Girls cross country: Northwest preview
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Q: Which Mid-Suburban League teams will make some noise down at Peoria? A: The easy answer is Barrington and Palatine. The Fillies return a veteran core that has big-meet experience and know how to use pack running. The Pirates always seem to be peaking the first weekend of November. But look out for Prospect. The Knights have a quartet of talented sophomore runners that are eager to prove themselves.
Q: What MSL team will be the biggest surprise? A: Hoffman Estates is on the rise. Coach Kirk Macnider has a motivated group that is hungry for success and has added big meet experience. Now the Hawks are looking to take the next step. "The girls have truly done what it takes to put themselves in position mentally and physically to be a successful cross country team from top to bottom. Now we just have to stay focused and get ready to run our best when it counts," Macnider.
Q: Which area runners could challenge for the state title? A: The list includes usual suspects senior Amber Stack of Wheeling and junior Kalli Dalton of Conant. But Prospect sophomore Annette White finished second in the MSL last fall and has put her self in contention to contend for the state title this fall. Also keep an eye on Barrington's junior Rebecca Tracy who had a phenomenal track season.
Q: What MSL runners could make a name for themselves this fall? A: Rolling Meadows Amanda Whowell, Buffalo Grove's Erin McGrath, and Leyden's Jaime Johnson. All three had strong track seasons and will be looking to use that momentum this fall.
Q: How will the three-class system affect area teams? A: Not much. Defending Class AA champion Caitlin Comfort of Peoria Notre Dame will remain in Class AA, but the state's remaining top runners and teams will be in Class AAA. Defending state champion Hinsdale Central returns the core of its team, while Mother McCauley, Lockport, Lake Park, and Naperville North should all be in the top 10. Crystal Lake South's sophomore Kristina Aubert took first in the 3,200 at the state track meet and is considered by many to be the early favorite in Class AAA.
Top area runners
Amber Stack, Wheeling: Stack won the title as a freshman and will be looking to end her career on the upswing.
Kalli Dalton, Conant: Dalton struggled with some injuries at the end of last season but still finished 7th at the state meet, the highest finish from an MSL runner.
Annette White, Prospect: White had a sensational freshman campaign and has the look of a champion.
Rebecca Tracy, Barrington: Finished in fifth place in the 1,600 at the state track meet and will be a threat this fall.
Samantha Learch, Barrington: Extraordinary runner who is not afraid of the competition.
Colleen Standridge, Palatine: Will be the leader for the Pirates this season and looking to cap a successful career.
Meghan Gojney, Hersey: Finished third at the MSL meet and now the junior will be looking to make an impact at state.
Georgia Wiard, Hersey: Part of a tough 1-2 Huskies punch. The junior will always be dangerous.
Jaime Johnson, Leyden: Finished 60th at last years state meet; should only get better this year.
Amanda Kompanowski, St. Viator: The junior finished 16th at the Schaumburg sectional just missing the cut individually for qualifying for state.
Don't miss these meets
Peoria Woodruff Invitation, Sept. 8. The first of three big invites held at Detweiller Park in Peoria, the home of the cross country sate meet. Barrington will face its first big test. Last year the Fillies used the meet as a springboard finishing an impressive second in a loaded field to Westfield, Indiana's defending state champion
Peoria Notre Dame Invitational, Sept. 15: The second of the big invites at Detweiller, and this time it is Palatine's turn to test it mettle. The Pirates will be in the loaded field which includes defending Class AA champion Hinsdale Central.
Palatine Invitational, Sept. 22: The field will include the host Pirates, Barrington, and Prospect and will offer a preview of the MSL conference meet.
-- Michael Eaken