Girls track and field: Scouting Lake County

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY CONFERENCE

ANTIOCHCoach: Dan Oslage (eighth season)

Last season: fifth in NLCC meet, seventh in Class 3A DeKalb sectional, tie for 64th at state

Returning athletes: Noor Abdellatif (Sr., pole vault/hurdles/sprints), Ayanna Tommy (Jr., sprints/high jump), Aubryn Corey (Sr., discus), Tiana Fox (Jr., throws), Lyric Stay (So., high jump/triple jump), Joey Cabuyadao (So., throws), Natalie Svarc (Jr., 800)

Newcomers: Briana Galan (Jr., jumps/relays), Samantha Kempf (FR., hurdles), Sara Benes (FR., mid-distance), Hannah Benes (FR., mid-distance)

Outlook: The Sequoits return a pair of state qualifiers in Abdellatif (University of Illinois commit) and Tommy. Abdellatif returns in the pole vault and also looks to score in the hurdles and relays. Last year, she won the pole vault and 300 hurdles in the NLCC meet. Tommy ran the 100 at state last year and also competes in the 200 and high jump. "We have high expectations for both Abdellatif and Tommy with the goal of making Day 2 of the state meet," Oslage said. At the indoor state Top Times meet in Bloomington, Abdelatiff took fifth in the pole vault, and Tommy was fifth in the 60 meters. She also qualified in the high jump and 200. "Several other girls, such as Corey, Stay, Cabuyadao and Fox will be looking to score high at sectionals," Oslage said, "and make their first appearance at Charleston."

GRANTCoach: Greg Wodzien (fourth season)

Last season: first in NLCC meet, ninth in Class 3A DeKalb sectional

Returning athletes: Bailey Moran (Sr., 400/pole vault), Lexi Georgia (Sr., long jump/pole vault), Jana Nehila (Sr., 3,200), Danielle Osmon (Sr., 3,200), Allie Johnson (Jr., 100 hurdles/200), Drue Polka (Jr., 100 hurdles/300 hurdles), Alya Rangel (Jr., 100/400), Brin Robinson (Jr., high jump), Shiyanne Ezelle (Jr., throws), Eliza Scoggin (Jr., 800/1,600)

Newcomers: Payton Green (FR., 200/400), Asha Chatterjea (FR., long jump/triple jump), Aly Negovetich (FR., 1,600/3,200), Olivia Finlayson (So., high jump), Tylee Lewis (So., triple jump/400), Viviana Torres (So. throws)

Outlook: Wodzien says his Lady Bulldogs will strong on the track in 2019. The freshman Negovetich finished fourth in the Class 3A state cross country meet last fall, and Wodzien says she was "dynamite" during the indoor track season, as she finished fourth in the 1,600 (4:58.88) in the Illinois Top Times meet. Also placing fourth was the 1,600 relay team of Polka, Moran, Green and Lewis. The Bulldogs qualified Polka (60 hurdles) and Moran (400) in individual events for the indoor state meet. Negovetich, Nehila, Osmon, Polka and Scoggin were all members of Grant's cross country team that placed 15th at state last fall. Wodzien says in addition to trying to win their third straight outdoor NLCC championship this spring, the Bulldogs would like to be well-represented in Charleston at the IHSA state championships in May. The Bulldogs' only state qualifier last year, sprinter Ariyona Wallace, is competing at Benedictine University. Osmon, a senior, qualified for state two years ago in the 1,600 and 3,200 runs.

