Girls track / Scouting Northwest
By Michael Eaken
Daily Herald Correspondent
MID-SUBURBAN EAST
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Steve Gibble (31 years)
Last year: 11th in MSL
Key losses: Linda Dunne, Lillie Blackmon.
Top returnees: Seniors Katya Urbanovich (sprinter), Katia Donnewald (distance); sophomores Calla Ziemba (throws), Niki Salzman (sprinter).
Promising newcomers: Junior Morgan Angotti (distance); sophomore Emily Cho (sprints); freshmen Katie Geraghty (distance), Justyna Chmura (sprints), Anna Kryczka (distance).
Outlook: The Bison are young and looking to gain experience throughout the season. The addition of Angotti and Cho are hoping to help the BG attack. Urbanovich and Donnewald offer experience.
Elk Grove
Coach: Dave Johnson (fourth year)
Last year: 12th in MSL
Key losses: Stephanie Kist, Lindsay O’Malley, Sarah Whitchurch (Illinois Wesleyan), Krishna Patel (Benedictine University).
Top returnees: Seniors Amanda Clapp (sprints), Emily Sloat (sprints, hurdles), Chandler Jordal (distance), Megan Walitschek (sprints), Lauren Bartello (throws), Rachel McInerney (sprints, hurdles); juniors Kalene Pfister (long jump, throws), Sarah Latinen (distance), Viv Tran (sprints, jumps); sophomores Amy Walitschek (sprints), Becca Siwicki (sprints, jumps), Abby Brandt (distance).
Promising newcomers: Sophomores Danielle Carpenter (sprints), Lauren Kelly (sprints); freshmen Vanessa Gomez (sprints), Marissa Dipeirtro (distance), Jamie Lankford (sprints), Erica Nielsen (sprints), Loredana Lappano (distance).
Outlook: Johnson is looking for McInerney in the hurdles and Dipeirtro and Brandt in the 1,600 to qualify for state. Pfister finished 6th at the sectionals in the discus and is looking to improve this year. Elk Grove keeps taking steps and is hoping to add one more this year.
Hersey
Coach: Jim Miks (eighth year)
Last year: 7th in MSL
2010 state qualifiers: Mahnker Dahnwein (discus), Dana Markech (100 high hurdles, 300 low hurdles), Danielle Perkins (100 dash), 400 relay, 3,200 relay.
Key losses: Mahnker Dahwein (Illinois State), Sarah Reynolds (Dayton), Domenica Giancola, Shelby Westmoreland.
Top Returnees: Salena Clohisy (distance), Riley Wade (distance), Danielle Perkins (sprints, jumps), Laura Kempf (sprints, jumps), Michaela Dwyer (sprints, jumps), Haley Scott (sprints, jumps), Dana Markech (sprint jumps), Leah Allind (distance), Melissa Farrell (distance), Hannah Helminiak (throws).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen Lenna Fotos, Tomi Laja, Maddie Lipowski, Maya Moyal, Patrycja Krupa, Alyssa Pearson, Jola Ignaciuk.
Outlook: Perkins, Kempf, Dwyer, and Croak combined to set a school record in the 400 relay (49.24) at the state prelims last season. Perkins also will be tough in the 100 and 200. The Huskies have plenty of depth in the jumps as Dwyer took second at the MSL indoor meet in the long jump and Kempf took third in the triple jump. Scott will also be a threat. Markech had a breakthrough at the end of last season by qualifying in both hurdles events; the senior will be looking to continue her success this season. Clohisy will add experience and talent in the distance. The veteran Huskies should have a solid season.
Prospect
Coach: Dave Wurster (27th year)
Last year: Tied for 4th in MSL, Niles West sectional champions
2010 state qualifiers: Grace Gruendel (7th place pole vault), Samantha Sturm (9th place in shot put, discus), Brooke Wolfe (6th place 3,200, 1,600), Annette White (11th place in the 1,600, 3,200), Emily Salzman (800), Kasey Krum (800), 400 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay, 3,200 (8th place).
