15. Grayslake Central-
Head Coach: James Centella
2012 final season finish: state- 15th (359pts)
Key returners: Jamie Brew (Sr.)- 50th, Korina “Kia” Gomez (Sr.)- 68th, Maggie Wehde (Sr.)-164th
Season outlook: Jamie Brew was the team’s top runner last fall but don’t tell Kia Gomez that. She may have turned the corner on copping the #1 spot this season. The senior stepped up this past spring under the leadership of all-state runner and now former teammate Claire Haggerty. Gomez ran on the state 4x8 relay and also clocked a solid 5:30 1600m. She isn’t the problem for the Rams; it’s depth. Hopefully, the team can retool and make return trip to Detweiller this November.]
Head Coach: Steve Destri
2012 final season finish: Peoria Notre Dame Sectional- 7th
Key returners: Sara Piller (Jr.), Andrea Gordon (Jr.), Shayla Kozak (Jr.), Bailey Fillipponi-Holstein (Jr.), Katelyn Yoder (Jr.).
Newcomers: Mo Koranek (Fr.), Michaela Baumgardner (Fr.), Gracie Ecker (Fr.).
Projected starting line-up: Piller Gordon, Kozak, Fillipponi-Holstein, Yoder, Ecker, Koranek.
Season outlook by Coach Destri: “We did not qualify for state last season. Our only individual qualifier Emily Brelsfoard graduated. Fortunately we return seven girls who ran varsity for us at some point last season. One of our main goals will be to compete for the Big 12 title. Our girls have won the past four. We hope to use our home course advantage at sectional to qualify for state. Sara Piller and Andrea Gordon have the potential to go under 18:00. They have been our second and third runners the past two seasons. Gracie Ecker had a great summer and has the potential to be a top five runner.”
13. Vernon Hills-
Head Coach: Suzanne Richert
2012 final season finish: state- 12th (306)
Key returners: Vivian Overbeck (So.)- 56th, Samantha Hershman (Jr.)- 67th, Lexi Reich (So.)- 101st, Shannon Skeoch (So.)- 128th, Cassie Lira (Sr.).
Season outlook: The Cougars have built themselves into a good program in the north suburbs of Chicago over the past few years. Their confidence has to be sky high after Cassie Lira had an outstanding track season. She was able to advance to state in the 1600m (5:21) and could wind up as the team’s top runner along with Vivian Overbeck. Now all the Cougars need is a few more good runners in the fold to make another return trip in the top 15.
12. Arlington Heights (St. Viator)-
Head Coach: Jim Milner
2012 final season finish: state- 11th (298pts)
Key returners: Meghan Carroll (Sr.)- 19th, Dominique LoVerde (Sr.)- 119th, Katie Malek (Sr.)- 130th, Kelly Kompanowski (Jr.)- 189th.
Season outlook: The unflappable Hanna Winter departs for college leaving Meghan Carroll as sole controller of a solid team. Carroll will vie for top honors individually but she will need her teammates to step up 2-5 if they desire to advance to state and make another strong impact.
11. Chatham-Glenwood-
Head Coach: Mike Garber; asst. coach: Tracy Dowell
2012 final season finish: state- 8th (255pts)
Key returners: Cassidy Garner (So.)- 37th, Kirsten Aydt (Sr.)- 91st, Kerraline Wurl (So.)- 92nd, Erica Rideout (Jr.)- 106th, Breianna Lowe (Sr.)- 127th, Kerryn O'Reilly.
Newcomers: Demi Dixon, Marissa Rios, Colleen Gleason
Season outlook: Five of the top seven girls return for another run at the top 10 this fall. The girls are poised to make a run at a top five position in the state meet, even after losing an important runner like Lindsay Rogers. Adding Demi Dixon to the mix is going to make their top seven even stronger. There should be a good fight amongst the girls to see who ends up taking the coveted varsity spots.