Class A Girls XC Preview

There should be no surprise here as the top six teams return strong with nearly full squads. Reining champions Petersburg-Porta return their entire deck and will be hard to beat. There were at least 6 teams separated by less than 50pts and that should make for a very interesting state meet in November. Several teams who were going to go challenge for individual honors will be moving up to Class AA, thanks to the multiplier system. Last year’s team, Winnebago has been low key since last November but expect the Indians to come back strong. Eureka, Robinson, and Decatur St. Teresa had individuals and relays enjoy stellar track seasons. This is always a plus when cross country rolls around. Nevertheless, expect the unexpected when it comes to XC and what a new year brings.

Individually, junior Katelyn Bastert should dominate for the third consecutive year in a row. A fleet of returnees should duke it out for the “dirty dozen” (see below team preview).

# 1 Peterburg-Porta- The favorite among the many teams back. The Lady Jays has all seven runners back for a repeat run. The key to last year’s success was tremendous balance from 1-5 and sometimes 1-6. For example, the girls basically won with their 3-5 runners. PP enjoyed a solid track season by running well in several different distance categories (4x8 was 3^rd in 9:37). Basically, it’s going to come down to the same thing this year. Look for the opening line up to get the job done: Kayla Brown (Jr) (fifth team score; 11:45- 3200m in track), Ashley Thomasma (Jr) (9^th), Sara Brauer (sr), Katie Drendel (so) (40^th), and Whitney Brauer (Jr) (47^th).

#2 Eureka- The Lady Hornets enjoyed a very good spring in track. They placed 2^nd in the 4x8 relay with XC personnel and that should translate over to the fall. The Hornets would be better served getting middle and bottom pack to move up. Sophomore Heidi Klaus (7^th; 5:14) will lead a team that returns all starters: Hannah Ehrenhardt (sr) (16^th), Kara Cannon (so) (54^th), Rachel Folkerts (Jr) (65^th), and Emily Gerber (Jr) (71^st).

#3 Robinson- Can they match last year’s very surprise finish? If so, the Maroons are going to have to lean on top runner TeNeal Pinkston (so) (fourth; 11:39) quite a bit. The Maroons graduated only graduated two runners and should be strong once again.

# 4 Decatur St. Teresa- Won the 4x8 relay in near record time in this past spring’s state T & F championship. The Bulldogs will be looking for more this fall as they are loaded from the first three positions. Last year’s reserves should pick up the two graduates.

# 5 Winnebago- last year was a disappointment in that Winnebago did not close out the season on top. The Indians were ranked #1 nearly the entire year and didn’t even get a trophy “on that day.” Hopefully, a full summer of training will have the girls ready to go for another crack at the state championship.

Others teams to consider:

Bureau Valley- return a solid line up despite #5 runner graduating; should be in the mix in late October for the run for state.

Rochester- all seven from last year’s 9^th place team return, including #2 state meet scorer Abby Shunk (sr).

-Individual outlook-

“The Baker’s Dozen”

Katelyn Bastert (Carthage) (Jr) (1^st; 10:34, 4:59) - arguably the best female runner in Illinois and certainly one of the best in the Midwest. As good as this sounds there is one issue that remains: Ms. Bastert hasn’t really tested her limits among the best of the best. Bastert is a talented individual who plays several other varsity sports such as basketball and volleyball. It isn’t certain whether or not she will relinquish her other sports and concentrate solely on runner. If not, her foes will still be hard pressed to stay near. Expect Bastert to blow through competition once again and challenge her record of 16:50 (3m) at state.

Kelsee Viano (jr) (Carlinville) - has been very consistent over the past spring; didn’t run at state xc but placed second in state 3200 to Bastert; solid times of 11:22 and sub 5:20.

Ryan Eichelberger (jr) (Reed-Custer) - was xc runner up and stayed consistent through out school calendar with 3^rd place in 3200m. Look for Eichelberger to stay consistent and run well this fall.

Olivia Kraus (so) (Eureka) - had many people wondering if she will be another great runner to come up in the Eureka system girl or boy. Thus far, she hasn’t disappointed with a solid freshman year. Look for Ms. Klaus to improve on the 12^th place finish from XC.

TeNeal Pinkston (so) (Robinson) - has tremendous upside in running and is continuing to improve after a solid track season. Look for her to move from 7^th place at last year’s position.

Abby Shunk (sr) (Rochester) - the top senior runner in an upperclassmen sport. Shunk will have her best season this fall.

Audra Carlson (sr) (Winnebago) - will look to improve herself from a less than stellar track season.

Kayla Brown (sr) (Peterburg-Porta) - top runner for the Lady Jays will look to improve on 9^th place finish from ’04.

Rachel Brubaker (sr) (Durand) - has been a top competitor over the past few years despite a no-show at state track this past fall.

Teresa Brokaw (sr) (Southern) - a very consistent runner over the past three years; a great middle distance runner who is all state in 800 and 1600 with some very fine times.

Marlana Haefelin (sr) (Sandwich)- added a 4^th place finish from state 1600m to her resume; should be a force for a top 10 spot in November.

Ashley Lucas (so) (Elgin St. Edward) - will be one of the biggest surprises this year. Her older brother Shawn was a class A star a few years ago.