Girls track: Scouting Northwest
MID-SUBURBAN EAST
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Ron Brusa (1st year)
Last year: 11th in MSL
Key losses: Megan Lundgren, Ashley Eischen, Maria Krutikova.
Top returnees: Seniors: Leila Ayoub (throws), Hannah Baldwin (sprints, hurdles), Niki Salzman (sprints, hurdles), Calla Ziemba (throws); juniors Justyna Chmura (sprints, jumps), Katie Geraghty (distance),
Promising newcomers: Seniors: Jordan Mann (sprints, pole vault, throws), Cristina Meza (sprints, jumps); sophomore Anna Klipstein (sprints, jumps); freshmen Kaitlyn Ko (distance), Amanda Kowalski (sprints), Natalie Lezama (distance), Rebecca Rabs (sprints, jumps), Gabrielle Sowa (sprints, jumps).
Outlook: Brusa takes over the BG program from former coach Steve Gibble and is excited about the young talent. Ko had a sensational cross country season and combined with Kowalski, Rabs, and Salzman in a setting a indoor record for the 1,600 relay.
Elk Grove
Coach: Dave Johnson (sixth year)
Last year: 12th in MSL
Key losses: Rachel Scianna (Benedictine University), Kalena Pfister, Kathleen O’Brien.
Top returnees: Senior Abby Brandt (distance), Jess Morrill (throws), Bridget Chaput (throws); junior Lisa Vivacqua (distance), Vanessa Gomez (sprints, jumps); sophomore Jacqui Colon (distance), Becky McDonough (distance).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore Inah Enolva (hurdles); freshmen Stephanie Phillips (distance), Emily Mallek (sprints).
Outlook: Johnson is looking for his distance crew to set the tone for the Grenadiers. EG is deep in distance and should be able to cover all the events. Also look for Morrill to lead a veteran throwing group.
Hersey
Coach: Jim Miks (ninth year)
Last year: 7th in MSL
2012 state qualifiers: Kelly Hill (pole vault), Hannah Helminiak (discus), Carolyn Crost (shot put), Nora Gawlik (3,200).
Key losses: Hannah Helminiak (Loyola), Nora Gawlik (Loras College), Caitlin O’Mara (Elmhurst College), Jamie Timm, Katie Croak.
Top returnees: Erica Hill (sprints, jumps), Clarissa Cruz (distance), Amanda Cortese (distance), Lauren Solberg (dstance), Carolyn Crost (throws), Kelly Hill (sprints, pole vault), Lenna Fotos (sprints), Laura Bjankini (sprints), Michelle Brown (hurdles), Mariann Morales (hurdles), Rachel Fredrick (sprints), Kristen Jackson (hurdles), Sara Bayerle (distance).
Promising newcomers: Meg Cerniglia (sprints, jumps), Michelle Fugiel (distance), Annie Johnson (hurdles, pole vault), Alissa Palmer (hurdles, pole vault), Paige Pawlis (sprints), Halle Lyons (distance).
Outlook: Senior Erica Hill and sophomore Kelly Hill give the Huskies a nice 1-2 punch in the field events. Erica won the MSL indoor title in the long jump and took second in the triple jump, while Kelly is the defending MSL pole vault champion and added to her success by winning the indoor title this season. Miks has a veteran group and his team is very balanced.
Prospect
Coach: David Wurster (29th year)
Last year: MSL champions.
2012 state qualifiers: Lauren Poplawski (6th in 800), Christina Santiago (6th in 1,600), 3,200 relay (3rd place), Catherine Sherwood (long jump), Erin Reese (shot put), Alicia Nicolau (shot put), Carissa Weis (triple jump), Maggie Devereux (100 high hurdles), Melissa Jones (300 low hurdles), Brooke Wolfe (1,600), 800 relay.
Key losses: Laura Maibuecher (Purdue), Christine Grossman, Melissa Jones, Abby Banna, Kathleen Kennedy.
Top returnees: Seniors: Lauren Poplawski (mid.-distance), Brooke Wolfe (distance, mid-distance), Maggie Devereux (hurdles, pole vault), Carissa Weis (jumps), Ally Zach (pole vault), Lauren Yearian (jumps); juniors Christina Santiago (mid-distance), Erin Reese (throws), Tara Stokes (mid-distance, hurdles), Alicia Nicolau (throws), Heidi Eurich (jumps), Katrina Leeney (mid-distance), Maddy Kiepura (pole vault, hurdles), Chrissy Loeb (discus), Rachel Henk (distance); sophomore Catherine Sherwood (jumps, hurdles, sprints), Taylor Will (jumps, hurdles), Hannah Getschman (mid-distance, jumps), Ellen Siefke (mid-distance, distance, hurdles), Kalei Britos (mid-distance).