Key losses: Emily Salzman, Kasey Krum (Iowa), Annette White (Illinois State), Beata Fiszer (Yale), Amy Abdnor, Jeannette Wochinski, Maggie Partridge, Chinelle Myers, Lindsay Johnson, Bailey McGuire.
Top returnees: Seniors Kiley Shelley (sprints, hurdles), Samantha Sturm (throws), Savannah Snead (distance), Grace Gruendel (pole vault), Katie Bialas (sprints, jumps); juniors Christine Grossman (sprints), Laura Maibuecher (distance), Kathleen Kennedy (sprints), Melissa Jones (sprints, hurdles); sophomores Brooke Wolfe (distance), Carissa Weis (jumps), Lauren Yearian (jumps), Maggie Devereux (hurdles, pole vault).
Promising newcomers: Junior Kate Welch (distance); sophomore Lauren Poplawski (distance); freshmen Christina Santiago (distance), Rachel Scott (sprints), Rachel Henk (distance), Katrina Leeney (distance), Tara Stokes (distance).
Outlook: The Knights took a heavy hit to graduation, but Wurster has reloaded the attack. Wolfe is coming off a phenomenal cross country season where the sophomore finished 5th in Class 3A, and then took 18th at the Nike National Meet. She has crossed over to become one of the elite distance runners in Illinois. Maibuecher is the only returning runner from the eighth-place 3,200 relay team, but Knights have a cupboard of talented distance runners including Poplawski, who finished 20th at state in cross country. Shelley adds experience to the hurdles. The Knights also look strong in the field events as Sturm is one of the top returning throwers in the MSL and is looking to make a return trip to state, while Gruendel is poised for a big run in the pole vault. The Knights are looking for a lift in the sprints, but should be poised to contend for high position in the MSL.
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Mike Naymola (fourth year)
Last year: 10th in MSL
2010 state qualifiers: Morgan Keller (8th in shot put), Christina Gastfield (3,200).
Top returnees: Seniors Christina Gastfield (distance), Rebecca Zych (distance), Bridget Collins (sprints, jumps), Kayla Davis (throws); sophomores Morgan Keller (throws), Melissa Whowell (distance).
Promising newcomers: Senior Vicky Pavlou (Lake Zurich transfer, jumps); freshman Mia Harper (sprints).
Outlook: Watch out, here come the Mustangs. Pavlou has been a game changer for Meadows as she swept the high jump, long jump, and triple jump at the MSL indoor and continued to wreak havoc at the Illinois Prep Top Times indoor meet. The senior took third in the long jump, fourth in the triple jump and seventh in the high jump. Pavlou will be a threat to score in all three events at the state meet this May. Keller is quickly rising in the throws and finished fifth at the IPTT meet. Zych is looking solid in the 800, finishing second at the MSL indoor meet. Gastfield completed a sensational cross country career with her third top 10 finish and the New Mexico-bound senior will now shoot for her first track medal. Last year Meadows finished 10th in the MSL with 7.5 points, this year the Mustangs have already finished fourth at the MSL indoor meet will be looking to continue their momentum outside.
Wheeling
Coach: Mike Theodosakis (sixth year)
Last year: 8th in MSL
2010 state qualifiers: Sydney Keith (100 dash), 400 relay, 800 relay.
Key losses: Amber Wentzloff (Lewis), Amber Hackney, Erin Schanaberger, Amy Burke, Cheyenne Carollo, Katie Anderson, Angela Tichelbaut.
