NW girls cross country state meet preview
Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Teams to watch
State outlook: Here we go again. Palatine and Schaumburg have been battling all season, this time it is for state supremacy. Palatine won a September dual meet and added a victory at last week's sectional. Schaumburg defeated Palatine at the Peoria Notre Dame meet in September and also won the Mid-Suburban League title. Prospect also made a bit of noise at the sectionals, and it is possible the Knights may secure a trophy. Wheaton Warrenville South finished third in Class 3A last season and is on the prowl again and 2007 and 2008 state champion Geneva also cannot be overlooked in a competitive field.
MSL's fab four:
Palatine The Pirates won their seventh state title last year and don't look like they are slowing down. Senior Courtney Brown leads Palatine, last week she finished second at the sectionals. Sophomore Tess Wasowicz isn't far behind and has really come on to push the Pirates attack. Junior Emily Schulte and senior Sarah McIntosh have been solid all season and senior Becca Sund, junior Ellen Smith, and freshman Jessica Lincoln have all contributed. After finishing second in the Mid-Suburban Leauge the Pirates ran with much more confidence in taking first at the sectionals. “You wouldn't want it any other way, two teams that have been close all year. It's going to come down to whose day it is,” said Palatine coach Joe Parks of the looming battle with Schaumburg.
Schaumburg The Saxons also enter with plenty of confidence. Seniors Karen Lesiewicz, Britten Petrey and Colette Falsey are capable of making all-state. Junior Kelsey Steenstrup and sophomore Hannah Coombs have also come up big and senior Jordan Wagner and sophomore Samantha Nordli add depth to a very versatile squad. Lesiewicz, Petrey, and Falsey helped Schaumburg secure the 3,200 relay title in track; they are looking to give hall-of-fame coach Jon Macnider one more state title on Saturday. “We just need to keep doing what we're doing and let the chips fall where they may,” said Macnider.
Prospect The Knights may have been the surprise of the sectionals finishing in third place, 4 points behind Schaumburg. Prospect definitely should be included in the trophy conversation. It begins with sophomore Brooke Wolfe, who has been unstoppable this season and is one of the favorites to win the state title. Sophomore Lauren Poplawski and junior Laura Maibuecher give the Knights a solid 2-3, freshman Rachel Henk had an impressive sectional run and senior Savannah Snead adds experience. “I always thought if we put a good race together we could be there, I don't know about other teams, but I do know the makeup of our team. We certainly have never given up hope for a trophy,” said Prospect coach Dave Wurster.
Barrington The Fillies also came up big at the sectionals. Sophomore Becca Batliner fuels the engine; she finished third at the sectionals and is primed for a big meet. Junior Elle Tracy and junior Alexa Argianas are solid 2-3 runners, with sophomore Rachel Simon and senior Colleen Shandley providing depth. “Batliner is in top form right now and she has been battling, she's a very good runner,” said Barrington coach Deb Revolta.
Individuals to watch
State outlook: Three names stick out; Prospect sophomore Brooke Wolfe, New Trier sophomore Courtney Ackerman and Geneva senior Kelly Whitley. Wolfe and Ackerman have been solid all season, while Whitley has come on strong after returning from the world youth triathlon races. Hinsdale Central sophomore Jill Hardies and Rolling Meadows' Christina Gastfield also are primed for a big finish.
Local threats:
Brooke Wolfe (Prospect) The sophomore has had no letdown this season and has to be considered the favorite in 3A.
Christina Gastfield (Rolling Meadows) The bigger the meet, the better the senior is after finishing second and eighth in 3A the past two seasons.
Courtney Brown (Palatine) The senior has been lurking in the lead pack all season, and has plenty of experience.
Becca Batliner (Barrington) Batliner is healthy this year and on target for a big meet on Saturday.
Karen Lesiewicz (Schaumburg) The senior almost defeated Wolfe at the Hoffman regional. Lesiewicz is the defending 3A state champion in the 1,600 and has plenty of closing speed.
Other area runners Britten Petrey (Schaumburg), Colette Falsey (Schaumburg), Tess Wasowicz (Palatine), Emily Schulte (Palatine), Haley Goers (Hoffman Estates), Kelly Breen (Fremd), Megan Carroll (St. Viator), Hannah Winter (St. Viator), Lauren Poplawski (Prospect), Salena Clohisy (Hersey).
Michael Eaken