Scouting DuPage County girls track

Addison Trail

Coach: Ann Peters (15th year).

Last year: Seventh in the West Suburban Gold.

Top athletes: Jasmine Campbell, jr., sprints; Kishara Ferguson, fr., sprints; Michelle Figge, jr., middle distance, jumps; Maryola Grzybowska, sr., distance; Becca Holder, jr., sprints, hurdles; Jackie Hulina, sr., throws; Mercedes Rallings, sr., sprints.

Outlook: Peters' expectations are similar to teams from previous years. "We just try to focus on personal bests and hope the girls improve from week to week," Peters said. Addison Trail has downstate aspirations for its two sprint relays anchored by Rallings and Holder, and Ferguson is the most promising of a large underclass contingent.

Benet

Coach: Scott Brooks (18th year).

Last year: First in the East Suburban Catholic Conference; first at the Class AA Waubonsie Valley sectional.

Top athletes: Alison Cesarz, jr., sprints, middle distance; Kaileen Healy, so., sprints; Katie Porada, jr., middle distance; Maria Scheet, sr., pole vault; McKinzie Schulz, jr., sprints, hurdles, middle distance; Liz Yahiro, jr., jumps.

Outlook: The Redwings won their first sectional in program history and edged Waubonsie Valley for top local honors at the state meet last year. Schulz is one of the most versatile athletes in recent memory and a state threat in the long hurdles, 800 and 1,600 meters. "Overall, I think we should be as good, if not better, than last year," Brooks said. "We basically have our entire team back, minus (all-stater Kelsey) Ontko."

Downers Grove North

Coach: Tim McDonald (fourth year).

Last year: Fifth in the West Suburban Silver; second at Class AA Downers North sectional.

Top athletes: Gaby Effrein, so., middle distance, Samantha Fry, so., distance; Kilani Gaston, so., sprints; Emily Norco, jr., sprints; Vlora Osmani, jr., middle distance; Leia Scott, sr., jumps.

Outlook: Scott and Fry are the Trojans' state-tested veterans, and Downers North also has several members of its four state-qualifying relays returning. "We've had a very good start to the season, and I think once we get outdoors we'll only improve," McDonald said.

Downers Grove South

Coach: Katerina Claiborne (second year).

Last year: First in the West Suburban Gold.

Top athletes: Natalie Dust, jr., sprints; Tori Franklin, so, sprints, jumps; Michelle Hartnett, sr., sprints, jumps, vault; Grace Magliola, jr., distance; Melissa Radek, so., sprints; Rebecca Stearns, fr., hurdles, distance; Nicole Thate, sr., middle distance, distance.

Outlook: The Mustangs are gunning for their sixth consecutive league championship, and state returnees Thate and Magliola power the deep squad. "We are stronger and better than last year," Claiborne said. "We have a focused group that works hard and wants to win."

Driscoll

Coach: Deirdre Archer (first year).

Last year: Sixth in the Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top athletes: Liz Cythert, so., middle distance; Michelle Cythert, sr., middle distance; Angie Maranan, sr., sprints; Marissa Martinez, fr., middle distance; Maggie Osial, sr., middle distance, jumps; Jen Rowley, jr., sprints.

Outlook: The Highlanders are looking to move into the top half of the conference behind their senior leader Osial, a returning state qualifier in the high jump. "We have a lot of first-year girls out this year, so it will be interesting," Archer said. Driscoll should be much stronger at middle distance this spring.

Fenton

Coach: Frank Kekstadt (second year).

Last year: Third in the Metro Suburban Conference.

Top athletes: Heather Crowe, sr., distance; Ashley Falco, so., sprints; Amanda Pikul, jr., jumps; Allison Wright, so., sprints.

Outlook: Fenton has one primary task for this spring. "Our No. 1 goal is still to win outdoor conference, which we haven't done since the mid-'80s," Kekstadt said. "I like our chances this year. With the new class system if we could send more people downstate that would be great." Crowe is the senior stalwart for the Bison, which will also look to Falco and Wright to handle the sprinting chores.