Top returnees: Senior Katie Crouch (sprints); juniors Kim Voltaire (sprints), Mayra Ocampo (sprints), Colleen Creech-Woolcott (sprints, hurdles), Dee Hanna (sprints, hurdles) Lori Delfin (distance); sophomores Sydney Keith (sprints), Eva Poznanski (sprints, jumps), Jessica Zuba (throws), Rocio Gutierrez (sprints, jumps), Brie Majkowski (throws), Maria Castillo (distance).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore Allie Talken (jumps); freshman Lizzie Smith (sprints, hurdles), Haley Singer (sprints), Ashley Sicard (throws), Andrea Cardosa (sprints), Sadie Loera (sprints), Joceline Marchan (sprints), Yesenia Martinez (sprints, hurdles).
Outlook: The Wildcats are going to be fast. Keith leads a talented bunch of sprinters, last season the sophomore took third in the 100 at the MSL and also was a state qualifier. Keith joins Ocampo, and Voltaire giving the Wildcats experience in the sprint relays. The Wildcats hit a school record in the 400 relay (49.68) at the state prelims last season and will be looking to continue their success this season. Wheeling will be young in the field events, but will be looking to improve as the season progresses, and the distance crew continues to make improvements.
MID-SUBURBAN WEST
Barrington
Coach: Jody Gitelis (25th year)
Last year: 6th in the MSL
2010 state qualifiers: Anna Etherington (2nd place in the pole vault), Jorie Frey (400 run), Becca Batliner (3,200), Elizabeth Tracy (3,200), 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay.
Key losses: Anna Etherington (Washington University), Jorie Frey (Illinois State).
Top returnees: Seniors Brianna Greer (throws), Sarah Miller (distance); juniors Caroline Carley (distance), Katherine Davis (sprints), Francesca Krohn (sprints, jumps), Melissa Madden (sprints, hurdles), Kaila Privatsky (distance), Alexis Smith (sprints, jumps), Amanda Tihinen (sprints, hurdles), Emily Tihinen (sprints, jumps), Elizabeth Tracy (distance); sophomores Becca Batliner (distance), Charlotte Gravesen (sprints), Hali Hall (sprints, jumps), Ashleigh Kleinjan (distance), Melina Milone (sprints, pole vault), Melissa Muche (sprints, jumps).
Promising newcomers: Junior Hannah Heider (sprints, jumps, pole vault); sophomores Samantha Babiuk (pole vault, sprints), Rachel Simon (distance), Meghan Yancey (sprints, jumps); freshmen Sarah Bos (jumps, throws), McCall Braun (sprints, hurdles), Rachel Cheever (sprints), Kristen Patino (distance), Katie Sowders (distance), Meghan Yancey (sprints, jumps).
Outlook: Barrington will miss Etherington and Frey, both high scorers, but will be solid in the distance. Especially with Batliner, who took 10th in Class 3A for cross country. Tracy, Miller, and Simon all add depth to the distance squad, along with Kleinjan, who took first in the 3,200 at the MSL indoor. Madden is a strong 400 runner and is also solid in the 300 lows, the junior should provide the Fillies with a lift. A lot of new names dot the lineup — it will be interesting to see who steps up.
Conant
Coach: Bob Borczak (10th year)
Last year: 3rd in the MSL
2010 state qualifiers: Sarah Gorden (9th in 100 high hurdles, 300 low hurdles), Jessica Przyby (10th in discus), Josie Hutch (long jump), Caitlin Reid (pole vault), Becky Sulentic (3.200), Allison Gallo (800), 400 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay.
Key losses: Josie Hutch, Becky Sulentic, Angela Romozzi.
Top returnees: Seniors Jessica Pryzby (throws), Tina Tortorici (sprints), Taylor Graham (sprints), Sarah Gorden (hurdles, relays), Allison Gallo (mid-distance), Tara Goehrke (hurdles, relays); juniors Angela Herrmann (sprints), Maya Lane (sprints); sophomores Ade Droessler (jumps), Allie Wright (jumps).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore Molly Dalton (mid-distance); freshman Jennifer Donnell (throws).
