Girls cross country: Scouting the Fox Valley
Bartlett HawksCoach: Amy Burns
2014 finish: Sixth place UEC Valley
Top returning runners: Senior Gabrielle Murdoch, juniors Coral McFarland, Kayla Garrigan, Nicolette Zolecki, Kristen Leever, Meghan Newman, sophomores Jessica Fagan, Samantha Fagan, Abby Brinkman, Leah Kern
Key newcomers: Junior Natalie Stellato, freshmen Kimberly Monroy, Jennifer Luna, Aasma Haider, Meagan Wersching, Madison Sharko
Outlook: McFarland and Jessica Fagan both qualified for sectionals last season, while Zolecki was a track state qualifier in the 200 this past spring. "This year's team has a great mix of new and experienced runners," said Burns. "With 8 seniors on the team, there is a lot of leadership and knowledge to share. At the same time, 13 of the 38 girls are new to running high school cross-country. There definitely is room for growth and improvement at every meet." Burns likes how the team's pack is shaping up. "Our 2 through 10 runners are a tight pack and any one of them could have a breakthrough race," said Burns. "Overall, we need to keep working hard during practice each day. With more training, we are going to continue to get stronger and faster. Running together during races, tightening the spread between our 1 through 7 runners and moving up during the middle of the race are things we will continue to work on." McFarland continues to make big strides for the Hawks. "She improves every season," said Burns. "She is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached and is constantly looking for ways to reach her maximum potential during her training runs and workouts, as well as during races. She is working to become a student of the sport and has the motivation and confidence to run wit the front pack each race." Main goals for the team include finishing in the top half of the conference and qualifying for a Class 3A sectional as a team.
Burlington Central RocketsCoach: Vince Neil
2014 finish: Sixth place Big Northern Conference
Top returning runner: Sophomore Chloe Bilyk
Key newcomers: Juniors Meghan Safranski, Kailee Buttice, freshmen Natalia Rodriquez, Nicolette Capetillo
Outlook: Bilyk leads the way for the Rockets. She qualified for the sectional as a freshman. "We will have a new look this year," said Neil, in his 12th season. "The group is working very hard and bonding as a team. We come in this year somewhat inexperienced with many new members, but the work ethic and the drive are there. We have had so many strong individual performances over the past few years here, but I think this team really wants to do well as a group. We have a wonderful lineup of girls on this squad." Neil said Rodriquez, a freshman, will provide immediate assistance, while Safranski is a former soccer player out for cross-country. "The girls will be much better," said Neil. "Natalia is a nice addition and Megan has been great all summer and ran 18:58 for 3 miles at the Rock Falls invitational. She will be a name that could be very well-known in the area the next few years. And Chloe had a good track season and had a good summer. We're very strong in our Top 3 and then after that it's getting those 4-5 girls in place. I think we are far better than we were a year ago."
Cary-Grove TrojansCoach: Mark Anderson
2014 finish: Seventh place Fox Valley Conference
Top returning runners: Seniors Sarah Riley, Molly MacDuff, juniors Sarah Caesar, Rachel Feuerhelm
Key newcomers: Senior Kasey Tasch, junior Morgan Olsen, sophomores Maddie Görz, Libby Hansen
Outlook: Anderson said a key to the season will be how close the pack gets. "We need to try and have a tight 1-5, preferably 1-7 pack," he said. Caesar is a returning sectional qualifier for the Trojans, while Riley also has shown improvement. "Sarah Riley has been training very well so far," said Anderson. "We're young and inexperienced, but the girls have been working hard. We will see how everything falls into place." Anderson noted top contenders in the FVC look to be Crystal Lake South, Crystal Lake Central and Huntley.
Crystal Lake South GatorsCoach: Ken Greenfield
2014 finish: First place FVC Valley; Second place FVC overall
Top returning runners: Seniors Andie Kobrick, Jenny Luken, juniors Caitlin Bruzzini, Ann Lewandowski, sophomore Kayla Ehrenhaft
Outlook: South returns numerous key runners from last year's team that was among the best in the area. "We have a core of returning varsity runners from a good team last year," said Greenfield. "Hopefully we can contend for a conference championship and improve our placing at the sectional." Bruzzini was seventh in the conference as a sophomore last year, while Kobrick was 11th.
Dundee-Crown ChargersCoach: Tyler Carlson
2014 finish: 11th place Fox Valley Conference
Top returning runners: Seniors Kayla Hostetler, Maggie Himmel, sophomore Sylvia Waz
Outlook: As a freshman, Waz earned all-conference honors and advanced to the sectional. "We have a strong mix of seniors with lots of varsity experience and a sophomore class that stepped up well the last third of the season," said Carlson. "The senior girls have led the way with a strong summer." Carlson added pack running will be a strength. We hope to have a strong pack chasing Sylvia."
