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IPTT TOP 25 |
Illinois Prep Top Times 2006 Girls AA XC Preview |
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1. Lockport 2. Naperville North 3. Wheaton North 4. Hinsdale Central 5. St. Charles East 6. Edwardsville 7. Barrington 8. Wheeling 9. Palatine 10. Fremd 11. Cary Grove 12. Benet 13. Lake Park 14. Stagg 15. Evanston 16. Andrew 17. East Peoria 18. Mahomet Seymour 19. Loyola Academy 20. Oak Park River Forest 21. Normal Community 22. New Trier 23. Lyons 24. Lincoln Way East 25. York |
Another fall harrier season is about to dawn upon the graces of the Illinois high school faithful. Several familiar faces will be missed though. Remember Amy Laskowske (Palatine) and Shannon Phelan (Naperville North)? They have taken their talents to the Big Ten- University of Minnesota and University of Illinois. However, some things will remain the same and unresolved. Both of the top teams from last year’s state championship will be loaded. Naperville North is the reining and two-time champion as well as a sweet 4th place finish at Nike Team Nationals. They will have more than enough competition with up Lockport on the horizon. The Porters return everyone and will take aim at the Huskies by end of the season.
-Top 25 capsules-
#1 Lockport- 2005 state meet finish: state runner-up Key returnees: Liz Phillips (Jr.), Erin Lakie (Jr.), Janna Mitsos (So.), Gina Montagno (Jr.), Lindsay Kotovsky (Sr.), Lyndsey Wyman (So.), Lauren Wyman (So.). Team outlook: The Lady Porters enter the fray totally loaded. They return all seven placers from ’05. This may be the year two-time defending champion Naperville North is toppled. If so then a concentrated effort will be needed from the likes of Phillips, Lakie, and Mitsos- who all finished in the top 15 last year. A key runner for the Porters may be Montagno. She enjoyed a solid track season running in the mid 11’s for 2 miles. According to a Lockport insider, “Janna [Mitsos] will be ready this fall.” This will spell doom for many Porter opponents.
#2 Naperville North- ’05 SMF: STATE CHAMPION Key returnees: Maggie DeBerge (Sr.), Michelle Stratton (So.), Elle Metz (Jr.), Marissa Speckman (So.), Daphne Tice (Sr.), Cindy Wu (Sr.). Team outlook: The only noticeable difference from this year’s NN team from the past is Shannon Phelan. Phelan takes her talent to the University of Illinois. Still, Coach Dan Iverson’s squad will be loaded with leadership, talent, and experience. DeBerge will probably be team leader but Stratton is top runner. Metz and Speckman complete a solid nucleus. Iverson states: “we had a good summer and we should be ready for the challenges that await us.” Remember this fact: The Huskies were ranked as low as #4 last season then #3 going into the state series. They used their talent and self- confidence to overwhelm the doubters for the state title. The Huskies went on to Nike Team Nationals and finished a great 4th place among the best in the country. More of the same could evolve again. Stay tuned.
#3 Wheaton North- ’05 SMF: eighth Key Returnees: Jackie Laesch (Jr.), Cassidy Wagner (Sr.), Erika Oslund (So.), Sarah Rosenwinkel (So.), Jaime Orewiler (Jr.), Jenny Kraakevik (Sr.). Outlook: Certainly Wheaton North will be better than last year’s edition that finished eighth at state. In fact, if the Falcons maximize their full potential they could stand on the very top of the team platform in November at the state championship. For that to happen though all seven runners will need career years. The Falcon trio of Laesch, Wagner, and Kraakevik are already in the IHSA all-time history books. This past spring at the state track meet the trio won the 4x800 relay in meet and all-time best time (9:07). The confidence gained from that experience will undoubtedly pay dividends when November arrives. Also, add an improved Rosenwinkel to the mix.
