Girls track: Scouting the NSC Prairie
Antioch
Coach: Dan Oslage
Key girls graduated: Erin Schoenfelder (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 8th in Class 2A state in 100 hurdles, also state qualifier in 300 hurdles), Brittany Deem (4th in Class 2A state in discus, also state qualifier in shot put), Sherika Facey (11th in Class 2A state in long jump), Jen Naegele (Class 2A state qualifier in 800), Karissa Kolle
Key returnees: Sr. Erin Poss (Drake University, 3rd in Class 2A state in 3,200, 5th in state in 1,600), Sr. Lauren Grant, Sr. Kailey Formella, So. Veronica Jandura, So. Catharine Long, So. Bre Macdonald, Sr. Anna Bomberry
Key newcomers: So. Lindsey Gofron (played soccer last year), Fr. Rikki Moncrief
Outlook: After placing 15th in the Class 2A state meet, the Sequoits were hit hard by graduation. But they return three state qualifiers in Kailey Formella, Veronica Jandura and Drake-recruit Erin Poss. Three-sport athlete Lauren Grant was a key component in the jumps and relays last year. "We will look for their leadership throughout the season in developing our young team," coach Dan Oslage said.
Grant
Coach: Jacquelyn Randall
Key girls graduated: Kendra Kennedy, Alyssa Pasiewicz
Key returnees: Alexis Capps, Audrey Carrothers, Erin Horvath, Taryn Doherty, Breha Davis, Tara Cwiak, Danielle White, Kim Heersche, Ana Zitkus
Key newcomers: Bethani Jacobson, Ana Hebein, Kacie Wodek
Season outlook: Coach Jacquelyn Randall is optimistic about this season, believing her experienced squad can be a contender in the NSC Prairie. "After a strong indoor season the Lady Bulldogs are looking to make a run at the division," Randall said. "Beware of the sprint relays, jumpers and throwers."
Lakes
Coach: Matt Rife
Key girls graduated: Ariel Butzine (Missouri State University, 2nd in Class 2A state 800, also state qualifier in 400), Katie Goth, Tatianna Forney, Amber Larsen (10th in Class 2A state in discus), Raven Jackson-Stone
Key returnees: Sr. Melissa Lewis (Class 2A state qualifier in high jump), Sr. Shanna Hertz, Sr. Katie Mulloy (Class 2A state qualifier in shot put), Sr. Kecia Morway, Camille Ivory, Hannah Wittman, Grace Dean, Peyton Kirkland, Rocky Jackson-Stone, Bre Falls
Key newcomers: Rachel Terry, Brianna Garland, Amanda Timmerman, Kara Morway
Season outlook: The Eagles seek their third straight NSC Prairie title under first-year head coach Matt Rife. "We have a balanced team," Rife said. "We have two new assistant coaches, but the transition has been smooth. We lost some big point scorers to graduation, but are trying to fill in the gaps. Overall, we are looking to improve upon last year's seventh-place conference and second-place sectional finishes."
Round Lake
Coach: Keith Green
Key girls graduated: Mayra Edwards, Natalie Aguilar and Shawna Smythe
Key returnees: Grace Kalume, Patricia Moore, Nycole Archibald, Marie Acosta, Celesta Acosta, Dena Husk
Key newcomers: Rachel White, Adriana Pitts, Amairani Cárdenas
Season outlook: The good news for the Panthers is that their numbers are up. "We have our largest program in the last five years," coach Keith Green said. "We have many new athletes to the sport and hope for good things to happen over the next couple of meets."
Vernon Hills
Coach: Jason Rush
Key girls graduated: Danielle Dickman (Eastern Illinois University, 9th in Class 2A state in 3,200), Jamie Rucks (8th in Class 2A state in shot put)
Key returnees: So. Taylor Krue (sprints, jumps), Jr. Kelley Gallagher (10th in Class 2A state in 1,600), Sr. Carley Umphress (middle distance), Sr. Emma Danch (distance), So. Maryam Abdallah
Key newcomers: Sr. Fallon Faia (sprints, jumps), Fr. Shannon Nugent (jumps), Fr. Ali Marks (distance), Fr. Alli Tran (sprints, jumps, hurdles), Fr. Tara Rooney (middle distance), Fr. Ali Peacock (sprints, hurdles), Jr. Jessica Schwartz (throws)
Season outlook: Jason Rucks begins his first season as head coach and has an impressive freshman group. "We have much varsity-level talent in the freshman class thanks to a superior middle-school program in addition to a few seasoned veterans," Rush said. "Four school records were broken in the indoor season so I have high hopes for the outdoor season to do better in conference than last year (10th place) and to qualify as many athletes as possible for the (Class) 2A state meet."
Wauconda
Coach: Al Willhoit
Key girls graduated: none
Key returnees: Sr. Ashley Collier (pole vault, relays), Sr. Renee Struwing (jumps, relays), Jr. Roslyn Summerville (throws), Jr. Paulina Kulesza (throws), Jr. Alicia Cervantes (400, relays); Jr. Shannon Anstedt (sprints, relays), Jr. Janelle DaCosta (sprints, relays), So. Paige Cuchna (sprints), Megan Mikenas (distance), Iliana Perales (distance), Sara Stendebach (distance), Katie Richards (distance), Jr. Danielle Hucker (hurdles), So. Emily Dorolek (sprints), So. Tori Vlaovic (relays)
Key newcomers: Fr. Megan Tallman (jumps), Fr. Andrea Lichterman (hurdles, relays), Fr. Tara Mraz (distance), Fr. Nicole Egorov (jumps, sprints), Fr. Karin Maki (middle distance)
Season outlook: Prospects are looking good for the Bulldogs, as freshman Megan Tallman broke a school record in her first outdoor meet. Wauconda has had two indoor meets and an outdoor meet and already have two victories. "There are some talented freshmen who are fitting into the returning varsity lineup, giving us some potential," coach Al Willhoit said. "It's still early, but I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out."