Girls cross country / State meet scouting, Northwest
Girls cross country / State meet scouting
Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria
When: Class 3A at 1 p.m.
Teams to watch: Defending Class 3A state champion Glenbard West enters as the favorite. Junior Lindsay Graham has established herself as one of the top runners in state and will lead the Hilltoppers attack. Freshman Lindsey Payne and senior Lisa Luczak both have the potential for top ten finishes and will give Glenbard West a major boost. Palatine is also a serious threat for a state trophy. Junior Kelly O'Brien and senior Amy Kieliszewski power the Pirates' consistent attack. 2012 Class 3A champion Naperville North will also be contending for a state trophy. Junior Judy Pendergast, senior Elly DeTurris, and sophomore Claire Hamilton pace the Huskies' pack. A young Hinsdale Central squad will be in the hunt. Sophomore Alexa Haff and junior Annie Zaher give the Red Devils a powerful 1-2 punch up front. New Trier cannot be overlooked. Defending Class 3A individual state champion Mimi Smith anchors things for the Trevians.
Palatine: The Pirates began the season by finishing third at the Hinsdale Central Invite behind Glenbard West and Hinsdale Central. All three of those teams will be in the state trophy hunt and the Pirates have made progress since the opening meet. Palatine looked very strong in winning the Mid-Suburban League, regional and Schaumburg sectional titles. Junior Kelly O'Brien, the MSL champion, leads the way, and senior Amy Kieliszewski has come on strong this season to position herself well for an individual state medal. The back pack consists of senior Megan Beach, sophomore Sam Lechowicz and senior Kara Burton. The Pirates have been consistent from start to finish this season and are definitely a state trophy-worthy team. Palatine finished fourth in Class 3A last season, look for the Pirates to move up this season.
Schaumburg: The Saxons finished eighth in Class 3A last season, 1 point behind Minooka. Schaumburg has continued to improve this season, taking second in the MSL, winning the Hoffman Estates regional and taking second at the sectional meet it hosted. Senior Ali Gutt has made a late-season charge and will pace the Saxons' attack this weekend. Gutt finished 31st in Class 3A last season but will challenge for a state medal on Saturday. Senior Erin Falsey rebounded from a so-so conference meet and will aid the Saxons' attack. Sophomore Ellie O'Connell earned a state medal last season and is peaking at the right time. Freshman Lauren Kubinski has definitely added to the Saxons' profile, along with sophomore Valeria Schackelton and senior Caroline Kurdej. Schaumburg has the pieces and if the Saxons hit on Saturday a state trophy is not out of the question.
Fremd: The Vikings return to state after an eight-year absence. Senior Ayako Higuchi leads the way; she finished second in the MSL and won the Hoffman Estates regional. She will be in the mix for a state medal on Saturday. Seniors Katie Escobar and Anita Grudzien have provided a boost. The key for Fremd will be its back pack that includes junior Nora Finegan and senior Jess Peterson. Those two were instrumental in the Vikings' third place sectional finish.
Hoffman Estates: The Hawks have qualified for state five out of the last seven year and seem to be hitting their stride at the right time again. Junior Meagan Biddle has solidified herself as the Hawks No. 1 runner and will push the pace on Saturday. Senior Alondra Aguirre also has come on strong to finish the season. Senior Yazmin Nunez, junior Reena Prahbu, and junior Carly Dagen have done a nice job of closing the gap with two front runners. Also look for sophomore Misbah Baig to add to the Hawks attack.
Individuals to watch: Glenbard West junior Lindsay Graham, Jacobs senior Lauren Van Vlierbergen, and Hinsdale Central sophomore Alexa Haff will battle for the Class 3A title. New Trier senior Mimi Smith, the defending Class 3A champion, should also be among the leaders.
Area individuals
Lauren Conroy, Barrington - The Fillies junior has had a strong bounce-back year after injuries put a drag on her sophomore season. Conroy finished strong at the sectional in taking third place. The Fillies junior earned a state medal her freshman season and will challenge for a medal this weekend.
Brooke Wilson, Prospect - The Knight sophomore has risen to the challenge this season. She finished a strong sixth at the Schaumburg sectional and will push for a state medal on Saturday.
Class 2A and Class 1A: St. Viator freshman Brianna Mastrodomenico finished 19th at the Fenton Sectional earning an individual berth in the Class 2A race at 11 a.m. Christian Liberty sophomore Isabella Wolke finished second at the Lisle sectional qualifying for her second consecutive berth in the Class 1A race at 9 a.m.
- Michael Eaken