Abby Jockisch and her Dunlap team will play a big factor in the 2A state picture this weekend (Steve Bulgarin photo)
Date: 11/8/2014
Location: Detweiller Park; Peoria, IL
Course: 3.0 miles
Race time: 11 am
Awards ceremony: 1pm
Weather forecast: It is expected to be 50F and somewhat windy at 15 mph.
Media coverage: follow Illinois Prepster @ilptt on twitter for live action as well as pre and post race action of the meet. Use hastag #ihsaxcstate14
Power rankings: http://il.milesplit.com/articles/138485-orland-park-sandburg-boys-heads-final-power-rankings#.VFuBI_nF8no
The qualifying teams: #1 Yorkville, #2 Belvidere North, #3 Lake Forest, #4 Vernon Hills, #5 Dunlap, #6 Normal (University), #7 Lemont, #9 Crystal Lake Central, #10 Chicago (Latin), #11 Lombard (Montini Catholic), #13 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South), #14 Peoria (Notre Dame), #17 Chatham-Glenwood, #18 West Chicago (Wheaton Academy), Aurora (Central Catholic), Charleston, Chicago (Payton), Chicago (University), Deerfield, Highland, Jacksonville, LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy), LaSalle-Peru, Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin), Washington, Wilmette (Regina Dominican)
Opening remarks: this year's championship is destined to one of the best if not the best since the classification addition in 2007. Yorkville will be going for a four-peat, but it will not be easy as Belvidere North has slowly built themselves from an emerging team into a force to be reckoned with. The Lady Blue Thunder is a different team than the one that was dominated at the First To The Finish Invitational 66-118 by Yorkville. The margin was shorted a bit at the Kaneland Sectional. It will all come down to who is at their best on Saturday.
Let’s meet the teams:
Yorkville
Head Coach: Chris Muth
2013 state finish: State Champion
Pre-season rank: #1
Final regular season rank: #1
Probable starting line-up:
Skyler Bollinger (Jr.)
Alexis Grandys (So.)
Piper Buyansky (So.)
Lauren Dauffenburg (Fr.)
Maggie Klemm (Fr.)
Summer Peirson (Jr.)
Erin Reynolds (Jr.)
Road to state: Woodstock Regional- 1st, Maple Park (Kaneland) Sectional- 1st
Outlook: Make no doubt about it the Lady Foxes are the team to beat with Skyler Bollinger leading the charge. Bollinger has been steady all season long with her leadership abilities. She has stepped up and won an important race (FTTF) when called upon. The supporting cast has been good too. Alexis Grandys is the #2 girl and she is one of the best #2 runners in the state. There is also a feeling of optimism in the Fox camp as Saturday is approaching. "Well I feel like if we run like we did this past weekend, we have a really good shot at winning a trophy," said coach Chris Muth in reference to his team (he coaches both boys and girls champions). "The state meet is a tricky race, and you really never can predict who will win."
Belvidere North
Head Coach: John Paddock
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: #17
Final regular season rank: #2
Probable starting line-up:
Jenna Lutzow (So.)
Carley Lutzow (Sr.)
Sabrina Elder (Fr.)
Stephanie Robles (Jr.)
Carol Garcia (Sr.)
Mia Rodriguez (Fr.)
Natali Monaghan (Fr.)
Road to state: Belvidere North Regional- 1st, Maple Park (Kaneland) Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: last year at this time the Blue Thunder was an emerging program on the verge of becoming good. The young ladies finished 7th in sectionals but sent a then freshman Jenna Lutzow to the state meet where she earned all-state honors (15th place). Now 365 days later here is a team with a realistic chance to win a state trophy. However, if Belvidere North wants to win the big prize they will need to step things up on the back end of their scoring pack. They can match Yorkville at the first two spots and maybe three but that's it. Lutzow will aid her team with a low score of course but her teammates will need to step up and do their part as well.
Lake Forest
Head Coach: Steve Clegg
2013 state finish: 10th
Pre-season rank: #8
Final regular season rank: #3
Probable starting line-up:
Emma Milburn (Fr.)
Katie Condon (Jr.)
Brett Chody (Fr.)
Mary Gregg (Fr.)
Kelsey Schmidt (Jr.)