Outlook: Gorden is one of the top returning state hurdlers, and the senior is due a bit of better luck this season. Gorden finished 5th in the 300 lows her sophomore season, but last year she tripped on the final hurdle in the state prelims which prevented her from adding to her medal count. The Cougars senior proved she is ready for her final fling by taking first at the IPTT meet in the 55 high hurdles (8.35). Borczak also has his sprints relays humming. Tortorici, Graham and Herrmann add experience and fire for a squad that took first in the 800 and second in the 400 at the MSL meet last season. Herrmann is one of the top individual sprinters in the MSL and took second in the 200 at the indoor meet. Pryzby made great strides in the throws, making it to the state finals in the discus. Droessler and Wright will give the Cougars a lift in the high jump, with Gallo being a threat in the 800. Never discount the Cougars as Borczak is skillful at picking his spots.
Fremd
Coach: Halli Yoshimura (fourth year)
Last year: 9th in the MSL
2010 state qualifiers: Ashley Fullerton (high jump), Emi Sudo (3,200), Stephanie Resis (800).
Key losses: Ashley Fullerton.
Top returnees: Senior Emi Sudo (distance), Stephanie Resis (800), Kelsey Onesto (hurdles), Nickolette McKenzie (sprints), Emily Fujii (jumps), Victoria Moroney; junior Stephanie Uhrich (jumps, pole vault).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore Leah Ferguson (sprints), Kelly Breen (distance), Katie Filosa (distance), Anna Johnson (high jump).
Outlook: Resis has made a move in the 800 finishing third at the MSL indoor and 14th at the IPTT. Breen is an emerging star in the distance, the sophomore finished 21st in Class 3A for cross country and will team with Filosa to give the Vikings a tough 1-2 punch. Sudo has plenty of experience and is a state qualifier in the 3,200, it should be interesting to see what type of 3,200 relay the Vikings will put together. McKenzie gives the Vikings experience in the sprints. Yoshimura is encouraged by the competitiveness.
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Dan Andersen (sixth year)
Last year: 2nd in MSL, Bartlett sectional champions.
2010 state qualifiers: Precious Ogunleye (2nd in shot put, discus), Kristie Hisey (12th in high jump), Melissa Schmidt (10th place in the 1,600 and 3,200), Takshaka Patel (3,200), Emily D’Amico (7th in 100 dash, 200 dash), Haley Goers (5th in 1,600), 400 relay, 800 relay, 3,200 relay.
Key losses: Melissa Schmidt (Illinois), Hannah Worman (Illinois), Sharon Jones, Cindy Allen.
Top returnees: Seniors Jessi Flach (distance), Precious Ogunleye (throws); Haley Goers (distance), Haley Worman (distance), Emily D’Amico (sprints), Ali Engelhardt (jumps), Takashaka Patel (distance); sophomore Tiffany Pitter (sprints).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen Andrea Miller-Bay (sprints), Shayan Dussard (sprints), Solome Haile (distance), Elsabet Haile (distance).
Outlook: Andersen is excited about the potential for the Hawks this season. It starts with Ogunleye, who has won back-to-back state medals in the shot put. This year the senior will be in the running for a state title in the shot put and will be in contention in the discus. Ogunleye also provides solid leadership. Goers finished 13th in Class 3A for cross country and will be seeking her second consecutive medal in the 1,600. D’Amico is a threat in the 100 and 200 and gives the Hawks a powerful anchor in the sprint relays. The junior finished 7th in the 100 last year at state and swept the 100 and 200 at the MSL conference meet last season. Patel is gearing up for strong run in the 3,200. Miller-Bay leads a strong group of freshman sprinters; she took 10th in the 400 at the IPTT meet. Hoffman lost a few key seniors from last year, but have a very balanced team with some high scorers. The Hawks will challenge Palatine for the MSL title and will also be in the hunt for a state trophy.
Palatine
Coach: Joe Parks (first year).
Last year: 10th in Class 3A, Palatine sectional champions, MSL champions.
