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Girls cross country: Scouting the Fox Valley

Aurora Central Catholic ChargersCoach: Troy Kerber

2015 finish: Tied for first Metro Suburban West

Top returning runners: Seniors Abby Fioresi, Alex Johnston, Amy Brouch, juniors Toriana Turk, Shannon LoPresti, Therese Hein, Hannah Doherty

Key newcomers: Senior Catherine Kricari, freshmen Viviana Ponce, Shayley Gonzalez, Ella Englehardt

Outlook: Aurora Central has 7 runners back who have Top 7 lineup experience, including five that were members of the program's 2014 Class 2A state team. Fioresi earned all-state honors last year as a junior. "Abby is faster and stronger than a year ago," said Kerber. "She comes into cross country with 2:14 in the 800 and 5:00 in the 1,600 speed. With great endurance and racing experience, if it all continues to come together for Abby, she is a state-championship contender." But the experience and talent doesn't stop with Fioresi. "We have an elite front-runner to go with potentially a very potent chase pack. Seniors Alex Johnston and Amy Brouch are leading that group, which also will see interchange from Shannon LoPresti, Hannah Doherty and impact freshman Viviana Ponce," said Kerber. "Toriana, Catherine and Therese also will be major contributors. We have talent and potential, and outside of Abby and Alex, the summer mileage as a group was limited. We will start slow until we get into shape and then expect positive progression."

Bartlett HawksCoach: Amy Burns-Ehmen

2015 finish: Second place Upstate Eight Valley

Top returning runners: Seniors Coral McFarland, Nicolette Zolecki, Kristen Leever, Kayla Garrigan, Natalie Stellato, juniors Leah Kern, Abby Brinkman, Jessie Fagan

Key newcomers: Junior Grace Morrissey, freshman Sareena Shah

Outlook: Bartlett returns a good chunk of experience from last year's team that qualified for the sectional meet. "We are looking to be more competitive, especially in larger meets such as the St. Charles East invite and the Wheaton North Classic," said Burns-Ehmen. "We only lost two seniors that were in our Top 12 last season. One of our strengths is our ability to run together as a strong pack during races. We are looking to continue closing the split between our third and seventh runners." McFarland and Fagan will lead the way for the Hawks. "We had a great summer," the coach said. "The girls ran more mileage each week than ever before. We realize how important hard work and consistency are in order to drop our times to be more competitive with other teams. We are looking to build a stronger team with more depth so we can be more competitive across all levels."

Batavia BulldogsCoach: Chad Hillman (15th season)

2015 finish: Upstate Eight River champions

Top returning runners: Emma Stephens, Daphne Kolody, Marygrace Golden, Anna Malay, Maia Haworth, Alexa Andrews

Key newcomers: Frehsmen Audrey Pellico, Mia Gainfrancesco

Outlook: The outlook is bright to say the least for the Bulldogs, who took third in the state in Class 3A last season. Stephens finished 13th individually in Class 3A. Stephens, Kolody, Golden, Malay, Haworth and Andrews all were all-conference selections in helping Batavia win the UEC River Division team title. "Our goal is to improve on last year's IHSA performance and win the conference championship," said Hillman. "Our strength is our returning Top 7 runners and the depth we have."

Burlington Central RocketsCoach: Vince Neil

2015 finish: Eighth place Big Northern Conference

Top returning runners: Seniors Megan Safranski, Kailee Buttice, Kylie Ganziano, junior Chloe Bilyk, Natalia Rodriguez

Key newcomers: Freshmen Emily Stark, Jenna Dinges

Outlook: Safranski finished 20th in the state in Class 2A last year, while Rodriguez was a sectional qualifier. Bilyk is back after being injured. She was a track 800 state qualifier as a freshman. "Our front three runners will have low scores," said Neil. "Our pack of 4-7 runners will look to maintain contact with the Top 3. They have the drive and work ethic. The girls are all-in this season and there is great excitement across all levels. Advancing our team from regionals to sectional will be one of our goals. We need to give ourselves a shot at the sectional as a team."

