Scouting Fox Valley girls cross country
Aurora Central Catholic
Coach: Troy Kerber (32nd year)
Top runners: Senior: Therese Hein; Juniors: Hannah Doherty, Sariana Ballard; Sophomores: Viviana Ponce, Shaley Gonzalez, Christy Lewis, Marin Childers, Leslie Vivera
Outlook: The veteran coach Kerber has an interesting question as he begins his 32nd season. "Is there life after Abby Fioresi (Xavier) and Karina Liz (Missouri)? Both were state champions in track and all-state cross country runners. The end of an era and hopefully the beginning of a new era at ACC," Kerber said. The Chargers certainly have some big shoes to fill. "After a fairly consistent run of Lady Chargers teams in the past decade, we hope to reload with a very young but talented team," Kerber said. "We will start slow, but hope to formulate by midseason. There is good, young talent here, it will take some time to put together. Hein, Vibera and Ponce are all are very capable of competing very well as the season progresses. We expect to be in the upper half of the conference and to advance in the state series."
Bartlett
Coach: Amy Ehmen (3rd year)
Top runners: Seniors: Jessie Fagan, Leah Kern, Abby Brinkman, Grace Morrissey; Juniors: Jenny Luna, Kimmy Monroy, Maddie Sharko; Sophomore: Madelyn Polly; Freshman: Camille Buchanan
Outlook: With Fagan, Kern, Brinkman and Luna, the Hawks have four of their top seven runners back. Bartlett had about 30 girls training this summer. "I think the main goal that we have every season is for each runner to earn a personal best," Ehmen said. "The expectations the girls have set for each other are to work hard every day, be committed, and encourage each other to help the team. We have been working on becoming a tighter pack and staying strong mentally during difficult workouts." Buchanan won the middle school (U-46 District) race last year, running the 1.5 mile race in 9:47. "She will definitely make a positive impact on our team this year as one of our front-runners," Ehmen said. "We have a strong group of juniors who have been working together this summer. Jennifer Luna, Madison Sharko, Kimmy Monroy and newcomer Alexandra Wnorowski are all strong runners who have the potential to make great strides in their running careers this season. Our three senior leaders (Leah Kern, Jessie Fagan, and Abby Brinkman) are ready to take charge."
Batavia
Coach: Chad Hillman (16th year)
Last year: Qualified for state (18th)
Top runners: Seniors: Marygrace Golden, Erika Mansfield, Daphne Kolody, Junior: Alexa Andrews, Sophomores: Mia Gianfrancesco, Erin O'Brien, Audrey Pellico; Freshman: Jenna Schifferer
Outlook: Batavia could be the class of the area teams with a lineup that includes six returnees from last year's state team. The seniors have been around a program that has reached the state meet the last three seasons. "At this point we look to have a deep team with a lot of girls who have worked very hard to be as good as they can be," Hillman said. "They would like to be competing for a conference championship, a fourth straight trip to the state meet, and a very strong showing at the state meet. We have strong motivation and leadership from our senior class that will lead us to great results."
Burlington Central
Coach: Vince Neil (14th year)
Last year: Ninth at the Belvidere sectional
Top runners: Senior: Chloe Bilyk; Junior: Natalia Rodriguez; Sophomores: Emily Stark, Jenna Dinges, Lauren Leegard; Freshmen: Brooke Barkocy, Jocelyn Victoria, Lauren Dowd, Annalise Daniels, Grace Comparone, Kyla Butler, Elizabeth McKay
Outlook: The Rockets have a mix of youth and experience. While there are only two upperclassmen among the top returnees, Burlington Central does bring back four of its top seven. "Chloe and Natalia will lead the team," Neil said. "Our newcomers will add huge depth and competitiveness to the program and bring new energy." Neil is looking for his runners to stay close together and push each other to improve the entire team score. "Pack running this year will be the key to our success," Neil said. "If we can run together as a group we can be very competitive this fall. We have quality leadership in Chloe Bilyk, and Natalia Rodriguez is looking very strong this fall."
Cary-Grove
Coach: Mark Anderson (17th year)
Last year: 2nd in conference meet
Top runners: Seniors: Libby Hansen, Paige Schulz; Junior: Cate Krupa; Sophomores: Allison Drage, Jessie Hill, Teagan Hayes, Steph Dunphy; Freshmen: Delaney Blohm, Ellie Miller, Morgan Dieschbourg, Abby Williams
Outlook: Hansen, Krupa, Drage, Hill, Hayes and Dunphy return from last year's team. "We're young," Anderson said. "The bulk of our top seven will be underclassmen. That being said, we've got good upperclass leadership, talent and depth, and a strong work ethic. We'll be all right."