Promising newcomers: Freshman Jess Skudlarek (jump, sprints), Maya Mason (sprints, hurdles), Brenda Kendziera (jumps, hurdles, sprints), Lana Korf (throws).
Outlook: Prospect is coming off its first MSL title since 2000, and the Knights are loaded once again. Santiago, Wolfe, and Poplawski were part of the 3,200 relay team that took third at state in a school record time of 9:06.18. All three are capable of individual medals. Poplawski has become one of the elite 800 runners in state. Wolfe and Santiago give the Knights a solid 1-2 punch in the mile. Sherwood returns and will lift the Knights in the jumps, as a freshman she took first in the MSL in the long jump. Reese and Nicolau give Prospect experience in the throws. Wies and Yearian also add experience in the field. The Knights are seeking back-to-back MSL titles and Wurster has the talent to get the job done.
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Kevin Young (first year).
Last year: 9th in MSL
2012 state qualifiers: Morgan Keller (3rd in shot put, 4th in discus), Amanda Sanchez (3,200), Mia Harper (400).
Key losses: Ashley Miller (Illinois Wesleyan), Amanda Sanchez (Eastern Illinois).
Top returnees: Senior: Morgan Keller (throws), Olivia Maciejewska (pole vault); juniors: Katie Shewmon (throws), Mia Harper (jumps, sprints).
Promising newcomers: Freshman Gabby Sanchez (distance), Sara O’Malley (distance), Hannah Mickey (sprints,jumps), Hannah Shultz (sprints, jumps).
Outlook: Keller and Harper will lead the Mustangs’ attack. Keller has earned five state medals already and is looking to add to her count. Harper turned it on late last season and will be looking to lift the Mustangs in the sprints. Sanchez is looking to make a mark in the distance events.
Wheeling
Coach: Mike Theodosakis (eighth year)
Last year: Tied 8th in MSL
Key losses: Mayra Ocampo, Colleen Creech-Woolcott, Dee Hanna, Kim Voltaire.
Top returnees: Senior Sydney Keith (sprints), Eva Poznanski (jumps), Brie Majkowski (throws), Angela Reinhart (sprints); juniors Elizabeth Smith (sprints, hurdles), Mart Dzundza (mid-distance), Ashely Sicard (throws), Hailey Dammeier (jumps, mid-distance), Jacky Guerrero (sprints); sophomores Jessie Sanford (sprints), Ashley Talken (pole vault), Maria Bedoya (mid-distance), Nicole Zlotnikova (throws), Aurora Mala (mid-distance), Hannah Dobrowski (throws), Ceci Uriostegui (distance).
Promising newcomers: Sophomores Alexa Laureano (sprints, jumps), Anabelen Figueroa (distance), Rhea Joslin (distance); Freshman Katherine Kowalski (sprints,jumps), Melisa Rodriguez (distance), Michaela Vasey (sprints, hurdles), Gloria Wide (throws), Elli Parisi (sprints), Ashley Pawelski (sprints), Jaclyn Pink (sprints), Dianna Montesinos (sprints), Andrea Sennett (jumps), Javika Shah (sprints).
Outlook: Keith will set the tone for the Wildcats in the sprints. The Wildcat senior won the MSL indoor title in the 55 dash and will be one of the top sprinters in the MSL. Theodosakis has young but deep team for the field. Poznanski and Dammeier are a threat in the high jump. Wheeling will miss the services of senior Jessi Zuba (throws) who tore hear ACL and is out for the season. Look for the distance group to make improvements.
MID-SUBURBAN WEST
Barrington
Coach: Jody Gitelis (26th year)
Last year: Third in MSL
2012 state qualifiers: Ashleigh Kleinjan (3,200), Caroline Carley (800), Melissa Madden (300 low hurdles), 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay.
Key losses: Caroline Carley (Holy Cross), Hannah Heider (Boston College), Francesca Krohn (Hillsdale College), Elizabeth Tracy (Loyola), Melissa Madden.