Cary-Grove TrojansCoach: Mark Anderson

2015 finish: 11th place Fox Valley Conference

Top returning runners: Seniors Sarah Caesar, Rachael Feuerhelm, Meghan O'Malley

Key newcomers: Sophomores Sam Gagliano, Emily Mohr, freshmen Allison Drage, Sophia Galfano, Teagan Hayes

Outlook: "The girls have a great attitude and a real strong sense of camaraderie," said Anderson. "We want to trophy in a couple meets, work hard and build on this for next year." Freshman Drage could provide immediate assistance. "Allison is pretty good," said Anderson.

Crystal Lake South GatorsCoach: Ken Greenfield (6th season)

2015 finish: Sixth place Fox Valley Conference

Top returning runners: Seniors Caitlin Bruzzini, Lauren Cain, Julianna Brown, Ann Lewandowski, junior Kayla Ehrenhaft

Key newcomers: Sophomore Emma Heuck, freshman Mackenzie Aldridge

Outlook: Bruzzini was the 2015 FVC individual champion and qualified for state as an individual. Ehrenhaft also was an all-conference finisher and helped the Gators qualify for the sectional as a team for the sixth year in a row. "Our main goals are process-oriented," said Greenfield. "We focus on working hard every day and having positive senior leadership and team chemistry. We have a very strong front-runner in Caitlin and a good pack of about seven other runners that is very close to each other. Our team success will depend a lot on how many of those runners can narrow the gap between themselves and Caitlin and by how much. I'd love for us to be in the top half of our conference this season."

Dundee-Crown ChargersCoach: Tyler Carlson (4th season)

2015 finish: Ninth place Fox Valley Conference

Top returning runners: Juniors Sylvia Waz, Skyler Finucane, Juliana Redisi, sophomore Jessie Kolros

Key newcomer: Senior Jenna Berlet

Outlook: Waz finished in the Top 10 in the FVC meet as a sophomore and earned all-conference honors along with Finucane. "We return two all-conference girls and have a good mix of experienced sophomores and juniors," Carlson said. "Our middle pack should be strong and get stronger as the season goes on. We will have a good front-runner in Sylvia, but we will look to our 2-5 runners to be packed up tightly not far behind her. We have the potential to be in the top half of the conference this October." Carlson said Huntley, Crystal Lake South and Crystal Lake Central are top-tier contenders in the FVC. "There should be a pretty solid and competitive season in the FVC," he said.

Elgin MaroonsCoach: Allison Crane

2015 finish: Fifth place Upstate Eight River

Top returning athletes: Kasey Moreno, Nayeli Cisneros, Leslie Duran, Justina Sanavongxay, Fernanda Palomar, Karla Carillo, Alicia Heydt

Key newcomers: Senior Maria Lupita-Baeza, junior Ashley Dorantes, sophomore Irma Martinez, freshmen Bethsaida Rodriguez, Jessica Ramos

Outlook: Moreno was an all-conference finisher a year ago and along with Cisneros qualified as individuals for the sectional. Duran just missed a sectional qualification and is expected to be the team's second or third runner. Elgin graduated four of its Top 7 runners. "The competition for the Top 7 spots will be greater than I have ever seen at Elgin," said Crane. "Not only will this struggle create excitement, but it will push the top girls to a greater degree than they have experienced in the past. This is a true team. They know they cannot be strong individually if they are not strong together. These girls always selflessly look out for the best interest in the team." Crane has high hopes for Moreno this season. "Kasey is a natural competitor," said Crane. "If we can keep her healthy, she will undoubtedly qualify for state." Crane also would like to see the Maroons qualify for sectionals as a team. "Our fifth runner at regionals took a nasty spill on the huge hill at LeRoy Oaks last year," she said. "She got herself up and finished, but lost a lot of time. We are still a little bitter and will use that as our motivation this year."