#4 Hinsdale Central- ’05 SMF: 4th Key returnees: Lauren Zumbach (So.), Roey Hines (So.), Heather Stevens (So.), Jenny Laser (Sr.), Gina Kapusta (Sr.), Emily Cleary (So.) Outlook: The Red Devils made believers out of many observers last season when they continuous mowed down opponents week after week. The ’05 team was inexperienced but this year more depth with a healthy Cleary on board. If the Red Devils can maintain the same recipe of success, they may be able to start thinking about a state trophy.
#5 St. Charles East- ’05 SMF: 7th Key returnees: Lizzy Hines (So.), Kristen Lang (Sr.), Dayna White (So.), Laura Hoepper (So.), Stephanie Sands (Jr.) Outlook: The Saints will be a team to be reckoned with. Hines is top runner on a solid team with big meet experience. Not since the likes of Tara Moody have the Saints been this good (at least on paper). Hines and Lang will match any 1-2 combo in the state but cross-country always come down to the 3, 4, 5 scorers.
#6 Edwardsville- ’05 SMF: 12th Key returnees: Courtney Smith (So.), Lia Saunders (Jr.), Elizabeth Speicher (Jr.), Lauren Heidbrink (Sr.), Kristin Hodge (So.), Kaci Smith (Jr.), newcomer Leah Bateman (Sr.) Outlook: The Lady Tigers are from the Deep South but they produced a ton of success in ’05. However, the success at times appeared to be bitter sweet because Coach John Cunningham’s squad spent so much time proving doubters wrong. This season it will be all about talent and goals. The goal will be to be among the leaders in November. Coach Cunningham will use the same formula that produced all-state results from his middle distance program. Track ace Leah Bateman may be the key in how far the Tigers will go.
#7 Barrington- ’05 SMF: 16th Key returnees: Samantha Learch (Jr.), Molly Glantz (Jr.), Rebecca Tracy (So.), Danielle Locascio (Sr.), Kala Bingham (Jr.) Outlook: Just a few years ago, Barrington won the state title then went on a dry spell followed by a resurgence to get the program back to respectability. This year’s Fillies edition comes off a fine track season led by stalwarts Learch, Glantz, and Tracy. The Fillies should be the class of the mighty Mid- Suburban Conference this fall.
#8 Wheeling- ’05 SMF: 15th Key returnees: Amber Stack (Jr.), Val Winkler, Alyssa Havlir (Sr.), Michelle Bagarella (So.), Kayla Gorlewicz, Samantha Margaritis (Jr.), Julie Euyoque (Jr.) Outlook: The Lady Wildcats should be in position to have an extremely fruitful season led by Stack. At any given moment Stack is a threat to win it all- or at least place in the top five. Winkler and Havlir are known more for their middle distance prowess on the track but they will compliment Stack quite well as the season progresses.
#9 Palatine- ’05 SMF: 3rd Key returnees: Michelle Brunk (Sr.), Emma Maslanka (So.), Tory Wright (So.), Colleen Standridge (Jr.), Outlook: Palatine will be solid once more this year but perhaps a run at the state title next year is more realistic. Still, the every optimistic hall of fame coach Steve Currins had this assessment: “We will have a solid team [this year]. We lost [Amy] Laskowske, [Carly] Bates, and [Caitlin] Millin. However, we have lost many before over the years and have been in the top six 13 of the last 17 years with ten trophies. This team is capable of doing just as well. We return 4 of top 6 from a team that won sectionals (Bates did not run). We are solid up front; as Brunk is really starting to assert herself (her workouts are as good as Amy’s at this point). Standridge is running better than ever. Wright was 5th girl at state last year and improved a lot during track. Maslanka improved greatly in track and qualified for state in the 3200m. We have several others back a bit [though]. They are a mixture of seniors, juniors, and sophomores. I hope that someone will step forward.
