Scouting Cook County girls track

Mid-Suburban East

Buffalo Grove

Coach: Steve Gibble (29th year)

Last year: 10th in MSL

2008 state qualifiers: Nicole LaMantia (triple jump), Erin McGrath (800 meters)

Key losses: Ellen Boshart, Sam Wellbank, Irene Valladares

Top returnees: Seniors Erin McGrath (distance), Nicole LaMantia (TJ/sprints), Carolin Kissner (distance); juniors Erin Cleary (distance), Lillie Blackmon (sprints), Linda Dunne (LJ/sprints), Cari Geyer (distance); sophomore Emily Lueck (sprints).

Promising newcomers: Freshman Olivia Jones (distance), Erin Thrasher (sprints).

Outlook: Bison look very strong in the jumps and distance. LaMantia is a returning state qualifier in the triple jump and hit 35-91/2 in winning the MSL indoor title. McGrath, Cleary and Kissner helped BG qualify the 3,200 relay to state in 2007, Jones and Geyer will add depth. Watch out for Jones, she has already broken the 800 and 1,600 indoor school records and the freshman finished second in the 1,600 at the Illinois Prep Top Times Meet.

Elk Grove

Coach: Dave Johnson (second year)

Last year: 12th in the MSL

2008 state qualifiers: Gina Erbacci (3,200)

Top returnees: Seniors Gina Erbacci (distance), Lauren Infusino (distance), Allie Ofisher (sprints), Karoline Banasik (jumps), Katie Nowak (throws).

Promising newcomers: Sophomores Emily Sloat (sprints), Natalie Banasik (jumps); freshmen Kalene Pfister (jumps), Elle Anderson (sprints).

Outlook: Last year Erbacci took fourth in the 3,200 (11:31) in the MSL and qualified for state. The senior is looking to continue with her success and should have help. Ofisher has looked strong in the 300 low hurdles and has combined with Karoline Banasik, Infusino and Sara Whitchurch to give the Grenadiers a lift in the 1,600 relay. Coach Johnson is also impressed with newcomers Natalie Banasik and Pfister, who should score some points in the jumps.

Hersey

Coach: Jim Miks (sixth year)

Last year: 7th in the MSL

2008 state qualifiers: Paige Scott (LJ, TJ), Megan Gojney (3,200), Tia Roberson (100), 3,200 relay, 400 relay.

Key losses: Christine Williams (sprints, Taylor University), Jennifer Johnson, Michelle Busse (distance, UNC-Ashville), Wendy Wingeard.

Top returnees: Seniors Paige Scott (jumps/sprints), Megan Gojney (distance), Georgia Wiard (distance); juniors Domenica Giancola (jumps/sprints), Shelby Westmoreland (jumps/sprints), Sara Reynolds (distance), Mahnker Dahnwein (throws); sophomores Tia Roberson (sprints), Danielle Perkins (sprints), Laura Kempf (sprints/jumps), Micheala Dwyer (jumps/sprints), Salena Clohisy (distance), Riley Wade (distance), Kaitlyn Slattery (distance).

Promising newcomer: Katie Croak (sprints).

Outlook: It should be fun to watch the Huskies speedsters this season. Last year Roberson, Perkins, and Kempf paced the 400 relay and after qualifying for state, the three sophomores are hungry for an encore. Roberson is one of the top returning sprinters in the MSL. The sophomore took second in conference in the 100 (12.0) last season. Miks also has an experienced distance squad led by Gojney and Clohisy. Scott is a two-time state qualifier in the jumps and will be a threat again this season.

Prospect

Coach: Dave Wurster (25th year)

Last year: 4th in the MSL.

2008 state qualifiers: 3,200 relay (second place, Amy Abnor, Claire Hollis, Emily Salzman, Lucy Taylor), Annette White (3,200), Emily Gruendel (SP), Claire Hollis (1,600), Emily Salzman (800), Lucy Taylor (800), 400 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay.

