Scouting the Fox Valley area's girls track & field teams
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Dan Kallenbach (1st season)
Top returning athletes: Seniors Delre Sutton (sprints), Sam Salinas (distance)
Key newcomers: Sophomore Brooke Kashnowski (sprints), freshman Alyssa Schneider (distance), Kim Kowalczyk (400)
Outlook: Kallenbach, Bartlett's athletic director, is coaching track for the first time since 1996, when his 13-year stint coaching boys track and field at Streamwood came to end. "It's been wonderful to hang out with the kids. They're keeping me on my toes," Kallenbach said. "Our goals are to get as many girls as we can down to Charleston." Bartlett has one returning athlete who already know the route to O'Brien Stadium. Sutton qualified for state last season in the 100-meter dash. She'll be counted on for leadership, though she's has been slowed the last few weeks by a strained quadriceps muscle. Kashnowski and Schneider lead a crop of promising young athletes who could fortify the Hawks' future on the track. "We have some real potential throughout the program," Kallenbach said. "As we move toward May, we hope to reach that."
Burlington Central Rockets
Coach: Dave Semmen (6th season)
2007: Fourth straight Big Northern championship
Top returning athletes: Seniors Kelly Bevier (sprints), Karolynn Bush (throws), Kim Ingraham (hurdles), Kaitlyn Kempa (jumps), Rachael Latham (middle distance, distance relays), Emily Zipoy (distance); Juniors Vanessa Perez (hurdles, sprint relays), Megan Thommes (200, 400, 800); Sophomores Maggie Gannon (middle distance)
Key newcomers: Freshmen Rachel Dossey (sprints), Katie Puccio (distance), Gina Sienna (middle distance, high jump), Keondra Smith (sprints), Kaylee Swearingen (hurdles), Cailee Thommes (sprints, high jump), Markell Turk (distance)
Outlook: The Rockets have won four straight Big Northern Conference titles. To win a fifth, Central will have to overtake Byron, which looked strong at the conference indoor meet, according to Semmen. Perez might be the team's best all-around athlete. She qualified for the state meet last year in the high hurdles. Gannon recently posted a time indoors that would have been a school record had it been an outdoor meet. Megan Thommes is a versatile athlete who can score points in the 200, 400 or 800. Zipoy is a talented two-miler. Bevier returns from a knee injury and is serving as a mentor to the younger Rockets. Puccio and Turk were both members of the cross-country team that advanced to the state meet last fall. "We have a nice core of distance and middle distance runners," said Semmen. "We just want to develop our sprints as the year goes on."
Cary-Grove Trojans
Coach: Mark Anderson (8th season)
Conference: Fox Valley
2007 finish: 2nd in Fox Valley
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Madeline Aufmann (mid-distance), Heather Thornton (sprints), Jill Cole (throws), Hillary Young (distance); Sophomore: Kelly McCoy (hurdles/high jump/sprints)
Key newcomers: Freshmen: Carly Loeffel (high jump/sprints), Jackie Wand (sprints)
Outlook: With 85 girls on the roster, one of the largest turnouts for the Cary-Grove girls track program, Anderson anticipates a quality season. Early indications from the indoor campaign show promise. "We've been competitive against the area teams which are very, very good teams," said Anderson. Among the Fox Valley leaders, Anderson will expect to see both Crystal Lake South and Huntley as top opponents. The Trojans will go deep in the high jump, and will look for success behind a solid group of sprinters s well as a strong hurdling core. "Our goal here is to show up, work hard and have fun doing what we're doing," said Anderson. "I like our team. If we work hard, we'll be very competitive. There are excellent kids in the program who have established a phenomenal foundation through their example for the future here."
Crystal Lake South Gators
Coach: Christy Tenopir (9th season, 4th season head coach)
Conference: Fox Valley
2007 finish: Fox Valley Conference champions, also won county meet
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Aimee Schuh (hurdles/jumps), Kellie Schuh (hurdles/jumps/pole vault), Chelsey Tyllia (mid-distance) Juniors: Alexis Wells (jumps/sprints), Chanel Cochran-Moore (shot put); Sophomore: Kristina Auburt (distance)
Key newcomers: Junior: Stephanie Woods (distance); Freshman: Marrianne Collard (mid-distance)
Outlook: Fox Valley Conference champions, Crystal Lake South returns a ton of talent for the 2008 campaign and could potentially repeat as well as further last year's success'. Now a sophomore, Kristina Aubert already brings a state championship title to the track having won the 2 mile last year as a freshman while finishing 8th in the state in the mile. Chelsey Tyllia along with Kellie and Aimee Schuh also have state experience earning a sixth place overall finish at state last year in the 4x400 relay. "We have a dedicated and talent group of juniors and seniors returning who work hard and lead by example," said Tenopir. "That being said, we have been pleased with everyone's work ethic and focus thus far this season." South welcomes newcomers Stephanie Woods and Marrianne Collard to an already solid line-up top to bottom. "We are hoping to stay healthy and strong throughout the entire season," said Tenopir. "If we can do that, I think we will be successful."
