mild strain and is making progress. Without Spann the Saxons will have to rely on it distance core that includes Falsey, Gutt and Kurdej. All three offer experience and are battled-tested. Joining the distance crew is O'Connell, who took 13th in Class 3A for cross country last fall. O'Connell will give the Saxons a huge boost. Keep an eye on a state potential 3,200 relay. Kelly is also looking to give the Saxons a boost in the jumps, last year she took second in the long jump at the MSL conference meet. Look for Legan to give the Saxons a lift in the throws.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC St. ViatorCoach: John Fuja (first year)
Last year: 7th in ESCC
2013 state qualifiers: Hanna Winter (800, 1,600), Meghan Carroll( 1,600)
Key losses: Hanna Winter (Illinois), Shannon Cooney, Meghan Saulka.
Top returnees: Senior: Meghan Carroll (distance), KiristinYi (sprint, hurdles, jumps), Katie Malek (sprints, distance); junior: Biannca DiVincenzo (throws), Maria Dugo (sprint, distance), Kelly Kompanowski (sprint, distance, pole vault, throws).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen: Theresa Donohue (distance), Elizabeth Drab (sprints, jumps, distance), Kendall Fundum (sprints, hurdles, jumps).
Outlook: Fuja begins his first year at St. Viator with a young but enthusiastic team. The Lions will miss the contributions of Winter, but Carroll is back and adds experience and talent in the distance. She was a 2013 qualifier in the 1,600 and is a two-time all-state cross country runner. Carroll finished 18th in Class 2A last fall. She also finished second in the 1,600 at the ESCC meet last season. Malek adds experience and will set the tone for a young group of sprinters. Kompanowski covers a lot including discus, pole vault, and sprints. It will be fun to see how this young squad develops.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD LeydenCoach: Brent Dempsey (fifth year).
Last year: 5th in WSG
Key losses: Cheyenne Salazar, Kathy Wotjulewicz (Triton).
Top returnees: Seniors: Stephanie Dominguez (sprints, hurdles), Taylor Calderon (sprints, jumps), Aleks Kijowska (sprints, jumps), Angela Pyrdol (distance), Jessica Plessner (throws); sophomores: Michalina Szelazek (sprints, distance), Estefania Ramirez (distance), Siahn Correa (sprints).
Promising newcomers: Sophomores: Claudia Ulloa (sprints), Katherine Hinojoso (sprints); freshmen: Jo Spangler (throws).
Outlook: Leyden welcomes a solid core of seniors who will help direct the Eagles attack. Dominguez and Calderdon will pace the sprints. Szelazek had a solid freshman campaign capping it with a third place finish in the 400 at the York sectional. Plessner is looking tough in the throws finishing third at the indoor WSG meet in the shot put Pyrdol is off to an impressive start in the distance events including a fourth place finish in the 1,600 at the WSC meet.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH Maine West Coach: Greg Regalado (2nd year)
Last year: 4th in CSL North
Key losses: Shana Atkinson (St. Ambros), Jill Murray, Roxanne Rubey, Alexandria Saliza, Nicole Trylko.
Top returnees: Seniors: Abbey Riportella (pole vault), Kassidy Riportella (sprints), Ashley Grahn (distance); juniors: Sarah Engstrom (throws); sophomores: Madeline Bobinski (throws), Audrey Magnoni (distance).
Promising newcomers: Juniors: Sarah Conner (sprints); sophomore Megan Centella (throws).
Outlook: Maine West finished fifth at the CSL indoor meet and Regalado is optimistic the Warriors can improve in the outdoor season. Magnoni is becoming a force in the 1,600 and will combine with Abbey Riportella (pole vault, Kassidy Riportella (sprints), and Engstrom (throws) to give the Warriors some big point-scorers. Also keep an eye on the 3,200 relay that seems to be improving.
NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC Christian Liberty Academy Coach: Bradley Wells (3 rd year)
2013 state qualifiers: Vivian Barclay (400, triple jump, long jump).
Top returnees: Senior: Vivian Barclay (sprints, jumps, hurdles), Natalie Barclay (distance).
Promising newcomers: Freshman: Isabella Wolke (distance), Angie Nicholas (sprints, jumps, hurdles).
Outlook: Vivian Barclay will be finishing a terrific career at CLA. The Charger senior is a two-time state qualifier. Last year she qualified in the 400, triple jump, and long jump. Barclay will be running will be running for University of Chicago next fall, with her sister Natalie running at St. Catherines University. Wells is also high on Wolke and Nicholas, who both have the potential to be state qualifiers. Wolke was the first girl to qualify from CLA to the Class 1A Cross Country meet last fall; she finished in 43rd place.