The now legendary Maryjeanne Gilbert has moved on to a different Notre Dame... the University of Notre Dame (Lazar G photo)
9. Peoria (Notre Dame)
Head Coach: Dan Gray
Last year's finish: 7th- State Championship
Key returners: Grace Breitbach (Jr.), Catie Elward (Sr.), Lucy Jockisch (Jr.), Kirsten Menke (Sr.), Kathryn Gray (Sr.)
Projected top 7: A combination of those listed above and others
Newcomers: Allyson Parks (Fr.), Isabella Adams (So.), Colleen O'Donnell (Jr.)
Coach Gray's outlook: Now led by someone other than Maryjeanne Gilbert, Grace Breitbach will look to get us low scores up front, and better pack runner from 2-5 that will make us more competitive at conference and state.
10. Chatham-Glenwood
Head Coach/coaches: Mike Garber / Tracy Dowell, Caleb Cox
Last year's finish: 5th- State Championship
Key returners: Savannah Duncan, Katie Curry, Ali Wynn, Toby Giganti, Marisa Rios, Maggie Toepfer, Donna Hansen, Kate Held, Jenna Gordon
Projected top 7: Duncan, Curry, Wynn, Giganti, Rios, Toepfer, Anderson
Newcomers: Jade Anderson, Allison Dollus
Coach Garber's outlook: Similar to the Glenwood Boys team, this group lost a lot of senior leaders. They were wonderful role models to these ladies and worked hard to continue the team legacy. This young group of athletes looks to continue the success of their predecessors. There is a solid group up front and the rest of the team is working hard over summer to be ready to race with them at the front of every race! This team has goals of winning the CS8 and Regional meets. They are also going to try and three-peat the Sectional meet. After coming close to a trophy at last year's State Meet, this team wants one more than ever!
11. Chicago Northside Prep
Head Coach: Jon Gordon
Last year's finish: Lake Park 3A Sectional- 12th
Key returners: Sara McCoy (Jr.), Fiona Casey (Sr.), Sylwia Balata (Sr.), Erin Franke (So.), Anna Pasek (Sr.),
Erin Goldman (So.), Faith Zehfuss (So.)
Projected top 7: McCoy, Casey, Sylwia Balata
Newcomers: n/a
Tony's Take: The two-time defending CPS champion Mustangs could be in line for their best ever team. Though they drop to 2A, they would have been a tough foe for 3A competition in late October. Be it as it may, Northside Prep will still compete against mostly tough Class 3A teams. Getting to Peoria on November 5 should be a piece of cake and I'm sure Coach Gordon already has the lodging booked for his team. Sara McCoy and Fiona Casey are in line to be a tough duo, and if they can get a stopper at the #5 spot they may ready for a top 10 finish.
12. Chicago (Marist)
Head Coach: Patrick Quinn
Last year's finish: 16th- State Championship
Key returners: Maryclare Leonard (Sr.), Jill Borza (So.), Colleen Murphy (So.), Carlin McNulty (Sr.), Nora Doyle (Jr.)
Projected top 7: same as above; others
Newcomers: n/a
Tony's Take: The Hawks return their top four girls led by one time all stater Maryclare Leonard who ran a blazing 17:06 while competing in 3A two years ago. Leonard just missed all state honors last year placing 30th but her team was more intact. With an experienced bunch coming back such as Jill Borza in the second slot, things should look pretty good for Coach Patrick Quinn this fall.
13. Aurora (Rosary)
Head Coach: Vic Mead
Last year's finish: 15th- State Championship
Key returners: Megan Ronzone, Brooke Delahanty, Allison Tippett, Hannah Regan, Claire Hengesbaugh
Projected top 7: Same as above, others
Tony's Take: Gone is star Madison Ronzone but her younger sister takes over the spotlight. The Royals will return five starters along with projected #2 Claire Hengesbaugh. Also, several of the girls who contributed during a solid track season should carry over. Brooke Delahanty was one of those girls who earned all state honors in the 4x8 relay.
14. Rochester
Head Coach: Bill Owens
Last year's finish: 14th- State Championship
Key returners: Katherine Petty (So.), Madeline Campbell (Sr.), McKenzie Swope (So.), Katlyn Sutker (Sr.)
Projected top 7: same as above, others
Tony's Take: The move up to 2A for the Rockets was a very successful. It is not often will you see a smaller school make big time strides right away. The arrow should be pointing up despite some losses. Remember #1 runner Katherine Petty did not run in the state meet last year. In addition, Madeline Campbell stepped up big time during the track season with a good 11:17 all state performance in the 3200m. The only question left is depth.
15. Lake Villa (Lakes)
Head Coach:
Keith West
Last year's finish:
6th- Sectional
Key returners:
Rae Dwyer , Alyssa Stromsland, Megan Knuettel, Simone Lippman
Projected top 7:
Olivia Schmitt, Rae Dwyer, Alyssa Stromsland, Megan Knuettel, Simone Lippman, Hannah Grant
(unsure of the 7th runner at this time)
Newcomers:
Key Newcomer is Olivia Schmitt - (IESA State 1600m champion Class AA)
Coach West's outlook:
We would like to qualify downstate as a team for Class AA. We also think we can compete for a
top spot in our new conference meet (NLCC). Rae Dwyer and Alyssa Stromsland had solid track seasons after a solid cross country season in 2015. Megan Knuettel and Simone Lippman were also key components of our 2015 varsity squad and are progressing steadily