Girls cross country: Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE
LAKE ZURICH
Coach: Ian Silverman (19th season)
Last season: ninth at regionals, fourth in NSC
Top graduated runners: Kiersten Mc Devitt, Kailee Remez
Top returning runners: seniors Melody Multra, Carley Peldiak, Olivia Miller, Tristin Sorrells, Elisa Krause, Jessie Houghton; juniors Emily Burns, Hannah Krinninger
Key newcomers: freshmen Ginger Mirabelli, Hayley Burk
Outlook: After struggling last year at the regional meet, the Bears return with six of their top seven runners from the conference meet, including junior standout Emily Burns (fifth in NSC), and numerous key seniors with valuable experience and leadership qualities. The senior group includes Melody Multra (eighth in NSC), Carley Peldiak (22nd), Olivia Miller (35th) and Tristin Sorrells (37th). With the talent and training that have put together, the Bears look to compete with the top teams in the NSC, including defending champion Stevenson.
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Bill Etnyre (sixth season)
Last season: eighth in sectionals, third in regionals, second in NSC
Top graduated runners: Audrey Paglia (Lake Forest College), Sami Campbell
Top returning runners: seniors Melissa Manetsch, Maggie Shutts, Jenna Ocheltree, Nora Tucker, Sarah Townsend, Brilynn Dawson; junior Payton Golwas; sophomore Margaret Buchert
Key newcomers: freshmen Annalese Chudy, Claire Arnold, Lyann Tam
Outlook: The Wildcats have a senior-dominated team that is looking to go out with a great season this fall. Melissa Manetsch will set the pace for Libertyville. The senior is the defending NSC champ, and she should have a group of teammates that will be running closely together behind her. Manetsch just missed qualifying for her second state meet with a 21st-place finish last year at sectionals. The Wildcats also feature seniors Maggie Shutts (ninth in NSC), Jenna Ocheltree (11th), Nora Tucker (20th), Sarah Townsend (26th) and sophomore Margaret Buchert (17th). "If we can close the gap up to Melissa, we could be a very good team by season's end," said coach Bill Etnyre. "Like everyone, we'll have to work hard and stay healthy to make that happen."
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Carsyn Rodriguez (first season)
Last season: 17th in sectionals, fifth in regionals, fifth in NSC
Top graduated runners: Marisa Richards (Bradley University), Sarah Ouimet
Top returning runners: senior Kelly Delgado; juniors Andrea Cordova, Clarissa Wienckowski, Beth Clow, Leslye Rodriguez, Abby Ambrose; sophomores Claire Schoenfield, Jeanelle Jimenez
Key newcomers: freshmen Hope Peterson, Kat Weichering
Outlook: While the Mustangs are a young team with only one senior, Kelly Delgado, first-year coach Carsyn Rodriguez is hopeful her squad will show a lot of improvement as the season progresses. Rodriguez replaces Adam Pauley. Juniors Andrea Cordova and Clarissa Wienckowski placed 13th and 14th, respectively, in the NSC meet last year. Mundelein has several girls who put in a lot of miles during the critical summer months, and the Mustangs hope to be very competitive when the conference and regional meets come around. The Mustangs are hoping to take a step up in the standings in the always-powerful NSC.
STEVENSON
Coach: Maureen LeVanti (fifth season)
Last season: 19th in Class 3A, third in sectionals, first in regionals, first in NSC
Top graduated runners: Claire Sullivan, Amy Eckardt
Top returning runners: seniors Isabelle Sparreo, Natalie Sparreo, Gabriela Jagielo, Shea Kirby; juniors Kendall Roberts, Natalie Sorenson; sophomores Caimin Xi, Michelle Yu
Key newcomers: senior Lauren Appell; juniors Taylor Yen, Alyssa Collins
Outlook: After winning their first regional title in school history and placing third at sectionals with no seniors in their top seven last season, the Patriots hope for another big season. The Patriotrs placed 13th in the state in Class 3A in 2015 and 19th last year. After placing 10th in the state as a sophomore, senior Isabelle Sparreo finished 41st last fall. She'll lead a loaded lineup that also includes seniors Natalie Sparreo (64th in Class 3A, seventh in NSC), Gabriela Jagielo (143rd at state, 10th in NSC), Shea Kirby (206th at state, 18th in NSC) and Lauren Appell (31st in NSC), juniors Kendall Roberts (137th at state, fourth in NSC) and Natalie Sorenson, and sophomores Caimin Xi (150th at state, 12th in NSC) and Michelle Yu (154th at state, 21st in NSC).