Key losses: Lucy Taylor (Alabama-Birmingham, distance), Claire Hollis (DePauw, distance), Brittney Mule, Jen Nowak.

Top returnees: Seniors Erin Ward (pole vault, jumps, relays), Emily Gruendel (throws), Christie Kollias (pole vault, jumps, hurdles), Joanna Stawarz (hurdles, sprints), Courtney Hug (sprints, hurdles), Sam Ford (jumps); juniors Emily Salzman (mid-distance), Amy Abdnor (mid-distance, hurdles), Annette White (distance), Beata Fiszer (sprints, TJ), Jeanette Wochinski (mid-distance, distance), Kasey Krum (mid-distance, distance), Rachel Heiden (hurdles); sophomores Kiley Shelley (sprints), Samantha Sturm (throws), Katie Bialas (sprints, jumps) Grace Gruendel (PV), Kelly Villano (LJ), Melanie Armgardt (distance).

Promising newcomers: Sophomore Savannah Snead (mid-distance, distance); freshmen Abby Banna (sprints, long jumps), Maggie Partridge (mid-distance), Stephanie Maier (mid-distance), Laure Maibuecher (distance), Annie Franklin (spints).

Outlook: Prospect has been very consistent over the past few years and is always a threat for the MSL title. The Knights have plenty of depth, especially in the distance events. Abdnor and Salzman return from the 3,200 relay that took second in state and set a school record (9:11.48). Taylor and Hollis will be missed, but Wochinski, Krum, and Snead add depth to the distance. White add experience and talent in the 3,200 and 1,600. The junior finished fourth at state in 2007. Emily Gruendel is one of top shot put throwers in conference and is coming off a second place finish at the Illinois Prep Top Times Meet. Ward and Kollias give the Knights a 1-2 punch in the pole vault and jumps. Shelley will lead the sprint squad. Last year Wurster advanced all four relays to the state meet, the Knights have the talent to once again have a special season and will be in the mix for a conference title.

Rolling Meadows

Coach: Mike Naymola (second year)

Last year: 11th in the MSL

2008 state qualifiers: Mandy Streu (11th in SP), Amanda Whowell (1,600), Christine Gastfield (3,200).

Key losses: Mandy Streu (St. Ambrose).

Top returnees: Seniors Amanda Whowell (distance), Katryna Manolli (PV), Lisa Szabo (sprints); sophomores Christina Gastfield (distance), Bridget Collins (jumps, relays), Nathaline Pheteau (jumps), Colleen Vrshek (distance), Izzy Gromow (sprints).

Promising newcomers: Freshmen Ashley Miller (distance), Amanda Sanchez (distance).

Outlook: The Mustangs have plenty of talent in the distance events. Start with Whowell, who took first at the Illinois Top Times Meet in the 1,600 (5:04.84). The senior qualified for state in the 1,600 last year and this year is hoping to medal. Then there is Gastfield, who finished eighth in Class 3A at last fall's state cross country meet. Vrshek will add depth to the distance. Naymola is excited about Pheteau and Collins in the jumps, both have plenty of talent. Watch for Manolli to make a run in the pole vault.

Wheeling

Coach: Mike Theodosakis (fourth year).

Last year: 6th in the MSL.

2008 state qualifiers: Amber Stack (1,600 and 3,200), Ashley Wilson (SP), Rachel Stinebring (3,200).

Key losses: Amber Stack (Illinois, distance), Angela Bacci (Carroll College), Jenny Giron.

Top returnees: Seniors Olivia Semeria (sprints), Lori Felix (sprints/hurdles), Chrissie Robillard (throws), Ashley Wilson (throws), Michelle Chhong (throws); juniors Erin Schanaberger (sprints), Amber Hackney (sprints), Amber Wentzloff (sprints), Angela Tichelbaut (sprints/jumps); sophomore Lizbeth Roman (distance).

Promising newcomers: Junior Amy Burke (PV); freshman Mayra Ocampo (sprints), Emma Jensen (sprints), Colleen Creech-Woolcott (sprints/hurdles), Dee Hanna (sprints), Kim Voltaire (sprints), Megan Vasey (distance), Yvette Hernandez (distance).