#10 Palatine (Fremd)- ’05 SMF: 14th Key returnees: Chelsea Bolton (Sr.), Alexis McAdams (So.), Lauren Leonard (Sr.), Allison Neubaurer (Jr.), Jordan Gorrell (Jr.), Roxanne Miller (So.) Outlook: The key to success for the Vikings will be a healthy Bolton. Her health will trickle down success to the entire squad. Other key runners in McAdams and Neubauer have the ability to be top 50 runners. Everything will still revolve around Bolton, would was hurt during indoor season. Perhaps, the biggest fun will be who the best team in Palatine is.
#11 Cary-Grove- ’05 SMF: 13th Key returnees: Kristin Leinhardt (Sr.), Caitlin Wooldridge (Sr.), Madelein Autmann (Sr.), Molly MacInnes (So.), Jaclyn Cunningham (Sr.) Outlook: last year the Trojans shocked the XC world by being world-beaters in the first major contest of the year at Wauconda and never looked back. This season expect more of the same with a senior laden line up. Leinhardt and Wooldridge form a solid tandem. The Trojans have the ability to make a run at top 10 in November.
#12 Lisle (Benet Academy)- ’05 SMF: DID NOT COMPETE Key returnees: Abby Higgins (Sr.), Sarah Clark (Jr.), Katie Dunn (Jr.), Molly Allen (So.), Kristin Sellers (Sr.), Kristie Eickhoff (Sr.) Outlook: Despite being ranked in the top 15 all last year, the Redwings had the misfortune of being in the strongest sectional in the state. In fact, the Bremen Sectional could have been dubbed a mini state meet as eight ranked teams vied for five state berths. A more mature Redwing team led by Higgins and Clark should be ready for the tough challenges that await them.
#13 Roselle (Lake Park)- ’05 SMF: 17th Key returnees: Trisha Ehrhardt (So.), Sangeeta Hardy (Sr.), Yazmin Gutierrez (Jr.), Sara Sanchez (Sr.), Adreinne Ryba (So.) Outlook: The Lancers will look to move up on the competition this fall. Runners Hardy and Gutierrez will lead by example as both enjoyed solid track seasons. However, their best runner will be Hardy. Hardy had a breakout oval season and will more than likely shoot for all-state honors in Peoria.
#14 Palos Hills (Stagg)- ’05 SMF: DID NOT COMPETE Key returnees: Annette Glaz (Jr.), Kara Moylan (So.), Krista Moylan (So.), Katie Hynes (Jr.), Theresa Loverick (So.), Jeanette Panfil (So.) Outlook: another good team victim of a strong regional. The Chargers return nearly everyone for another crack at making state. Glaz and Kara Moylan are the leaders here. The Chargers have the potential to be an elite team coming out of the southwest suburbs.
#15 Evanston- ’05 SMF: 19th Key returnees: Katherine Page (Sr.), Natalie Fenn (Sr.), Gabie Zeckner (So.), Alexandra Mendrek-Laske (Jr.), Alexandra Delaney (Jr.), Lauren Delaney (Jr.) Outlook: The Wildcats return 6 of top 7… but there is good news/bad news. Good: a very experienced bunch of girls based on state XC experience is back. Bad: many of the squad may have lost the competitive edge of not running track. The critics will see very soon whether this is true.
#16 Tinley Park (Andrew)- ’05 SMF: DID NOT COMPETE Key returnees: Kailyn Kuzmuk (Jr.), Patti Swayka (Jr.), April Sojka (So.), Kristin Syring (Jr.), Ellie Maglia (Sr.), Chelsea Gerdes (Sr.) Outlook: Same predicament as Stagg- victim of a loaded regional. The T-Bolts be up for another good season though. Kuzmuk and Swayka had solid track seasons and the success there should swing to XC.
#17 East Peoria- ’05 SMF: 20th Key returnees: Emily Gustafson (So.), Mary Kate Beyer (Sr.), Brooke Potendyk (Sr.), Tasha Messer (Jr.), Simona Parker (Jr.) Outlook: Top 5 return from a surprising team. EP will not surprise this time around, as they should be the team in central Illinois. Gustafson is capable of being a top 10-15 runner. Coach Ed McGraw simply put it: “we really, really want to be a top 10 team in the state.”
