3A Girls State Championship Preview

3A Girls State Championship Preview

Date: 11/9/13
Location: Detweiller Park; Peoria, IL
Course: 3.0 miles
Race time: 1pm
Awards Ceremony: 3pm- Detweiller Park pavilion
The qualifying teams: #1 Naperville North, #2 Palatine, #3 Winnetka (New Trier), #4 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West), #5 O’Fallon, #6 Hinsdale Central, #7Downers Grove South, #9 Geneva, #10 Naperville Central, #11 Lockport, #12 Schaumburg, #13 Hoffman Estates, #14 Naperville (Neuqua Valley), #15 Downers Grove North, #16 Wheaton-Warrenville South, #17 Minooka, #18 Barrington, #20 Wilmette (Loyola Academy), #21 Oak Park-River Forest, #24 St. Charles North, #25 Edwardsville, Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East), Lake Zurich, New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central), Park Ridge (Maine South).  

Meet the key teams:

Naperville North-
Head Coach: Dan Iverson
2012 state finish: State Champions
Pre-state rank: #1
Final season rank: #1
Probable starting line-up: Elly DeTurris (Jr.), Maria McDaniel (Sr.), Claire Hamilton (Fr.), Kate Shannon (So.), Judy Pendergast (So.), Emory Griffin (So.), Ella Guppy (So.).
Road to state: West Chicago Regional- 1st, Aurora (Waubonsie Valley) Sectional- 1st.
Outlook: Last year's team was good but this team is great with the potential to be all-time great.  The key to a dominating performance will be the front running of DeTurris and McDaniel.  They have the ability to run inside the top 10 on any given day.  The Huskie scoring pack is extremely tight as evidenced by the 20-30 second splits in major meets. If all of the above occur on Saturday, it will be a rout for Coach Iverson and his program.

Palatine-
Head Coach: Joe Parks
2012 state finish: 5th
Pre-state rank: #3
Final season rank: #2
Probable starting line-up: Kelly O’Brien (So.), Sabina Yosif (So.), Kara Burton (Jr.), Amy Kieliszewski (Jr.), Jessica Lincoln (Sr.), Cassidy McPherson (Sr.), Liz Cox (Sr.).
Road to state: Palatine Regional- 1st, Schaumburg Sectional- 1st
Outlook: If Naperville North falters the Lady Pirates will be there to pounce on them because they are very similar in nature. Coach Park's team has relied on an air tight 1-5 and 1-7 running formation that drops 10-15 seconds scoring splits.  There is no true #1 runner here and that makes this squad a true "team."  Book Palatine for another trip to the awards podium at 3pm.

Winnetka (New Trier)-
Head Coach: John Burnside
2012 state finish: 4th
Pre-state rank: #12
Final season rank: #3
Probable starting line-up: Mimi Smith (Jr.), Cara Keleher (Fr.), Kelli Schmidt (So.), Molly Schmidt (Fr.), Kaitlin Frei (Sr.), Anna Sanfilippo (Sr.), Katie Glew (Fr.).
Road to state: Niles West Regional- 1st, Lake Park Sectional- 2nd.
Outlook: After the thumping the Trevians took at the feet of Glenbard West, they may need to re-evaluate things.  The focal point on Saturday would be to let Mimi Smith go out and race with the lead girls.  The 2-5 scoring unit will need to get up in the top third of the race by the mid-way point in order to have a chance at earning a top three spot.

Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)-
Head Coach: Paul Hass
2012 state finish: 3rd
Pre-state rank: #2
Final season rank: #4
Probable starting line-up: Madeline Perez (Sr.), Lindsay Graham (So.), Lisa Luczak (Jr.), Grace Rogers (So.), Janie Nabholz (Fr.), Kathryn Kenwood (So.), Megan Ozog (Jr.).
Road to state: Fenwick Regional- 1st, Lake Park Sectional- 1st
Outlook: The Hilltoppers are back! Perez was launced out of a rocket ship and it was a wrap before she hit the first mile in one of the season's most dominating performances. Graham returned from a knee injury to place fourth and teammate Luczak was fifth.  Glenbard West showed a glimpse of what is to come against Naperville North and Palatine.

