Girls track: Scouting Lake County

NORTH SUBURBAN LAKE

LAKE ZURICH

Coach: Lance Pacernick

Last season: first in NSC meet, third in Class 3A Buffalo Grove sectional

Top returners: Jr. Lindsey Moritz (sprints/middle distance), Jr. Teagan Hough (sprints), Jr. Madeline Jordan (sprints), Jr. Maria Pavlou (high jump), Sr. Kaeley Ferguson (triple and long jump), Sr. Elizabeth Berton (middle distance), Sr. Cassie Houghton (middle distance/distance), Jr. Angelal Ufheil (distance), Sr. Nicole Sharapata (pole vault/sprints), Sr. Kelly Tufano (hurdles/sprints), So. Amanda Papke (high jump/sprints), So. Trisha Edelmann (sprints/triple jump), So. Shelby Peshek (pole vault/sprints), Jr. Meagan Hughes (distance), Jr. Maddie Gelinas (middle distance/distance)

Newcomers: Fr. Nicole Syverson (distance), Fr. Becca Dorfman (throws)

Season outlook: Led by senior captains Kaeley Ferguson, Elizabeth Berton and Cassie Houghton, coach Lance Pacernick says the Bears will try to maintain some recent streaks. His squad also boasts star sprinter Lindsey Moritz (NSC champ in 400, state qualifier in 200 and three relays). “Is a third straight county title in reach?” Pacernick said. “Defending the conference crown will be very difficult as the conference has become much more competitive. Vernon Hills is much improved. Warren welcomes the addition of (freshman) Brittny Ellis. Lake Forest has two of the top pole vaulters in the state. We will also be trying to continue our state relay streaks.” The Bears have qualified for state their 400 and 1,600 relats three straight years. The Bears graduated some great talent, notably hurdler Amy Polhemus (Lewis University), sprinter Melissa Wagner (Colorado State University), Kelly Doheny (Carroll College) and Emily Trittschuh. Both Polhemus (300 low hurdles) and Wagner (400) earned eighth-place medals at state last spring. “While some excellent seniors were lost to graduation, the cupboard is not bare,” Pacernick said. “We have three juniors with track and field state meet experience. Also, Lake Zurich’s girls cross country won the conference title in the fall and qualified for the state meet. Five of the seven girls who ran at the state cross country meet are running for the track and field team this spring. Those runners are Berton, Houghton, Angelal Ufheil, Meegan Hughes and freshman Nicole Syverson. “Younger runners and jumpers are ready to step up,” Pacernick said. “We have numerous student-athletes aspiring to make their first state track and field meet this year. If the warm weather continues, look for some excellent performances from the conference this year down in Charleston at the state meet.” Pacernick added that he is also excited about the addition of volunteer assistant Christine Zucker. She competed four years at the University of Kansas.

LIBERTYVILLE

Coach: Tom Bizosky

Last season: fifth in NSC meet, 11th in Buffalo Grove sectional

Top returners: Sr. Jen Angster (sprints), Jr. Haley Becker (high jump), Sr. Jackie Hansen (sprints/pole vault), Jr. Nicole Jaffke (distance/pole vault), Jr. Julia Smagacz (long jump), Jr. Carly Stewart (distance), Sr. Molly Moon (throws)

Newcomers: Kristi DelPrato (distance), Jasmine Turner (sprints)

Season outlook: The Wildcats boast one of the state’s best high jumpers in Haley Becker, who as a sophomore last spring tied for seventh downstate. Junior Carly Stewart qualified downstate in the 800 run. Senior Jen Angster could be one of the county’s better sprinters. “Optimistic,” coach Tom Bizosky said. “We have a top competitor in every area, and we are excited to see how we contend against other area teams.”