Outlook: Semeria leads a very talented sprint squad for the Wildcats. The senior was part of state qualifying 400 and 800 relay in 2007. This year Semeria will be a threat in the 100 and 200 as well as the long jump. Wilson is coming off a fantastic basketball season and is eyeing a return to state in the shot put. Theodosakis is counting on a young distance squad to add points.

Mid-Suburban West

Barrington

Coach: Jody Gitelis (23rd year)

Last year: second in Class AA, St. Charles North sectional champions, MSL champion.

2008 state qualifiers: 3,200 relay (first, Molly Glantz, Samantha Learch, Kala Bingham, Rebecca Tracy), 1,600 relay (third, Samantha Learch, Molly Glantz, Jayne Jaderholm, Jorie Frey), Anne Etherington (fifth, PV), Molly Glantz (fourth, 300 LH, 100 HH), Arielle Johnston (PV), Samantha Learch (seventh, 400, 200), Amy Madden (TJ), Jenny Schnack (400), Rebecca Tracy (second, 1,600)

Key losses: Kala Bingham (North Central), Molly Glantz (Cornell), Samantha Learch (Arkansas), Amanda Schnack (Harvard).

Top returnees: Seniors Jayne Jaderholm (sprints/hurdles), Amy Madden (TJ), Jenny Schnack (sprints), Rebecca Tracy (distance), Lela DiMonte (throws), Robin Bingham (throws), Maureen Doyle (HJ), Anne Marie Kerchberger (distance); juniors Sarah Bach (sprints, hurdles, LJ), Anna Etherington (PV), Jorie Frey (sprints/LJ), Mel Brindise (distance).

Promising newcomers: Sophomores Sarah Miller (TJ), Andrea Moreno (PV), Toni Nepomuceno (throws), Katherine Wilson (distance); freshman Alexa Argianas (distance), Lauren Herrmann (distance), Jodi Kenyon (distance), Francesca Krohn (sprints/HJ), Melissa Madden (sprints/hurdles), Kelsey Miller (sprints), Kaila Privatsky (distance), Gabi Skor (sprints), Ella Tracy (distance).

Outlook: Barrington has had quite a two-year run. The Fillies won the AA state title in 2007 and took second at state last year. This team will look a bit different without Glantz, Learch, and Amanda Schnack, but there is still plenty of talent. Tracy tied for second at state in the 1,600 and the senior is the one hold-over from the state record-breaking 3,200 relay champs. Jaderholm definitely is a threat in the hurdles and the senior was also a member of the 1,600 relay which took third. Also back is Jenny Schnack, the senior will propel the sprints she finished fourth in Class AA as a sophomore in the 400. Frey helped the Fillies in 1,600 relay last season and started this season by winning the MSL indoor title in the 400. Etherington has elevated herself to be one of the top pole vaulters in the state, she has already set a school record indoors clearing 11-3. Madden will aid the Fillies in the jumps. Gitelis has done a brilliant job guiding the team the last two years, it will be interesting to see how this team develops, especially later in the season. Definitely in the hunt for the MSL.

Conant

Coach: Bob Borczak (eighth year)

Last year: Tied for third in Class AA, third in the MSL.

2008 state qualifiers: 800 relay (first, Brianna Millar, Destiny Arps, Emily Quinones, Toni Graham), 400 relay (second, Brianna Millar, Destiny Arps, Emily Quinones, Toni Graham), Toni Graham (second, 100, second, 200), Jenna Verity (discus), Josie Hutch (100 HH), Sarah Gorden (300 LH), Kalli Dalton (1,600), 1,600 relay.

Key losses: Toni Graham (Alabama, sprints), Emily Quinones (Eastern Illinois, sprints), Destiny Arps (Rend Lake), Brianna Millar.

