Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy)
Head Coach: Steven Bland
Last year's finish: 8th- Oregon Sectional
Key returners: Lydia Camp (Sr.), Ella Richter (So.), Eva Serrato (Jr.), Faith Winkleman (Jr.), Jessica Fuja (Jr.)
Projected 7: Camp, Richter, Eva Camp (Fr.), Serrato, Winkleman, Annika Learned (Fr.), Fuja
New Comers: The freshman of course and not so new Eva Serrato and Faith Winkleman. Both girls ran with the team last year just to get fit for other sports.
Coach Bland's thoughts on the upcoming season: Our girls didn't make it out of the sectional meet last year. We lost four seniors who were in our top seven. Though juniors, this will only be Camp's second season of cross country and Serrato's and Winkleman's first. Two freshmen will round out our seven. Experience wise, we are a very young team. It will be interesting to see how we do.
Head Coach/coaches: Andy Wszalek/Maris Wszalek
Last year's finish: DNP at Regionals due to 5th runner not finishing
Key returners: Hendrickson, Ramshaw, McMahon
Projected top 7: Fran Hendrickson, Bella Ramshaw, Sophie Dowling, Claire Monahan, Sydney McMahon, Kennedy Ramshaw, Anna Corapi
Newcomers: Dowling, Monahan, Ramshaw, Hogan
Coach's thoughts on the team: After a disappointing end to the team's season with a skeleton crew of just 5 runners, promising individual improvements and new faces look to make an immediate impact on returning to racing in November
Editor's thoughts: The Sabres should be a much-improved team and possibly a contender to make it to state with the veteran leadership of Hendrickson and Ramshaw. Hendrickson placed 11th and Ramshaw 37th in the state meet last year.
Coach: Jeremy Palmer
Last year's finish: 7th place- Decatur St. Teresa Sectional
Newcomers: We have several newcomers that will make a difference in our team.
Coach Palmer's thoughts on the team: We have the potential to be one of the larger teams Litchfield has have ever had with very good potential. Time will tell. This group believes in themselves and their teammates. Do Not Be Content.
Coach: Randy Ames
Last years finish: 9th- Elmwood Sectional
Key returners/top seven: Khyleigh Diggs (So.), Halle Evans (Sr.), Olivia Bishop (Jr.), Margot Wester (So.), Sylvia Barclay (Jr.), Elizabeth Gottwald (So.)
Newcomers: N/A
Intern Maya Stovall's thoughts:
The girls return the core of their squad looking to continue to be a solid pack. (Besides me, their leader who just graduated). They should challenge for a West Central Conference title and even regional title depending on how the summer goes. Should be a very competitive team in their part of the state.
Other teams to consider:
Head Coach: Chris Mosley
Last Years Finish: 9th- Decatur (St. Teresa) Sectional
Key Returners: Ailey Mitchell (Sr), Gabrielle Spain (So)
Projected Top 7: Mitchell, Spain, Brook Schutt (So), Emma Congenie (So), Ella Tynan (So), Ellie Nohren (Fr), Trinity Wade (So).
Newcomers: Freshman Ellie Nohren has run 6:02 for the mile in junior high and put in a terrific summer. Coach Mosley thoughts on the team: We have a great group of girls who work hard and push each other. After our top two girls, the rest have the ability to run together and make a strong pack. We will hopefully see improvement all year and run our best races at the end of the season.
Head Coach: Larissa Swanson
Last year's finish: 18th-State
-The Ladycats return five of their top seven including top runner senior Tori Fasano who earned all-state
honors with a 20th place finish. For this team to get back to the state meet and enjoy the fruits of labor, it
must dramatically improve a looming and big scoring split which is ticketed to be over four minutes.
Head Coach: Tim Bower
Last year's finish: 14th- State
-The Lady Shoes return a bulk of a team that placed 14th last year, but graduating two of their top five will severely hamper things. For instance, the graduation of Morgan Mette and Rebecca Habing will mean the scoring split will be astronomical. Finding someone to step up will be a daunting task!
Head Coach: Brent McLain
Last year's finish: 7th- Benton Sectional
Key returners: Amelia McLain (Sr.), Hailey Wallace (So.), Addisyn Miller (Jr.), Madi McLain (Sr.), Payton Tiefel (So.), Madi Wallace (Sr.)
Comments: Missed going to state by 10 points last year and that could the fuel that the Rangerettes need in order to get over the hump. Top runner
Mia McClain placed third in the state meet and her low stick position is exactly what this team needs. In addition, Hailey Wallace is back
after placing in the top 50 at state. Addisyn Miller and Madi McLain (Mia's twin sister) will be key factors this season.