MUNDELEIN

Coach: Steph Gates

Last season: sixth in NSC meet, tie for 12th in Class 3A Buffalo Grove sectional

Top returners: Sr. Lauren Anderson (distance), Jr. Marissa Perreault (distance), Jr. Claire Naughton (distance), Jr. Ellie Palacios (distance), Jr. Morgan Lohr (distance), Jr. Emily Zagula (distance/jumps), Jr. Tia Jackson (hurdles), Sr. Alex Boehm (throws), Sr. Katie Christiansen (sprints), Sr. Camille Powell (sprints)

Newcomers: So. Clarissa Montiel (sprints), Fr. Ashley Parola (sprints), Fr. Katie Stanczykiewicz (sprints), Fr. Hannah DuVall (sprints/jumps), Fr. Kelsey Toland (jumps), Fr. Alexis Metke (jumps)

Season outlook: The Mustangs graduated a pair of stars in Megan Geldernick and Lauren Ozimek. Geldernick won qualified for state in both hurdles events, winning the 100 highs at sectional. Ozimek went downstate in the high jump. But it’s an exciting transitional year with a new head coach, construction for an anticipated new track and so many new contributing athletes, said first-year coach and former longtime assistant Steph Gates. She replaces John Osmanski, who’s now at St. Charles North. Mustangs junior Marissa Perreault is the two-time defending county champ in the 1,600 run. “We will be competitive with other teams in the conference,” Gates said, “and plan on scoring in the top half of the conference meet with many individuals placing highly in their events.”

STEVENSON

Coach: Don Proft

Last season: ninth in NSC meet, ninth in Buffalo Grove sectional

Top returners: Emily Cunningham (distance), Gaby Ehrens (sprints), Sara Grimes (hurdles), Nia Johnson (sprints), Shannon Legge (throws), Mackenzie Levy (distance), Christina Pritchett (sprints), Celina Romano (sprints), Jackie Setina (high jump), Kerrie Spaven (jumps)

Newcomers: Taylor Buford, Katrine Buur, Rachel Cole, Stephanie Farmer, Angie Fogliatti, Jessie Goldberg, Sami Mizock, Emily Top

Season Outlook: Rachel Redmond, who won the shot put and discus at sectional graduated. Back is speedy senior Christina Pritchett, who qualified for state in the 200 dash last spring and just missed earning a state berth in the 100. Senior Emily Cunningham placed fifth in the 800 at sectional last year. Senior Sara Grimes returns to run hurdles. The Patriots have depth. “We have a well-balanced team with an excellent senior class that have been great leaders during practice and great performers during our indoor season,” coach Don Proft said. “We also have a blend of new athletes that I expect will contribute at a high level during our conference season.”

WARREN

Coach: Ryan Dunn

Last season: fourth in NSC meet, sixth in Class 3A Buffalo Grove sectional

Top returners: Sr. Alyssa Phillips (jumps), Sr. Amber Cook (jumps), Jr. Meg Tully (middle distance/distance)

Newcomers: Fr. Brittny Ellis (sprints)

Outlook: Freshman Brittny Ellis is off to literally fast start to her high school career, as she won the 400 dash (55.72) at the Illinois Prep Top Times meet downstate last Saturday. While the Blue Devils gained a potential star, they graduated a top talent in Gabby Nystrom, who went downstate last year in the 800 run and won the event at conference. Senior Alyssa Phillips earned state berths last season in the long jump and high jump, while senior Amber Cook advanced downstate in the triple jump, which she won at sectional.

NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIE

ANTIOCH

Coach: Dan Oslage

Last season: 12th in NSC meet

Top returners: Sr. Veronica Jandura (hurdles), Sr. Catharine Long (pole vault/jumps)

Outlook: Veronica Jandura is back to lead the Sequoits after qualifying for state in the 300 hurdles last season. Long was a state qualifier in the pole vault as a sophomore.

GRANT

Coach: Jacquelyn Randall

Last season: eighth in NSC meet

Top returners: Jill Sales, Ana Zitkus, Kim Heersche, Kaylie Kanzler, Melissa Dunham, Sami Zak, Ana Hebein, Bethani Jacobsen, Emily Troemel, Taylor Wendt, Julia Sangster

Newcomers: Beka Couch, Lindsey Lewis, Malia Menon, Becca Klumak, Dana Nozime, Georgia Rinda, Becky Cassidy, Morgan Jahnke, Jillian Souza

Season outlook: Anchored by veterans Jill Sales, Kim Heersche and Melissa Dunham, the Bulldogs are competing better than ever, coach Jacquelyn Randall said. Dunham is the defending NSC champ in the shot put and discus. Bolstered by the additions of Lindsey Lewis, Beka Couch, Morgan Jahnke and Malia Menon, the team finished sixth (tying with Libertyville) out of 25 at the loaded Lake Michigan Invitational recently. “Continuing the tradition, Grant will dominate in both the disc and shot put,” Randall said. “Watch for breakthrough finishes in both the high and triple jumps and the distance events.”