O’Fallon-
Head Coach: Neil James
2012 state finish: 9th
Pre-state rank: #5
Final season rank: #5
Probable starting line-up: Sydney Neal (Sr.),  Sam Lapp (Sr.), Reagan Lear (Sr.), Andrea George (Sr.), Tami Cardenas (Jr.), Angela Buch (Jr.), Caitlyn Clinton (So.).
Road to state: Quincy Regional- 1st, Edwardsville Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: Hold up! Before some of you teams start waving the celebration flag over the Panther's head remember that Coach James held out #1 Sam Lapp.  She had incurred an injury to her knee some time ago and he knew that his team would qualify for Peoria without her.  Lapp is ready to go and the point swing will favor O'Fallon on Saturday.

Hinsdale Central
Head Coach: Mark McCabe
2012 state finish: 11th
Pre-state rank: #9
Final season rank: #6
Probable starting line-up: Alexa Haff (Fr.), Annie Zaher (So.), Becca Marcotte (Sr.), Camila Horowicz (Jr.), Emma Sullivan (So.), Olivia Carter (Fr.), Sara Folliard (Jr).
Road to state: Lyons Twp. Regional- 1st, Hinsdale Central Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: No one inside or outside the Hinsdale Central camp knew that Haff was going to be one of the state’s elite runners out of the gate.  The freshman standout has been nothing short of outstanding this season.  If the Red Devils want to be among the top five teams they are going to need Haff to remain status quo (as in top 2) and the other supporting cast figures to step up their game.  The 2-5 pack was further back than it had been all season.  Zaher and Marcotte are key figures in getting their team back on track.

Downers Grove South-
Head Coach: Doug Plunkett
2012 state finish: 15th
Pre-state rank: #10
Final season rank: #7
Probable starting line-up: Haley Albers (Sr.), Amanda Thate (Jr.), Meaghan Bosman (Sr.), Abby Kargol (Jr.), Jill Boyle (So.), Meredith Robinson (Sr.), Michaela Hackbarth (So.).
Road to state: Lyons Twp. Regional- 2nd, Hinsdale Central Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: This may be the year that Coach Plunkett see the dividends he has desired.  He now has the front runner in Albers and Thate is running well again. But more importantly is the back end of the scoring pack that closed the gap in recent weeks. The Mustangs have narrowed a once ocean wide spread to a tea cup 1:00 (for them). This improvement should lead to a top 5-8 finish.

Geneva-
Head Coach: Bob Thomson
2012 state finish: 6th
Pre-state rank: #4
Final season rank: #9
Probable starting line-up: McKenzie Altmayer (So.), Kathryn Adelman (Sr.), Emma McSpadden (So.), Brooke Nusser (Jr.), Gabrielle Thomson (Fr.), Sydney Geils (Sr.), Emma Ehrhardt (Fr.).
Road to state: Wheaton North Regional- 1st, Waubonsie Valley Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: Last year's state finish was a bit of a surprise because the program was down for several years following the great championship run. Now, the renaissance may be returning.  Expect another top 10 finish and a nice set up for a trophy in 2014.  But first thing is first: Altmayer and Adelman will lead the team's charge toward a good performance.

Naperville Central-
Head Coach: Aislinn Hicks
2012 state finish: 16th
Pre-state rank: #7
Final season rank: #10
Probable starting line-up: Katie Hoffman (Jr.), Emily White (Sr.), Ellie Marcet (So.), Maggie McClowry (So.), Rachel Hoffman (Jr.), Isabel Lopez (Jr.), Nicole Hoffman (Jr.).
Road to state: West Chicago Regional- 2nd, Waubonsie Valley Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: Hoffman will lead a team that has been rock steady all season.  The Red Hawks have taken the formula that cross town rival Naperville North made popular

Lockport-
Head Coach: Evon Schlotter
2012 state finish: 18th
Pre-state rank: #19
Final season rank: #11
Probable starting line-up: Morgan Bollinger (Fr.), Emmie Hahn (So.), Karlee Stortz (Fr.), Taylor Latta (Sr.), Haley Beaumont (Jr.), Aubrey Elmwood (Sr.), Alicia Ary (So.).
Road to state: Plainfield South- 1st, Hinsdale Central Sectional- 1st
Outlook: The state's most dangerous team made a huge statement at the Hinsdale Central Sectional when they whacked the field at the Hinsdale Central Sectional.  The Porters now will the attention of all in attendance on Saturday. Bollinger's second place finish was not a fluke. She has been running well all season without much fanfare unlike fellow freshman Alexa Haff.  The Porter's race success prognosis based on their scoring split of 1:00 is very good.  How about top 5 good!

