10. Peoria Notre Dame
Last year's state finish: 16th
Coaches: Dan Gray (Head Coach) Jenny Every, Elyse Dell, Trevor Birkmeier (Asst. Coaches)
Key Returners: Grace Breitbach (Sr.), Lucy Jockisch (Sr.), Abby Miller (Jr.)
Newcomers: Rachel Ehrhart (Jr. - returning after being injured 2016), Irene Ehrhart (Fr.)
Projected Top 7: Grace Breitbach (Sr.), Lucy Jockisch (Sr.), Rachel Ehrhart (Jr.), Irene Ehrhart (Fr.), Abby Miller
(Jr.), Rebecca Foti (Jr.), Allyson Parks (So.)
Coach Gray's outlook: "The Irish girls lost eight seniors, had one transfer and one is focusing on another sport. All-
Stater Grace Breitbach has been plagued with a foot and shin issues since January, and is just resuming training.
Grace has been itching to get back into it, but she will be brought along with patience. We expect to see her
rounding into shape by mid-season. Lucy Jockish has put in another long mileage summer, and should drop a lot of
time from 2016. Rachel Ehrhart is back after missing all of 2016 with a hip injury, but we expect strong
performances from her. Abby Miller has been a low-19 girl, and should improve on that as a junior. Our lone
freshman girl, Irene Ehrhart, was an accomplished runner in junior high, and should provide some needed depth
once she adjusts to the increased workload of high school racing and training. Rebecca Foti made a major jump
during track, and will be the biggest surprise to many people. Senior captains Bethany Lawless, and Kaila Fennell
will help provide direction to our younger group."
9. Metamora
Last year's state finish: 7th
Coaches: Gene Jones (Head Coach), Pete Bachfischer, Jess Mellican, Dan Herring, & Angie Kimbro (Assistant
Coaches)
Key Returnees: Maddie Bennett (So.), Aly Gillum (So.), Kara Hodel (So.), Ellie Osko (Sr.), Brianne Roley (So.),
Tessa Schwarzentraub (Jr.), Emma Kate Stoller (Sr.), Sierrah Seals (Sr.), Charlotte Wilkes (Sr.), Hailey Tackett
(Sr.), Makenna Yergler (Sr.), Makenna Youngquist (So.)
Newcomers: Not sure about the incoming freshman or transfers from other sports or schools.
Projected Top 7: Will come from the above mentioned girls.
Coach Jones' outlook: "Our success this year will depend upon the growth of the young runners of last year and the
leadership from the veteran runners. We know that we will have very good competition during the season as we will
be running against Dunlap & Washington in our conference along with good competition throughout the year."
8. Waterloo
Last year's state finish: 13th
Coach: Larry Huffman
Key returners: Jenna Schwartz (Jr.), Ella King (Jr.), Sydney Haddick (So.), Colleen Sliment (So.), Mandy Kraus
(Sr.)
Newcomers: Rachel Patterson (So.), Lauren Cooper (Fr.), Emma Rick (Fr.), Laurin Lunk (Fr.)
Projected top 7: Jenna Schwartz (Jr.), Ella King (Jr.), Sydney Haddick (So.), Colleen Sliment (So.), Rachel Patterson
(So.), Lauren Cooper (Fr.), Emma Rick (Fr.)
Coach Huffman's outlook: "We lost one key runner in Libby Price. We have a newcomer, Rachel Patterson, who
should fit in to the top 5 nicely. The team looks to be in the top 10 and compete with some of the best teams in the
metro east. Jenna Schwartz should be fighting for a top 5 spot at state, while Ella King could be in the running for a
top 25 medal."
7. Maple Park (Kaneland)
Coaches: Doug Ecker (Head Coach), Andy Franklin (Assistant Coach)
Last year's state finish: 9th
Key returners: Rachel Richtman (So.), Andrea Wells (Sr.), Grace Purcell (Jr.), Tessa Brennan (Jr.)
Newcomers: Olivia Franklin (Fr.), MacKenzie Egert (Fr.), and Aubrey Broz (Fr.)
Projected top 7: The aforementioned group and possibly others.
Coach Esker's outlook: "This year's sophomore group has improved from last year and should add depth to the
team. We have a good group of freshman this year both numbers and talent wise. Several of them will be factor at
the varsity level come October. As many as 3 freshman could be in the top 7 by the end of the year. Our numbers
are up hopefully having 30+ girls out this year. The girls' goals are to be competitive in the invites at all the levels,
finish in top 2 at conference, and put themselves in position in October to have an opportunity to qualify for the
State Meet."
6. Mahomet-Seymour
Coach: Bonnie Moxley
Last year's state finish: 11th
Key returners: Brisa McGrath (Jr.), Megan Churm (So.), Jenna Straub (Sr.), Madi Balbach (So.)
Newcomers: Jessica Franklin (Sr.) and a group of promising freshmen
Projected top 7: Brisa McGrath (Jr.), Megan Churm (So.), Jenna Straub (Sr.), Madi Balbach (So.), Jessica Franklin
(Sr.). Too soon to tell who will fill the other two spots.
Coach Moxley's thoughts on the season: "Brisa McGrath and Megan Churm will be leading our team. These girls
have worked very hard this summer preparing for the upcoming season with high goals in mind. Jenna Straub, Madi
Balbach, and Jessica Franklin will round out the top 5. There are several promising freshman that joined in to the
training this summer too. We are looking forward to making an appearance in Apollo conference for the first time
this fall."