LAKES

Coach: Matt Rife

Last season: 10th in NSC meet, fourth in Class 2A Belvidere North sectional

Top returners: Grace Dean, Hannah Wittman, Peyton Kirkland, Rocky Jackson-Stone, Jamie Goegan, Jessica Ott, Devin Kirkland, Emily Webster, Mia Bennett

Newcomers: Brittani Griesbaum, Danielle Griesbaum, Elizabeth Thompson, Montannah Speaks

Season outlook: Freshman twins Brittani and Danielle Griesbaum are great additions for the Eagles, who graduated 2011 state qualifiers Mary Doupis (seventh in discus in Class 2A), Camille Ivory (100 hurdles, triple jump) and Dana Ollendick (pole vault). “We hope to win the Prairie Division, conference and sectional meets,” coach Matt Rife said. “It’s the largest team we have ever had. We had a very successful indoor season, qualifying four events to the indoor state meet and just missing out on several others. Team has great depth.”

ROUND LAKE

Coach: Cristo Garza

Last season: 13th in NSC meet

VERNON HILLS

Coach: Jason Rush

Last season: third in NSC meet, second in Class 2A Belvidere North sectional

Top returners: Sr. Taylor Krue, Sr. Taylor Pearson, Sr. Rachel Lira, Sr. Kara Sage (sprints/relays), Sr. Danielle Fiarito, Sr. Abbie Letts, Sr. Zoe Eldridge (distance), Sr. Maryam Abdallah, Sr. Taylor Rigwood (throws), Jr. Alli Tran (sprints, jumps), Jr. Ali Peacock (sprints), Jr. Taryn Rawles (sprints/relays/hurdles), Jr. Taryn Rawles (jumps), Jr. Kristen Whitney, Jr. Ali Marks, Jr. Tara Rooney (distance), So. Shannon Healey, So. Hunter Ruder (sprints/relays/jumps), So. Jenn Parker (sprints), So. Liz Parker (sprints), So. Jess Gaimari (sprints), So. Cassie Lira (distance), So. Claudia Morin (distance)

Newcomers: So. Lauren Webb (throws), Fr. Mia Polisky (throws), Fr. Kasey Firnbach (throws), Fr. Samantha Hershman (distance), Fr. Kiara Schuh (distance), Fr. Melanie Rogers (distance), Fr. Sienna Spiglanin (sprints/jumps), Fr. Arora Reya (sprints/jumps), Fr. Rachel Fink (sprints/ jumps)

Season Outlook: The Cougars are coming off a very successful season that included winning the NSC Prairie Division, placing fourth at county and third in the conference meet. They also placed second in the sectional. Then at state, the 1,600 relay earned a third-place medal. The foursome of seniors Taylor Pearson and Taylor Krue and juniors Ali Peacock and Alli Tran is back this season. Senior Danielle Fiarito qualified for state in the 1,600, while Tran earned a state berth in the long jump, as well. Gone are Kelley Gallagher (Southern Illinois), who placed fourth in the 1,600 run at state, and two-time all-state high jumper Shannon Nugent, who’s spending her junior year focusing on volleyball. “We have a deeper team than ever, which will bode well for our dual meets,” third-year coach Jason Rush said. “We beat conference champ Lake Zurich in a dual meet last year, owing it to our depth, but this year we are even better with a doubling in size of our throwing team and the addition of some very talented distance runners. The Cougars’ cross country team placed second in the county last fall, Rush noted. “All of our relays are ahead of where they were last year and our relays are our greatest strength,” Rush said. “I think we can have a top-three (finish) in conference like last year.” Vernon Hills hosts a Class 2A sectional May 11.