GRAYSLAKE CENTRALCoach: Shawn Murphy (seventh season)

Last season: third in NLCC meet, 11th in Class 3A Palatine sectional, tie for 70th at state

Returning athletes: Lauren Brunk (Sr., distance), Sara Clapp (Sr., sprints), Lexi Hood (Sr., hurdles), Japhia Powell (Sr., throws), Meghan Fletcher (Sr., high jump/sprints), Emilia Swierczek (Sr., jumps), Julia Reglewski (So., throws)

Newcomers: Alexis Andersen (FR., pole vault/jumps), Courtney Fletcher (FR., sprints), Grace Kokkin (FR., distance), Caroline Kokkin (FR., distance), Mia Lennartz (FR., jumps), Mia Morello (FR., jumps/hurdles/vault), Bryn Sato (FR., distance), Monica Schleg (FR., sprints)

Outlook: The Rams finished third in the NLCC last spring and their JV finished first. "We graduated a lot of talent from our sprint and mid-distance crews, but as we look ahead to this outdoor season we are bringing back some very talented sophomores, juniors and seniors," Murphy said. Reglewski qualified for state in both shot put and discus as a sophomore last spring, after winning both events in the NLCC meet. Two-time state high jump place-finisher Fletcher just finished third in the Illinois Top Times meet. Brunk and freshmen Grace and Caroline Kokkin and Sato were all members of the cross country team that placed eighth in the Class 2A state meet last fall. "We will lean on our senior leadership (19 seniors) this season as we continue to develop our underclassmen and very talented freshman class," Murphy said. "The girls have been putting in a lot of hard work, and we are starting to see times drop on the track and distances increase in the field. We believe that if the weather allows us to get quality training done and we stay healthy, we will finish very strong at the NLCC meet this season and qualify multiple girls for the IHSA state meet. Our goal every year is to be as competitive as we can, develop our younger athletes and have an enjoyable season - 2019 is going to be another great year for our program."

GRAYSLAKE NORTHCoach: Jesse Wolter (sixth season)

Last season: second in NLCC meet, 13th in Class 3A Palatine sectional

Returning athletes: Leialani Akalaonu (Jr., 100/200/relays), Abbey Calhoun (So., long jump/triple jump/pole vault), Delaney Carolan (Jr., triple jump), Ashlyn Castagna (So., 800/1,600/relays), Gabi Conceicao (Jr., 400/800/relays), Emily Huculak (Sr., throws), Anahid Jerikian (Sr., IM hurdles/400/relays), Teagan Johnston (So., high jump/relays), Abby Kicklighter (Sr., throws), Alexis Lopez (Sr., IM hurdles/400/relays), Carissa Low (Sr., high jump/hurdles), Ellie Maatta (So., 3,200/1,600/800/relays), Caroline Riss (Sr., 1,600/800/400/Relays), Emerson Soder (Jr., long jump/relays), Emily Stoneham (Sr., pole vault/hurdles/relays), Kelli Tosic (Jr., 3,200/1,600/800/400/relays), Corey Warren (Sr., 100/200/relays)

Newcomers: Leialoha Akalaonu (FR., 100/200/400/relays/high jump), Taylor Ebersohl (Sr., high jump/long jump), Kristina Merten (So., triple jump/400/relays), Olivia Sanborn (800/relays)

Outlook: The Knights return every girl who contributed to their second-place finish in the NLCC last year, and that includes the junior Tosic, who qualified for state in the 3,200 and was 14th in the Class 2A state cross country meet last fall. The senior Riss was also all-state (22nd) in cross country. Calhoun, a sophomore, is the defending NLCC meet champ in the long jump. "We have added a little bit of depth in sprints and have been consistently strong in distance," Wolter said. "One of the strongest parts of our team is the depth we have in the field." Wolter added his Knights had the best indoor season the school has ever seen, and that was capped off by winning the NLCC indoor championship. "The girls have been working really hard and have big goals this season," Wolter said. "We fell a little short last year at conference and have had our eyes set on the title since then. As always, we hope to qualify multiple girls to the state meet and feel that we have a team that can bring down the most the school has ever had represent them this season. When fully healthy, we are deep and dangerous, and it should make things interesting this spring."

