Libertyville has reason(s) for optimism

The Libertyville girls cross country team has to be thinking big headed into the 2008 season.

After rolling to the North Suburban Conference championship last year, the Wildcats return all seven of their runners that placed 15th in the state meet in 2007.

Depth and experience is a luxury Libertyville coach Harry Carlson will have against his closest NSC competitors this fall as squads like Warren, Stevenson, and Lake Zurich should all pose tough challenges for the Wildcats.

Seniors Anne Strychalski and Alyssa Corrigan were Libertyville's top two runners downstate last year followed by sophomore Erin Jaffke, senior Hannah Reilly, and junior Megan Janezic.

"Our team has shown improvement from last year, but we still need to see what our true capabilities are when the meets begin," Carlson said. "Because we have several upperclassmen in their final season, they are determined to have their best season."

After placing 17th in the state as a sophomore in Class AA and seventh in the state as a junior in Class 3A, Warren senior Heather Olson returns this fall as one of the top ranked runners in the state.

Olson has a very strong running mate in senior teammate Sarahbeth Jones (12th in NSC) while teammates Gabby Nystrom and Annie Brandes were major forces for the Blue Devils last year.

If Warren can put together a solid group of runners towards the back of its pack, it could be a serious contender with a leader like Olson in late October. The Blue Devils will face some state-level competition at the Falcon Classic (Wheaton) Invite this year.

"She (Olson) is looking very strong right now and everything is looking really good," said Warren coach Cheryl Anderson. "Right now some newcomers could fit in nicely for us, but they're still getting into running shape and it's a tough conference."

Much like Libertyville, Stevenson has all five of its top runners back this year including key seniors Kim Tarnoff and Chrissie Pacewicz.

Junior Paige Ekenberg was outstanding for the Patriots last fall along with sophomore Cheryl Bredin and senior Natalie Farmer.

"The girls have worked very hard over the summer and they showed up the first day of practice ready and in good shape," said Stevenson coach Don Proft. "Libertyville should have a lot back and they have some depth. And Warren has been pretty tough the last few years along with Lake Zurich."

The Bears are coming off a fourth-place NSC finish and they should be very solid again behind the senior trio of Megan Beigl, Shannon Hughes, and Erika Powers. Olivia Holicky and Julia Moore are two of many promising juniors on Lake Zurich's roster.

"We run pretty packed up so there is usually not a huge gap between our one and five," said Lake Zurich coach Ian Silverman. "We're going to duke it out for one of the top spots in the conference."

Defending Prairie Division champion Vernon Hills is led by senior Danielle Dickman, who placed 13th in the state in Class 2A last year.

Mallory and Jessica Feece will help lead the Cougars with junior teammate Carley Umphress moving into a larger role this season.

"Our goal is to continue to be at the top of the Prairie Division and crack into the Lake Division schools at the NSC meet," said Vernon Hills coach Suzanne Richert. "After qualifying for sectionals as a team for the second straight year, we are looking to take that next step to qualify for state as a team in Class 2A."

Mundelein may be hard-pressed to match its fifth-place NSC finish from last year, but Mustangs' sophomores Lauren Ozimek, Jenny Small, and Molly Burke give coach John Osmanski a solid group to build around for the future.

"We graduated some quality seniors, but our numbers are very large this year with quality people," said Osmanski. "Libertyville looks very good this year and they bring back people with state meet experience."

Antioch junior Erin Poss (third in NSC) gives the Sequiots an elite runner after Poss finished 18th in the state in Class 2A last fall.

Lakes will be without graduated Rachel Dean (14th in 2A), but senior Ariel Butzine could give coach Keith West's squad a big boost after she was all-state in the 800 meters last spring.

Junior Emma Howard should show dramatic improvement this year for Lakes while Grant's dynamic duo of Alexis Capps and Kendra Kennedy have been impressive. The Bulldogs have five of their top six runners back.

In the Fox Valley Conference, sophomore Kimmy Denikas is expected to lead Grayslake North after Denikas just missed a berth to state in 2007. Senior Marlee Lane is a veteran runner for the Knights.

Grayslake Central will be looking for a new leader after the graduation of sectional qualifier Daisy Brey.

"Kimmy missed going to state by one runner," said Grayslake North coach Brandon Boyd. "She's been working hard all year and she plans on making it to state this year."

In the East Suburban Catholic Conference, Carmel hopes to finish in the top three and try to advance to sectionals as a team.

Junior sectional qualifier Hilary Halford will be the Corsairs' leader with all-conference senior teammate Alexis Mientus adding a veteran presence to the team.