Prospect right on track for big state meet finish

Prospect's girls cross country team has all the elements you look for in a potential state champion.

The Knights have combined experience with talent leading to one of their more successful seasons on record.

After a somewhat slow start Prospect has blazed through October, winning the Peoria Central Invite, Mid-Suburban League title, and Hoffman Estates regional.

By any measure the Knights seem set up for an exciting finish.

"We have depth, we have front running, we have pack running," said Prospect coach Dave Wurster of his talented squad. "We have all the ingredients of a really good team. This team has the whole package."

It starts with senior leaders Annette White, Emily Salzman, Jeannette Wochinski, Kasey Krum and Amy Abdnor.

White has been solid for the Knights since freshman year, she tied Wheeling's Amber Stack for the MSL title in 2007 and made all-state last season for the first time, taking 13th place in Class 3A.

The seniors set the tone for Prospect's first ever MSL title this season. Six Knight runners made all-conference in a thrilling victory over Palatine.

"It was a lot different this year because we knew coming in we had a shot at the title," said White of the conference victory. "It wasn't a shock to us, we knew what we were capable of doing and we finally went out and accomplished it."

Salzman, Wochinski, Krum, and Abnor have all come up big for the Knights in track. Salzman and Abnor were part of the 3,200 relay teams that took sixth and second nd in Class 2A in the 2006 and 2007.

Last year the four seniors and junior Savannah Snead all contributed to the Knights' seventh-place place finish in 3,200 in Class 3A.

The seniors kept their composure after being ranked No. 1 in early September before placing second to Hoffman Estates at Lake Park.

"We started out really high and then we kind of had a few low points," added Salzman of the Knights' start. "Going into conference we were kind of underdogs, but we knew we could do it, we had something to prove."

Juniors Savannah Snead and Mary Styzek have added depth to the Knights' squad. Snead was a key member of last year's team that took fifth in Class 3A.

"I think we all know our capabilities this year and we're stronger mentally," added Snead, "just looking at everyone's eyes we have this readiness to do well."

"We have this drive to win this year,"added Styzek. "Everyone has risen up to the expectations when they have run."

Sophomore Laura Maibuecher had a strong postseason run as a freshman and she hasn't backed down this season.

Prospect finished a disappointing sixth at the MSL meet in 2007, but the Knights came back with a flurry at state finishing fifth last year, and haven't let up this season.

"Last year's finish help set the tone for this season," said Maibuecher.

What also helps to set the tone for this season was the addition of two talented freshmen. Brooke Wolfe and Lauren Poplawski added to what was already a talented squad, making the Knights that much better.

Wolfe entered Prospect with high expectations and hasn't disappointed, taking fourth at the MSL meet and second at the Hoffman regional.

"Our team is like a family, everybody is really close," added Wolfe.

Poplawski has been a pleasant surprise for the Knights. The freshman ran varsity for the first time in mid-September and has been a mainstay since.

She took 12th at conference and seventh at the regionals.

"I heard everybody talk about how big conference was and how we had a chance at taking it," said Poplawski, "But until I actually experienced it, I had no idea how much of an honor it was."

Prospect has had it share of success in cross country with 7 top-10 finishes including a third-place trophy in 1989, but this team has the potential to end up ranked among the best.

"I think we just have to keep rolling with what we have right now," added White. "We just have to go out and prove people right, show them why we should be ranked No. 1."

After wreaking havoc at the conference meet, the Knights were in a bit of more relaxed mood the following week after going through their yoga routine.

But the Prospect pack realizes there is still unfinished business left with Saturday's Schaumburg sectional and the following week state meet looming.

"I think we need to be focused, but we have to have fun with it," said Wochinski. "It should be fun."

"Making the most of what we have," is how Krum summed up the Knights' plan. "We have so many great runners and it's a great opportunity to make a name for ourselves."