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Ken Greenfield (7th year)
Last year: Fourth in conference, 11th in Waukegan sectional
Top runners: Seniors: Megan Lyons, Kayla Ehrenhaft; Juniors: Emma Heuck, Olivia Beckwith; Sophomore: Mackenzie Aldridge; Freshmen: Chelsea Greene, Emma Murphy
Outlook: Greenfield is excited about his top three - Lyons, Heuck and Aldridge - who should be able to run with most. "Those three are looking strong and so are returners Beckwith and Ehrenhaft, and freshmen Chelsea Greene and Emma Murphy." Those seven have separated themselves and could form a tight pack. "They're very tightly bunched in workouts, so hopefully our split from one to five and one to seven will be small," Greenfield said. "If our racing matches up to the extraordinary effort and dedication I saw over the summer, we'll have a very successful season. I think we may be able to contend in the conference, but as always there are some strong programs to compete against."
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Jake Zappia (1st year)
Top runners: Seniors: Sylvia Waz, Skyler Finucane, Juliana Redisi
Outlook: Waz ran at state last year for the Chargers, and Zappia is optimistic about the season. "Our varsity lineup appears strong," Zappia said. "The coaches (Lisa Goritz, Ron Delemante and Zappia) have high expectations for our athletes and know we can guide our athletes to accomplish their season goals. We are all very excited about this upcoming season."
Elgin
Coach: Allison Crane (3rd year)
Last year: 7th in the Upstate Eight River
Top runners: Seniors: Karla Carillo, Laysha Hernandez, Janet Perez, Irma Martinez; Juniors: Kasey Moreno, Cassandra Meyer, Yesenia Reyes; Sophomore: Bethsaida Rodriguez; Freshmen: Yasmin Malave, Frieda Quinones, Julie Ortega, Maria Nino
Outlook: Moreno, an all-conference and individual sectional qualifier last year, leads the returnees for the Maroons. "She has a fire in her belly after missing state last year," Curren said. "Her off-season training was top-notch." All the freshmen on the roster provided a much needed lift for Crane. "Coming off a disappointing season last year, our team is having a rebirth," Curren said. "It started off rough when three of my top runners let me know they would need to work full-time instead of running this year. Then, four naturally talented freshmen and a new junior walked in the door." Curren said the team's goals include moving up the Upstate Eight standings.
Geneva
Coach: Bob Thomson (16th year)
Last year: Upstate Eight champions, 7th at state
Top runners: Seniors: Ebony Trout, Taryn Christy; Juniors: Sophia McDonnell, Emily Belanger; Sophomore: Andriene Larsen
Outlook: Five of the top seven are back for the tradition-rich Vikings, who have their sights set on another conference championship and qualifying for state again. "We have one of our smallest teams in years," Thomson said. "At this point, we hope that some of our newest team members emerge to become varsity runners but it's too soon to know at this point. We also have several returning runners that worked hard over the summer to improve."
Hampshire
Coach: Dennis Wozniak (2nd year)
Top runners: Senior: Sophia Oury
Outlook: Four of the Whip-Purs' top seven return led by Oury, who Wozniak said has the talent to continue running next year in college. "Sophia should be an all-conference athlete," Wozniak said. "The girls are stronger on the bottom end compared to last year. Our two through seven runners will be better in keeping up with the majority of the competition."
Harvest Christian
Coach: Steven Bland (6th year)
Last year: 2nd regional, 2nd sectional, 16th state
Top runners: Seniors: Nygia Pollard, Cassidy Richter; Juniors: Hannah McHugh, Hope Mylin, Becca Gafrick, Elena Poratta; Freshman: Carsen Forte
Outlook: Bland's teams have won the last five conference titles, won three Elgin City titles and qualified for state three times. While the Lions did lose their No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 runners, they bring back Pollard who finished ninth in the Class 1A state meet (17:53). Richter ran a 20:44 at state, McHugh a 20:48 and Mylin a 21:44. "Though we have lost some of our key runners we will be deeper this year," Bland said. "Our top seven have been working hard all summer. Nygia will be a strong front-runner; we will also have a solid pack that should be able to run together which will provide us with a small spread from the No. 2 spot to the number No. 6 or 7 spot. Carsen Forte could emerge as a top 50 runner at the state meet. Our squad has a lot of maturity."