Etta Eckerstrom (Sr.)
Hannah Flagstad (Sr.)
Road to state: Antioch Regional- 1st, Maple Park (Kaneland) Sectional- 4th
Outlook: The Scouts have been good for several years now in the classification. Don't worry too much about the 4th place finish at the Kaneland Sectional, this team has what it takes to win a trophy. It also helps running on the Detweiller course earlier in the year where they finished 3rd in the FTTF behind Yorkville and Belvidere North. Emma Milburn finished 9th in the contest. She along with Katie Condon and Brett Chody will be crucial in the Scouts chances this weekend.
Vernon Hills
Head Coach: Suzanne Curry
2013 state finish: 3rd
Pre-season rank: #2
Final regular season rank: #4
Probable starting line-up:
Vivian Overbeck (Jr.)
Samantha Hershman (Sr.)
Lauren Katz (Fr.)
Shannon Skeoch (Jr.)
Lauren Kim (Sr.)
Melanie Rogers (Sr.)
Lexi Reich (Jr.)
Road to state: Woodstock Regional- 3rd, Maple Park (Kaneland) Sectional- 5th
Outlook: Has the hard racing caught up to Vernon Hills? While it is true the Kaneland Sectional is easily the best sectional in the classification, the Cougars have competed at full throttle in a lot of meets (12) before the state series began. So getting the final spot out of sectionals is a little concering. Now that the team has advanced to state again, the goal is to win another trophy. Vivian Overbeck is like a steady rock. She will be out to get the job done once again with a potential spot in the top 10-15. "Last year I finished 11th at the state meet, so next week I'm hoping to be in the top 10" Overbeck said after finishing fourth at sectionals. "I used to really focus on time, but I've changed my race strategy and I try to just focus on beating people now." The scoring pack led by Samantha Hershman will need the same mindset as Overbeck. If they can be in contention with other key teams entering the "Bermuda Triangle" they will be in good shape provided they can close well.
Dunlap
Head Coach: Chris Friedman
2013 state finish: 9th
Pre-season rank: #12
Final regular season rank: #5
Probable starting line-up:
Abby Jockisch (Sr.)
Miranda Kruiswyk (Fr.)
Kristen Wu (Jr.)
Chloe Gunn (Sr.)
Emilie Olmsted (Jr.)
Delaney Petersen (Fr.)
Gabrielle Reed (Jr.)
or Francesca Verville (Fr.)
Road to state: Galesburg Regional- 1st, East Peoria Sectional- 1st
Outlook: Dunlap has been an underrated team this season- particularly on the girls side. Fortunately for the Lady Eagles they have a fillie in the name of Abby Jockisch to ride. Jockisch is ticketed for a single digit score for sure. One athlete not listed that could Dunlap's cause is Franny Verville. The talented newcomer has been in and out of action for much of the second half of the season. However, coach Friedman is optimistic about her prognosis for Saturday. "She has been dealing with a hamstring pull for the last month. She didn’t run Metamora Invite, came back and ran conference but suffered a setback, and hasn’t raced since," he said. But quickly added: "She has had a good week and a half of practice lately... she will race on Saturday"
Normal (University)
Head Coach: Lester Hampton
2013 state finish: 8th
Pre-season rank: #4
Final regular season rank: #6
Probable starting line-up:
Shannan Supan (Jr.)
Madigan Landess (Jr.)
Advika Kamatar (So.)
Riley Madix (Fr.)
Ally Shepherd (So.)
Nadia Khusro (So.)
Katie Reeves (So.)
Road to state: Normal (University) Regional- 1st, East Peoria Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: This is not the same team that finished 9th at FTTF or better yet the one that placed a lowly 27th in the Richard Spring Invite. It seems that coach Hampton had his team in training mode in early to mid-September. If true, it was a smart tactic because the girls are running well now. Getting 3rd in the strong East Peoria Sectional should not be overlooked with the likes of Dunlap and Peoria Notre Dame ahead of them. The Lady Pioneers will lean on Shannan Supan as their top runner followed by a solid 2-5 scoring pack that runs under 1:00. You can bet the third installment of the Detweiller experience to be the team's best performance.
Lemont
Head Coach: Tim Plotke
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: #7
Probable starting line-up:
Taylor Campos (Jr.)