Top returnees: Seniors Jenna Verity (throws), Olivia Hoving (sprints), Joelle Lien (sprints), Kalli Dalton (mid-distance, distance), Brooke Fairbanks (distance), Megan Hodgson (distance), Jesica Vogl (distance), Nicki Dingraudo (jumps); juniors Josie Hutch (hurdles/jumps), Kelsey Dachman (sprints), Antonia Jones (jumps); sophomore Sarah Gorden (hurdles/relays), Taylor Graham (sprints), Tina Tortorici (sprints).

Promising newcomers: Sophomore Alisson Gallo (sprints); freshmen Michelle Smith (jump), Angela Herrmann (sprints).

Outlook: Graham, Quinones, Arps and Millar definitely left their mark at Conant, capped with an elusive state title in the 800 relay. Borczak and his staff did great job nurturing that relay the past three years and it paid off with the Cougars earning a tie for third-place trophy. Now the Cougars are looking to be a bit more balanced. Hutch is threat in the 100 high hurdles and is progressing nicely. Look out for Gorden in the 300 hurdles. Dalton is ready to cap a stellar career and is dangerous in both the 800 and 1,600. The Cougars are always a threat in the relays especially the 800 and should have the firepower this year. Verity is progressing in the throws and Lien adds experience in the sprint relays. Gallo showed some game in the 400 at the MSL indoor.

Fremd

Coach: Hali Henderson (second year).

Last year: eighth in the MSL.

2008 state qualifiers: Bizzy Mellado (PV), Jamie Notaro (LJ), Ashley Fullerton (HJ), 400 relay.

Key losses: Anna Gonzalez (sprints).

Top returnees: Seniors Bizzy Mellado (PV, sprints, hurdles), Jamie Notaro (sprints, LJ, TJ), Roxanne Miller (distance); juniors Ashley Fullerton (HJ, hurdles), Aylla Lashaway (distance); sophomores Nikolette McKenzie (sprints), Stephanie Resis (distance), Emi Sudo (distance).

Promising newcomers: Sophomores Nicole Murray (sprints), Emily Fujii (sprints, hurdles, jumps); freshmen Taryn Lempa (sprints, hurdles), Ida Crawford (sprints).

Outlook: Mel Arns and Haein Sung join Miller, Notaro, Mellado and Fullerton as captains to give the Vikings strong leadership. Mellado needs to be watched in the pole vault, the senior is eyeing a state medal. Mellado also adds to the Vikings attack in the sprint relays and hurdles. Notaro and Fullerton are both returning state qualifiers and are looking to add to their success in the jumps. Henderson is optimistic about the Viking relays and expects a larger contingent to qualify down state.

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Dan Anderson (fourth year).

Last year: fifth in the MSL.

2008 state qualifiers: Altrese Hawkins (eighth, LJ), Ashley Chervinko (ninth, SP; discus), Victoria Mikszta (fourth, HJ), Sara Ahn (3,200), Amy Schwent (800), Hannah Worman (1,600), Gaby Duenes (1,600), Precious Ogunleye (SP), Ariel Staniszewski (discus), 400 relay, 800 relay, 3,200 relay.

Key losses: Altrese Hawkins (Memphis, volleyball), Victoria Mikszta (Harper, high jump), Ashley Chervinko (Western Kentucky, throws), Amy Schwent (North Central), Heather Bartos (North Central), Sara Ahn (North Central).

Top returnees: Senior Gaby Duenes (distance), Katie D'Amico (sprints), Ariel Staniszewski (throws); juniors: Hannah Worman (distance), Melissa Schmidt (distance), Cindy Allen (sprints); sophomore Precious Ogunleye (throws).

Promising newcomers: Junior Sharron Jones (sprints), Kristy Hisey (jumps); sophomore Jessi Flach (distance); freshmen Haley Goers (distance), Haley Worman (distance), Takashaka Patel (distance), Simone Hawkins (jumps), Emily D'Amico (sprints).

