Looks like Burlington Central's loaded once again
There's no question Burlington Central's girls track team has been one of the best in the area the past several years, and this spring should be no exception on Rocket Hill.
The list of returning state qualifiers is long and starts with senior Maggie Gannon, who placed second in the Class 2A mile in Charleston last spring. Gannon, who finished eight in the state cross country meet last fall, has signed to run at Iowa State next year.
Other returning state qualifiers for the Rockets include the 800 relay team that took fifth place downstate in Gannon, and juniors Katie Puccio, Hannah Williams and Markelle Turk.
Also back are senior Jordan Maisto and junior Caille Thommes, members of the state-qualifying 3,200 relay team and 400 state qualifier, sophomore Alexa Tovsen.
"Many of the girls who were instrumental in our success of last season return," said second-year Rockets coach Aaron Wichman. "Our goals for the season are to repeat as Big Northern Conference outdoor champions, increase our state qualifying numbers and increase our point totals earned at the state meet."
Central, which scored 20 points at the state finals last year, got a good jump on the outdoor season by finishing second to Byron (110-107) at the recent BNC indoor meet. Tovsen won the 400 at the indoor meet and Gannon the mile.
Wichman is also high on a group of newcomers that includes junior Paige Abbott (pole vault, long jump) and freshmen Kayla Wolf (400), Katie Trupp (high jump, pole vault) and Catherine Gulik (400, 800).
"Our middle distance team will again be strong and our biggest area of improvement is in the field events, specifically the pole vault and high jump," Wichman said. "Our sprinters are a deeper and stronger unit than they were last year."
Hampshire: The Whip-Purs have a bona fide state championship threat back in senior Holly Plichta, who took fourth in the 2-mile at the Prep Top Times indoor meet last weekend and won the Big Northern Conference indoor title in the event.
Hampshire also returns its state-qualifying 3,200 relay team in senior Tiffany Chu, junior Autumn Chomenko and sophomores Cassandra Kruse and Elizabeth Sicheri, who ran to the BNC indoor title in a time of 10:03.89.
Freshman Ashley Fouch, who won the conference indoor title in the 200, is one of Hampshire's top newcomers along with sophomore Marisa Carnozza (triple jump, long jump, 200) and freshman Paige Membrano (800, 400, relays). Other returning athletes the Whips will be counting on include senior Jenna Ballard in the hurdles and relays.
"Our sectional is tough," said Hampshire coach Patti Nihells. "We'll have to do the times."
St. Edward: The Green Wave have a small team but a legitimate state contender in the 800, 2-mile and mile in senior Megan Venlos, who has also qualified for state in swimming three straight years.
"She's a great athlete and a hard worker,"said Wave coach Shawn Collins of Venlos. "She broke the school record in the 800 and tied it in the mile, and I think her best event is the 2-mile. She hurt her ankle right at state time last year so we're looking for big things from her this year."
Collins also has high hopes for senior Lisa Uzitas in the sprints.
"She had good times last year and she looks better," Collins said. "Our team is pretty small and mostly newcomers so we'll have to see what kind of times they put up."
Westminster Christian: The Warriors return senior Tanya Rogers, a Class 1A state qualifier in the 800 meters.
"She's looking good and we're definitely looking for her to place high in sectionals and advance to state," said Westminster coach Larry Cochran.
Cochran also mentioned junior hurdler Brittany Booth, senior sprinter Laura Oswald and senior sprinter/hurdler Asia Oleskow as top runners for the 8-girl team.
Elgin Academy: The Hilltoppers return Class 1A state qualifying long jumper Sarah Parker.