Beata Drozda (Fr.)
Bridget Kunkel (So.)
Gabby Voltarel (Jr.)
Celine Ratulowski (Fr.)
Claire Gagen (Jr.)
Jorie Dybcio (Sr.)
Road to state: Aurora (Rosary) Regional- 1st, West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) Sectional- 1st
Outlook: big turnaround for coach Plotke and his staff from a season ago. The Indians are undefeated since finishing 5th at the FTTF Invite. The incredibly deep team has its top 7 runners under 19:00. This means if the pack runs well like the 16 second split (or somewhere near), a sweet low score in the cards. Taylor Campos didn't have her best race at FTTF running almost 19:00, but she produced an 18:06 in her sectional race. Campos will need to be a front runner on Saturday to ensure the team's chance for a trophy.
Crystal Lake Central
Head Coach: Anthony DeStephano
2013 state finish: 7th
Pre-season rank: #3
Final regular season rank: #9
Probable starting line-up:
Mary Fleming (Sr.)
Janine Orvis (So.)
Debra Tomlinson (So.)
Katelyn Smith (Fr.)
Avani Flanagan (So.)
Rachel Kautz (Sr.)
Stephanie Doerr (Fr.)
Road to state: Woodstock Regional- 1st, Maple Park (Kaneland) Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: Finishing inside the top 10 would be a great seasonal accomplishment for the Tigers. This year's top 5-10 teams are as strong as they have been since the classification move 7 years ago. Mary Fleming and Janine Orvis will lead the bunch as they have been most of the season. Look for the remaining team members to get out well and pack up in the middle and fight for three miles.
Chicago (Latin)
Head Coach: Dan Daly
2013 state finish: 3rd (Class 1A)
Pre-season rank: #19
Final regular season rank: #10
Probable starting line-up:
Abigail Nadler (Sr.)
Sophia Lancaster (So.)
Maddie Hoffman (So.)
Laura Katunas (Fr.)
Kathryn Stender (So.)
Madeline Cohen (So.)
Elizabeth Carlson (Sr.)
Road to state: Arlington Heights (St. Viator)- 1st, Bensonville (Fenton) Sectional- 1st
Outlook: Coach Daly did not scream or cry when his tiny school located in Lincoln Park moved up in classification. Instead his girls beat on the bigger and tougher competition of Class 2A. The Romans have always competed against the stout 3A schools like Whitney Young, Lane Tech, and St. Ignatius. So 2A seems like a natural progression. Latin could be a top 10 team if #1 runner Abigail Nadler runs up to her potential. After that it is just get out there and race for the scorers.
Gianna Salzbrunn is Montini's #1 runner. The multi-talented athlete has an all-state medal in the 300 Hurdles (Steven Bulgarin photo)
Lombard (Montini Catholic)
Head Coach: Pete Connelly
2013 state finish: 11th
Pre-season rank: #13
Final regular season rank: #11
Probable starting line-up:
Gianna Salzbrunn (Jr.)
Emma Makowski (Jr.)
Lauren Denemark (Jr.)
Mary O'Brien (So.)
Madeline Jamrozek (Sr.)
Jenna Wiedacher (So.)
Bianca Montesinos (Sr.)
Road to state: Aurora (Rosary) Regional- 3rd, West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) Sectional- 5th
Outlook: Montini has lost a lot of leadership over the past few seasons. But the program has been able to rebound well with quality junior varsity talent and good development from the frosh ranks. Gianna Salzbrunn has run well under pressure as the top runner. Her services came in handy at the sectional round with a solid 4th place finish. The rest of the Lady Broncos competed well enough to earn help the team earn a tie for 5th place and a trip to Peoria.
Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South)
Head Coach: Brian Webb
2013 state finish: State Runner-Up
Pre-season rank: #5
Final regular season rank: #13
Probable starting line-up:
Rebecca Sippel (Sr.)
Caroline Arlasky (Sr.)
Abby Schlenker (So.)
Ava Childs (Fr.)
Reganne Schihl (Jr.)
Courtney Knight (So.)
Rebecca Everhart (Sr.)
