New-look NSC still strong
The Harry Carlson coaching era may be over at Libertyville and the Heather Olson running era may have ended at Warren, but North Suburban Conference girls cross country should be as competitive as ever in 2009.
Carlson closed out his illustrious coaching career by winning the NSC championship by a comfortable 44-79 margin over runner-up Lake Forest in October - while Olson (Rice University) was winning another individual NSC crown before advancing to the state meet for the third straight season.
While things may be different this year without the likes of Carlson and Olson, there should be more than enough exciting competition to go around.
Beside losing Carlson, Libertyville graduated lots of talent including Hannah Reilly, Anne Strychalski, Alyssa Corrigan and Katherine Fillipo (Illinois Wesleyan).
But senior Megan Janezic should still be very comfortable ith her role as a top runner for first-year coach Joe Roth along with senior teammate Sarah Farish (22nd in NSC). Junior Erin Jaffke (eighth in NSC) is already an established varsity runner while junior teammate Erika Danckers was also all-conference.
"The team lost four runners from the top seven, but we still expect to be strong behind a great group of juniors and seniors," said Roth, whose team will be competing for a third straight NSC crown. "We also have a great group of underclassmen highlighted by three freshmen in the top seven of the team time trial."
Lake Forest may be the preseason favorite in the very balanced NSC, but if the Wildcats, Warren or 2008 fourth-place finisher Lakes cannot keep up with the Scouts, maybe Lake Zurich is ready to step up to the challenge after the Bears placed fifth a year ago.
Lake Zurich has five of its top seven runners returning, including sectional qualifiers Amy Polhemus and Cassie Houghton.
The Bears could really shine behind all-conference returnees Polhemus, senior Kaitlin Leopold and senior Olivia Holicky with sophomore Andrea Adams, senior Katie Harlan, and junior Audrey Smith adding solid depth.
"Our goal is to win conference and I think we will be really competitive there," said Lake Zurich coach Ian Silverman. "I think we can be very competitive, we're definitely stronger than last year, and they're pretty motivated."
With no overwhelming favorite in the NSC this season, teams like Warren, Stevenson and Lakes hope to move up the standings.
Not only do the Blue Devils have to replace Olson's leadership, they will be trying to compensate for the loss of graduated all-conference runner Sarabeth Jones.
Junior Gabby Nystrom and senior Annie Brandes give Warren two all-conference runners to fall back on, while teammates Jessie Buhmann, Victoria Knauf, and Katie Murphy should provide some consistency.
"We lost a lot, and when you take away your top two or three that leaves some big shoes to fill," said Warren coach Cheryl Anderson. "We're in a rebuilding year and we're going to take it slow for some of these new girls who are not used to running day after day."
Stevenson could be another team to beat in the NSC even though the Patriots graduated key seniors Kim Tarnoff and Chrissy Pacewicz.
Patriots sophomore Emily Cunningham should be a solid front-runner for coach Don Proft's squad, with teammates Paige Ekenberg, Anna Franke, and Tessa Lancaster ready to step into larger roles.
After taking fourth in the NSC last year, Class 2A Lakes should challenge its larger counterparts even without all-conference runners Ariel Butzine (graduated), and Katherine Schenck (transferred).
Sophomores Kathryn Dean and Hannah Wittman will try to give the Eagles that same 1-2 punch that Butzine and Schenck gave them last year, while freshman Amanda Timmerman will give Lakes a very young top-three group of runners. Seniors Erin McGill and Kristina Umlauf will need to shine for the Eagles to soar.
After placing ninth in Class 2A last season, Lakes will have a rough road back to Peoria with tough teams like Woodstock, Woodstock North, and Prairie Ridge dropping down from 3A to 2A this year.
"Kathryn (Dean) and Hannah (Wittman) are looking very strong right now and they have replaced our No. 1 and 2 from last year," said Lakes coach Keith West. "Everyone has to be under 20 minutes, and we're going to try to make it downstate again."
Antioch has the top returning individual back in the NSC in senior Erin Poss, who placed second to Olson in 2008. Chris Bailey takes over the helm from long-time Antioch coach Dick Harland this season.
Grant will also have an outstanding No. 1-runner in senior Alexis Capps who placed third in the NSC last October. But senior Audrey Carrothers will be among the Bulldogs who will have to pick up for the loss of graduated all-conference runner Kendra Kennedy.
Vernon Hills will be looking for a new leader after Danielle Dickman (fourth in the NSC) graduated.
In the Fox Valley Conference, Grayslake Central will turn to senior captain Sammy Wong and junior teammate Erika Garcia to set the tone for first-year coach Jim Centella.
Centella took over the reigns from Joel Peebles this fall after Peebles turned in 31 outstanding seasons as the Rams coach.
Grayslake North is counting on sectional qualifiers Kimmy Denikas and Kaitlin Kearney to lead the way, but Crystal Lake South and Central will be tough to beat.
In the East Suburban Catholic Conference, Carmel is hoping to make a big move up in the standings from sixth under coach Jim Halford. Senior Hilary Halford will be the Corsairs' top runner again, with senior teammates Jackie Migliarese, Bonnie Micelli, and Steph Gutkowski providing an experienced pack.