Top returnees: Seniors Samanth Babiuk (sprints, pole vault), Becca Batliner (distance), Ashleigh Kleinjan (distance), Melina Milone (sprints, jumps, pole vault), Rachel Simon (distance); juniors McCall Braun (sprints, hurdles), Rachel Cheever (sprints, discus), Kristen Clarke (sprints, jumps), Grace Kurcab (throws), Cary Reynolds (distance); sophomores Stephanie Bergren (sprints, mid-distance), Lauren Cropsey (sprints, mid-distance), Joelle Gross (mid-distance), Nina Hodges (sprints), Joyce Taylor (hurdles, long jump).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore Roxy Gizynski (jumps), freshman Sara-Kate Capel (jumps, sprints), Anna Cossio (high jump, hurdles, long sprints), Teegan Schultz (mid-distance, sprints), Brianna Stryczek (jumps).
Outlook: Barrrington was back in the hunt last season, and the Fillies are looking to continue their success this season. Babiuk will have major impact in the sprints and also aid the relays. Batliner had an impressive cross country season and is looking for a strong finish in track. The Fillies senior will lead a strong distance crew that includes Kleinjan, Simon, and Reynolds
Conant
Coach: Bob Borczak (12th year)
Last year: Tied for 8th in MSL
2012 state qualifiers: Jennifer Donnell (shot put, discus), Raison Bailey (shot put), Angela Herrmann (100, 200).
Key losses: Angela Herrmann (Illinois Wesleyan).
Top returnees: Senior: Rasion Bailey (throws), Katie Prince (throws), Jasminn Lastrella (sprints, jumps), Mollie Dalton (distance); juniors Jennifer Donnell (throws), Tracy Iroegbulem (hurdles, relays, jumps), Daisy Okpa (relays, hurdles, jumps); sophomores Kyrah Sherrod (sprints), Ola Urbanski (hurdles, relays), Jonniece Jones (sprints, jumps), Abby Tripp (distance).
Outlook: The Cougars strength is in the throwers. Both Donnell and Bailey were state qualifiers last year, and Donnell will be a medal threat this season. Conant will miss the contributions of Herrmann, and Borczack will look for some young talent to develop. There is also hope with a developing distance crew.
Fremd
Coach: Hali Yoshimura (sixth year)
Last year: 4th in MSL
2012 state qualifiers: Stephanie Uhrich (pole vault, high jump), Kelly Breen (3,200), Kathryn Kendzior (100 high hurdles), Katie Filosa (1,600), 800 relay.
Key losses: Stephanie Uhrich, Ida Crawford, Jennifer Fokas, Stephanie Hurwitz.
Top returnees: Seniors Leah Ferguson (sprints, long jump), Kelly Breen (distance), Katie Filosa (distance), Anna Johnson (high jump); juniors Anne Mahoney (sprints), Ayako Higuchi (distance, mid-distance).
Promising newcomers: Senior Beckie Lutka (sprints, jumps), junior Elena Knudsen (jumps); sophomore Courtney Balogh (hurdles, jumps).
Outlook: The Lady Vikes definitely have talent in the distance events anchored by Breen and Filosa, both state qualifiers last season. Higuchi will also have a major impact in the distance. Ferguson will anchor the sprint crew which qualified in the 800 relay last season. Yoshimura has kept the Viking attack moving and is looking to continue their climb this season.
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Dan Andersen (eighth year)
Last year: 5th in MSL
2012 state qualifiers: Banke Oginni (2nd in shot put), Haley Goers (7th in 1,600, 3,200)
Key losses: Haley Goers (Purdue), Emily D’Amico (Michigan).
Top returnees: Senior Tyra Palmer (distance); juniors Banke Oginni (throws), Solome Haile (distance); sophomore Alondra Aguirre (distance).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore Mack Agusto (sprints); freshman Meagen Biddle (distance).
Outlook: Oginni took second in the shot put last season for Class 3A and is one of the top throwers in state. The junior will set the tone for the Hawks this season. Hoffman will miss the contributions of Goers and D’Amico, but Andersen is confident his young runners will make their mark. Biddle has made quite an early impression in the 1,600, with Haile and Aquirre adding to a talented distance crew.
Palatine
Coach: Joe Parks (third year)
Last year: 2nd in MSL, Graylake North sectional champion.
2012 state qualifiers: 3,200 relay (4th at Class 3A), Megan O’Brien (shot put, discus), Meg Jump (triple jump), Laura Schweikert (400), Tess Wasowicz (800), 1,600 relay.