Dundee-Crown Chargers
Coach: Mike Michalski (2nd season)
Conference: Fox Valley
2007 finish: 8th in Fox Valley Conference
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Kate-Leigh Pilson (shot put), Morgan Weichmann (800, 3,200), Maggie Williams (sprints); Juniors: Christina Holec (sprints), Kelsey Sieler (distance); Sophomore: Katie Cutinello (hurdles/long jump/triple jump)
Key newcomers: Freshmen: Claira Himmel (distance), Katie Gross (distance)
Outlook: Hard work during the off-season is already thrusting Dundee-Crown in the right direction. A successful indoor term has confidence on the upswing, and this team will look to compete daily in the upcoming weeks. "We are a stronger team this year," said Michalski. "We have a lot of young girls on the team who will make an impact, we have a much more positive attitude and we are more focused." The Chargers welcome back a conference champion in the shot put in Kate-Leigh Pilson, and a strong distance runner in Kelsey Sieler who qualified for state during this year's cross country campaign. "We are very strong in middle distance and distance events," said Michalski. "Kateleigh is off to a great start, and Katie Cutinello is off to a very strong start having broke the school record in the triple jump during our indoor season." Michalski expects tough competition from Crystal Lake South, Woodstock and Cary-Grove, but the Chargers are up to the challenge. "We are creating a team environment here," he said. "We will work as a team, and succeed as a team."
Elgin Maroons
Coach: Justin Goebel (2nd season)
Top returning athletes: Juniors Fatima Diabate (sprints, jumps), Ellen Holton (shot put, long jump, 300 hurdles), Brittany Maki (400); Sophomore Rachel Devine (800)
Key newcomers: Senior Amina Miller (sprints, sprint relays); freshman Kendall Martin (jumps, sprints)
Outlook: Last year Goebel asked each team member to recruit one other girl for this season and the strategy worked: the team roster has doubled to 50 athletes. Diabate, Martin and Holton are state qualifier hopefuls. "They've set some lofty goals for themselves," Goebel said. Diabate anchors both sprint relays and was the only Maroon to score points recently at the Upstate Eight Conference indoor meet. Coming off a knee injury, Devine's times in the 800 have been dropping. Holton may miss the occasional meet to play AAU basketball, her main sport, but she'll add points at the meets in which she participates. Martin, an all-around athlete and high-level volleyball player, could be a key component of the Elgin track team for the next four seasons. Miller returns to Elgin as a senior after having transferred to DeKalb for her junior year. She'll be part of the 400 and 800 relays.
Elgin Academy Hilltoppers
Coach: Bill Harris (5th season)
Conference: Independent School League
2007 finish: 1st season with girls
Top athletes: Sophomores: Erin Kenney (sprinter), Sarah Parker (hurdles), Karen Darling (distance); Freshmen: Neha Khemani (sprinter), Maddie Stone (sprinter), Eleanna Mathioudis (shot put/discus), Ellie Bremseth (sprinter)
Outlook: Fifth-year coach Harris enters 2008 pleased to have a girls roster back in the rotation of the track program at Elgin Academy. Being the first season with a girls program in several years, everybody joins the program fresh and enthusiastic for the upcoming campaign. "We're a young team, but we're hoping to be competitive," Harris said. "We are anxious to see if we can build something good here." Based on early observations by Harris of the Independent School League competition, he expects to see his girls right in the mix of things. "I would like to see some individuals place well in the ISL meet and perhaps a relay team or two," Harris said. "Everybody is working hard, is very excited and we have some excellent athleticism to help us along."