Huntley
Coach: Brad Gallaugher (8th year)
Last year: Third in the Fox Valley Conference, won regional
Top runners: Seniors: Olivia Boncoscky, Chloe Smith; Juniors: Mary Raclawski, Madison Overly, Rachael Morrison; Sophomores: Gen Porsche, Emily Glass
Outlook: Coming off their third straight regional championship, the Red Raiders look to do it again led by Raclawski, one of five back from last year's lineup. That top five should be the strength of the team and form a tight pack. "Very excited to see how close this group of girls can stay during the race," Gallaugher said. "I believe our one to five split will be under a minute, if not better. The ability of the girls to run together and remain close during races will be our strength." Crystal Lake Central won conference last year and will present a challenge. "I think the conference race will be wide open and we hope to be in the mix," Gallaugher said. "Young and improved teams such as McHenry and Cary-Grove will also make a run at the title."
Jacobs
Coach: Kevin Christian (11th year)
Top runners: Juniors: Jenna Skuza, Lindsay Loga, Meghan Lemke, Jessica Ruiz; Sophomores: Aly Doherty, Cam Goll
Outlook: Doherty leads the returnees for a Jacobs team with five of its top seven back. She made all-conference last year. Skuza anchored the track team's conference champion 3,200 relay. "The girls coming back have made great strides over the summer," Christian said. "Aly Doherty is recovering from an injury but she will be ready to improve. Jenna had a tremendous track season and has improved even more since last year. The rest of the girls put in a great summer. If we can have our three to five runners come through the girls will be extremely solid."
Kaneland
Coach: Doug Ecker (31st year)
Last year: Second in Northern Illinois Big XII East, qualified for 2A state meet
Top runners: Senior: Andrea Wells; Juniors: Grace Purcell, Tessa Brennan; Sophomore Rachel Richtman
Outlook: The Knights are coming off a 10th-place finish at last year's state meet and finished behind only Yorkville in the conference meet. Four of the top five are back. Richtman placed 18th at state (17:38). Also retuning is Kaneland's No. 2 Purcell, No. 3 Wells, and No. 5 Brennan. "The girls had good numbers and were very consistent in their running this summer," Ecker said. "Team is healthy so far. We have a good freshman class with three or four of them challenging for spots in the top seven come October." Ecker said the team's strengths are having a strong No. 1 runner, their depth and the freshman class. "As with any cross country season we will not know for sure until mid-October rolls around." Ecker said. Yorkville will once again be the team to beat in conference, and LaSalle-Peru, Geneseo and DeKalb will be improved.
Larkin
Coach: Kylie Eaton (1st year)
Last year: Qualified for sectionals
Top runners: Seniors: Jacqueline Munoz, Valeria Sanchez, Giselle Solano; Juniors: Jocelyn Guerrero; Melissa Powers, Hope Powell, Miranda Preuss, Alyssa Durrant
Outlook: Eaton joined Larkin as an assistant last year and this fall takes over as head coach. Last year the Royals made it to sectionals as a team with a majority of its top 7 freshmen (Melissa Powers, Hope Powell, Miranda Preuss, Alyssa Durrant). One junior who is returning from the top 7 is Jacqueline Munoz. "We are looking forward to another successful season," Eaton said. "We are still a young team overall with many of our returners being sophomores. It is great to develop a program that is starting young. Our team has potential to qualify for sectionals again this year and are working to accomplish that goal. Our team has a special drive to set goals individually and as a team, work hard at achieving them, and celebrating when others reach their goals. I have had a few girls already tell me that they are excited for the season because they are motivated to reach new goals and strive for sectionals again."
Rosary
Top runners: Senior: Claire Hengesbaugh; Juniors: Megan Ronzone, Allison Tippett; Freshmen: Maia Italia, Katie Lifka
Outlook: The Royals started the year by winning the Aurora City championship last Saturday with 45 points ahead of runner-up Waubonsie Valley's 51. Hengesbaugh finished second in a time of 19:57. Italia was sixth, Ronzone 11th, Tipett 12th and Lifka 14th.