Outlook: Here come the Hawks. After completing its most successful season in school history, Anderson has Hoffman ready for more. It starts with the distance group. Hannah Worman, Duenes and Schmidt will be joined by Goers and Haley Worman to give the Hawks plenty of depth. The 3,200 relay is primed for a big season and Hannah Worman and Schmidt give the Hawks a powerful 1-2 punch in the 1,600. Emily D'Amico and Jones will lead the sprints for a balanced Hawk attack Hoffman is also loaded in the field events with Ogunleye and Staniszewski in the throws, while newcomer Hisey took first in the high jump at the MSL indoor. Hoffman will be in the mix for the conference title and the talent continues to flow into an up and coming program.

Palatine

Coach: Steve Currins (35th year)

Last year: 9th in Class AA, Palatine sectional champion, second in the MSL.

State qualifiers: Martha Shepard (fifth, SP), Lauren Orris (seventh, discus), Jocelyn Kuksa (second, PV; ninth, 300 LH), 3,200 relay (fourth, Colleen Standridge, Ruth Allen, Becca Sund, Tory Wright), Sarah McIntosh (ninth, 3,200, 1,600), Katie MacFabe (SP, discus), Ruth Allen (800), Courtney Brown (3,200), Becca Sund (1,600), 400 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay.

Key losses: Jocelyn Kuksa (Grand Valley State, PV, hurdles, relays), Colleen Standridge (Alabama-Birmingham, distance).

Top returnees: Seniors Tory Wright (distance), Martha Shepard (throws), Lauren Orris (throws), Katie MacFabe (throws), Val Bach (sprints/hurdles/jumps), Kristal Pitts (distance), Lindsey Weinberg (PV), Meg Harahan (PV); juniors Ruth Allen (distance), Robin Anderson (hurdles/jumps), Angie Gonzalez (sprints/hurdles/jumps), Johann Dibuz (distance), Brittany Walls (throws); sophomores Sarah McIntosh (distance), Becca Sund (distance), Meghan Flanagan (sprints/hurdles/jumps), Morgan Quinnett (sprint/hurdles/jumps), Valere Guertin (sprints/hurdles/jumps).

Promising newcomers: Freshmen Laura Schweikert (sprints), Emily Schulte (distance), Marlena Schulte (distance).

Outlook: Currins has once again assembled a very balanced attack and it has the Pirates looking to reclaim the MSL title. It starts with an all-star throwing group in Shepard, Orris, and MacFabe. Shepard will be in contention to bring home a state title in the shot put and Orris and MacFabe will be in contention for medals. McIntosh leads an experienced distance squad, the sophomore finished fourth in Class 3A for cross country last fall and will be one of the top 3,200 runners in state. Allen and Wright add experience and talent to the 3,200 relay. But what really has the Pirates buzzing is a group of young sprinters that include freshman Schweikert and sophomores Quinnett, Guertin, and Flanagan. The Pirates are balanced and dangerous which should lead to a fantastic finish.

Schaumburg

Coach: Mike Rebeck (30th year)

Last year: 9th in MSL.

2008 state qualifiers: Karen Lesiewicz (800), Britten Petrey (1,600), Emily Gallup (1,600), 800 relay, 3,200 relay.

Key losses: Kelsey Druckman (Butler, sprints), Emily Gallup (Illinois State, distance), Veronica Painter (Illinois State, sprints).

Top returnees: Senior Emily Kondras (sprints), juniors Nora Ferguson (distance, sprints), Alyssa Poniatowski (throws), Jessica Lunas (hurdles), Ashley Kemp (jumps); sophomores Emily Langlotz (sprints), Jordan Wagner (sprints), Karen Lesiewicz (distance), Britten Petrey (distance).

Promising newcomers: Sophomore Debra Eluobaju (throws); freshman Lauren Lindgren (sprints).

Outlook: Rebeck begins his 30th and final year as coach of the Saxons. He may want to stick around as a talented group of sophomores look to make some noise. Lesiewicz, Ferguson, Petrey, and Wagner took first and set an indoor record in winning the 1,600 relay at the MSL indoor meet. That same group stole the headlines by winning the 3,200 relay at the Illinois Top Times Indoor meet last Saturday. Lesiewicz will be a force in the 800 and Petrey is looking strong in the 1,600. Schaumburg may not have a lot of depth, but will score points and make for an interesting farewell tour for Rebeck.