Elgin MaroonsCoach: Allison Crane
2014 finish: 7th place UEC River
Top returning runners: Seniors Anali Cisneros, Chloe Burkhart, Rose Salazar, Sarah Toren, Lizbeth Cortez, juniors Alicia Heydt, Nayeli Cisneros, sophomores Leslie Duran, Justina Sanavongxay
Key newcomers: Freshman Kasey Moreno, Wendy Duran, Nathalia Garfias
Outlook: Anali Cisneros and Burkhart qualified for sectionals last season and are looking to drop their times into the 19s for 5K this season. "We are hoping this team will be able to sneak up on the powerhouses in our conference," said Crane, in her first season as head coach. "This collection of girls has a remarkable group of seniors who have given 100 percent the past three years. Having them as role models for the younger runners is a coach's dream. We are deep with young, eager runners and the combination of their raw talent mixed with the guidance and work ethic of the veterans makes me excited to get this season started. We are further encouraged by the fact the number of girls out for the team is up significantly." Crane has been pleased by the team's improved conditioning levels. "Endurance is not a problem for us," she said. "This team can run for hours. We have added a lot of interval training and speed workouts this season in an attempt to drop times."
Elgin Academy HilltoppersCoach: Brian LeVanti
Top returning runner: Senior Corrine Lam
Outlook: Lam is coming off a 2015 track and field season where she placed in the 1,600 run at the Class 1A Oregon sectional.
Hampshire Whip-PursCoach: Patti Nihells
Top returning runners: Elizabeth Evans, Morgan Richert, Sophie Oury, Shayla Sotelo, Marie Mayer, Anna Wilson
Key newcomers: Yesenia Gonzalez
Outlook: Hampshire qualified for a Class 2A sectional last year with a lineup that featured four freshmen and sophomore runners. Of the Top 6 Whip-Purs runners at the Woodstock regional, Richert (junior now), Oury (sophomore), Sotelo (junior), Mayer (junior) and Wilson (senior) all return. And only Wilson is a senior. "I believe our team is deeper than we ever have been," said Nihells.
Huntley Red RaidersCoach: Brad Gallaugher
Top returning runners: Seniors Kate Mitchell, Jerissa Chan, sophomores Chloe Smith, Brooke Cirenza, Olivia Boncoscky
Key newcomers: Sophomore Lindsay Ferguson, freshman Mary Raclawski.
Outlook: Huntley enjoyed a number of Top 5 finishes from a year ago and returns numerous runners from that team. "Our strength is the talent we have from 1-7 and our weakness is the fact these girls need to learn to run together," said Gallaugher. The coach would like to see his squad move up even further in the FVC standings. "After improving in the conference standings over the past 3 seasons we are hoping to finish in the Top 3 in the conference this year," he said. Gallaugher predicts a competitive FVC season. "After graduating so many senior studs from the FVC, I think anything can happen this year," he said. "Jacobs, Cary-Grove and Crystal Lake South are solid and I expect them to be at the top again."
Harvest Christian Academy LionsCoach: Steven Bland
2014 finish: Northeastern Athletic Conference champions
Top returning runners: Sophomores Nygia Pollard, Rachel Higbee, Rayna Steiner, Cassidy Richter
Key newcomer: Junior Kaelie Sjodin
Outlook: Harvest won the conference title for the third year in a row last year and finished 19th in the state. Pollard finished 49th individually in the Class 1A meet. "The majority of the team did a lot of summer running," said Bland. "This is perhaps the strongest team we have ever fielded in our short history." Bland said the team would like to add a fourth conference title in a row to its resume and then advance to the state meet. "It's the competition that stands in our way," he said. "Several teams in the region and section have a lot of returning athletes and they, too, will be much stronger. We need to stay healthy, injury-free and keep our focus."
Jacobs Golden EaglesCoach: Kevin Christian
2014 finish: Third place Fox Valley Conference
Top returning runners: Seniors Alex Lorenz, Natalie Cook, Dani Gehr, Julia Levy, juniors Kathryn Van Vlierbergen, Bailey Zinger, Isabelle Friend, sophomore Chloe Walsh
Key newcomers: Senior Gerrica Alexander, juniors Nikki Dobson, Jessi Gessner, Isabella Trojanek, Sam Smith, Kaylee Domek, freshman Meghan Lemke
Outlook: Jacobs graduated two all-conference runners, including Class 3A state runner-up Lauren Van Vlierbergen. Her sister, Kathryn, is back after taking 22nd in the conference a year ago. "Depth will be a strength," said Christian. "We will have four very strong runners and then are looking for someone to step up and be our fifth. Chloe Walsh put in a huge summer and will be looking to be one of the top runners in the area. Natalie Cook did all her training with Chloe and should be much improved. Kathryn was coming off an injury, but is fit and Alex is coming off a good triathlon season." Jacobs has 54 girls in the program. "These girls put in a ton of work over the summer, so with that much depth we are assured someone will be able to step up into those final three varsity spots."