Glenbard East

Coach: Joe Latala (first year).

Last year: Eighth in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Krystle Eskridge, jr., middle distance; Brittney Frazier, sr., middle distance; Caitlyn Groeper, jr., sprints, jumps; Ashley May, sr.; sprints; Lindsey Rakosnik, fr., sprints.

Outlook: Groeper was the Rams' lone state qualifier last year, but Glenbard East has been infused with two notable newcomers: Eskridge, who qualified in the 800 for Willowbrook last year, and Rakosnik, the indoor conference champion at 400 meters. "We're trying to get the kids to buy into the team concept," Latala said. "We're looking to get two relays downstate and a couple of individuals - that would be realistic."

Glenbard North

Coach: Gary Heilers (ninth year).

Last year: Fifth in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Rachel Cagnina, so., jumps; Marissa Gaskill, sr., distance; Carson Jones, so., sprints; Christini Rini, so., hurdles; Nicolette Rini, sr., throws; Canethia Walls, jr., sprints.

Outlook: The Panthers' sprint relays, traditionally strong, have been revitalized with the arrival of Walls. Nicolette Rini returns after a state run in the discus, and Gaskill anchors the Panthers' distance fortunes as state returnee in the mile. "We have holes to fill, but the pieces are there," Heilers said. "We can be competitive outside."

Glenbard South

Coach: Mark Tacchi (19th year).

Last year: Third in the Western Sun Conference.

Top athletes: Ashley Ellis, so., sprints; Sarah Englehardt, so., sprints; Kim Iacobazzi, jr., sprints; Sarah Kearney, jr., distance; Karen Lipa, so., distance; Libby O'Brien, sr., sprints; Val Wass, jr., sprints.

Outlook: The Raiders' hopes for an elite team finish at state took a major blow with the loss of thrower Jasmine Simpson to a knee injury, but four-year standout O'Brien is a three-time state finalist in the 400 meters. The Raiders' sprint relays are outstanding, and the Cornell University-bound O'Brien anchored the 1,600 relay to an indoor state title last weekend.

Glenbard West

Coach: Kelly Haas (sixth year).

Last year: Fourth in the West Suburban Silver.

Top athletes: Kinn Badger, fr., sprints; Bridget Flanagan, so., sprints; Maddie Nagle, fr., distance; Kathryn Pickett, so., hurdles, jumps; Angie Stearn, sr., sprints, jumps; Sarah Udelhofen, jr., jumps.

Outlook: Udelhofen is one of the top high jumpers in the state, and Flanagan has emerged as a state-sprinting threat. "We're farther along than we have ever been at this time of the season," Haas said. "I also think we're more balanced across the board in all of the events."

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Pat Richards (22nd year).

Last year: First in the West Suburban Silver; Class AA Downers Grove North sectional champion.

Top athletes: Chelsea Celistan, jr., sprints; Adabelle Ekechukwu, jr., throws; Stephanie Green, jr., sprints; Graylin Harrison, jr., middle distance; Roey Hines, sr., distance; Stephanie Iantorno, sr., sprints; Elaine Kuckertz, sr., distance; Heather Stevens, sr., distance; Katie Truedson, sr., pole vault; Lauren Zumbach, sr., distance.

Outlook: Richards has once again assembled a peerless collection of depth and balance. "The sky is the limit," Richards said. "I'm excited about what our possibilities are." The Red Devils are seeking a fourth straight conference title behind their galaxy of state veterans, and their four relays in particular are all state-finalist contenders.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Gail Huster (fourth year).

Last year: Fourth in the West Suburban Gold.

Top athletes: Emelyn Barrientos, fr., sprints; Chika Okoro, sr., sprints, hurdles; Uzo Okoro, fr., jumps; Deirdre Rudolph, so., middle distance, jumps; Angel Selmon, jr., sprints.