CSL North

Maine West

Coach: Joe LeCastro (28th year)

2008 state qualifiers: Liz Meier (800, 1,600), Shaneese Nelson (shot put, discus).

Top returnees: Seniors Liz Meier (mid-distance, distance), Sahneese Nelson (throws), Shaina Yalda (sprints), Julie Dusckett (jumps); juniors Janelle Stolz (throws), Sam Acosta (sprints); sophomore Taylor Stephenson (400, relays).

Promising newcomer: Freshman Rhianna Krutz (sprints).

Outlook: Maine West finished fifth at the CSL North indoor conference meet but the only 11 points separated the second through fifth place finishers. Nelson has looked strong in the throws and Meier adds experience and talent in the distance. LeCastro is optimistic about the field events and relays.

East Suburban Catholic

St. Viator

Coach: Brad Krupinski (fourth year)

Last year: 8th in the ESCC

2008 state qualifiers: Kelly Hendricks (100 and 200)

Key losses: Kelsey Floyd (DePauw, sprints/jumps), Arika Cozzi (sprints, jumps), Courtney Olender, Christy Supergan (sprints), Danielle Vitacco (sprints)

Top returnees: Seniors Eleatee Bass (sprints/jumps), Kelly Hendricks (sprints), Mandy Kompanowski (middle distance, hurdles), Krista Ruddick (jumps/hurdles), Tina Vettom (throws); junior Katie Grunst (high jump), sophomores Caite Kompanowski (throws), Sarah Levenson (middle distance), Nicole LoVerde (middle distance), Marissa Mueller (distance), Natalie Wasmund (sprints), Kelli Wosick (sprints).

Promising newcomers: Junior Liz Fitzgerald (sprints); sophomore Tracy Supergan (throws, sprints); freshmen Carolyn Carley (distance), Stephanie Schatz (throws, sprints), Lara Sladek (throws, sprints)

Outlook: Last year Hendricks was the only state qualifier for the Lions, this year Krupinski is optimistic of sending a few more athletes to state. Hendricks has picked up where she left off last year and is ahead of her pace. Mandy Kompanowski has previous state experience and hopes to add to the Lions attack. St. Viator finished eighth in the ESCC for the second consecutive year last season, but scored more points. Krupinski is hoping to add to that success this year. Benet will once again be the team to beat in the ESCC.

WSC Gold

Leyden

Coach: Tom Cartwright (fourth year)

Last year: second in WSC Gold

2008 state qualifiers: Jamie Johnson (3,200), Marta Korpacz (800), Cheryl Robaczewski (discus), Bridget Sanchez (400), Emilita Stanil (100 high hurdles), Klaudia Susul (long jump), 1,600 relay

Key losses: Bridget Sanchez (Eastern Illinois, sprints), Nancy Delgado.

Top returnees: Seniors Jamie Johnson (distance/mid-distance/ relays), Emilita Stanil (hurdles, relays), Sonja Filipovic (jumps/sprints/relays), Cheryl Robaczewski (throws), Shandi Hamer (throws); juniors Klaudia Susul (jumps/relays), Marta Korpacz (mid-distance, relays), Jenna Quinn (jumps/sprints), Verelina Fernandez (relays), Jessica Cochiaro (sprints).

Outlook: Leyden finished second behind Downers Grove South in the WSC Gold last season and coach Cartwright has many of his athletes back from that team. Johnson has qualified for state the past two seasons in the 3,200 and is a key member of the 1,600 relay. Susul and Korpacz are also back to form to compliment the dangerous 1,600 relay for the Eagles. Susul took first in long jump and Korpacz took first in the 800 at the York sectional last season. Cochiaro will aid the Eagles sprints squad and Robaczewski is a threat in the discus. Downers Grove South will once again be the team to beat in the WSG, but an experienced Eagle squad will keep things interesting.