Freshmen key to Rockets' shot at making it to state

Burlington Central's girls cross country team is in the midst of a youth movement so to speak.

And freshmen Markelle Turk and Katie Puccio are front and center for a Rockets group that had 4 non-seniors score in last weekend's regional runner-up showing.

Turk finished third, while Puccio took fourth. Central will attempt to advance to the state meet as a team for the first time since 1995 at Saturday's Class 2A Belvidere sectional.

"We've run well together in a pack," said Turk. "At the sectional we have to make sure we stick together and push each other during the race."

Both Turk and Puccio agree the team's chemistry has also catapulted the team forward this season.

"We're real close," said Turk. "We do a lot of social events together like team dinners, sleepovers and movie nights."

"It's been a major part of our success," said Puccio. "We get along great together. Being a freshman on the team, it's nice to have friends you can really rely on."

Now the Rockets are one step away from the ultimate goal.

"We're going to go out there and try and run our best races of the season so far," said Puccio.

Also at Belvidere, St. Edward senior Ashley Lucas and sophomore teammate Karoline Kelly will be part of the individual field. Lucas is looking for her third state finals qualification and first since her sophomore year.

Hampshire, made up of entirely sophomores, is in the sectional for the second straight year. The Whip-Purs, led by Holly Plichta's third-place finish at regionals, will run in the Class 1A Aurora Christian sectional.

"As a team, we've been pack-running," said Plichta. "That's been our biggest accomplishment. We're also close as a team. We've all got a lot of the same classes in school. We all get along and that helps with our running."

Plichta isn't surprised about the team's success this season.

"We've improved so much from last year," said Plichta. "I think we're capable of doing a lot. I've got a lot of confidence in our team."

Westminster Christian sophomore Beth Kautz is also in the field at Aurora Christian.

Huntley, Crystal Lake South, Prairie Ridge, Cary-Grove and Dundee-Crown will all compete in the Class 3A Palatine sectional at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve.

Freshman Haley Loprieno leads the way for regional runner-up Huntley.

"I think I'm doing better than I thought I was going to do," said Loprieno. "My times are definitely better than I thought they would be. A lot of it has been what we've been doing in practice. I'm working harder this season. I'm working harder than I have ever been before."

Loprieno said the pleasant surprise of her success has been rewarding in other ways than just place-finishes and medals.

"I thought I would be, not slower, but farther behind people this year," said Loprieno, who was fifth in the FVC this season. "You can do something you don't think is possible by working hard. A lot of it has to do with heart and dedication."

Crystal Lake South and Cary-Grove were also regional runners-up. Sophomore standout Kristina Aubert was second in regional action for the Gators. Aubert is looking for her second straight state berth. She won the Class AA 3,200 state title as a freshman.

Madeline Aufmann led the way for Cary-Grove, which put four runners in the top 20 at the regional. Senior Danielle LeBreck paced Prairie Ridge.

Dundee-Crown is also in the Palatine field. Kelsey Seiler finished 10th at the regional level.

Bartlett junior Sam Salinas, Streamwood junior Mercedes Mancha and Larkin junior Britney Whitehead will compete in the Class 3A Schaumburg sectional at Busse Woods #17.

On the local front (boys and girls combined), a total of 14 teams and 16 individuals will compete at the sectional level Saturday.