Girls cross country: Scouting Northwest
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correctly identify the Elk Grove coach as Mark Heintz and to correct the spelling of Hannah Olson's last name.
MID-SUBURBAN EASTBuffalo GroveCoach: Sara Farrell (seventh year)
Last year: 7th in MSL
Key losses: Katie Geraghty, Megan Gardner, Michelle Dublin, Kendall Marthaler, Allie Toriumi.
Top returning runners: Katilyn Ko (jr.) Natalie Lezema (jr.), Sarah Prommer (so.), Nikky Nowacki (so.),Becca Rabs (jr.), Natalie Fitch (so.), Carly Egan.
Top newcomer: Alexis Opperman (fr.).
Outlook: Ko is back and ready to lead the Bison attack. Last season, Ko won the MSL title and finished 7th in Class 3A. She missed the track season due to an injury but figures to be one of the top runners in Class 3A this fall. Lezema should also bolster the Bison attack, and Fitch and Rabs add experience.
Elk GroveCoach: Mark Heintz
Last year: 12th in MSL
Key losses: Loredana Lappno, Lisa Vivacqua
Top returning runners: Emily Stegmeier (so.), Cassie Slattery(jr.), Becky McDonough (sr.), Amy Haderspeck (jr.), Anneliese Schulz (sr.), Stephanie Calmeyn (sr.).
Top newcomers: Sabra Morton, Abbey Cassey, Hannah Olson.
Outlook: Elk Grove continues to build and will look to Schulz and McDonough for leaders. The Grenadiers took second in the MSL in the frosh/soph race last fall and will look for a number of those runners to step up and contribute on varsity, including Haderspeck.
HerseyCoach: Jim Miks (11th year).
Last year: 9th in MSL.
Key losses: Lauren Solberg, Madi Lipowski, Pat Krupa, Callie Joncas.
Top returning runners: Hailey Bowes (so.), Claire Gritt (so.), Michelle Fugiel (jr.), Kristin Farrell (jr.), Halle Lyon (sr.), Amanda Mix (sr.).
Top newcomers: Emma Lee
Outlook: Bowes and Gritt give Hersey a nice foundation to build on. Gritt was the top runner for the Huskies at the MSL conference meet, finishing in 19th place, while Bowes was the top runnner for the Huskies at the Hoffman regional, taking 17th place. Look for the two to improve and lead the Huskies this season.
ProspectCoach: Pete Wintermute (first year).
Last year: 6th at Schaumburg sectional, 5th in MSL, East division champions.
Key losses: Rachel Henk, Katrina Leeney, Gina Burck.
Top returning runners: Hannah Getschman (sr.), Brooke Wilson (so.), Aileen White (so.), Ellen Siefke (sr.), Jessica Schulz (so.), Brittany Damerjian (so.), Molly Leeney (so.).
Top newcomers: Cassidy Selep (jr.), Kendal Neumann (jr.), Kaitlyn Rouse (fr.).
Outlook: The Knights will have a new look this year, as Wintermute taking over for Dave Wurster, who'd guided the program for 18 years. Getschman qualified as individual to the state meet last season and will combine with Wilson, White, and Schulz to pace the Knights. Both Wilson and White had big first years and will be looking to extend their success. Wintermute likes the depth on the squad and is confident a No. 5 runner will emerge. Prospect will be seeking its seventh consecutive MSL East division title this season.
Rolling MeadowsCoach: Kevin Young (sixth year).
Last year: 7th in MSL.
Key losses: Vanessa Sanchez.
Top returning runners: Gabby Sanchez (jr.), Sara O'Malley (jr.), Leslie Rosiles (jr.), Anna Czulno (so.), Meghan Kelly (so.), Taylor Gunn.
Top newcomers: Natalie Brady (jr.), Megan Martin (fr.), Katie Kiaupa (fr.).
Outlook: Gabby Sanchez will push the pace for the Mustangs this season. She made progress as a sophomore and should be among the top MSL runners this season. O'Malley and Rosiles also return and will be counted on by the Mustangs.
WheelingCoach: Tim Nowicki (3rd year).
Last year: 11th in MSL
Key losses: Marta Dzundza, Andrea Arriaga.
Top returning runners: Hailey Dammeier (sr.), Aurora Mala (sr.), Jessie Sanford (sr.), Ana Figueroa (sr.), Liset Garcia (so.), Maria Bedoya (sr.), Melissa Rodriguez (jr.), Daniella Pierini (jr.), Cecilia Uriostegui (sr.).