LAKESCoach: Travis Shepherd (third season)

Last season: fourth in NLCC meet, third in Class 3A Palatine sectional, tie for 13th at state

Returning athletes: Noelle Jones (Sr., pole vault/sprint relays), Olivia Schmitt (Jr., mid-distance), Brooke Stromsland (So., distance), Megan Knuettel (Sr., mid-distance), Rae Dwyer (Sr., distance), Alex Bryant (So., distance), Chloe Hoffman (So., jumps/sprint relays), Tiaunna Dudley (So., sprints), Josephine Synovic (So., jumps/sprint relays), Lauren Orie (So., hurdles/ sprints)

Newcomers: Makayla Milette (Sr., sprints), Sarah Lucier (FR., sprints), Chloe Kilroy (FR., throws)

Outlook: Much like last season, Shepherd says his Eagles will rely on a few elite athletes to score the bulk of their points. Jones (pole vault) and Schmitt (800) are returning state qualifiers. The Eagles graduated Taylor Tilmon (NIU), who was the best sprinter in school history. Last season, she scored 17 points or more at every meet, including state. Both Jones and Schmitt (800 NLCC meet champ) have picked up where they left off last May. Jones has already set a personal best and school record with an 11-6 vault in the indoor season. That mark ties her for second best in Class 3A this season. "Olivia (Schmitt) ran a major indoor personal best and nearly broke our indoor school record in the 800," Shepherd said. "She also moved down in distance and captured the 400-meter dash championship at our indoor conference meet. Both veteran tracksters have big goals for the 2019 season. Our roster is still fairly young, but our sophomore group has shown some nice growth since last year." Shepherd notes Hoffman and Stromsland as two examples. Stromsland won the Class 2A state championship in cross country last fall and is a state-tirle threat in both the 1,600 and 3,200. She ranked in the Top 10 in Illinois in both events this indoor season. "Chloe (Hoffman) has had a great indoor season, scoring points for us at every meet," Shepherd said. "She is a quality high jumper, has really improved her triple, and is dependable on all three sprint relays. We will need to count on Schmitt, Jones, Hoffman and Stromsland to continue to score big points for us. In addition to the previously mentioned athletes, we four more athletes score 18 or more points during the indoor season, which is huge. Having more athletes contributing will go a long way toward team success this spring. We will aim to do our best at conference, sectionals and state with a goal of qualifying as many events as possible. It should be another exciting year for the Lady Eagles. We can't replace Taylor (Tilmon), but we have a lot of young faces ready to help us load up the relays."

ROUND LAKECoach: Kristin Lilla (third season)

Last season: sixth in NLCC meet, 15th in Class 3A Palatine sectional

Returning athletes: Evelyn Johnson (Sr., high jump/triple jump), Sierra Rodriguez (Sr., high jump/200), Jahaira Gonzalez (Sr., 300 hurdles), Lexi Winandy (Sr., throws), Fatima Giron (Jr., distance), Karina Sanchez-Ortiz (Jr., throws), Melissa Pedroza (So., hurdles)

Newcomers: Jenny Cortes (FR., distance), Ariea Williams (So., sprints/jumps), Aniyla Pratt (So., sprints/jumps), Kate Jimenez (So., sprints/jumps)

Outlook: The Panthers boast an elite distance runner in the junior Giron, who placed sixth in the 1,600 at the Illinois Top Times meet last month, following up a cross country campaign that saw her place 11th at state in Class 3A. Giron is the NLCC meet's defending champ in both the 1,600 and 3,200. "Excitement on the track this year every time Fatima Giron steps on the track," Lilla said. "She is shattering school records at every meet." Johnson looks to keep improving in triple jump, Lilla says of the senior. This week she broke the school record with a triple jump of 34 feet, 4 inches. "She and Sierra (Rodriguez) hope excel on the jump side this season, as they continue to chase down school records and state-qualifying marks," Lilla said. Winandy is coming off a year of injury, as she did not throw at all her junior year. "We are excited to have her back," Lilla said. "Karina (Sanchez-Ortiz) is coming off a strong sophomore season with throws, and we look to see her improve this year. We are really excited about our sophomore and freshman group of athletes who are energized and working hard." One obstacle for the Panthers is that they don't have a track or place to work on field events, as Round Lake's stadium is undergoing construction. "This season will test our creativity as coaches as we work on getting reps in for our athletes," Lilla said. "Overall, though, all coaches at RLHS are excited to see PRs on a weekly basis from all these girls as they are working very hard."