Geneva VikingsCoach: Bob Thomson (15th season)

2015 finish: Second place Upstate Eight River

Top returning runners: Seniors Emma Ehrhardt, Mary Grace Neville, junior Taryn Christy, sophomores Emily Belanger, Sophia McDonnell

Key newcomers: Junior Holly Nusser, freshman Andrine Larsen

Outlook: Geneva is in good shape with a host of decorated runners back from last year's team that finished ninth in the state in Class 3A. Ehrhardt was 22nd individually in the state. She earned all-conference accolades along with Belanger, McDonnell, Christy and Neville. "Our goal is to always qualify for state and to challenge for the conference title," said Thomson.

Hampshire Whip-PursCoach: Dennis Wozniak

2015 finish: Third place Fox Valley Fox Division

Top returning runners: Seniors Marie Mayer, Morgan Richert, Shalya Sotelo, junior Sophia Oury

Key newcomers: Senior Alexis Nguyen, sophomore Paige Kern

Outlook: Wozniak has been impressed with the team's senior leadership. "I like our work ethic," he said. "They grind it out every practice and never complain."Richert is coming off a summer injury. "We need Morgan healthy and a strong fifth runner to be in the top half of the conference," said Wozniak. "We need someone to fill in the fifth spot on varsity. It will be someone who wasn't there last year so our ability to do so will determine our strength."

Huntley Red RaidersCoach: Brad Gallaugher (7th season)

2015 finish: First place Fox Valley Conference Valley

Top returning runners: Senior Vicky Watkins, juniors Chloe Smith, Olivia Boncoscky, Brooke Cirenza, sophomore Mary Raclawski

Key newcomers: Freshmen Emily Glass, Gen Porsche

Outlook: Raclawski was an all-conference selection and helped the Red Raiders win their second regional title in a row. "Our strengths are our toughness, the hard workers we have and having a true No. 1 runner in Mary," said Gallaugher. "Our weakness is our inexperience at the varsity level."

Harvest Christian Academy LionsCoach: Steve Bland

2015 finish: Northeastern Athletic Conference champions

Top returning runners: Senior Kaelie Sjodin, juniors Nygia Pollard, Rachel Higbee, Cassidy Richter, Rayna Steiner

Key newcomers: Junior Alyssa Iverson, sophomores Hannah McHugh, Hope Mylin

Outlook: The Eagles return all but two runners out of their Top 7 from a year ago, headlined by Pollard who finished 10th in the state in Class 1A. "Nygia is much stronger this year," said Bland. "Barring injuries, she should be faster." Iverson likely will be Harvest's No. 2 runner. "Alyssa is a very talented athlete," said Bland. "She has never run cross country. Her primary sport is basketball in which she is an all-state talent." Depth once again is on Harvest's side. "Our strength is our middle. We run a very tight pack," said Bland. "I like their character, work ethic, commitment, discipline and their ambition." Harvest was ranked 12th in Class 1A by DyeStat IL and MileSplit IL.

Jacobs Golden EaglesCoach: Kevin Christian (10th season)

2015 finish: Ninth place Fox Valley Conference

Top returning runners: Seniors Isabelle Friend, Sam Smith, Bailey Zinger, Jessi Gessner, Nikki Dobson, junior Chloe Walsh

Key newcomers: Sophomores Jenna Skuza, Lindsey Loga, Stephanie Kruk, Meghan Lemke, freshman Alyson Doherty

Outlook: Friend was an all-conference runner a year ago for the Golden Eagles. "We return a large group of girls that won a lot of JV meets and put in the work to move up and be solid varsity runners," said Christian. "We will see how they react to the pace of a varsity meet. If they are able to drop just 10 to 20 seconds per mile off last year, we will be a top-third FVC team. If not, we could struggle. Sam Smith and some of the other senior girls put in a great summer and led the sophomore girls to a great summer of training." Christian said Doherty could make an immediate impact as a freshman. "Alyson is looking to be our No. 1 runner and could immediately and drastically improve the team."

