Scouting the Fox Valley area's girls cross country season

2009 Fox Valley area girls cross country at a glance

Returning team state qualifiers: Bartlett, Burlington Central

Returning team sectional qualifiers: Westminster Christian, Burlington Central, Dundee-Crown, Cary-Grove, Huntley, Crystal Lake South, Bartlett, Streamwood

Returning individual state qualifiers (not on state teams): Holly Plichta (Hampshire), Kristina Aubert (Crystal Lake South)

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Outlook: Dundee-Crown went from fourth in the Fox Valley Conference to a regional title last year. Gone is standout Kelsey Seiler, but returning from that team is senior Emily Caliendo and juniors Claira Himmel, Katie Gross and Monique Robinson. Newcomers include sophomore Allison Beck and freshmen Natalie Himmel and Jade Franz. "Our returning runners all were part of last y ear's successful team," said D-C coach Tom Smith. "We need to see who will emerge as our front-runner and use the first part of the season to gain an identity for this year's team."

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Crystal Lake South recently won the McHenry County meet at Veterans Acres. Multi-time state qualifier Aubert (all-state last year) headlines a list of returners for the Gators. Junior Marianna Collard is coming off a track season where she medaled in the mile at state. Freshman Gaby Garay has shown promise as well. Returner Emily Lenzini is out with an ACL injury. Junior Nina Wajrowski will also be a key component for the Gators. "The four and five runners are going to be key to our success this year," said South coach Nikki Lydon. "I still think we will be competitive and can maintain a similar finish to last season."

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Cary-Grove finished fifth in the FVC a year ago, but returns a large contingent, including seniors Lindsay Young, Emily Cummings, juniors Megan Cummings and Em Lane, along with sophomores Kathie Wollney and Paige Freund. Key newcomers to the team include seniors Katie Lamantia, Amanda Barciszewski and Michelle Thimios, along with sophomore Jenna Kurz and freshmen Sarah Englund and Michele Kalenda. "This has been a very hardworking group," said Cary-Grove coach Mark Anderson. "We have had some good talent come into the program, but we also have had a ton of returning girls step up their efforts. I don't know how far up in a race our front-runners will finish, but if we can get a quick 1-7 split, we'll be in good shape." Jacobs returns seniors Monique Marchwainy and Emmy Makridakis, along with junior Jenn Tomany and sophomore Marcie Orjuela. Junior Susan Piotrowski, sophomore Emma Haughee and freshman Sam Baran will also assist. Piotrowski has emerged as a front-runner for the Golden Eagles. "The girls have been growing and improving for the last three years now," said Jacobs coach Kevin Christian.

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Huntley finished in second in the FVC in 2008 and returns the likes of junior standout Haly Loprieno (top 5 in FVC and regionals, top 20 sectionals), Delanie Dineen (junior), Emily Kahl (sophomore) and Sara Scarbro (sophomore; top 10 conference, top 15 regionals, top 30 sectionals). Junior Marilyn McDougall is new to the team. "We're looking for another top five placement at conference," said Huntley coach Dana Burner. "A key for success is to keep everyone healthy and injury-free."

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Burlington Central, which qualified for state as a team last year (10th in Class 2A), returns standouts Maggie Gannon, Markelle Turk and Katie Puccio. Sophomores Alex Tarr, Heidi Zipoy and Katie Flannery will also help as will 400 track runner Alexa Tovsen (track state qualifier) and freshman Kayla Wolf. "We have very high hopes," said Burlington Central coach Vince Neil. "We definitely have the talent. I think there could be something special going on. It's going to be a fun year." Central will run in the Peoria Woodruff invitational this year. "That will be a big test for us," said Neil. "It will help us see how successful we can be this year."

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Hampshire has 17 girls on the team this season, including returning state qualifier Plichta and state track qualifiers Tiffany Phu (senior) and Cassie Kruse (sophomore). Seniors Chelsey Fulbright, Rachel Neisendorf and Margaret Wians are also back. Fellow state track qualifier Liz Sicheri is also new to the team. "This is our largest team," said Hampshire coach Patti Nihells. "We are looking to be strong competitors in the conference and beyond. I'm expecting a lot from my seniors."

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The Elgin-Larkin co-op team returns sectional qualifiers in Kelly Patchett (Elgin) and Christine Heiser (Elgin; 4-year varsity runner). Seniors Brandi Hernandez (Elgin) and Meaghan Gard (Larkin) will also be key components for the team, along with senior Daniela Limon (Elgin). Larkin students Kelci Hogue (sophomore) and Amanda Lane (sophomore) will also figure into the mix. "We grabbed three of the five at-large sectional qualifying spots last year and believe we can qualify as a team this year," said Larkin-Elgin coach Steven Lauridsen. "Kelly Patchett has the ability, work ethic and habits to continue to trim her 3-mile time below last year's best of 19:37. If she improves at the same rate, a trip to Peoria Nov. 7 is likely."

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South Elgin returns sectional qualifiers in junior Katie Goplerud and sophomore Jordan Tuin. Seniors Karoline Kelly and Jessi Lenartowicz are also back. "This season we are looking to reach a little father than last year," said South Elgin coach Jorie Bartholomew. "We would like to be more competitive in our conference standing. We are looking into getting a whole team to qualify for sectionals. We are working to get some girls to state this year. I am hoping by establishing some personal goals with the girls, we can achieve our team goals."

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Streamwood finished sixth in the Upstate Eight Conference last year and brings back seniors Diana Cárdenas and Violet Sanchez, along with juniors Jordana LeSavage and Ashley Rosch, as well as sophomore Stephanie Brown. Brown and LeSavage both finished in the top 25 in the conference last year. "We are bringing back six of our top seven runners from last year," said Streamwood coach Ryan Korn. "Our top seven should be able to compete with any team we see this year. The team had a great summer. We have made steady improvement as a program over the last four years and this year our girls want to start winning and having others take notice. We are looking forward to a great season."

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Bartlett, which qualified for state as a team last year, brings back junior Alyssa Schneider, who finished fifth in Class 3A. The Hawks did graduate key seniors Kristen Schneider and Sam Salinas, but Taylor Crawford, Joanna Niewiara and Janessa Baker were underclassmen who ran in Peoria last year. Elgin Academy is under the direction of new coach Adrian Ayala, while Westminster Christian also welcomes a new coach in Ann Ruvalcaba. The Warriors feature seniors Tanya Rogers, Beth Kautz, Jaclyn Briesbois and Rachel Doby. "The outlook is pretty good," said Ruvalcaba. "Tanya has a shot to do pretty well if she is healthy." Mike Olenek is the new boys and girls cross country coach at St. Edward.