Hampshire Whip-Purs
Coach: Patti Nihells (12th season)
Conference: Big Northern
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Mai Salvador (relays); Juniors: Brittney Jarvis (sprints/triple jump), Vickie Wilkin (sprints/long jump), Macy Luedtke (shot put, discus), Autumn Holze (shot put/distance); Sophomores: Kelly Linder (hurdles), Jeanna Bailard (hurdles), Tiffany Phu (relays), Caitlin Gass (shot put/discus), Jessica DeNardo (sprints), Laurel Pacey (distance), Rachel Neisendorf (distance), Margaret Wians (distance)
Key newcomers: Sophomore: Holly Plichta (distance); Freshmen: Raquel Chivas (sprints), Giovanna Senese (sprints), Autumn Chomenko (sprints/hurdles), Allison Krska (sprints), Vanessa Nansamba (sprints/hurdles), Dharshi Parikh (distance)
Outlook: Long-time coach Nihells has high hopes for the Whip-Pur roster in the weeks ahead, and is looking for key contributions from every level. Jeanna Bailard returns with state experience qualifying in hurdles as a freshman. Sophomore Holly Plichta ran the 3,200 for the Whips in the Indoor state finals earning a fourth place overall finish, and was also a state qualifier during the cross country season. "I expect a lot from our juniors and seniors," said Nihells. "They have been working very hard. Our sophomores are seasoned cross country runners and they will compete strong on the track." With a core group of talented returnees, Nihells anticipates a quick learning curve for those new to the roster as well, and hopes for quick contributions. "I would like to see our freshman group be competitive and learn the sport," she said. "We're looking to have an excellent season overall."
Huntley Red Raiders
Coach: Shawn Nordeen (11th season)
Conference: Fox Valley
2007: 3rd in FVC
Top athletes: Seniors Coryn Marzejon (sprints), Sam Rawson (sprints), Shannon Callahan (sprints); junior Denita Brown (mid-distance), Cortney Wilkerson (throws); sophomore Amy Fanella (hurdles)
Key newcomers: Freshmen Haley Loprieno (distance), Ashley Alicea (sprints), Emily Konior (sprints).
Outlook: The Red Raiders return two state qualifiers in Marzejon (100, 200, 400), who finished second at last year's state meet in the 400 and eighth in the 200, as well as Fanella (300 hurdles). Nordeen says the team's goals are simple. "We want to finish in the top five in conference and sectionals," he said. "Our sprinters are getting stronger and we have a nice addition of distance runners to balance us out more." The Fox Valley will be strong again, according to Nordeen. "Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South and Woodstock are all returning great runners and adding young talent to their already powerful lineups," he said.
Jacobs Golden Eagles
Coach: Beth Schloemer (2nd season)
2007: Tied for fourth Fox Valley Conference
Top returning athletes: Senior Krystal Grady (100, sprint relays), Sarah Ross (pole vault, 100, sprint relays); Juniors Ali Durkin (hurdles, sprint relays), Kat Forssander (sprint relays),
Key newcomers: Junior Kat Makridakas (throws); Freshmen Bethany Muscat (high jump) Alana Rung (distance relays, 400), Jen Tomany (sprint relays)
Outlook: The Golden Eagles lost some key athletes to graduation, but some young blood should help fill the void left by some departing seniors. One third of the roster is made up of freshmen. "We should still be able to stay within the top half of the conference pack," second-year coach Schloemer said. Ross is a three-time state qualifier in the pole vault and hopes to make it a perfect four-for-four as a senior. She also qualified for Charleston as part of Jacobs' 1,600-meter relay team last year and is a seven-time state qualifier overall between the pole vault, 100, 1,600 relay and medley relay. The Eagles could earn points in ar
Larkin Royals
Coach: Jeremy Bloomberg (1st season)
Top returning athletes: Senior Erin Hegarty (distance); Junior Nadia Spencer (long jump, sprints), Britney Whitehead (hurdles, sprints); Sophomore Hilary Ottaviano (shot put, discus),
Key newcomers: Freshmen Chantel George (high jump), Brenda Siharath (sprints)
Outlook: The Royals have prospective state qualifiers in Whitehead in the 300 hurdles and Spencer, who hopes to qualify for the state meet in Charleston in the 100-meter dash. After a few years of low participation, Larkin track seems to again be on the rise. "We have a good turnout of freshmen this year," said first-year coach Jeremy Bloomberg, who takes the reins from Ken Arrington. "That helped increase our numbers and will give us more entries in all the events this year."
Prairie Ridge Wolves
Coach: Matthew Lewis (1st season)
Conference: Fox Valley
2007 finish: 4th in Fox Valley Conference
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Danielle Lebreck (distance), Alyssa Bichler (sprints), Nicole Gibbons (high jump), Courtney Calahan (sprints/jumps); Junior: Mary Grier (sprints/jumps); Sophomore: Kyra Saley (sprints)
Key newcomers: Junior: Katrina Hancock (sprints/jumps); Freshmen: Sam Nirva (sprints), Taylor Humm (discus)
Outlook: Prairie Ridge lost a heap of talent to graduation from a team which finished fourth in the Fox Valley Conference in 2007. While they will miss that talent, and lack depth, new coach Lewis is hoping to see his team contend in the end. "We are still very strong in the field events, and we should be extremely competitive on the track," said Lewis. "Our jumps and sprints should put us in the top half of the conference, and if our distance runners and throwers continue to show improvements, we could compete for the title."