2010 state qualifiers: Meg Jump (11th in triple jump, long jump), Meghan Flanagan (8th place in pole vault, 100 high hurdles), Deviin Mabry (shot put), Courtney Brown (3,200), Emily Schulte (3,200), Ruth Allen (2nd in the 800, 1,600), Tess Wasowicz (800), Laura Schweikert (4th place in the 400), Sarah McIntosh (1,600), 400 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay (4th place).
Key losses: Ruth Allen (Illinois State), Johanna Dibuz, Deviin Mabry, Robin Anderson.
Top returnees: Seniors Sarah McIntosh (distance), Courtney Brown (distance), Becca Sund (distance), Morgan Quinnett (sprints, hurdles), Meghan Flanagan (sprints, hurdles, pole vault), Valere Guertin (sprints); juniors Laura Schweikert (sprints, mid-distance); sophomores Tess Wasowicz (distance), Meg Jump (sprints, jumps), Taylor Tenca (sprints, jumps).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen Jessica Lincoln (distance), Liz Cox (distance), Cassidy McPherson (distance), Demerria Davis (sprints, jumps).
Outlook: Parks takes over for legendary coach Steve Currins, who led the Pirates to four state trophies and nine MSL titles, but they are not looking to miss a beat. Currins is still part of the staff and will help in the transition. Allen will be missed, but the Pirates are still a complete team with versatile athletes who can score multiple points in different events. Quinnett, Flanagan, Guertin, and Schweikert give the Pirates a solid core in the sprint relays with Jump and Tenca adding depth. The Pirates took 4th at the IPTT meet in the 1,600 relay. Flanagan took 8th in the pole vault last season and will be in the medal hunt this year. Schweikert is powerful in the 400, finishing 4th at state last season and taking 5th at the IPTT meet, she may be venturing into the 800 this season. Quinnett won the 400 at the MSL indoor meet. Brown and Wasowicz lead a powerful distance crew that won a cross country state title in 2009 and finished second in Class 3A in 2010. The Pirates also finished 8th at the Nike Cross National meet in December. The Missouri-bound Brown took 4th and Wasowicz added a 15th place finish for the Pirates in Class 3A for cross country. Jump is also a threat in the long jump and triple jump. The Pirates have won two consecutive MSL titles and with their depth they are once again the favorites this season. They will also be in the trophy hunt at the state as once again it is business as usual.
Schaumburg
Coach: Jon Macnider (second year)
Last year: 10th in Class 3A, tied for fourth in MSL.
2010 state qualifiers: Colette Falsey (8th in the 800), Jordan Wagner (400), Karen Lesiewicz (state champion 1,600), Britten Petrey (1,600), 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay (state champions).
Key losses: Nora Ferguson (Northern Illinois), Ashley Kemp.
Top returnees: Seniors Colette Falsey (distance), Emily Langlotz (sprints), Karen Lesiewicz (distance), Britten Petrey (distance, hurdles), Jordan Wagner (sprints); juniors Whitney Grossman (jumps, hurdles), Grace Haerr (distance), Lauren Lingren (sprints); sophomores Maika Kumamoto (sprints).
Promising newcomers: Senior Jen Pomagier (sprints); junior Renee Zhu (pole vault); sophomores Hannah Coombs (distance), Samantha Nordli (distance); freshman Darneisha Spann (sprints).