Road to state: Aurora (Rosary) Regional- 2nd, West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: The Raiders are coming on strong at the right time. Last year's state runner up squad got a win out of Rebecca Sippel at the Wheaton Academy Sectional. Caroline Arlasky supported the cause with a 7th place effort. This team could finish in the top 5 with several others setting it up. For that to happen the 3-5 runners will need to move up in the pack and be ready for a dog fight over the final half-mile.
Peoria (Notre Dame)
Head Coach: Dan Gray
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: #14
Probable starting line-up:
Maryjeanne Gilbert (Jr.)
Abby Ricca (Sr.)
Grace Breitbach (Fr.)
Rebecca Kerns (Sr.)
Catie Elward (So.)
Lucy Jockisch (Fr.)
Allie Dickerson (Jr.)
Road to state: Galesburg Regional- 2nd, East Peoria Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: Maryjeanne of course is the focus of the team and deservedly so. She is expected to run away with the individual title and that's that right? No, she has a new head coach in long time assistant Day Gray to be the rock to lean on. Gilbert also has a team behind her this time and that should make her feel good on her "home course." Abby Ricca and Grace Breitbach have improved since running at the Richard Spring Invite. Both girls have dropped nearly a minute off of their season bests. They and the rest of the bunch will get one more opportunity to drop time on Saturday.
Chatham-Glenwood
Head Coach: Mike Garber
2013 state finish: 6th
Pre-season rank: #6
Final regular season rank: #17
Probable starting line-up:
Demi Dixon (So.)
Kerraline Wurl (Jr.)
Erica Rideout (Sr.)
Armonty Flynn (Fr.)
Donna Hansen (Fr.)
Rachel Edmiston (Jr.)
Taylor Justison (Jr.)
Road to state: Jacksonville Regional- 1st, Decatur MacArthur Sectional- 1st
Outlook: A close victory over Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin (103-110) at Decatur MacArthur probably brought the Titans closer as a team. Demi Dixon, Kerraline Wurl, and Eric Rideout finished within 10 seconds of one another. The scoring split as a whole was 1:03. If the Chatham-Glenwood can drop another 20 seconds on the "five" they are top 10 finishers for sure on Saturday.
West Chicago (Wheaton Academy)
Head Coach: Jim Spivey/Chris Felinski
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: #18
Probable starting line-up:
Annika Pearson (Sr.)
Gretchen Pearson (So.)
AJ Setran (So.)
Julia Robleski (Fr.)
Maggie Bailey (Fr.)
Claire Casto (So.)
Rebecca Smith (So.)
Road to state: Aurora (Rosary) Regional- 4th, West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) Sectional- 4th
Outlook: 6 out of 7 runners broke 20:00 led by Annika Pearson at 18:34 at sectionals. Without a front runner it is vitally important for the Warriors to stick closely together on Saturday.
Aurora (Central Catholic)
Head Coach: Troy Kerber
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Karina Liz (Jr.)
Abby Fioresi (So.)
Irene Crown (Sr.)
Toriana Turk (Fr.)
Amy Brouch (So.)
Therese Hein (Fr.)
Shannon Lo Presti (Fr.)
Road to state: Aurora (Rosary) Regional- 5th, West Chicago (Wheaton Academy)- 5th
Outlook: The Chargers earned a trip to state with a nail-biting 5th place finish at sectionals. Karina Liz ran a 2nd place effort followed by Abby Fioresi in 5th. After that it was a big pitful for the #3 runner Irene Crown who was south of a minute behind. The prognosis will be Liz and Fioresi vying for top 25 honors.
Charleston
Head Coach: Derrick Landrus
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: #20
Probable starting line-up:
Grace Oetting (Sr.)
Hope Griffin (Fr.)
Sherdian Noll (Sr.)
Julia Griffin (Fr.)
Megan Woodruff (So.)
Sabrina Ryan (So.)
Kyler Rennels (Jr.)
Road to state: Danville Regional- 2nd, Decatur MacArthur Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: Grace Oetting has quietly made a name for herself. The former soccer standout is now realizing how good she can be in cross country. She finished second to Mattoon senior Megan Shaffer at Decatur. She should end up on the medalist podium with another solid run on Saturday. Her teammates must improve on the 1:00 split from 2-5 in order to justify their #20 ranking.
Chicago Payton
Head Coach: Monica Carmody
2013 state finish: 21st
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Claire Goldman (So.)
