Girls cross country: Sectional scouting, Northwest
Girls cross country: Sectional scouting, Northwest
Class 3A Hoffman Estates sectionalWhere: Busse Woods
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.
What to know: The top five teams and top seven runners from non-qualifying teams advance to the Class 3A state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria on November 4.
Quick look: Busse Woods will welcome back the sectional runners this Saturday. The course was in fine condition for the Hoffman Estates regional and is spectator-friendly. It will be a bit chilly on Saturday morning, so bring your hat and gloves. Barrington won the Mid-Suburban League title and the Palatine regional and will enter the meet with a bit of momentum. The Fillies will be seeking their first sectional title since 2003. Schaumburg senior Maddie Marasco, Barrington senior Jocelyn Long and Libertyville senior Melissa Manetsch figure to battle for the individual title,
Team outlook: Barrington enters the sectional on quite a roll. The Fillies stormed to the MSL title by placing five runners in the top 16 and then added the Palatine regional title last weekend. Senior Jocelyn Long and freshman Molly Fitzpatrick give the Fillies a solid 1-2 punch. Both should be running up front on Saturday. Barrington then can rely on its depth. Sophomore Alyssa Norris, freshman Katherine Shein, junior Eve Hoeltgen, junior Sophie Hoeltgen and freshman Anne Berquist have done a nice job of forming the second wave. Barrington also has a bit of motivation after missing the state cut last season by 10 points at the Waukegan sectional. The Fillies' steady approach should serve it well on Saturday. "There is still room for improvement, but the girls are doing a great job. There are no for-sures at sectionals, you just have to do the job that day," says Barrington coach Deb Revolta. Prospect also seems have found its rhythm. The Knights started slowly this fall but senior Mikayla Olsen, freshman Reese Lettow, junior Marissa Valentini, sophomore Emily Hubbard, junior Julia O'Grady and senior Sydney Kitzmiller have led the was in October, including a second-place finish at the MSL meet and a Hoffman Estates regional title. Prospect also is eager to advance after missing the state meet the past two seasons. "This is what you train for, and we have some good momentum rolling into it. We ran well at conference, we got through regionals and it's about carrying that momentum and doing well at sectionals," said Prospect coach Pete Wintermute. Palatine will also be in the team advancement hunt. Freshman Anne Marie Jordan has given the Pirates a nice lift this season. Junior Kate Lechowicz, senior Lauryn Simons and junior Liz Lechwicz will aid Palatine's effort. Stevenson has looked impressive and will be in the thick of things. Junior Natalie Sorenson powered the Patriots to the North Suburban Conference title and also the Lake Forest regional title. Keep an eye on a young and talented Cary-Grove team. Sophomore Allison Drage has helped to power the Trojans to the Fox Valley Conference title, along with a second-place finish at the Palatine regional. Cary-Grove features three freshmen and three sophomores in its top seven. Hersey seems to be picking up a bit of steam, with sophomore Katie Fredian leading the charge of late. Sophomore Marissa Ban powers a Fremd team that also has its sights set on Peoria. Libertyville, Hoffman Estates, and Glenbrook South will also be in the competitive field.
Individual race: This is going to be good. Marasco, Long and Manetsch should provide a thrilling race to the finish. Marasco is coming off an MSL title run and an impressive win at the Hoffman Estates regional. Long won the Waukegan sectional title last season and took first at the Palatine regional this year. Manetsch took first at the Palatine Invitational in September, added a North Suburban Conference title and also took first at the Lake Forest regional. Barrington freshman Molly Fitzpatrick and Lake Forest senior Brett Chody will also be up front.
Other state contenders: Anne Marie Jordan (Palatine), Kate Lechowicz (Palatine), Emily Burns (Lake Zurich), Allison Drage (Cary-Grove), Mikayle Olsen (Prospect), Reese Lettow (Prospect), Marissa Valentini (Prospect), Marissa Ban (Fremd), Rebecca Markham (Fremd), Nupur Pokharkar (Fremd), Katie Fredian (Hersey), Veronika Makowski (Hersey), Kate Jortberg (Glenbrook South), Natalie Sandlow (Glenbrook North), Fatima Giron (Round Lake), Alyssa Norris (Barrington), Katherine Shein (Barrington), Natalie Sorenson (Stevenson), Natalie Sparreo (Stevenson), Eva Cardy (Grant), Sylvia Waz (Dundee-Crown), Jenna Ocheltree (Libertyville), Nora Tucker (Libertyville), Stephanie Kriss (Highland Park).
Class 3A Lake Park sectionalLeyden junior Jazmin Santoyo, sophomore Brenda Bolivar, and senior Anmar Cabral all advanced to the Lake Park sectional for the Eagles. Maine West junior Sarah Magnoni advanced for the Warriors. The sectional will be held at Lake Park East campus with the girl's race starting at 1 p.m.
Class 2A Chicago University sectionalSt. Viator ran to the Fenton regional title and advanced to the Chicago University sectional on Saturday at Washington Park with the girls race starting at 9 a.m. Freshman Katie Castelli, junior Payton McDonnell, and senior Loreta Dugo pace the Lions' attack.
Class 1A Lisle sectionalChristian Liberty Academy sophomore Sephora Ducrozet will be seeking her second consecutive state qualification on Saturday at the Lisle sectional at Community Park, with the girls race starting at 10 a.m.
- Michael Eaken