Outlook: Macnider has been a part of the Saxons running program for 32 years, directing the girls cross country program for 31 years, and the hall-of-fame coach is going out with a bang. Last year the Saxons won a state title in the 3,200 relay and Lesiewicz won a state title in the 1,600. Macnider then directed the Saxons to their third state title in cross country last fall and has the Saxons poised for another strong run in track this season. It starts with Lesiewicz, who won the 1,600 at the IPTT meet last Saturday. The senior is the top 1,600 runner in 3A in the state and is showing no signs of letting up. The question is how low can the Notre Dame-bound senior go in the 1,600. She dipped below the five-minute mark at the IPTT meet (4:59.61) on Saturday. Lesiewicz will combine with Falsey, Petrey, and Coombs in shooting for a state record in the 3,200 relay, the Saxons easily defended their IPTT title last Saturday in a comfortable 9:20.59. Lesiewicz (7th), Falsey (8th), and Petrey (22nd) were all-state in the Saxons march to the 3A cross country title. Falsey is threat in the 1,600 and 800, while Petrey will venture into the 300 low hurdles. The Saxons are showing signs of life in the sprints aided with the addition of Pormagier, who will combine with Wagner, Lindgren and Langlotz to power the Saxons in the 800 and 1,600 relays. Macnider has plenty of parts to work with and now it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together. Look for the Saxons to push Palatine for the MSL title and give serious chase to a state trophy as Macnider sure knows how to throw a going away party.
Central Suburban North
Maine West
Coach: Joe LeCastro (30th year)
Last year: 4th in the CSL North
2010 state qualifiers: Taylor Stephenson (800).
Key losses: Janelle Stolz (Illinois State)
Top returnees: Alisha Barnaby (throws), Kalia Coffey (throws), Taylor Stephenson (distance), Heather Foy (distance), Gloria Rojas (distance), Roxanne Rubey (distance), Maddie Plantz (sprints), Karolina Salaiza (sprints), Rhianna Krutz (sprints), Alexandra Salaiza (sprints), Sabina Hedlova (jumps), Caitlin Walsh (jumps), Stephanie O’Niell (jumps), Brittany Collins (jumps), Kinga Purta (pole vault), Christa Insolia (pole vault).
Outlook: Stephenson is the lone returning state qualifier and will lead the Warriors attack. LeCastro is encouraged by a strong indoor season and is looking for many of the returning athletes to step up and make a push in the CSL North.
East Suburban Catholic
St. Viator
Coach: Jim Milner (second year)
Last year: 9th in the ESCC
2010 state qualifiers: Hanna Winter (1,600), 3,200 relay.
Top returnees: Seniors Kelli Wosick (mid-distance), Sam Hardt (sprints, jumps), Nicole LoVerde (distance); junior Lara Sladek (throws, relays); sophomores Hanna Winter (distance), Jianna Toben (sprints, jumps), Shannon Cooney (distance), Meghan Saulka (mid-distance), Jenny Joyce (distance).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen Katie Malek (distance), Courtney Christophe (sprints, jumps, hurdles), Kristen Yi (sprints, hurdles), Dominique LoVerde (distance).
Outlook: Milner is optimistic as the Lions return intact from last season. Winter will be looking for a return trip to state, and will combine with Wosick, Cooney and Toben to give Viator a solid 3,200 relay. Saulka and Hardt will lead the Lions sprint relays.
West Suburban Gold
Leyden
Coach: Brett Dempsey (second year).
Last year: 4th in the WSG
2010 state qualifiers: Klaudia Susul (7th in the 200, long jump, 100, 400), Marta Korpacz (800).
Key losses: Klaudia Susul (Eastern Illinois), Jessica Cochiaro (Elmhurst), Marta Korpacz, Anna Perkowski (Aurora University).
Top returnees: Seniors Yarisel Mata (mid-distance), Jenna Urbaniak (sprints); juniors Megan Murphy (distance), Christa Pitts (mid-distance).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore Alyssa Aiello (sprints), Brianna Howard (throws); freshmen Taylor Calderon (sprints), Victoria Galzia (sprints), Kara Urbaniak (sprints), Kelly Murphy (sprints), Aleksandra Kijowska (jumps), Sandra Maciak (jumps).
Outlook: Dempsey helped direct Leyden to a solid fourth-place finish in the WSG last season, but the Eagles will sorely miss Susul, who culminated her career with a seventh-place state finish in the 200. Megan Murphy is solid in the 1,600 and will combine with Pitts to help the Eagles solidify the 3,200 relay. Dempsey is optimistic that the younger Eagles will contribute and lead to a successful season.