Scouting Northwest girls cross country
Girls cross country outlook
Teams to watch
Palatine: Joe Parks takes over a program that won the Mid Suburban League title and finished seventh in Class 3A. Junior Sarah McIntosh won the MSL title and finished fourth at the state meet and leads a very experienced squad. Senior Ruth Allen also made all-state last year (25th). Junior Courtney Brown also was a key performer and Palatine has plenty of depth in its quest to defend the MSL title.
Prospect: Coach Dave Wurster's squad came on strong at the end of last season and placed fifth in Class 3A. Senior Annette White finished 13th at state and seniors Emily Salzman and Kasey Krum and junior Savannah Snead give the Knights a solid core. Freshman Brooke Wolfe will also put the Knights in the hunt for the MSL title.
Hoffman Estates: Coach Kirk Macnider has plenty of reason to be excited this season coming off Hoffman's first trip to state since 1993. With senior stars Hannah Worman and Melissa Schmidt back the Hawks will be strong again. Schmidt placed 18th at state and Worman took 20th. Sophomores Haley Goers and and Haley Worman add depth to the Hawks attack.
Schaumburg: Coach Jon Macnider's squad qualified for state last season and with junior all-state runner Colette Falsey (ninth) returning, the Saxons are optimistic. Junior Karen Lesiewicz and Britten Petrey both had strong track seasons and senior Nora Ferguson and junior Jordan Wagner add depth.
Buffalo Grove : Coach Sara Cleveland led the Bison to first at the Schaumburg sectional and their first state appearance last season. BG is hoping to build on that success behind sophomore Olivia Jones and seniors Erin Cleary and Cari Geyer.
Other teams to watch: Senior Ashley Martin and junior Salena Clohisy will lead Hersey. Rolling Meadows and Barrington should also be in the hunt.
Top area runners
Annette White, Prospect: White tied for the MSL title in 2007 and made all-state for the first time in 2008. The senior is looking to cap an outstanding career.
Sarah McIntosh, Palatine: McIntosh had a terrific 2008 season, winning the MSL title and taking fourth at state as a sophomore.
Christina Gastfield, Rolling Meadows: Gastfield finished seventh in the MSL and then ran an inspiring state race to take eighth. The junior opened some eyes last season and will be looking build on that this season.
Colette Falsey, Schaumburg: Falsey took ninth in Class 3A last season and seemed to get better as the season progressed.
Melissa Schmidt, Hoffman Estates: Schmidt made quite an impression in her first cross country season, capped by an 18th-place finish at the state meet. The senior should be even better with a year of experience.
Hannah Worman, Hoffman Estates: Worman took 20th in Class 3A and suffered a stress fracture that ended her track season before sectionals but has recovered nicely. Look for the senior to finish strong this season.
Ruth Allen, Palatine: Allen made all-state with a 25th-place finish, she then took fourth in the 800 at the state track meet. The Palatine senior will be a threat this season.
Britten Petrey, Schaumburg: Petrey just missed making all-state last season in 26th. That will definitely fuel the fire for the talented junior this season.
Karen Lesiewicz, Schaumburg: Lesiewicz started slowly due to an injury last season, but she came back to finish second at state in the 800 in the spring. This year the junior is healthy and will be looking to make all-state.
Olivia Jones, Buffalo Grove: Jones had a fantastic freshman season. She finished a disappointing 44th at the state meet, but came back with a strong track season. The sophomore is looking to finish strong this season.