Kaneland KnightsCoach: Doug Ecker

2015 finish: Second place Northern Illinois Big 12

Top returning runners: Junior Andrea Wells, sophomores Tessa Brennan, Grace Purcell, Emma Ball

Key newcomers: Freshmen Rachel Richtman, Lesley Viveros

Outlook: Kaneland returns four of its Top 7 runners from a team that finished 10th in the state in Class 2A. Brennan and Purcell were all-conference runners. Reinforcements arrived in the form of middle-school Class 3A 2-mile state-champion Richtman and fifth-place 2-mile finisher Viveros. "Overall, we have a young team but we have some talent," said Ecker. "The girls are very coachable, quality individuals who work hard and we have good senior leadership. The strength of the team should be our depth and if we can avoid injuries. Our team goals are to be competitive in the mid- to late-season invitationals, to finish near the top of the conference and to put the team in a position where they can have an opportunity to qualify for the state meet."

Larkin RoyalsCoach: Britney Whitehead (1st season)

Top returning athletes: Seniors Tanya Franco, Dianne Cruz

Key newcomers: Freshmen Alyssa Durant, Melissa Powers, Amy Leon, Miranda Preuss

Outlook: Whitehead said a big strength this year will be the Royals' pack-running ability with the "Top 2 runners together and the 3-7 runners together," she said. "The girls are young and enthusiastic. There is a lot of potential and room for growth." Powers and Franco will lead the way for the Royals. "They are top runners who push each other," said Whitehead, a Larkin graduate. "They both are very driven and have leadership qualities." Whitehead said the Royals goals are to place higher in the conference and make it to the sectional meet as a team."

Rosary RoyalsCoach: Vic Mead

Top returning runners: Juniors Brooke Delahanty, Claire Hengesbaugh, sophomores Megan Ronzone, Allison Tippett, Hannah Regan

Outlook: The Royals took 15th in the state in Class 2A last year with Ronzone, Delhanty, Tippett, Regan and Hengesbaugh all running in Peoria."We have 18 kids on the varsity. We're going to be quite young," said Mead. "We are in a tough new conference with the GCAC. We're going to try to get downstate again and try and keep that going. It's going to be a challenging year, but I think we can do it by the end of October."

St. Charles East SaintsCoach: Mike Arenberg

2015 finish: Third place Upstate Eight River

Top returning runners: Seniors Anna Arrick, Emma Battin, Hannah Willging, Lexi Scull, junior Hannah Ewald, sophomores Claire Mckian, Ashley Stepien, Klaudia Wyznewski

Key newcomers: Freshmen Melanie Williams, Clarissa Kelly

Outlook: Arenberg said strengths of this year's Saints team include its 2-5 pack and a team-first attitude. "We want to improve on every place at every invite from last year," he said. Arenberg has high hopes for Stepien and Arrick. "Ashley had a strong track season and is in her second year," he said. "Anna missed qualifying last year by one place and she had a great summer of training."

St. Charles North North StarsCoach: Shari Hayes

2015 finish: Third place Upstate Eight River

Top returning runners: Seniors Madison Kaufmann, Courtney Steele, Hannah Zelms, Allie Chen, Alyssa Bonelli, juniors Audrey Ernst, Ally Suyak, Maddie Bell, sophomores Natalie Galvan, Maddie Wiltrout

Key newcomers: Sophomore Rylie Kaufmann, freshman Claire Norman

Outlook: St. Charles North returns its entire Top 7 from a year ago and 10 of its top 12 runners. Ernst (all-state the last two years) and Kaufmann are returning all-conference and state-qualifying runners. "They all have varsity experience," said Hayes. "A big strength will be our two front-runners in Audrey and Madison. They have experience and they are two great leaders." Hayes said Batavia and Geneva are two of the teams to watch in the conference. "We hope to be in the Top 3 again this season," she said. "We would love to qualify the entire team for the state meet this season and I would love to see Audrey finish in the Top 5 in the state. She definitely has the talent and the determination. We have a few injuries right now, so we should improve as the season progresses."