WAUCONDACoach: Emily Morzy (first season)

Last season: 12th in Class 3A Palatine sectional, tie for 29th at state

Returning athletes: Martyna Chmiel (So., pole vault/long jump/triple jump/sprints), Grace Daun (Sr., high jump/sprints), Audry Deaver (Jr., throws/pole vault), Eestephanie Garcia (Jr., sprints), Isabella Gmitrovic (Sr., throws), Emilee Harris (Jr., sprints/pole vault), Rihanne Hernandez (Jr., throws), Caitlin Hriljac (So., sprints/long jump/triple jump), Jia Ivory (Jr., sprints), Rebecca Kholodovsky (Sr., distance), Lorraine Krawczyk (Sr., sprints/triple jump/hurdles), Kelly Kroegel (Sr., distance), Alexia Myers (Jr., sprints/long jump/pole vault), Aisa Naylor (So., sprints/high jump/hurdles), Paiton Plucinski (So., sprints/hurdles), Maddie Sinnott (So., throws), Emily Trela (So., sprints/pole vault), Victoria Zoltowska (So., high jump/sprints)

Newcomers: Kaylee Bares (So., sprints), Jenna Davito (FR., sprints), Sophia Esquivel (FR., sprints), Ekatarina Fitkas (FR., sprints/pole vault), Hugette Gil (FR., sprints), Cassidy Grogan (FR., sprints/long jump), Mikayla Kantorski (Jr., sprints), Tessa Kleiner (FR., distance), Jessica Kolarov (FR., distance), Sully Kosmach (FR., sprints), Kirsten Kurtzer (So., sprints), Jessica Lange (FR., sprints), Amanda Lisi (FR., sprints/high jump), Yenni Llanos (FR., sprints), Sara Meyer (FR., distance), Jessi Pakaski (FR., distance), Jailed Reyes-Rivera (So., sprints), Kathleen Drummond (FR., sprints/pole vault), Kirstin Kurtzer (FR., sprints), Jessica Tovar (FR., sprints), Alana Vodicka (FR., distance)

Outlook: The Bulldogs boast the defending Class 3A state high jump champ in Daun. By winning her specialty in the Top Times meet las month, the Illinois State commit and three-time state qualifier showed that she's ready for the outdoor campaign. Krawczyk, a senior, won the triple jump in the NLCC meet last year. The freshman Pakaski was a sectional qualifier in cross country last fall. "Some of our strengths include the fact that we have a lot of new members who have been working hard and getting their times down during each meet," said Morzy, who assisted Ali Luetschwager last spring. Luetschwager stepped down as head coach after six seasons. "I have a great expectation that we will see a lot of improvements throughout our season, and I am excited to see how each of these athletes grows and improves."

NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE

LAKE ZURICHCoach: Jeremy Kauffman (second season)

Last season: first in NSC meet, fifth in Class 3A Palatine sectional

Returning athletes: Sydney Mark (Sr., 400), Izzy Klett (Jr., long jump/triple jump), Kelsey Rothas (Jr., pole vault), Teagan Jones (Jr., pole vault), Emily Burns (Sr., distance), Jillian Baffa (Sr., distance), Georgia Adam (Sr., sprints), Emma Swift-Monson (Sr., sprints), Nikki Skoby (Sr., jumps), Kendall Kearnen (Sr., jumps), Gretchen Quinn (Jr., hurdles), Hayley Burk (So., distance)