WARREN
Coach: Brett Heimstead (seventh season)
Last season: ninth at regionals, seventh in NSC
Top graduated runners: Beth Abundes-Galiote, Jackie Bobadilla, Maddie Best, Ciara Ward
Top returning runners: seniors Jensen Bernard, Jessica DePalma; junior Ashley Kachurik; sophomores Morgan Liebau, Haley Smith
Key newcomers: freshmen Taylor Latza, Hannah Arends, Nikki Harrison, Emily Carpenter
Outlook: After struggling through a down year in 2016, the Blue Devils are hoping to rebound this fall behind some key senior runners. Warren's top group will be led early on by underclassmen, including returning all-conference performer Ashley Kachurik from a year ago. Coach Brett Heimstead is expecting his pack to grow throughout the season and continue to get better leading up to the conference, regional and potential sectional meets.
NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY CONFERENCE
ANTIOCH
Coach: Chris Bailey (ninth season)
Last season: seventh in regionals, sixth in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Tessa Furlong, Rylie Mercer, Miranda Morrow
Top returning runners: senior Jessica Lamberty; junior Natalie Hill; sophomores Natalie Svarc, Tiana Fox
Key newcomers: junior Izzy Mateja; freshman Chloe Hampson
Outlook: The Sequoits are a young and inexperienced squad heading into the new season, but they have some dedicated and committed runners hoping to make a big impact. Natalie Hill will be going for her third all-conference performance in three years (she placed 25th in the NSC as a freshman), while sophomore teammates Natalie Svarc and Tiana Fox look to improve on their solid freshman seasons. Junior newcomer Izzy Mateja will contend to be one of Antioch's top runners.
GRANT
Coach: Jeff Durlak (11th season)
Last season: 20th in Class 3A, fourth in sectionals, second in regionals, first in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Rachael Temple (Harper), Lauren Troemel, Brooke Drabek, Shealyn Robinson
Top returning runners: seniors Roxanne Temple, Samantha Kaye, Karleigh Bolton; juniors Danielle Osmon, Eva Cardy, Jana Nehila; sophomore Taylor Bushman
Key newcomers: sophomores Drue Polka, Eliza Scoggin
Outlook: After placing 11th in Class 3A in 2015 and 20th in 2016, the Bulldogs still have a lot of depth and talent returning this season with five of their top runners back. Juniors Danielle Osmon (14th at state, defending NLCC champ) and Eva Cardy (26th at state) proved themselves as huge difference-makers for Grant downstate last year. They will lead the way again along with seniors Roxanne Temple (125th at state, all-conference) and Samantha Kaye. Junior Jana Nehila is another returning all-NLCC runner. The Bulldogs will be trying to repeat as conference champions.
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL
Coach: Jimmy Centella (ninth season)
Last season: fifth in Class 2A, fifth in sectionals, second in regionals, third in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Elizabeth Aho (Drake), Megan Girmscheid (Washington University), Riley Acthemeier
Top returning runners: seniors Vanessa Olmos, Amy Moore; juniors Lauren Brunk, Mali Chiodi, Greta Ruhlmann, Abby Tonkery; sophomore Ruthie Baldwin
Key newcomers: junior Maura Fitzgerald; freshman M.K. Drevline
Outlook: Besides losing their top two seniors to graduation, the Rams will also be without their top returning runner from last season's fifth-place state meet team. But coach Jimmy Centella is still cautiously optimistic about his squad's chances in 2017 as Grayslake Central still brings back five girls with state-meet experience. Heading into last season, Centella was hoping for a top-10 finish at state, so his team overachieved with its fifth-place showing. If the pack continues to improve and a true No. 1-runner emerges, Centella believes the Rams will be in a strong position to be one of the best teams Grayslake Central has ever had. Seniors Vanessa Olmos (117th in Class 2A), Amy Moore (144th), and juniors Lauren Brunk (76th), Mali Chiodi (90th) and Greta Ruhlmann (124th) ran at state fall.
GRAYSLAKE NORTH
Coach: Anthony DeStephano (first season)
Last season: fifth in regionals, 13th in sectionals
Top graduated runners: Cindy Alcala, Jacque Garza
Top returning runners: junior Leialani Akalaonu; sophomores Kelli Tosic, Gabriella Conceicao, Madison Kubas
Key newcomers: sophomore Kylie Stoneham
Outlook: The Knights lost two of their top four runners to graduation but have a huge plus with No. 1-runner Kelli Tosic back to lead the squad as she did as a freshman in 2016. Grayslake North is still a young team overall with four sophomores and one junior among their top seven runners at last year's sectional meet. Anthony DeStephano is the new coach, replacing Brandon Boyd.