5. Urbana
Last year's state finish: 10th
Coaches: Forrest Farokhi (Head Coach), Zach Boehmke (Asst. Coach), Leslie Edmondson, Jeff Riddle (Volunteer
Coaches)
Key returners: Libby Cultra (Sr.), Olivia Rosenstein (So.), Chian Scott (So.), Sophie Dowling (So.), Molly Sweeney
(So.)
Newcomers: Right now, given the nature of summer schedules and other family and work obligations, I wish not to
confirm exact newcomers. However, we've had the largest number of summer camp participants in the past 5 years,
which is of course a great sign for the upcoming fall season. We have a lot of new faces, who I expect will be great
additions to the team.
Projected top 7: Libby Cultra (Sr.), Olivia Rosenstein (So.), Chian Scott (So.), Sophie Dowling (So.), Molly
Sweeney (So.), Maggie Shea (So.), Miranda Kowalski (So.)
Coach Farokhi's outlook: "I have very high expectations of these girls for the upcoming season. We are enjoying the
process of building a strong running culture at Urbana. It's taken many years of slow & steady growth, but our girls
have really begun to reap the benefits of their commitment to their training and the team itself. Last year, we
achieved multiple milestones, including a regional title, a 2nd place team finish at sectionals, and a top 10 team
finish at state (including a freshman All-State individual). The combination of our returning athletes, the
newcomers, and our understanding of the process of training effectively, will allow us to maintain a strong presence
come November."
4. Grayslake Central
Last year's state finish: 5th
Coaches: Jimmy Centella (Head Coach); Chris Palmer, Brenda Zeck, Colleen Lill, Greg Lannoye (Asst. Coaches)
Key returners: Lauren Brunk (Jr.), Mali Chiodi (Jr.), Vanessa Olmos (Sr.), Amy Moore (Sr.), Greta Ruhlmann (Jr.),
Abby Tonkery (Jr.)
Newcomers: Maura Fitzgerald (Jr.), Gillian Agnew (So.)
Projected top 7: The six returners mentioned and one of the following: Emma Clapp (Jr.), Callie Luczak (Jr.),
Amanda Kociakowski (So.) or one of the newcomers.
Coach Centella's outlook: "We have a strong group of veteran returners who will keep our team strong. Of our
returning top 5, each girl has state meet experience. If she can continue to grow in confidence, Lauren Brunk has
the potential to emerge as our top runner with the rest of the team not too far behind. While we lack a true all-state
type front runner, our depth and pack running will keep us very competitive. Our workouts will focus on developing
the depth of our pack. Hopefully we can add some more athletes into our top group over the course of the season. I
have a feeling that there will be some girls that step it up this year and make the top 7 who have not in the past . We
will also concentrate on enjoying the journey of the season. This means not just focusing on results, but also
developing relationships and creating lasting memories as a team. As always, our goal is to build gradually
throughout the season and be at our best in late October and November. I am confident that we will have a group of
young ladies who are ready to fight for conference and regional titles as well as a shot down state."
3. Vernon Hills
Last year's state finish: 3rd
Coaches: Suzanne Curry (Head Coach) Chris Wolf (Asst. Coach)
Key returners: Lauren Katz (Sr.), Payton Makowskyj (Jr.), Katie Wilkowski (Jr.), Leah Wilkowski (Jr.), Hannah
Ray (Jr.), Ryan Schofield (Jr.), Carly Sear (So.)
Newcomers: Too early to tell.
Projected top 7: Lauren Katz (Sr.), Payton Makowskyj (Jr.), Katie Wilkowski (Jr.), Leah Wilkowski (Jr.), Hannah
Ray (Jr.), Ryan Schofield (Jr.), Carly Sear (So.)
Coach Curry's outlook: "With most of our top 20 (including our top 7) returning to the team this year, the outlook is
very good. It is a competitive and experienced bunch with an ever changing top 7. We expect to face some good
competition in the CSL again this year and will look to defend that title. In the post season, we'll be up against some
very talented 2A teams who are also returning most of their top girls from last year. We're looking forward to a
healthy and fun season."
2. Belvidere North
Last year's state finish: State Champions
Coaches: Ken Husser (Head Coach); Drew Pivoras, Erin Foster, and Molly Scheidegger (Assistant Coaches)
Key returners: Sabrina Elder (Sr.), Madison Diercks (So.), Gianna Sagona (So.), Alex Reza (So.), Olivia Zaluckyj
(So.), Katie Luna (So.), and Kayla McGuire (So.)
Newcomers: Sydney Elder (Fr.), Kalen Cottrell (Fr.), and Trina Kazluski (Fr.)
Projected top 7: Madison Diercks (So.), Gianna Sagona (So.), Sydney Elder (Fr.), Sabrina Elder (Sr.), Olivia
Zaluckyj (So.), Alex Reza (So.), and Kayla McGuire (So.)
Coach Husser's outlook: "The greatest challenge is replacing a runner the caliber of Jenna Lutzow, whose leadership
will also be missed. However, there is still significant talent on this team, with six of the top seven runners returning
and we hope to build on the success so many of the freshmen had last year. We have a smaller incoming freshman
class this year, but there is talent there and Sydney Elder should be able to crack the top seven. Kayla McGuire had
a solid cross country season last year, but really had a breakout track season. She has also had a good summer and
hopefully she can continue to improve. If all goes well we can be a top five team in the state and hope to compete
for the title."