Schaumburg-
Head Coach: Jason Beer
2012 state finish: 22th
Pre-state rank: #17
Final season rank: #12
Probable starting line-up: Ali Gutt (Jr.), Ellie O’Connell (Fr.), Caroline Kurdej (Fr.), Erin Falsey (Jr.), Debra Sodimu (Sr.), Valarie Schackelton (Fr.), Nadine Pola (So.).
Road to state: Hoffman Estates Regional- 1st, Schaumburg Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: One thing for certain is the Saxons will not finish 22nd like they did last year.  This team is too good to fall below the 15th postion if Gutt and the scoring pack get into position early. O'Connell is a good #2 and that sometimes is hard to find.

Hoffman Estates-
Head Coach: Kirk Macnider
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: #15
Final season rank: #13
Probable starting line-up: Solome Haile (Sr.), Alondra Aguirre (Jr.), Meagan Biddle (So.), Reena Prahbu (So.), Elsabet Haile (Sr.), Yazmin Nunez (Jr.), Brenda Regalado (Sr.).
Road to state: Hoffman Estates Regional- 2nd, Schaumburg Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: What is in the cards for the Hawks? The sky is the limit for a Coach Macnider team that always seem to dream big. Haile is a quality distance runner who is capable of all-state status.  Biddle is a 5:00 miler is also capable of a wonderful performance if she is mentally and physically ready.  Hoffman Estates will also have an opportunity to get into the top 10.

Naperville (Neuqua Valley)-
Head Coach: Tim McCoskey
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: None
Final season rank: #14
Probable starting line-up: Claire Costelloe (Sr.), Caitlin Horn (Fr.), Julia Pena (So.), Lauren Penkala (Jr.), Amanda Borkowski (Sr.), Maria Pandolfi (Sr.), Anastasia Bernat (Jr.).
Road to state: Plainfield South Regional- 2nd, Hinsdale Central Sectional- 4th
Outlook: The Wildcats have finally reached the Promise land and it's time to maximize the opportunity. Costelloe is running as consistently as any runner of her ilk.  But the question is can the Wildcats give her the back up that she needs?

Downers Grove North-
Head Coach: Tim McDonald
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: #11
Final season rank: #15
Probable starting line-up: Grace Maletich (So.), Kaitlyn Bonfield (So.), Emma Moravec (Fr.), Katherine Portman (Sr.), Angela Budach (So.), Meghan Bonfield (Sr.), Stephanie Urbancik (Sr.).
Road to state: Lyons Twp. Regional- 4th, Hinsdale Central Sectional- 5th
Outlook: Last year was sort of a disasterous year with graduation and defections. The expectations were high then but things didn't materialize until the end of the track season when the 4x00m relay placed high in the state final. The confidence gained from  Urbancik and Meghan Bonfield has paid off.   The sophomore combo of Kaitlyn Bonfield and Grace Maletich are doing well this season.  Expect them to continue their exploits on Saturday.

Wheaton-Warrenville South-
Head Coach: Rob Harvey
2012 state finish: 7th
Pre-state rank: #24
Final season rank: #16
Probable starting line-up: Sara Atkins (Fr.), Allison McGrath (Fr.), Mary Erdman (So.), Emma Schroer (So.), Kendall Laveen (So.), Natalia Boettcher (Jr.), Allison Strong (Jr.).
Road to state: West Chicago Regional- 3rd, Waubonsie Valley Sectional- 4th
Outlook: On the onset of the summer training season, coach Harvey warned that his young team would be going through some major growing pains.  However, winning breeds winning and it did not take long for the Tigers to get up to speed.  The pups have experienced several growing spurts along the way, but the future is very bright.  Atkins is the leader of a group that features two freshman, three sophomores, and two juniors.  None of the top seven have state championship racing experience.  The road to the top will be a little bumpy this weekend, but if they can manage to stay packed together in the 45 second range, the Tigers could reach the top 10.

Minooka-
Head Coach: Kevin Gummerson
2012 state finish: 19th
Pre-state rank: #16
Final season rank: #17
Probable starting line-up: Ashley Tutt (Fr.), Mackenzie Callahan (Fr.), Caleigh Beverly (Sr.), Morgan Crouch (So.), Kaitlyn Chetney (Sr.), Haley McNamara (Sr.), Moira McAsey (Sr.).
Road to state: Normal Community Regional- 1st, Edwardsville Sectional- 1st
Outlook: The Indians have been a quality team all season despite being under the radar.  It wasn’t until the final stages of the season that the varsity seven has gotten healthy.  Tutt and Callahan are the glue to a team that likes to run close together. They ran 33 seconds for 1-5 at regionals and 47 seconds a week later.

