Cook girls cross country preview
Teams to watch
Palatine is counting on a mixture of youth and experience to lift it to trophy contention once again. Sophomores Sara McIntosh, Becca Sund, and Courtney Brown are looking to have breakout years and will combine with senior Tory Wright and junior Ruth Allen to give the Pirates a powerful top five.
Hersey returns its top seven runners as all-state senior runner Megan Gojney, senior Georgia Wiard, and sophomore Salena Clohisy will lead the Huskies, who will be seeking their third straight trip to the state meet.
Last year was a magical year for Hoffman Estates with Hawks capturing the Mid-Suburban League title. This year the Hawks would like to ride that momentum to the state meet. Junior Hannah Worman, senior Gaby Duenas, senior Kathy Kenley, junior Gisela Duenas, and junior Kati Mattes will lead a solid Hoffman program.
Prospect is also looking to make a move. Junior Annette White leads the Knights and will be aided by junior Emily Salzman, junior Kasey Krum, and junior Jeanette Wochinski.
Barrington, despite losing three of its top seven runners, should be a threat. Senior Rebecca Tracy will lead a young but talented Fillies squad.
St. Viator is looking to challenge Benet for the top spot in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Seniors Amanda Kompanowski and Maggie O'Malley join sophomore Keegan Griebel to lead the Lions.
Jaime Johnson will lead Leyden in the West Suburban. Gold, the two-time state qualifier, will be key for the Eagles as they challenge Downers Grove South and Willowbrook. Lizzie Meier will lead Maine West in the Central Suburban North.
Top area runners
Rebecca Tracy, Barrington: Tracy has had a stellar running career for the Fillies and will be looking for her first all-state honors in cross country.
Annette White, Prospect: White tied Wheeling's Amber Stack for the MSL title last season. The junior will be looking to take the next step this season and finish all-state.
Kalli Dalton, Conant: Dalton finished seventh at the state meet her sophomore year. The senior is looking for a return to state this year. When healthy Dalton is one of the top runners in state.
Megan Gojney, Hersey: The senior will be going for her second consecutive all-state honor.
Sarah McIntosh, Palatine: The sophomore had a strong freshman track season and is looking to carry it over to the cross country season. Will definitely be a threat to make all-state.
Hannah Worman, Hoffman Estates: Strong front-runner for the Hawks. The junior will be seeking her first trip to the state meet this season and definitely could do some damage.
Gina Erbacci, Elk Grove: Erbacci had a breakout season last year, finishing seventh in the MSL. She is looking for trip to state this season.
Brittany Petrey, Schaumburg: Another strong sophomore looking for a breakout season.
Amanda Whowell, Rolling Meadows: Capped a strong track season by qualifying for state and is hoping to use that momentum in cross country.
Jaime Johnson, Leyden: A two-time state qualifier has plenty of experience at state course in Peoria.
Don't miss these meets
Peoria Woodruff Invitational, Sept. 13: The first of the three big meets held at Detwieller Park in Peoria, the home of the cross country state meet. A good measuring stick for Barrington's youngsters and Conant's Dalton.
Peoria Notre Dame Invitational, Sept. 20: Palatine will get to test its strong team against a solid field also at Detweiller. Hersey and Schaumburg will also be competing.
Palatine Invitational, Sept. 27: Palatine, Hersey, Barrington, and Prospect will all be competing at the fall classic, a sneak peak at the MSL meet.
What they're saying
"Rebecca (Tracy) is really helping the younger kids out. The team is really close this year, and they want to do it for her and she wants to do it for them. They are really working for each other which is really nice." - Barrington coach Debbie Revolta
"The team has done a very good job this summer, they worked hard and everybody is healthy. We have very high expectations." - Palatine coach Steve Currins
"As usual our conference is loaded with potential high finishers. Anyone who qualifies from our area has the potential to be a top 10 team, maybe even a trophy." - Prospect coach Dave Wurster
"The graduated seniors left a legacy of excellence, hard work and commitment, which has been passed on to this crew. This is a deep and talented squad that is hungry for the next level." - Hoffman Estates coach Kirk Macnider
Three questions
1. Can a talented Palatine squad capture a state trophy for outgoing coach Steve Currins, who has guided the Pirates for 18 years but will be handing off the reigns to Joe Parks next season? Currins has led the Pirates to 4 state championships.
2. Will Schaumburg be the surprise team this year? The Saxons are counting on a group of sophomores led by Britten Petrey and Karen Lesiewicz to lead the charge.
3. Will Hoffman Estates program take the next step and qualify for state? Macnider has the program pointing in the right direction, and the Hawks are poised to take the next step.
- Michael Eaken