Outlook: Chika Okoro is the Hornets' lone returning state qualifier, and the 100-meter hurdle specialist will also anchor the sprint relays. "My biggest goal is to improve every week," Huster said. "I'm very excited about our youngsters." Rudolph and Barrientos key the Hornets' underclass.

Immaculate Conception

Coach: Bob Cronin (sixth year).

Last year: Eighth in the Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top athletes: Mary Cheng, sr., sprints; Bridgett McCann, so., sprints; Ashia Johnson, so., sprints; Jessica Monteon, so., middle distance; Danielle Ramirez, fr., sprints; Danielle Remy, sr., sprints; Michelle Urpelo, so., sprints.

Outlook: Cheng and Remy are the senior leaders for the Knights, who have struggled with numbers in recent years. "We're just hoping to improve throughout the year," Cronin said. "Hopefully, some of the underclassmen will see that there is success in the future."

Lake Park

Coach: Brian Hesik (fifth year)

Last year: Fourth in the Upstate Eight Conference.

Top athletes: Sarah Drozdowski, sr., throws; Lindsay Flanagan, sr., distance Rachel Kreuzer, sr., pole vault; Amanda Rafidia, jr., jumps; Juliet Vogel, sr., middle distance; Taylor Tunisia, so., sprints, jumps.

Outlook: Flanagan, ranked among the top-four 3,200 runners in the nation, is a prohibitive favorite in the event after having her season-long winning streak in the event end at the state finals last spring. The University of Washington-bound cross country state champion has able companions in Vogel and Rafidia, who are serious state contenders in the 800 meters and high jump, respectively. At the Top Times Indoor Classic Flanagan defended her title at 3,200 meters and Rafidia was second in the high jump.

Lisle

Coach: Venessa Hardy (second year).

Last year: Fourth in the Interstate Eight Conference.

Top athletes: Amy Carrabine, sr., sprints, hurdles; Gracie Coletta, jr., sprints; Audrey Danner, jr., sprints; Morgan Fairley, so., sprints; Dorothy Lau, sr., throws; Kelsey Wilheim, so., sprints; Danyale Worsham, jr., sprints.

Outlook: Lisle can certainly make some noise this year in the smallest division of the three-class state tournament. Carrabine and Lau made the state cut last year in the 300 hurdles and discus, and Hardy welcomes back several members of its two sprint relay downstate contingents. Coletta, Wilhelm and Worsham were part of the Lions' 400 and 800 relays, and Danner and Fairley provide additional sprinting depth. "More than half the girls (on the team) are underclassmen," Hardy said. "It looks like this team can be pretty competitive."

Montini

Coach: Pete Connelly (first year).

Last season: Sixth in the Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top athletes: Jess Brady, jr., sprints, pole vault; Liz Graczyk, jr., jumps; Allison Guertler, sr., sprints, jumps; Ericka LaViste, fr., distance; Christina Perrino, fr., sprints; Theresa Weber, jr., sprints, jumps.

Outlook: The Broncos are looking for consistency and movement up the conference food chain. "We have a lot of girls who are new to track and field," Connelly said. "We're concentrating every day on getting better." Guertler is the Broncos' senior leader, and Montini is one of several area programs that should fare much better in the middle tier of the new three-class state arrangement.

Naperville Central

Coach: Mike Stine (17th year).

Last year: Third in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Kelly Farrell, sr., sprints; Caley Faulkner, jr., pole vault; Amanda Fox, fr., distance; Amanda Gomez, jr., middle distance; Jessica Harney, sr., middle distance; Shelby Pealer, jr., distance; Hannah Woods, so., middle distance.

Outlook: Farrell returns after missing her entire junior year to solidify the Redhawks' sprinting core, and Pealer has added company in the distance ranks. The two-time state qualifier in the 3,200 meters welcomes talented freshman Fox, the league indoor champion at the event. Gomez, Harney and Woods not only provide depth at middle distance but the trio returns after punching a state ticket in the 3,200 relay last spring.