Barrington-
Head Coach: Debbie Revolta
2012 state finish: 8th
Pre-state rank: #8
Final season rank: #18
Probable starting line-up: Caroline Reynolds (Sr.), Lauren Conroy (Sr.), Arushi Agarwal (So.), Kristen Patino (Sr.) Jenna Privatsky (Sr.), Lauren Cropsey (Jr.), Theresa Nepomuceno (Jr.).
Road to state: Palatine Regional- 2nd, Schaumburg Sectional- 4th
Outlook: The Fillies were a team that many pegged to fight for a top 5 or better spot in Peoria at the beginning of the season. However, injuries and illnesses had crept in and touched them up on the negative side.  The fact is Reynolds and Conroy have not fared as well as the team has needed. Maybe that will change on Saturday.

Wilmette (Loyola Academy)-
Head Coach: ChrisJon Simon
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: None
Final season rank: #20
Probable starting line-up: Kathryn House (So.), Sarah Kelley (Sr.), Jackie McDonnell (Sr.), Caroline Zaworski (Jr.), Claire Monticello (Jr.), Anna Clark (Jr.), Samantha Evans (Sr.).
Road to state: Niles West Regional- 3rd, Lake Park Sectional- 5th
Outlook: No 2012 state berth for the Lady Ramblers. Fine. No pre-season ranking for the Lady Ramblers.  Fine. No early season recognition for the Ramblers. Fine.  All this team has done is go out and run well by placing in the top 5 of major races.  House is the head of the household for her team.  She is also an outside candidate for all-state status.

Oak Park-River Forest
Head Coach: Tom Tarrant
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: None
Final season rank: #21
Probable starting line-up: Mary Blankemeier (Fr.), Erin Schrobilgen (Sr.), Jennifer Smith (Sr.), Hannah Gorin (Jr.), Haley Thompson (So.), Mahal Schroeder (Fr.), Ainsley Tran (So.).
Road to state: Fenwick Regional- 2nd, Lake Park Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: Blankemeier took the 3A classification by storm when she propelled the Huskies to some big performances over the course of the season.  Then she got sick.  The team slipped a bit at conference before elevating itself back up at regionals and sectionals.  It is not certain that a team who was ranked #8 can crack the top 10 but getting inside of top 15 is within reach.

St. Charles North-
Head Coach: Shari Hayes
2012 state finish: 17th
Pre-state rank: #18
Final season rank: #24
Probable starting line-up: Ashley England (Sr.), Nina Olshever (So.), Kaylee Wessel (Sr.), Katie Francissen (So.), Allie Chen (Fr.), Madison Kaufmann (Fr.), Audrey Blankenship (Sr.).
Road to state: Wheaton North Regional- 1st, Waubonsie Valley Sectional- 5th.
Outlook: Ashley England has led a roller coster team all season.  At one point, the North Stars looked like a squad who could challenge for a top 10 spot, but then they hit the skids and fell off of a cliff.  Now, they appear to be coming around again but the dream season finish may be too late.

Edwardsville-
Head Coach: George Patrylak
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: None
Final season rank: #25
Probable starting line-up: Allie Sweatt (Sr.), Caitlyn Scheibal (Fr.), Juliana Determan (Fr.), Savannah Brannan (Fr.), Elizabeth Lynn (Jr.), Rachel Schoenecker (So.), Collen Corkery (So.).
Road to state: Quincy Regional- 2nd, Edwardsville Sectional- 4th
Outlook: The Tigers return back to Detweiller for the first time since 2006.  Ms. Sweatt has enjoyed a career in which she has improved each season. Will she join her brother Garrett in a select group as all-star brother and sister? Stay tuned on Saturday afternoon.

Individual look: Madeline Perez vs. Alexa Haff part 2 is going to happen and the results may be different.  Perez appears to have that fifth gear burst again. It is the formula that has made her famous. Haff is good in her own right in beating Perez and others handily this season.  Mimi Smith will want revenge after losing to Perez at the Lake Park Sectional.  Watch for Olivia Ryan of Fenwick and Lauren VanVlierbergen to challenge.