LAKES
Coach: Keith West (14th season)
Last season: eighth in sectionals, first in regionals, second in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Alyssa Stromsland (Point Loma University)
Top returning runners: juniors Rae Dwyer, Simone Lippman, Hannah Grant, Megan Knuettel, Morgan Gillespie; sophomores Olivia Schmitt Ashley Whitis
Key newcomers: freshmen Brooke Stromsland (IESA state qualifier), Alex Bryant (IESA state qualifier)
Outlook: After bringing home a Class 2A regional crown last year, the Eagles took eighth at sectionals. They finished just 14 points behind fifth-place Grayslake Central in a logjam of teams. Olivia Schmitt, who finished 15th at the sectional, just missed qualifying for the state meet by one place as a freshman. The sophomore should be an outstanding front-runner this fall with strong support from the junior trio of Rae Dwyer, Simone Lippman and Hannah Grant. While they are still young with no seniors, the Eagles have five of their top seven runners back from last year's sectional meet.
ROUND LAKE
Coach: Kevin Brady (13th season)
Last season: 0-7 in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Lizeth Rogel
Top returning runners: seniors Yeni Aguirre, Jessica Cuna; junior Jahaira Gonzalez; sophomores Fatima Giron, Alejandra Cortez, Jeny Martinez, Lizet Aguirre
Key newcomers: sophomores Alicia Hernandez, Daisy Alcantar
Outlook: The Panthers lost only one runner to graduation, so they should be an experienced and deep team. Round Lake will be looking for some of newcomers to push its top group.
WAUCONDA
Coach: Jeff Helberg (third season)
Last season: fifth in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Erin Levon
Top returning runners: juniors Dakota Thompson, Abby McHugh; sophomore Morgan Thompson
Key newcomers: senior Kayla Wisniewski; juniors Olivia Kuch, Billie Sullivan; sophomore Karly Pikel
Outlook: The Bulldogs have a lot more runners in the program and return three sectional qualifiers in juniors Dakota Thompson and Abby McHugh and sophomore Morgan Thompson. The additions of soccer standouts Kayla Wisniewski and Olivia Kuch along with track runners Billie Sullivan and Karly Pikel give Wauconda one of the deepest lineups it has had from top to bottom in a long time. The Wauconda Invitational will be moved from Lakewood Forest Preserve to a course in Island Lake when the meet is held on Sept. 9.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN LEAGUE NORTH DIVISION
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Suzanne Curry (13th season)
Last season: third in Class 2A, second in sectionals, first in CSL North
Top graduated runners: none
Top returning runners: senior Lauren Katz; juniors Katie Wilkowski, Leah Wilkowski, Payton Makowskyj, Ryan Schofield, Hannah Ray, Vivian Tsai, Katelyn Dohler; sophomores Lily Blase, Carly Sear, Abby Kempf
Key newcomers: junior Ellie Zaczek
Outlook: After capturing their third third-place trophy in four years last November, the Cougars are once again in a fantastic position to contend for another top-three trophy, as they have all seven of their top runners returning to the lineup this fall. Experience and depth is something that Vernon Hills will have no shortage of as senior Lauren Katz will by vying for her third all-state appearance as the Cougars' No. 1 runner and consummate team leader. Katz placed 14th in the Class 2A state meet and was eighth in 2015. The lineup also features juniors Katie Wilkowski (28th at state), Leah Wilkowski (29th), Payton Makowskyj (33rd, 34th in 2015), Ryan Schofield (47th, 114th in 2015), Hannah Ray (58th, 62nd in 2015) and Vivian Tsai (177th in 2015) and sophomore Lily Blase (145th at state). Coach Suzanne Curry said she is looking forward to another healthy and fun season with this hardworking squad. Vernon Hills has captured the third-place trophy at state in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
CARMEL CATHOLIC
Coach: Jim Halford (31st season)
Last season: 11th in sectionals, third in ESCC
Top graduated runners: Lauren Caffarelli, Estefania Marin
Top returning runners: seniors Aileen Hull, Molly Machala, Lauren Laughlin; juniors Gabby Terselic, Luna Ventura, Bella Day; sophomores Ezzi Posner, Abigail Kuderna
Key newcomers: sophomores Mallory Machala, Sadie Aliva; freshmen Bridget Hull, Alyssa Coe, Carly Sasman
Outlook: With some good talent and depth on their roster, the Corsairs are hoping to finish in the top 10 to 12 in the state this season if all of the pieces fall into place. Coach Jim Halford believes that senior Aileen Hull has the potential to be an all-state (top 25) runner, while freshman Bridget Hull is expected to step into a key role as Carmel's No. 2 runner. The Corsairs have already shown signs that they are going to be competitive this season, as they beat Lakes in a triple dual in Antioch.