Top newcomers: Yessica Montes (so.), Hannah Degraff (so.), Lizbeth Ocampo (so.), Saleta Anda (fr.), Stefani Deloera (fr.), Maria Vazquez (fr.).
Outlook: Nowicki is very optimistic for the Wildcats season. Wheeling will miss the contributions of Dzundza, who helped the Wildcats qualify its 3,200 relay team to state last spring, but they welcome back Dammeier and Mala, who were also part of the relay. That duo figures to lead the Wildcats this fall. Also primed for a big season is Sanford. The Wildcats seem to have depth, and Nowicki is building for a big future.
MID SUBURBAN WESTBarringtonCoach: Debbie Revolta (24 years)
Last year: 22nd in Class 3A, 4th at Schaumburg sectional, 2nd in MSL.
Key losses: Caroline Reynolds, Kristen Patino, Camille Blaisdell, Jenna Privatsky.
Top returning runners: Lauren Conroy (jr.), Arushi Agarwal (jr.), Samantha Samaryczew(so.), Lauren Cropsey (sr.), Theresa Nepomuceno (sr.).
Top newcomers: Jocelyn Long (fr.), Caitlin Feely.
Outlook: Conroy was the MSL champion and finished 19th in Class 3A in 2012. Last year the sophomore battled through illnesses for the better part of the season. Conroy is looking to be back on track this season, while Agarwal and Cropsey will lead the second wave. Barrington always has a solid squad and expects to be in the MSL and state mix.
ConantCoach: Ron Theberge (fifth year).
Last year: 10th in MSL.
Key losses: Courtney Sherman.
Top returning runners: Natalie Lakomski (jr.), Zoe Shoro (jr.), Sydney Davis (so.), Michelle Marasigan (sr.), Abby Tripp (sr.), Heather Cizek (jr.).
Top newcomers: Shreena Patel (jr.), Kelsey Glennon (so.).
Outlook: Lakomski, Shoro, and Davis pushed the Cougars attack last season and return this season. Lakomski finished 21st at the MSL meet and is ready for a big season. Marasigan also will be a big contributor for the Cougars attack. Conant qualified for sectionals last season and will be looking to keep improving this season.
FremdCoach: Joe Marcin (2nd year).
Last year: 6th in MSL.
Key losses: Angela Wu Christine Cano, Olivia Youman, Michelle Baum.
Top returning runners: Ayako Higuchi (sr.), Katie Escobar (sr.), Nora Finegan (jr.), Anita Grudzien (sr.), Jessie Peterson (sr.), Lauren Ciardiello (sr.), Linda Varela (so.).
Top newcomers: Jess Kopec, Anna LaValle, Clare Oehler-O'Sullivan, Nupur Pokharkar, Cara Ogilvy.
Outlook: Fremd is definitely on the rise. The Vikings had a sensational track season and are looking to carry that over into the cross country season. It starts with Higuchi, a senior who finished second in the MSL before illness put a drag on her postseason. Higuchi came back strong in the spring, taking third in the 1,600 in Class 3A. She will be in contention for a state medal this season. Higuchi also combined with Escobar, Finegan and Ciardiello to help the Vikings to an eighth -place medal in the 3,200 relay last spring. Escobar is primed for a big season. Look for the Vikings to contend for a state berth this season.
Hoffman EstatesCoach: Kirk Macnider (11th year).
Last year: 20th in Class 3A, 2nd at Schaumburg sectional, 3rd in MSL.
Key losses: Solome Haile, Elsabet Haile.
Top returning runners: Alondra Aguirre (sr.), Yazmin Nunez (sr.), Kaylan Williams (sr.), Meagan Biddle (jr.), Reena Prabhu (jr.), Stephanie Pulido (jr.).
Top newcomers: Misbah Baig (so.), Carly Dagen (jr.).
Outlook: Hoffman Estates closed strong last season, taking second at the Schaumburg sectional. Biddle and Aguirre are back to push the Hawks attack this season. Both have the potential to hit all-state and will give the Hawks a pair of strong front-runners. Nunez will add experience. Hoffman may have peaked a week early last season, but this team will definitely be in the mix at state this season.
PalatineCoach: Joe Parks (sixth year).