WAUCONDA

Coach: Al Willhoit

Last season: 11th in NSC meet, fifth in Class 2A Belvidere North sectional

Season outlook: The Bulldogs graduated Roslyn Summerville, who went downstate last spring in the shot put. As a sophomore last year, Andrea Lichterman qualified for state in the 300 hurdles.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

CARMEL CATHOLIC

Coach: Jim Halford

Last season: tie for seventh in Class 3A Buffalo Grove sectional

Top returners: Sr. Megan Paul (sprints), Sr. Shannon Baucus (jumps/hurdles), Sarah Myss (middle distance), Jr. Katee Housner (distance), Sr. Brigitte Lyman (sprints), Jr. Dana Wegge (sprints), Jr. Clarine Stephens (middle distance)

Newcomers: Jr. Caitlin Murphy (middle distance/distance), Fr. Riley Felicicchia (sprints/middle distance), Fr. Karoline Yacono (sprints), So. Paige Gauthier (sprints), Jr. Maura Zawaski (sprints), So. Jessica Heinz (sprints), Jr. Colleen Scott (sprints)

Season outlook: The Corsairs have dropped down a class, but their talent level hasn’t slipped, seemingly. Carmel will compete in Class 2A this spring. “That’s major,” veteran coach Jim Halford said. “We’re going to have four girls running between 59-62 (seconds, 400 meters).” Arkansas-bound Megan Paul placed second in the 400 in Class 3A downstate as a junior. The perennial state qualifier has been slowed — sometimes literally — by nagging injuries during the course of her career, but she might be the healthiest she’s ever been at the start of a season. At the Illinois Prep Top Times meet in Bloomington last Saturday, the senior anchored the Corsairs’ 1,600 and 3,200 relays. “People’s jaws dropped when they watched Paul anchor,” Halford said. Like Paul, senior Shannon Baucus will compete in college. The jumper/hurdler has signed with the University of Charleston (S.C). Halford said senior Sarah Myss will run in college too and is weighing a couple of options. Junior newcomer Caitlin Murphy, who also plays soccer this spring, ran downstate in cross country last fall. Two promising freshman speedsters are Riley Felicicchia and Karoline Yacono. “It’s one of our smaller teams in years,” Halford said. “But we got some good talent.”

GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL

Coach: Nick Goshe

Top returners: Sr. Clara Wong (sprints/middle distance), Sr. Beth Arnold (hurdles/sprints), Sr. Stefani Canadzic (hurdles/sprints), Sr. Je’Risha Coburn (throws), Jr. Elsie Rehberg (middle distance/distance), Jr. Miranda Gomez (distance), Jr. Claire Haggerty (middle distance/distance), Jr. Miranda Adams (sprints), Jr. Jamie Mara (hurdles), So. Korina Gomez (middle distance/distance), So. Brianna Fitzpatrick (hurdles/sprints), So. Eilish Haggerty (sprints), So. Pharah Mondesir (throws/sprints)

Newcomers: Jr. Kara Engel (sprints/pole vault), So. Maddy Arnold (sprints/high jump). So. Alex Dahlstrom (high jump), So. Anna Basten (jumps)

Season outlook: He won’t ask them to tackle or hit, just compete. Head football coach Nick Goshe takes over as the girls’ head track coach after Burke Binning, last season’s coach and an assistant coach for Goshe during football season, moved to Boise, Idaho, where his wife accepted a job transfer. “Burke did a nice job last year,” Goshe said. “So it’s building off that.” With Binning at the helm last spring, junior Claire Haggerty emerged as a star, medaling in the Class 2A state meet in the 1,600 run (eighth) and running on the Rams’ 11th-place 3,200 relay along with Hannah Hobson, Korina Gomez and Elsie Rehberg. Hobson graduated, but the other relays members are back. Haggerty is out with mono, however. “If she can get healthy, she’ll be fine,” Goshe said. “But she’s going to spend more time out than in. We’re going to be lucky to have her out there.” Goshe was both a head boys and head girls track coach at St. Joseph. He knows what he brings to the table. “I’m a recruiter,” he said. “So I’m pounding the hallways.” He believes he needs to recruit girls since he counts only about 30 out for track. He credits soccer coach Mike McCaulou and softball coach Abbey Tadelman for securing most of the spring female athletes in the school. “This is a rebuilder,” said Goshe, who found himself in a similar predicament when he took over the football program a few years ago. He built the football team into a playoff squad. “Girls aren’t running track at Grayslake Central.” Goshe is changing that, though. Varsity volleyball starters Alex Dahlstrom and Anna Basten will compete jumps this fall, while gymnast Kara Engel will try sprints and pole vault.