Newcomers: Daryn Flournoy (Jr., hurdles/jumps), Kayla Bruce (Jr., sprints), Elyse Dempsey (Jr., sprints), Julia McDevitt (Jr., sprints), Gigi Harris (Jr., sprints), Anastasia Manousaridis (So., sprints), Kasey Ledinsky (so., sprints/jumps), Peyton Law (Sr., sprints), Kayla Kuklinski (Jr., sprints), Kristen Loftus (FR., distance), Sarah Richards (FR., distance), Audrey Pratt (FR., sprints), Rayna Kauffman (FR., sprints/hurdles/jumps), Kayla Moses (FR., sprints/jumps), Amanda Klunder (FR., jumps), Cate Cillesen (FR., hurdles/jumps), Sydney Fessenden (FR., jumps/throws)

Outlook: The defending NSC champs are loaded again. The returning athletes include 2018 state qualifiers Mark (400), Klett (long jump/triple jump), Rothas (pole vault) and Jones (pole vault). Last season marked the second time in school history that the Bears won the NSC title outright. Klett (long jump/triple jump), Burns (3,200) and Rothas (pole vault) all won conference championships. Kauffman says his team had a record-setting indoor season. "We have big goals this year and the girls are working hard to achieve them every day," Kauffman said. "Staying healthy and enjoying the journey will be key to how we finish in 2019. We are very proud of this group and really enjoy what each of them brings to the LZ program every day."

LIBERTYVILLECoach: Tom Bizosky (12th season)

Last season: fourth in Class 3A Palatine sectional, 53rd at state

Returning athletes: Reese Dannenfeldt (Sr., sprints), Sydney Donovan (Sr., distance), Stephanie Gay (Sr., hurdles), Erin McCane (Sr., high jump), Kylie Skie (Sr., pole vault), Karina Perez (Jr., jumps), Lyann Tam (So., distance)

Newcomers: Emily Ciezadlo (FR., sprints), Skyler Daniels (Jr., throws), Carolyn Kwietneiski (FR., throws), Dakota Lyons (FR., sprints), Brielle Rochester (FR., distance)

Outlook: The Wildcats graduated state qualifiers Claire Neuberger (pole vault), Melissa Manetsch (3,200, 1,600) and Avryl Johnson (800, 1,600 relay), Molly Goebel (1,600 relay), Emma Stevenson (1,600 relay) and Brilynn Dawson (1,600 relay) but return one state qualifier in Skie (pole vault). "This year's team is one of the largest we've had in awhile," Bizosky said. "It is a well-balanced team with a real focus on team core values and unity. It is a young team with most of our athletes being underclassmen, but they are strong and determined. We had a good showing during our indoor season, and we are encouraged that it will continue on into the outdoor season."

MUNDELEINCoach: Nathan Sweet (second season)

Last season: seventh in NSC meet, 15th in Class 3A Palatine sectional

Returning athletes: Damia Ali (Jr., sprints/jumps), Anna Ambrose (So., pole vault/hurdles), Andrea Cordova (Sr., distance), Alyssa Cruz (So., hurdles), Trinity Gordon (Jr., sprints), Grace Heintz (Jr., jumps), Jeanelle Jimenez (Jr., distance), Raina Kratz (So., sprints), Caitlyn Mathews (Jr., sprints), Isabelle Murray (So., sprints/jumps), Madison Parola (Sr., throws), Daisy Perez (Sr., throws), Kaelyn Pirtle (So., sprints), Ryann Ray (Sr., sprints/high jump), Leslye Rodriguez (Sr., distance), Ahtziry Samano (Jr., jumps), Claire Schoenfield (Jr., distance), Dasha Stepaniouk (Jr., sprints/jumps), Khari Thompkins (Sr., sprints), Katerina Wiechering (So., sprints), Bridget Wunderlich (So., throws)