Naperville North

Coach: Chuck Hoff (sixth year).

Last season: First in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Shelly Dulman, sr., throws; Kamaria Huggins, sr., sprints; Jamie Schertz, jr., distance; Michelle Stratton, sr., distance; Kathleen Wiest, sr. jumps.

Outlook: The four-time defending conference champion is handicapped this spring without the services of its track as the football field is being replaced. "I don't want to use that as an excuse," Hoff said. "I want us to compete at the highest level no matter what." The five core members of the squad are all state veterans as Wiest returns after missing last year with a knee injury. Schertz and Stratton are a formidable 1-2 punch at 1,600 meters, and Huggins' energy in the Huskies' sprint relays is seemingly endless.

Neuqua Valley

Coach: Gretchen Parejko (eighth year).

Last year: First in the Upstate Eight Conference; third at the Class AA Waubonsie Valley sectional; top 20 at state meet.

Top athletes: Kristin Balark, sr., throws; Bri Griswold, sr., sprints; Meagan Hynes, sr., middle distance; Aura Jakutyte, sr., jumps; Kristin Morrison, sr., jumps; Asia Stephens, sr., sprints; Megan Taylor, jr., middle distance.

Outlook: Morrison is the one known commodity for the Wildcats, continuing the Wildcats' legacy in the three jumping events with an all-state performance in the triple last spring. "We may not have the same faces," Parejko said of heavy graduation losses, "but I think we're going to be fine." Griswold, Hynes, Stephens and Taylor have all tasted state experience as members of the Wildcats' traditionally strong relays.

St. Francis

Coach: Scott Nelson (21st year).

Last year: First in the Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top athletes: Katy Garcia, so., sprints, hurdles, jumps; Allysa Robinson, so., distance; Ellen Schram, sr., sprints, hurdles; Sarah Torres, jr., sprints, jumps; Cortney Trunk, sr., distance.

Outlook: Torres was a force in propelling the Spartans to the conference title last year, but it was Garcia who represented St. Francis at the state meet. "I think we'll be able to challenge for the conference title and the sectional," Nelson said. The veteran coach has been eagerly anticipating class expansion ever since St. Francis was elevated to AA in recent years.

Timothy Christian

Coach: Kevin Hackert (14th season).

Last year: Second in the Private School League.

Top athletes: Brittnay Alston, fr., sprints; Leah Bosman, sr., distance; Elizabeth DeGroot, sr., sprints, middle distance; Paige Greenwood, fr., jumps; Krista Lodewyk, so., sprints; Shannon McNeil, sr., sprints, jumps.

Outlook: Timothy will assemble its squad around McNeil, the lone individual state returnee who is augmented by members of three returning relays. The team is undeniably youthful. "Three-fourths our team are underclassmen," Hackert said. "There is an awful lot of talent in the sophomore and freshmen classes, and I can't wait to see how it develops."

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Jim Braun (seventh year).

Last year: Second in the Upstate Eight Conference; 13th in Class AA.

Top athletes: Ayo Adewole, so., sprints; Morikae Akinosun, jr., sprints; Morolake Akinosun, fr., sprints; Michelle Higgins, sr., sprints, jumps; Emily Kelly, so., sprints; Dasha Patton, jr., sprints, jumps; Shakeia Pinnick, sr., sprints, hurdles, middle distance.

Outlook: Pinnick has been the personification of the program ever since her freshman campaign. The Arizona State-bound superstar is the top-ranked heptathlon performer in the nation and could conceivably contend for state titles in both hurdles races, the 200 through 800 and the high and long jump. In all likelihood Pinnick will concentrate exclusively on track events this year. Adewole is a threat at 400 meters.

West Chicago

Coach: George Petmezas (fourth year).

Last year: Seventh in the DuPage VAlley Conference.