Key losses: Laura Schweikert (Marquette), Ellen Smith (UW-Lacrosse).
Top returnees: Seniors Tess Wasowicz (distance), Meg Jump (jumps, relays), Taylor Tenca (long sprints, mid-distance, relays), Megan O’Brien (throws); juniors Cassidy McPherson (distance), Liz Cox (distance), Jessica Lincoln (distance); sophomores Kara Burton (distance), Ashley Proksa (sprints, jumps), Basirat Iginla (sprints, jumps), Megan Thabuteau (sprint, jumps), Caitlin Riedy (sprints, hurdles).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore Gabbi Heidrich (sprints, jumps); freshman Sabina Yosif (distance), Katelyn Nix (sprint, jumps), Gabi Wilson (sprints).
Outlook: Palatine once again looks to be solid. Wasowicz, McPherson, Tenca, and Burton combined to lead the Pirates to an impressive fourth-place state finish in the 3,200 relay last spring. Wasowicz is also one of the top 800 and 1,600 runners in state. Jump is a force in the triple and long jumps, while O’Brien gives the Pirates veteran experience in the throws. McPherson and Cox also will aid the Pirates in the distance and mid-distance. Palatine won the MSL indoor and is hoping to continue it success outdoor. The Pirates will be in the hunt for the MSL title.
Schaumburg
Coach: Courtney Smith (second year)
Last year: Sixth in the MSL
2012 state qualifiers: Caroline Kurdej (3,200), Darneisha Spann (200, 100 high hurdles, 300 low hurdles), 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay.
Key losses: Lauren Lindgren (Olivet Nazarene).
Top returnees: Seniors Tori Capozziello (long sprints, relays), Maika Kumamoto (long sprints, relays), Jasmine Bethea (sprints, relays); juniors Darneisha Spann (sprints, hurdles), Paige Schackelton (distance); sophomores Caroline Kurdej (distance), Ali Gutt (distance), Erin Falsey (distance).
Promising newcomers: Junior Danielle Reptowski (sprint, relays); freshman Enfiniti Kelly (sprint, relays, jumps).
Outlook: Spann created quite a buzz last season by winning the 100 high hurdles, 300 low hurdles, and 200 dash at the MSL meet. She picked up where she left off at the MSL indoor meet by winning the 55 hurdles and 200 dash. Spann will be fun to watch this season as she paces the Saxons’ attack. Kurdej powers a deep and talented distance crew, and is coming off a 3,200 indoor title. Bethea and Kumamoto will help energize the relays. Schaumburg finished second at the MSL indoor meet and has the pieces to be dangerous this season.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
St. Viator
Coach: Jim Williams (first year)
2012 state qualifiers: Hanna Winter (1,600), Meghan Carroll (1,600), 3,200 relay
Top returnees: Seniors Hanna Winter (distance), Shannon Cooney (distance), Meghan Saulka (sprints, hurdles), Christine Ronson (sprints); juniors Meghan Carroll (distance), Katie Malek (distance), Kristen Yi (sprints); sophomores Kelly Kompanowski (pole vault, discus), Bianca DiVinconzo (throws), Katie Cooley (sprints).
Outlook: Distance rules for the Lions. Winter and Carroll, both 2012 state qualifiers, will power St. Viator. Winter finished 12th in Class 2A for girls cross country last fall. Williams is looking for the sprints and field events to make progress throughout the season.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
Leyden
Coach: Brett Dempsey (fourth year)
Key losses from last year: Christa Pitts (St. Xavier University)
Top returnees: Seniors Cheyenne Salazar (sprints), Danlye Segura (mid-distance, distance); juniors Aleksandra Kijowska (sprints), Stephanie Dominguez (sprints, hurdles), Taylor Calderon (sprints, jumps), Alyssa Aiello (sprints), Jennifer Garcia (discus), Erica Elliot (jumps).
Promising newcomers: Junior Jessica Plessner (throws); freshman Siahn Correa (sprints, jumps), Michaline Szelazek (mid-distance, distance).
Outlook: Dempsey is expecting big things from the Eagles this season. Kijowska won the West Suburban Gold 400 dash and looks strong again this season. Dominguez is also looking sold in the hurdles. Dempsey is also optimistic for his sprint relays. The Eagles are balanced and will be tough in the West Suburban Gold.