Newcomers: Alexis Bellecomo (FR., sprints), Teresa Burk (FR., sprints), Ella Carlson (FR., jumps), Lily Coutre (FR., sprints), Jocelyn Gomez (FR., distance), Jordyn Miller (FR., distance), Dee Sanders (Jr., hurdles), Hope Peterson (So., distance)

Outlook: The Mustangs are expecting to bounce back after a tough spring campaign a year ago. The Eastern Illinois-bound Thompkins, who medaled in the 400 at state as a sophomore and also qualified in the 100, had a season-long back injury and did not get back downstate last May. None of her teammates qualified for state either. She's back this season, and the Mustangs should get a boost from freshman distance runner Miller, who's an AAU national champ (3,000 meters). "Our team strength is the leadership of our seniors," Sweet said. "We have excellent role models who lead, guide and demonstrate the Mustang way of doing things on a daily basis. Our indoor portion of the season demonstrated a growth in many areas of our team from the 2018 season (6 indoor school records were set), allowing us to score in most areas of meet competition. As we move forward through the 2019 season, we expect to see continued growth and improvement in all aspects of the team with the main goal of improved team score at the NSC meet. We also are looking to send multiple girls/events to the state meet."

STEVENSONCoach: Emma Degen (sixth season)

Last season: third in NSC meet, ninth in Class 3A Palatine sectional, tie for 68th at state

Returning athletes: Raeden Mays (Sr., sprints), Kendall Roberts (Sr., distance), Emily Ossentjuk (Sr., sprints), Natalie Sorenson (Sr., distance), Camille Clay (So., throws), Jade Cadichon (So., sprints), Jordan Tollison (So., sprints), Maddie Kadens (Sr., jumps/sprints), Miffy Tani (Sr., hurdles)

Newcomers: Mia Mikolajczak (FR., sprints/hurdles), Maxine Tam (So., middle distance), Hailey Peterson (Jr., sprints), Caimin Xi (Jr., distance), Alivia Alton (FR., distance), Ella O'Neal (FR., throws)

Outlook: The Patriots return a strong group of seniors, including Roberts, who has already proven herself during the indoor season, finishing eighth in the 1,600 meters at the Illinois Top Times meet. "We are looking forward to putting together some strong sprint relay teams again this season that will include three of our four runners from last season (Mays, Cadichon, Tollison)," Degen said. Newcomers Peterson and Mikolajczak, a freshman, will be strong contributors in the sprint events. Clay finished ninth in the shot put at state last year as a freshman. "We are anticipating big things from her again this season," Degen said. "She has a strong training partner in freshman Ella O'Neal, who will be making a name for herself this outdoor season. We are working hard to remain competitive in a very strong-looking NSC."

WARRENCoach: Ryan Dunn (13th season)

Last season: second in NSC meet, sixth in Class 3A Palatine sectional, 47th at state

Returning athletes: Annika Bynum (So., high jump), Aubrey Chuen (Sr., pole vault), Alyla Ditiangkin (So., hurdles), Kayleigh Glickley (So., sprints), Jataia Harris (Sr., sprints/high jump), Janii Jenkins (Sr., sprints), Ashley Kachurik (Sr., distance), Clara Macheras (Sr., throws), Alixandra Peterson (Sr., triple jump), Julia Retter (Jr., hurdles)

Newcomers: Amber Jones (FR., sprints), Raina Rice (FR., distance), Jada Vaughn (FR., sprints)

Outlook: The Blue Devils never seem to lack a quality sprinter, and that's the case again this year as Jenkins returns for her senior season. She qualified for state last spring in the 100, 200 and 400. Third at state in the 400 as a sophomore, Jenkins was fourth last year. At the NSC meet last May, Jenkins set the school and meet record in the 400, while also winning the 100 and 200. The senior Harris and the sophomore Bynum are returning state qualifiers in the high jump. Retter won the 300 hurdles at the NSC meet as a sophomore last year. "Early indications are that we will be a competitive team this year and appear to be very well-rounded in terms of event strengths," Dunn said. "We hope to provide strong showings at county and conference, and have state qualifiers in both individual and relay events."