Top athletes: Karlie Becker, so., sprints; Katrina Beedle, sr., sprints, jumps; Annette Eichenberger, jr., middle distance; Kelsey Sayner, fr., distance; Brittany Smith, sr., sprints, jumps.

Outlook: Eichenberger is the heart and soul of the Wildcats after placing last year in the 800 meters. But there could be help on the way with the arrival of Sayner, all-conference in cross country, and Becker, who narrowly missed qualifying last spring. "We're hoping for outdoor season that we'll be a lot more healthier," Petmezas said.

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Bill Bickhart (14th year).

Last year: Third in the Private School League.

Top athletes: Anna Curado, sr., distance; Sarah Daly, sr., distance; Sara Dede, sr., hurdles; Hannah Huff, jr., middle distance; Bethany Killian, jr., sprints, middle distance; Rebecca Stewart, sr., sprints.

Outlook: Bickhart is cautiously optimistic as the outdoor season begins. The Warriors are eager to unveil Killian, who sat out last year after transferring from WW South. Wheaton Academy should benefit from class expansion and end its state drought. "As always we have pieces to the puzzle," Bickhart said.

Wheaton North

Coach: Pete Macabobby (second season).

Last year: Sixth in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Jenessa Armstrong, sr., pole vault, sprints, jumps; Kim Boi, jr., sprints, hurdles; Katina Bolos, jr., middle distance; Chenelle Burnett, so., sprints, jumps; Meggie Exner, jr., middle distance; Elise Giles, sr., middle distance, jumps; Alexa Reinecke, so., middle distance; Kelsey Tharnstrom, jr., middle distance.

Outlook: Reinecke is the best of the Falcons' returning middle-distance runners who comprise the heart of the team. The squad must get healthy to move up the league ladder. "We have been operating without a full team," Macabobby said. "(Health) should come into play at the end of the season. It is a balanced team (between the field and track)."

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Rob Harvey (10th year).

Last year: Third in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Elise Anderson, sr., distance; Colleen Gibbons, jr., middle distance; Lauren Mordini, fr., distance; Shannon Nevins, sr., sprints, jumps; Kathryn Regalado, jr., throws; Caitlin Schwark, jr., sprints, middle distance; Emily Shire, sr., middle distance.

Outlook: WW South is retooling behind Anderson, its lone individual state qualifier, and members of three returning relays. "Our strengths right now are our distance kids and field events," Harvey said. "Our long sprints are good. We just have to put it all together. We lost a lot last year (to graduation)."

Willowbrook

Coach: Scott McKinney (18th season).

Last year: Fourth in the West Suburban Gold.

Top athletes: Hillary Bloemke, jr., sprints; Grace Flood, fr., sprints; Erica Garcia, sr., sprints, jumps; Althea Gatto, jr., distance; Katie Looby, jr., sprints, hurdles; Natalie Nocek, jr., sprints, jumps; Chieshe Porter, fr., sprints.

Outlook: McKinney was forthright when discussing the conference race. "We don't have enough horses to stay with Downers (South)," McKinney said. But the veteran coach is hopeful the team can break through in the top three. "I haven't had this kind of depth for a while," McKinney said. The Warriors should be especially competitive in the sprint relays this spring.

York

Coach: Annette Schulte (16th season).

Last year: Fourth in the West Suburban Silver.

Top athletes: Alex Blust, jr., sprints; Carolyn Cahill, jr., hurdles; Allison Fazzio, jr., pole vault; Meghan Frigo, jr., distance; Michelle Frigo, fr., distance; Stephanie Hester, so., middle distance; Krystal Kause, so., throws; Shelby Kost, so., sprints, jumps; Kayla Leifeld, so., sprints, jumps.

Outlook: The Dukes are synonymous with distance running, and Meghan Frigo is the latest in a long line of storied runners. The junior was third at the Prep Top Times Meet and should continue her form outside. York needs to grow up in a hurry to make inroads in its notoriously stacked league. "We have a really young team," Schulte said. "They have a great future."

- Kevin McGavin