Samantha Foster (Sr.)
Madeline Nash (Sr.)
Samantha Helffrich (Fr.)
Emma Woorell (Fr.)
Elizabeth Walsh (Sr.)
Esha Kular (Jr.)
Road to state: Deerfield Regional- 4th, Bensonville (Fenton) Sectional- 4th
Outlook: It will be interesting to see how this team responds on the big stage. The Grizzlies are going to need a ferocious attack from all seven girls if they intend on busting into the top 20. The team's biggest competition outside of the CPS Championship was the Fenton Sectional. Claire Goldman has been the team's top runner all season long, but she is lean on big meet experience. The state meet will be an eye opening experience for Payton.
Chicago (University)
Head Coach: Debbie Ribbens
2013 state finish: 24th
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Elsa Erling (So.)
Lucy Kenig-Ziesler (Jr.)
Liza Edwards-Levin (So.)
Isabella Khan (So.)
Genevieve Nemeth (Jr.)
Alice Carlstrom (So.)
Grace Cain (Jr.)
Road to state: Chicago (University) Regional- 1st, Bensonville (Fenton) Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: winning regionals and finishing third at sectionals should give the Lady Maroons a little confidence going into Saturday. Elsa Erling will lead the charge.
Deerfield
Head Coach: Jeff Beaumont
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Abbey Osborn (Sr.)
Kelley Osborn (Fr.)
Erin Phillips (Jr.)
Jordyn Jensen (Jr.)
Nicole Abramson (Jr.)
Molly Segall (Fr.)
Claudia Giacone (Jr.)
Road to state: Deerfield Regional- 2nd, Bensonville (Fenton) Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: The consolation prize in getting bombed by Latin at the Fenton Sectional was second place. Abbey Osborn has run 18:50. If she can duplicate that and her mates improve on the scoring split, then the Warriors should reap a solid day.
Highland
Head Coach: Doug Bradley
2013 state finish: 13th
Pre-season rank: #7
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Jayden Shelton (Sr.)
Taylor Prusa (Sr.)
Breann Wernle (Fr.)
Courtney Hengehold (So.)
SarahBeth Wiegman (So.)
Abbey Johnson (Sr.)
Sydney Nyquist (So.)
Road to state: Troy (Triad) Regional- 3rd, Decatur MacArthur Sectional- 5th
Outlook: the road to state was a bit rough without leader and top runner Allison Zobrist (Jr.) who went down with a season ending injury prior to the state series. In addition, the Bulldogs had to deal with a strike in the middle of the season that interrupted the flow of what was a promising season. But the team came together and competed well during the post-season. Jayden Shelton has taken the leadership role over like a senior is supposed to. The team may have lost some fitness with several members running into the 22-23 minute range. Hopefully, Highland can end the season on a high note.
Jacksonville
Head Coach: Breck Van Bebber
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Emma Chelsvig (Sr.)
Morgan Suttles (Fr.)
Allison Hewitt (Sr.)
Kiara Caskey (So.)
Jocelyn Murphy (Fr.)
Katelyn Halligan (Sr.)
Katie Rammelkamp (Sr.)
Road to state: Jacksonville Regional- 3rd, Decatur MacArthur Sectional- 4th
Outlook: Emma Chelsvig's 10th place finish at the Decatur MacArthur Sectional paced the Crimsons. The 1:01 scoring split was solid enough to get the job done and advance to Peoria. It was also a big improvement from the 3:04 split from FTTF.
LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy)
Head Coach: Joe Wejman
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Claire Ramsey (So.)
Emily Eddins (Sr.)
Colleen Cavanaugh (Jr.)
Emily Beedie (Sr.)
Gianna Levato (Jr.)
Maeve Roach (So.)
Maggie Harrington (Sr.)
Road to state: Aurora (Rosary) Regional- 6th, West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: The emotional ride from barely advancing to sectionals and then on to state has to be very gratifying. The little known Roadunners beat highly ranked Wheaton Academy and Montini to earn their tickets. Claire Ramsey led the way in 9th place. The scoring split was a splendid 44-seconds. If Nazareth can ride the wave for another race, they could be a contender for a top 15 spot on Saturday.