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

CARMELCoach: Jim Halford (35th season)

Last season: fifth in ESCC meet, first in Class 2A Woodstock North sectional, tie for 43rd at state

Returning athletes: Danni Duffy (Sr., sprints), Melanie Zimmerman (Sr., sprints), Emma Jensen (Sr., jumps/sprints), Gabby Terselic (Sr., middle distance), Emilia Puszynski (Sr., sprints), Sarah Hoffman (Sr., throws), Ezzie Posner (Jr., mid distance), Alyssa Coe (So., mid-distance), Brigid Hull (So., mid-distance), Jordyn Zelich (So., mid-distance)

Newcomers: Carly Sasman (So., mid-distance), Abby Kuderna (Jr., mid-distance), Anna Kegel (FR., sprints), Bethel Mensah (FR., sprints), Danielle Mensah (Jr., sprints), Maddie Ives (FR., mid-distance), Hannah Arends (So., mid-distance), Bella Day (Sr., distance), Theresa Flor (FR., throws), Elsie Wach (FR., jumps), Megan Newman (FR., mid-distance)

Outlook: Powered by 3 state-qualifying relay teams, the Corsairs shared a Class 2A sectional championship with Marian Central last year, and this season could yield similar results for the Corsairs. Duffy (1,600 relay), Zimmerman (400 relay), Jensen (400 relay), Puszynski (400 relay), Posner (800, 1,600 relay), Coe (1,600 relay) and Hull (1,600, 3,200 relay) all qualified for state at Woodstock North last May. "Our goal is to challenge for another sectional championships and qualify all four relays and multiple individuals," Halford said. " We are a very strong (Class) 2A team. Our 4 x 800 medaled in the indoor championships and could be a top team outdoors (Posner, Kuderna, Sasman, Coe). We have been getting 3-4 relays down for the past five years and hope to continue this tradition."

CENTRAL SUBURBAN LEAGUE NORTH DIVISION

VERNON HILLSCoach: Suzanne Curry (first season)

Last season: 10th in Class 3A Palatine sectional

Returning athletes: Hannah Ray (Sr., 3,200/1,600), Emily Kim (Jr., long jump/sprints/relays/300 hurdles), Caitlin Kolb (Jr., 200/400/relays), Carly Sear (Jr., distance)

Newcomers: Kylie Spytek (FR., sprints/relays), Emma Wakefield (FR., mid-distance/distance), Nia Hines (FR., long jump/sprints/relays)

Outlook: A year after winning a Class 2A sectional championship, the Cougars competed in Class 3A last spring and qualified only Abby Heinz (pole vault) for state. She has graduated, but the Cougars have talent, including the senior Ray, who had a breakout cross country season, Curry says, and kicked off the indoor season with PRs. Among the newcomers, the freshman Spytek is a 400 specialist who has already broken the school indoor record in this event. She ended the indoor season by qualifying for the Illinois Top Times meet and placing 18th. Fellow freshman Wakefield just missed earning all-state honors in cross country (26th-place finish) last fall. Hines, another freshman, long-jumped a school-record 17-10 in the Cougars' first indoor meet. Kim, a junior, qualified for the Top Times in the long jump and placed ninth. "This is a very strong, deep team," Curry said. "We have a number of freshman sprinters who can fill many roles for us. They have been a great addition to the veteran girls on the team, and those veterans have shown great leadership early this season. On the distance side, we have several girls from the successful cross country squad. We hope to continue to have strong performances and contribute to the team scoring from those events as well. There is also depth in the field events with the largest contingent of throwers we've ever had. We've been able to score points in many events so far this season. Our team goals are to continue to improve our personal bests, be great teammates and perform well in the conference and state series meets. This is our second year in (Class) 3A, and we hope to qualify in more events this season coming out of the tough Lake Zurich sectional."