St. Edward Green WaveCoach: Katie Beckett

2015 finish: Third place regional finish

Top returning runners: Megan Kremer, Kailey Wood, Marae Costello

Key newcomers: Sophomore Anna Tyrawa, freshman Madeline Ellsworth

Outlook: Kremer qualified for the state meet a year ago and is back for the Green Wave. "We have depth," said Beckett. "We have a much larger team than we've had in recent years and there is a lot of potential for growth in many of the girls. I like the attitude that the returners have toward practice and how encouraging they are for our newcomers." Wood and Costello also have been making key strides. "They have been putting in the work since last season and have a lot of potential," said Beckett. Moving up in the conference standings is one of the Green Wave's key objectives this season. "We're hoping with the size and depth of our team that we will be able to make a good showing in the conference," she said. "Overall, our goals would be to get the team farther than last year. We're hoping to get the team at least to sectionals if not the state meet."

South Elgin StormCoach: Jorie Bartholomew

2015 finish: Sixth place Upstate Eight Valley

Top returning runners: Juniors Rileigh Swanson, Lindsay Alvarado, Sydeny Lusco, sophomore Hannah Anderson

Key newcomers: Junior Olivia Cabaj

Outlook: South Elgin has ramped up its roster size this season. "Our strength this year is going to be the numbers," said Bartholomew. "We have almost doubled the size of our team from last year and we also have a good amount of varsity girls who have returned this year. I like how well they are working together as a unit and pushing each other as a team to get better results." Barthlomew said the team has numerous priorities this season. "We're hoping we will be able to improve our conference standing from last year with a lot of the girls on the team being upperclassmen," she said. "We want to be able to achieve more with this group. We already have achieved more on the team. Now we want to achieve better places in meets, a better conference standing, and better regional and sectional showings. We want to earn more, achieve more and do it as a team."

Streamwood SabresCoach: Dylan Lau (2nd season)

2015 finish: Sixth place Upstate Eight River

Top returning runners: Seniors Natalye Hernandez, Claudia Karaluch, Jessica Witt, Evelyn Delgado, junior Michelle Andrade, sophomore Kiara Segura

Key newcomers: Juniors Maddi Exline, Monica Brown

Outlook: "This year's team comes with experience with most of the girls in the Top 7 having postseason experience," said Lau. "We are bringing back our top two runners in Claudia and Natalye, whose leadership this season will be crucial for our team." Exline and Brown will add to the Sabres' depth. "Maddi came off a very impressive first track season and is looking to have a similar season in cross country," said Lau. "Monica adds some depth to our Top 7. Our team goal is to improve on where we were last year and try and qualify for sectionals. We've had some injuries over the summer to some key runners on the team and we are going to try and ease them back into the swing of things and have them ready for the postseason."

West Aurora BlackhawksCoach: Andrea DiDonato

2015 finish: Fourth place Upstate Eight Valley

Top returning runners: Seniors Anahi Toscano, Daniela Garcia, junior Riley McCabe, sophomore Kayla Henderson

Key newcomers: Freshmen Alyssa Mayhew, Josslin Scull, Kaitlyn Hollar

Outlook: DiDonato is thrilled to have Toscano back for her senior leadership. "Our strengths are leadership, proper training and communication," she said. "We are lucky to have a veteran athlete such as Anahi, who loves the sport and can lead this young and talented group. In addition, during the first few weeks of practice I have seen our training plan improve the team's speed and endurance. I always am looking for the right balance of training and recovery to continue to improve our team's overall development. Finding balance takes trust and communication between each athlete and myself. I like how we go to work. There is a person and a theme for every practice and this group is responding well to that."

Aurora Central Catholic's Abby Fioresi (1060) and Burlington Central's Megan Safranski (1064) battle to the finish line to respectively take 19th and 20th places in the Class 2A state cross country final at Detweiller Park in Peoria last year. DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO
St. Edward's Megan Kremer nears the finish line in the girls Class 1A state cross country final to take 80th place at Detweiller Park in Peoria last year. DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO
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