Lake County girls cross country preview
The Libertyville girls cross country team rose to the top of the North Suburban Conference standings last fall, but the Wildcats will be facing an uphill struggle to match that feat in 2009. Hannah Reilly (UIC), Anne Strychalski, and Alyssa Corrigan were three all-conference runners the Wildcats lost to graduation, but seniors Megan Janezic and Sara Farish give Libertyville depth and experience. Juniors Erin Jaffke and Erika Danckers should also make a major impact on the Cats' pack, with three freshmen potentially ready to explode onto the varsity scene. The very successful Harry Carlson coaching era ended last year at Libertyville, but new coach Joe Roth hopes he can keep the Wildcats' winning tradition going. ... Last year's NSC runner-up Lake Forest is one of the favorites to win the NSC championship this season, with Warren trying to stay in the top three despite the graduation losses of three-time state qualifier Heather Olson (Rice University) and all-conference runner Sarabeth Jones. The Blue Devils should still be tough behind Gabby Nystrom, Annie Brandes, Jessie Buhmann, Victoria Knauf and Katie Murphy, but a lack of depth and experience could hurt. ... Lakes hopes to push Warren even harder after finishing a very close fourth in 2008. The Eagles were regional champions, took third in sectionals and finished ninth in the state meet, but they will have to replace No. 1-runner Ariel Butzine (29th in state/attending Southeast Missouri). Sophomore Kathryn Schenck (42nd in state) moving out of state was also a huge loss for Lakes, but the sophomore duo of Kathryn Dean and Hannah Wittman will get solid support from senior Erin McGill and freshman Amanda Timmerman. ... Lake Zurich has a great shot at moving up from its fifth-place NSC finish last year, as the Bears return five of their top seven runners. The Bears' trio of Amy Polhemus, Kaitlin Leopold and Olivia Holicky earned all-conference honors last fall, while teammate Cassie Houghton was a sectional qualifier along with Polhemus. ... Stevenson has some gaps to fill after graduating top runners Chrissy Pacewicz (Elon) and Kim Tarnoff (Ohio State). Patriots sophomore Emily Cunningham will have a much bigger role, with teammates Paige Ekenberg, Anna Frank and Tessa Lancaster creating a solid pack. ... Grant will have its work cut out replacing Kendra Kennedy (Illinois), but the Bulldogs feature an elite runner in senior Alexis Capps (third in NSC) to build around. Senior Audrey Carrothers will join junior teammates Trisha Palmieri and Vianca Bermeo pushing Grant's pack. ... Antioch enjoys the good fortune of having senior Erin Poss (seventh in Class 2A) back to lead its surge, but Vernon Hills will have to do without the services of graduated Danielle Dickman (22nd in Class 2A) this campaign... After 38 seasons as Antioch's coach, Dick Harland will be replaced by Chris Bailey as the Sequoits coach this fall. ... Wauconda graduated a Class 2A sectional qualifier in standout Samantha Michelau, but the Bulldogs have another sectional qualifier back in sophomore Megan Mikenas. ... Mundelein seniors Kelsey Moon and Angela Norton reached sectionals last year, as did sophomore teammate Katie Christiansen... In the Fox Valley Conference, Grayslake Central senior captain Sammy Wong and junior teammate Erika Garcia should lead the Rams' charge as first-year coach Jim Centella takes over from Joel Peebles after 31 solid seasons. ... Grayslake North will miss graduated Marlee Lane (Augustana), but the Knights return to sectional qualifiers Kimmy Denikas and Kaitlin Kearney for leadership. Crystal Lake Central and South are expected to be tough in the FVC, along with Jacobs and McHenry... In the East Suburban Catholic Conference, senior Hilary Halford leads Carmel back into the rugged competition after the Corsairs placed sixth in 2008. Carmel hopes to move up into the top three in the ESCC behind a veteran lineup that includes seniors Jackie Migliarese, Bonnie Micelli, and Steph Gutkowski setting the pace.
- John Bumbales
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