Three-class system should benefit area's smaller schools

With three-class track and field upon us, the Burlington Central girls team and new coach Aaron Wichman is hoping to reap the benefits.

The Rockets competed in Class AA last year and while they had several top performances during the season, they were a bit overmatched at postseason time.

But after some impressive showings at last weekend's Top Times indoor meet Wichman, also the school's football coach, is looking forward to the season with great optimism.

"We took second (to Byron) at the (Big Northern) conference indoor meet, so we'd like to gain some points and contend for the conference championship," Wichman said.

Here's a look at BC and the rest of the Class 1A and 2A teams in the area.

Burlington Central: The Rockets' top two runners returning are sophomore Markelle Turk, who finished 23rd in the 3,200 meters at state last year, and junior Maggie Gannon, who took third in the 800 at last weekend's Top Times meet.

Wichman is also looking for big contributions from sophomore Katie Puccio (9th in the 800 at Top Times), senior Vanessa Perez (hurdles, sprints, relays), freshman Alexa Tovsen (indoor conference champ in 400 and 200) and junior Jordan Maisto (sprints, jumps; placed in 3 events at indoor conference meet).

Wichman's optimism is fueled by the fact the Rockets have set five indoor school records this spring - in the 1,600 relay, the 800 relay, Gannon in the 800, Turk in the 3,200 and sophomore Kaylee Swearingen in the 55 hurdles).

"They've worked real hard and we'd like to continue our indoor success outdoors, contend for the conference and then get several girls downstate," Wichman said. "We should have some very good runners at the top and some good younger girls to fill in some spots."

Hampshire: The Whip-Purs have one of the top returning distance runners in the area in sophomore Holly Plichta, who finished 10th in the Class A 3,200 meters a year ago in Charleston. Hampshire will compete in Class 2A this season.

"We've got some experience back and a lot of hard-working young ladies," said Hampshire coach Patti Nihells, whose 3,200 meter relay team took 10th at last weekend's Top Times indoor meet.

Also expected to score points for the Whips are junior Gina Ballard (sprint relays, hurdles), junior Tiffany Phu (Hampshire's first girls pole vaulter, 400, 100, sprint relays), sophomore Autumn Chomenko (hurdles, relays), senior Brittany Jarvis (sprints, jumps), senior Macy Luedtke (throws) and senior Autumn Holze (throws). Luedtke qualified for state in the discus last year.

St. Edward: The Green Wave will compete in Class 1A in the postseason along with Elgin Academy and Westminster Christian.

St. Edward has a new head coach this season in Sean Collins, who has assisted Bill Lucas with the program the past few years.

St. Edward only has 7 girls competing this spring but Collins feels seniors Tina Wahl and Rachel Varley could make some noise in the 400 and 800 meters. Junior Megan Venlos, a state swimming qualifier, will compete in the 400, 800 and 1,600 meters. Junior Lisa Vzitas (sprints), freshman Crista LaCap (sprints), junior Erin Schneider (distances) and senior Maude Machinski round out the squad.

"We're pretty small in numbers this year but we do have seven talented girls," Collins said.

Westminster Christian: Coach Larry Cochran has eight girls on the Warriors' squad this season and he says with three-class track, junior Tanya Rogers is a legitimate threat to qualify for state in the 800.

"We're definitely looking at her making the state cut this year," Cochran said.

Other athletes Cochran said should score points for the Warriors include junior Laura Oswald in the 100, junior Katie Moeller in the sprints, and junior hurdler Asia Oleskow.

Elgin Academy: Sarah Parker is the defending Independent School League champion in the long jump and was the leading scorer for the Hilltoppers last season. The 5-foot-10 junior is also a sprinter. She'll run the 100 and 200 and participate in relays.

"Sarah was within about 4 inches of the state qualifying standard in Class A last year in the long jump, and she just started jumping last year," sixth-year coach Bill Harris said.

Last season Parker ran the 400 relay with teammates Eleana Mathioudis and Neha Khemani. Harris is hoping a freshman who is currently working through an injury can step in and join the three returners to form a solid 400-meter relay.

"Our seven girls will have to learn as they go," Harris said. "We'd like them to show improvement throughout the year and be able to place in the ISL track championships as individual performers. Anyone who places in the ISL has had a good meet."

Jerry Fitzpatrick contributed to this report.