Last year: Fourth in Class 3A. Schaumburg sectional champions, regional champions, MSL champions, MSL West Division champions.
Key losses: Liz Cox, Cassidy McPherson, Jessica Lincoln.
Top returning runners: Kelly O'Brien (jr.), Amy Kieliszewski (sr.), Kara Burton (sr.), Sabina Yosif (jr.), Megan Beach (sr.), Sam Lechowicz (jr.), Kelly Ocock (sr.).
Top newcomers: Caitlin Reidy (sr.), Lauryn Simons (fr.), Maddie Craver (fr.), Jaclyn Frank (fr.), Paige Kawiecki (fr.).
Outlook: Palatine was consistent from start to finish last season. O'Brien emerged to become the Pirates' top runner and finished sixth in Class 3A. She then came back to take second in the 1,600 at the Class 3A state track meet to cap a terrific breakout season. O'Brien will be one of the top runners in the state this year. Kieliszewski will also play a big role in the Pirates' surge. The senior seems destined for big things this year. Burton and Yosif add experience and talent, and Parks has plenty of options for his No. 5 runner. Palatine once again should be favorites for an MSL title and will be in the hunt for a state trophy.
SchaumburgCoach: Courtney Smith (first year).
Last year: Seventh in Class 3A, 3rd at Schaumburg sectional, Hoffman Estates regional champion, fourth in the MSL.
Key losses: Debra Sodimu.
Top returning runners: Ellie O'Connell (so.), Caroline Kurdej (sr.), Ali Gutt (sr.), Erin Falsey (sr.), Valerie Schackelton (so.), Nadine Pola (jr.).
Top newcomers: Lauren Kubiniski.
Outlook: Smith takes over for Jason Beer and will have plenty of talent to work with. O'Connell capped a sensational cross country season by taking 13th in Class 3A. Gutt, Kurdej, and Falsey have plenty of experience and talent to keep the Saxons humming. The Saxons' top four is very strong, so Smith will be searching for a fifth runner. Schaumburg has been bubbling the past few seasons - maybe this is the year the Saxons boil over and have a high state finish.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHMaine WestCoach: Greg Regalado (18th year).
Last year: 12th in the CSL
Key losses: Ashley Grahn, Gigi Ortiz, Kiki Snyder.
Top returning runners: Kate Madden (sr.), Richa Patel (jr.), Ashiya Thomas (jr.).
Top newcomers: Caty Buchaniec (fr.), Nicole Palarz (fr.).
Outlook: Regalado has a smaller team this season but he is hoping to build off a strong summer. Madden will give the Warriors experience and push the attack.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICSt. ViatorCoach: John Fuja (first year).
Last year: 6th in the ESCC.
Key losses: Meghan Carroll, Katie Malek.
Top returning runners: Julia Bergstrom (jr.), Theresa Donohue (so.), Maria Dugo (sr.), Kelly Kompanowski (sr.), Clare Sheffert (so.).
Top newcomers: Loreta Dugo, Zoe Dunlap, Olivia Isufi, Megan Lifka.
Outlook: The Lions will miss the contributions of Carroll who finished 18th in Class 2A last season, then earned 3 state medals at the Class 2A state track meet. She took third in the 1,600, sixth in the 3,200, and ninth in the 800. Donohue gained valuable experience last season and will push the Lions attack this season. Bergstrom, Dugo, and Kompanowski will provide the leadership for a young team.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLDLeydenCoach: Emily Schader (14th year).
Key losses: Angela Pyrdol.
Top returning runners: Misia Szelazek (jr.), Estefania Ramirez, Jasmine Salvador-Diaz, Victoria Baez, Vannessa Gallegos.
Top newcomers: Katherine Hinojosa (jr.), Leslie Palacios (jr.), Daria Twarowski (fr.).
Outlook: Schader welcomes a large freshman class that will be looking to make its mark early. Szelazek and Ramirez return and will push the Eagles attack in the WSG.
NORTHEASTERN ATHLETICChristian Liberty AcademyCoach: Bradley Wells (4 years).
Key losses: Natalie Barclay.
Top returning runners: Isabella Wolke (so.), Grace Lockett (sr.).
Top newcomers: Christine Zak (so.), Lindsey Butz (fr.).
Outlook: Wolke will lead the Chargers this season. Last year, she became CLA first state qualifier in cross country, finishing 43rd in Class 1A. She will be looking for a return trip this season.