LaSalle-Peru
Head Coach: John Beatty
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Megan Krolak (Sr.)
Rachel Hickey (Fr.)
Lesly Rocha (Sr.)
Olivia Sheridan (Jr.)
Sarah Robinson (So.)
Kristen Williams (Jr.)
Stephanie Prostko (Jr.)
Road to state: Morris Regional- 1st, East Peoria Sectional- 5th
Outlook: Last year the little known LaSalle-Peru program had two outstanding runners who earned all-state honors either on the track or in the grass in Megan Krolak and Lesley Rocha. The Lady Cavaliers return both ladies to the championship plus a few friends. Yes, this team will be competing as a full unit this team after upsetting Lincoln-Way West to earn the final spot at East Peoria. With three girls under 19:00, this should provide the team with some ammo for a run inside the top 20.
Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)
Head Coach: Josh Bluhm
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Bridget McClain (Sr.)
Meghan McClain (Sr.)
Olivia Doll (So.)
Emma Powell (Sr.)
Hannah Van Houten (Fr.)
Grace McDonald (Fr.)
Kate Janes (So.)
Road to state: Jacksonville Regional- 2nd, Decatur MacArthur Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: finishing second at Decatur MacArthur may have been a surprise outside of the SHG camp, but this team was ranked in the top 20 at one time during the season. So it appears that coach Bluhm's team is peaking at the right time. SHG actually run even with the winner Chatham-Glenwood before coming up short at the end 103-110. Things could go in reverse with Bridget McClain placing in the middle of the pack.
Washington
Head Coach: Troy Walcott
2013 state finish: 12th
Pre-season rank: #20
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Kara Jacobs (Fr.)
Josephine Hermann (Fr.)
Kassidy Dexheimer (So.)
Taylor Widder (Fr.)
Hailey Widder (Sr.)
Hailey Tranchitella (So.)
Claire Myers (Fr.)
Road to state: Normal (University) Regional- 3rd, East Peoria Sectional- 4th
Outlook: Many of you may recall last November 17 was a horrible day for the Washington community. It was the day that an F-5 category tornado wiped out their town. Among some of the victims were members of the cross country team. Coach Walcott took a moment to reflect on the tragedy: "Our girls are excited to get to represent their community this weekend at Detweiller. Our one year anniversary of the tornado is coming up on November 17th. One of our girls (our 2-3 runner - freshman Josie Hermann) had her house destroyed by the tornado and hopes to be back in her home by this December. Although our team is very young, they are looking forward to racing well and taking in the experience this weekend." Needless to say, running this weekend at Detweiller will be very emotional and joyful.
Wilmette (Regina Dominican)
Head Coach: Laura Papageorgiou
2013 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final regular season rank: None
Probable starting line-up:
Kate McDonough (Sr.)
Audrey Jahns (Sr.)
Michelle Delana (Sr.)
Niamh Ryan (Sr.)
Katie McNaughton (Sr.)
Grace Spiewak (Sr.)
Talia Morris (Sr.)
Road to state: Deerfield Regional- 3rd, Bensonville (Fenton) Sectional- 5th
Outlook: The last team from the last sectional in terms of strength has earned a spot on the starting line for Saturday. Kate McDonough will lead the Panthers charge.
The Individual race-
If the weather conditions remain steady at 50 degrees and moderate wind, then the meet record of 16:22 set by Woodstock's Kayla Beattie in 2010 is in real jeopardy. Maryjeanne Gilbert (left photo) ran an eye popping 16:30 back in September and she has not slowed down. She is as dominant as Mailin Struck was a season ago. Struck was the German exchange student who ran blazed the competition for Riverside-Brookfield. In order to set records one needs to be pushed. It looks no one is going to fit that bill so Gilbert is going, going, GONE... can Skyler Bollinger lead the chase pack? Jenna Lutzow is someone who should be taken seriously and a top three threat after running a season best of 17:12 at the Kaneland Sectional and beating Bollinger.
Marengo senior Kitty Allen is vying for her third all-state honor. She has placed in the top five in all of her contests this year. Other faces in the crowd to look for are middle-distance star Karina Liz, Vivian Overbeck, Abigail Nadler, Megan Shaffer, Becca Sippel, and Carley Lutzow.