Larkin RoyalsCoach: Murray Domich
2014 finish: Eighth place UEC River
Top returning runners: Hannah Rangel, Mayra Jaimes, Giselle Solano, Jackie Munoz, Tanya Franco, Dianne Cruz, Ariana Real
Key newcomers: Natalia Vargas, Rebeca Solis, Scartlett Ford, Leslie Solano, Julia Escamilla, Jasmin Castro, Jocelyn Almazo, Daniela Cortez, Angela Ochoa, Ellen Ochoa, Sheila Vasquez, Gisele Ruiz, Emilia Arroyo
Outlook: Domich takes over a Larkin team that earned a team berth in a Class 3A sectional last season. "As a first-year coach at Larkin, I will be establishing pride and consistency in our training," said Domich. The new coach sees a competitive landscape in the UEC River. "The Upstate Eight Conference is always loaded with talented distance runners," he said. "All the teams in the conference will be a great challenge."
St. Edward Green WaveCoach: Katie Beckett
2014 finish: Fifth place Metro Suburban Conference
Top returning runners: Senior Ashley Lopez, junior Megan Kremer
Key newcomers: Sophomore Kailey Wood, freshmen Katie Ellsworth, Marae Costello, Emily Wagh
Outlook: Lopez and Kremer both were sectional qualifiers a year ago. Kremeralso is coming off a successful track season. "We have a much larger team this year with a lot of depth throughout," said Beckett. "All the girls are very positive and encouraging to each other and they push each other to be better on and off the course." Wood and Ellsworth are newcomers that could make an impact. "Kailey and Katie have a lot of potential that we are just waiting to see when races start to take place," said Beckett. The team's goals are more centered on individual improvement. "Since we have a wide range of experience, the goals differ from girl to girl based on times and goals of making it to the state meet," said Beckett. "The overall goal is for each girl to do her best and try her hardest every day."
Streamwood SabresCoach: Dylan Lau
2014 finish: Fourth place UEC River
Top returning runners: Juniors Natalye Hernandez, Jessica Witt
Key newcomers: Juniors Claudia Karaluch, Evelyn Delgado, Sahari Lopez
Outlook: Team chemistry is a main plus for the Sabres. "One of the main strengths is the teamwork and their desire to improve," said Lau. "This is a close-knit, junior-led team that pushes each other in practice. They want to get better. With most of the girls on the team new to the varsity level, an area we will need to improve on is our experience at this level. A big obstacle for us will be to stay healthy and injury-free and to keep consistent with our splits." Lau is looking forward to seeing Hernandez's progress on the course this season. "Natalye is one of two girls with postseason varsity experience returning to our team," he said. "She has made huge strides in the way she approaches practices and races from a physical and mental standpoint and has stepped into the leadership role for our new-look team."
South Elgin StormCoach: Jorie Bartholomew
2014 finish: 8th place UEC Valley
Top returning runners: Seniors Sam Czuprynski, Maggie Vickrey, sophomores Sydney Lusco, Lindsay Alvarado
Key newcomers: Freshman Hannah Anderson
Outlook: Vickrey was a 2014 sectional qualifier, while Czuprynski is returning from injury. "We have many girls who have returned from last year," said Bartholomew. "We had many girls who ran in our summer camp. They've been running for the past few months and getting in shape. We will continue to work on getting stronger as a team. We will be working on team bonding and getting stronger together. We are hoping to get a better conference outlook and then be able to continue our postseason from regionals to sectionals." Bartholomew is looking forward to Czuprynski finishing her high school career strong. "This is Sam's last year on the team and I think she can really make up for her injury last year," she said. The coach added Anderson, a freshman, is showing great promise.
Westminster Christian WarriorsCoach: Adriana Armstrong
Top returning runners: Sophomores Sophie Danner, Drew Randazzo, freshman Anna Whitchurch
Outlook: Westminster's team has grown in numbers this season. "Our strength is in numbers," said Armstrong. "For the first time in 4 years we have girls competing as a team. We also have a number of underclassmen who show great potential as runners. We're working on race strategy and developing newer athletes." Danner is looking for a repeat sectional performance. "Sophie qualified at regionals but an injury kept her out of sectionals. She has trained hard all summer and should do well this season." Continuing to develop the team's newer talent takes on added importance this season. "I hope to lay a foundation with the girls participating in cross-country this year. With several seniors graduating in the spring, developing younger talent will be key in building the cross-country program."