South Elgin Storm
Coach: Kari Turcan (2nd season)
Top returning athletes: Seniors Alexa Kruel; Junior Lauren Ayala; Sophomores Kristell Westbrook, Maria Garcia.
Key newcomers: Freshmen Katie Goplerud, Beatriz Kiene, Jen Gonia
Outlook: South Elgin has its first crop of senior athletes on the track, but the roster is still relatively small at 36 despite the additions of some key freshmen faces. "We hope to use the strength of some of our new athletes to help move us up a spot in conference," coach Kari Turcan said. "Would love to have a state qualifier or two if they want it." The idea of training year-round to prepare for the track season is an idea that has yet to permeate the
St. Edward Green Wave
Coach: Bill Lucas (2nd season)
Top returning athletes: Seniors Ashley Lucas (distance, middle distance), Nadia Suarez (distance, middle distance); Juniors Rachael Varley (jumps, middle distance), Tina Wahl (jumps, middle distance); Sophomores Karoline Kelly (distance, middle distance), Jenna Roth (middle distance), Erin Schneider (middle distance, distance)
Key newcomers: Seniors Frida Salomonsson (middle distance), Micaela TenHoven (throws)
Outlook: With a smaller team than last year due to heavy graduation losses, the Green Wave will focus on individual growth and development this season, according to coach Lucas. His daughter, Ashley Lucas, is one of the area's best distance runners and is back at full strength after two injury-plagued track seasons. Despite those nagging injuries, Lucas took second in the 3,200-meter run last spring in a Class A sectional in a time of 12:27.6 to return to the state meet in Charleston. Suarez is a hard worker who is shooting to get her 400 time down to 1:04. She could compete for top honors in the Suburban Catholic Conference. Kelly is a promising distance runner. "I think she's going to surprise a lot of people throughout the season," Lucas said of Kelly.
Streamwood Sabres
Coach: Ryan Korn ( 3rd season)
Top returning athletes: Seniors Krissy Kunavich (throws), Stephanie Nisle (sprints, relays); Juniors Lizi Liberman (300 hurdles, long jump, relays), Amanda Nordmeyer (sprints, relays)
Key newcomers: Junior Caitlin Keller (throws); Sophomore Amanda Clark (throws); Freshmen Megan McGlone (hurdles, jumps, relays), Stefanie Curtis (sprinter, pole vault), Amber Hornsberger (pole vault)
Outlook: The Streamwood roster has doubled in size this season and it has quality, not just quantity. Kunavich has the goal of making it to state in the discus. Liberman competes in the hurdles and is a key member of the sprint relays, but she's also a top-flight long jumper. Macha runs the 3,200 and will anchor the distance relays. Nisle, a co-captain with Kunavich, is one of the team's best sprinters. She and Nordmeyer bring several of the same strengths to the table. McGlone could be an athlete to watch over the next four years. A tall freshman, she shattered the school's outdoor triple jump by more than 15 inches on Wednesday in her second career jump. She'll also compete in hurdles and could be a member of the 400 relay team. Hornsberger is a former gymnast used to twisting in the air, the perfect training for a pole vaulter. Curtis brings sprinting and pole vaulting talent to the team. "Our team goal is to compete with the top teams in our conference on both the JV and varsity levels at a higher level than we ever have before," said Korn. "Our strength is our depth. Our weakness is our youth. We have over 30 freshmen."
program, according to Turcan.
eas they previously lacked depth. "We have beefed up our distance and field event teams," Schloemer said.
Westminster Christian Warriors
Coach: Larry Cochran (1st season)
2007 finish: Do not compete as a team
Top athletes: Junior: Tanya Rogers (distance); Sophomore: Jaclyn Brisebois (200 meter/400 meter)
Outlook: While Westminster Christian doesn't boast a complete roster, the two girls it does have representing the school and the newfound girls track program are expected to have an immediate impact. In fact, Cochran foresees junior Tanya Rogers among the top-5 at the state meet at the conclusion of this season. "Tanya is just so good," said Cochran. "She has a lot of raw talent, and looks to score big at state this year." Cochran intends to take that raw talent and develop the first-year track athlete as the season progresses. Sophomore Jaclyn Brisebois is another impact athlete for the Warriors. Brisebois will be on double-duty throughout the spring competing in track as well as a participating member of the first-year softball team. "Jaclyn is an athlete," said Cochran. "I am looking for these two girls to inspire the program here at Westminster Christian. They can really do some damage, and I can guarantee you will hear big things about both of them."