#18 Mahomet-Seymour- ’05 SMF: 24th Key returnees: Amy Clausen (Sr.), Josie Parker (Sr.), Julie Jarrett (Jr.), Jessica Butcher (So.), Hanna Schaap (So.), Megan Helbring (Sr.) Outlook: MS will bring another strong presence from central Illinois as well a notch stronger this season. Coach Bonnie Moxley will get the most out of girls throughout the season. Her top four girls all had solid track seasons and look to duplicate matters on the cross-country course.
#19 Wilmette (Loyola Academy)- ’05 SMF: 25th Key returnees: Anne Schuessler (Sr.), Meghan O’Malley (Sr.), Kelsey Dolan (Jr.), Kelly Block (Sr.) Outlook: will be much improved! Why? Well, Schuessler had a breakout track season as well as several teammates. The Ramblers seem not to be getting the respect some other programs but at the end of the year, they are always knocking on the door to the state finals. This season may be the year the Ramblers push for the watermark: the top 15.
#20 Oak Park-River Forest- ’05 SMF: DID NOT COMPETE Key returnees: Allison Rack (Sr.), Marianne Kirk (Sr.), Daiga Eizis (So.), Jenny Corkle (Sr.) Outlook: always expect one thing from a Sarah McCabe coached squad: they always compete hard against the best. The Huskies did not make the big dance last year because they were the 6th place team out of Niles West sectional. This year with a little more experience and hunger, the Huskies might have what it takes. Rack and Kirk will be the leaders of this hunt for Peoria.
#21 Normal Community- ’05 SMF: 21st Key returnees: Olivia Myers (Sr.), Mara Weaver (So.), Sarah Roberts (So.), Amy Ziegler (So.), Anna Miller (Jr.), Natasha Howe (Sr.) Outlook: six of seven runners return from a squad that made a solid squad that placed well at state. Coach Tom Patten will look to a collective effort if his squad looks to duplicate last year’s effort.
#22 Winnetka (New Trier)- ’05 SMF: 18th Key returnees: Jill Roettinger (Sr.), Tracy Hutchings-Goetz (Sr.), Beth Ottolini (Sr.), Margaret Whitesides (Jr.), Kimberly Hickey (Sr.) Outlook: The Trevians return the majority of their squad back from a solid season. Once again, they should battle northshore foes Evanston and Loyola for a state berth.
#23 LaGrange (Lyons Township)- ’05 SMF: 11th Key returnees: Jane Simpson (Jr.), Keegan Kilrea (Jr.), Meggie McDonald (So.), Chirstine Farrell (Sr.) Outlook: The Lions were hit hard by graduation to its key scorers but they are a program known for deep talent. It should take them long to reload and the key ingredient is Simpson. Simpson has progressed nicely over the past two years and is poised to be an elite runner.
#24 Frankfort (Lincoln Way East)- ’05 SMF: 6th Key returnees: Maggie Sutor (So.), Stephanie Gabrys (Jr.), Sarah Scanlin (Sr.), Laura Beggs (So.) Outlook: The Griffins will take a tumble (at least early on) from last year’s pace. They lose star Amanda Beggs from the fold. Sutor will assume leadership role. The remaining cast and several newcomers will need to step up in order for the Griffins to make a serious impact on the cross-country landscape.
#25 Elmhurst (York)- ’05 SMF: 10th Key returnees: Maggie Sack (Jr.), Shreya Singh (So.), Angela Pisani (Jr.), Allie Haling (Jr.), Laurie Dalrymple (Sr.) Outlook: The Dukes do not look as formable as last season but they are from Elmhurst and the boy’s success usually will rub off on the girls. From the rumor mill is a coaching shake up. Sack and Dalrymple will lead.
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