St. Charles East
Coach: Bradley Kaplan (1st year)
Last year: Seventh at sectionals
Top runners: Seniors: Hannah Willging, Melanie Williams, Reiney Scull; Juniors: Klaudia Wyszynski, Ashley Stepien, Stephanie Martens, Kara Sanchez; Sophomores: Grace Jackson, Clarissa Kelly; Freshman: Alice Abbott
Outlook: The Saints lost state qualifier Anna Arrick but return three from their sectional lineup - Wyszynski, Stepien and Willging. Kaplan, who previously worked with the Saints boys program, said Abbott is a "new addition who will help lead the team." As for the rest of the top seven, there's still plenty of competition between the Saints' top 10 runners or so. "Just don't know who will be it at this point," Kaplan said. "We will be working through the season to finish at our best when it counts. We hope to run tough in the state series and have a chance to run at state. Coming off last year where we were seventh at sectionals, the girls have put in the work this summer to change that this year. The girls are focused and excited for the season." Kaplan said Batavia and Geneva are the Upstate Eight River favorites. "We will look for the leadership of Willging and Stepien to help Abbott lead our team to great performances," Kaplan said.
St. Charles North
Coach: Shari Hayes (15th year)
Top runners: Seniors: Kelly O'Brien, Ally Suyak; Juniors: Natalie Galvan, Maddie Wiltrout, Riley Kaufmann; Freshmen: Grace Dorrance, Ella Townsen
Outlook: Galvan, Wiltrout and Kaufmann are back from last year's top seven. "We are inexperienced and young," Hayes said. "We should improve as the season progresses. Natalie Galvan is coming off a great track season and is looking to have an outstanding cross country season. Ally Suyak is returning this season and had a great summer. She was out last season with an injury." Look for Dorrance, Towsen and O'Brien to make a quick impact. "Three strong newcomers looked good all summer and keep improving each week," Hayes said.
St. Edward
Coach: Mike Olenek (9th year)
Top runners: Seniors: Sophie Danner, Kailey Wood; Junior: Emily Wagh; Sophomore: Maddie Ellsworth; Freshmen: Jase Leonard, Julia Heffelfinger
Outlook: Ellsworth made it to state last year, and Danner, Wood and Wagh were all sectional qualifiers. "We are looking to place as a team this year in the state finals," Olenek said. "Our strengths are our closeness with the girls as a team and their ability to move as a pack and help each other to make each one of them a stronger runner. Our obstacles are keeping our team healthy. They are being pushed harder this year, but it is always a delicate balance between hard practices and potential injuries."
South Elgin
Coach: Jorie Bartholomew (13th year)
Top runners: Seniors: Rileigh Swanson, Olivia Cabaj, Jasmine Hernandez, Anjali Patel, Lindsay Alvarado, Taylor Pray; Junior: Hannah Anderson
Outlook: The Storm have as much experience as anyone, returning all of their top seven. "This season we are looking to pick up where we left off last year with having all our top runners back," Bartholomew said. "We are just looking to stay healthy, improve on our standings from last year and continue to get into the postseason strong, hoping to get to that state meet eventually."
Streamwood
Coach: Dylan Lau (3rd year)
Top runners: Seniors Maddie Exline, Monica Brown, Michelle Andrade
Outlook: Exline, all-conference and a sectional qualifier last year, is the fastest of the Sabres' four returnees from last year's top seven. Alex Meza joins that group along with Brown and Andrade. Exline also qualified for state in track in the 800 and mile. "Last year was Maddi's first year and I think she caught the attention of many teams," Lau said. "This year we are looking for her to be competing in Peoria at the end of the season. Maddi's talent along with her experience last year will pay off huge for not only herself but this team." Brown and Andrade also are team captains. "As a team, we are looking to continue improving our place at the conference and regional meet," Lau said. "The Upstate Eight is one of the best conferences in the area with many great teams. With so many deep teams competing, it's anyone's guess who could win the conference meet."
West Aurora
Coach: Andrea DiDonato (3rd year)
Last year: Second in Upstate Eight Valley
Top runners: Seniors Riley McCabe; Juniors: Kayla Hardersen, Madilyn Walrath; Sophomores: Alyssa Mayhew, Josslin Scull, Kaitlyn Hollar; Freshman Lauren Walrath
Outlook: Mayhew, Scull and Hollar qualified for sectionals last year for the Blackhawks, who finished second in the Aurora City Meet and also had success at the sophomore level taking second at Lyons and winning the West Aurora Stampede. "The future is bright with this group," DiDonato said. "I hope to qualify as a sectional team this season. It will take a lot drive to stay healthy and purposeful practices, but I know this team has it in them. The best surprise this season was the return of Maddie Wallrath (missed last year with knee and hip injuries). She is such a team runner and having her in the varsity lineup will really solidify this team's unity and cohesiveness."