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2017 IHSA State Cross Country Championships - 3A Girls PreviewPublished by
By Michael Newman
Will lightning strike twice for last year’s champions Naperville North in the team race and Glenbard West’s Katelynne Hart in the individual race? Hart has gone undefeated so far during the 2017 season and has eyes on her fourth state championship overall as well as her second straight cross country title. The closest race that Hart was involved in was at the Naperville Twilight Invitational, when she won by 22 seconds ahead of Naperville North’s Sarah Schmitt and Alex Morris. Both runners will be towards the front in this race. Enyaeva Michelin of Evanston Township pushed Hart for the first half of the sectional race at Lake Park before Hart pulled away with a 26-second margin of victory. Hart’s teammate Lindsey Payne has been running strong and will also be a runner to watch in the front. Yorkville’s Alyssa Edwards could be a surprise in the front as she has run stronger in every race this fall. Her two-second win ahead of Minooka’s Emily Shelton last week at Granite City proves that she could be a top-five finisher. Don’t discount Shelton either. She finished third behind Hart and Payne in last year’s state race. She will be near the front once again. Jocelyn Long of Barrington won the Hoffman Estates Sectional using a strong kick. She will be part of the action in the front. Also watch for Abby Lopez of Argo. The sophomore will be running her fifth cross country race ever and has never run at Detweiller Park before. The way she dominated the race in winning at the Hinsdale Central Sectional shows that she will be near the front in this race. Madison Marasco of Schaumburg, Melissa Manetsch of Libertyville, Brett Chody of Lake Forest, Hannah Ricci of Naperville North, and Hinsdale Central’s Grace McCabe could also be in the lead pack. ~~~ The team race could be closer than you think. Yorkville knows that. Defending champion Naperville North especially knows that as they have seen this story before. The Huskies were the team favorite entering the 2015 state meet. It was Minooka that took home the top prize. Naperville North has not been complacent in its racing this fall and has been dominant in every meet so far. Sweeping the top four places in winning at Waubonsie Valley shows that this team is ready for the challenge. Yorkville has run against Naperville North twice this season finishing second to the Huskies in both races. The Lady Foxes have continued to improve coming down the stretch and gotten healthy in the process. Yorkville scored 26 points winning at a tough sectional race at Granite City. On paper, it looks like less than 10 points could separate the two teams. There are a ton of great girls teams that will challenge for a trophy, including Wheaton-Warrenville South and Downers Grove South. Nevertheless, the team finish will be awfully close.
Here is a look at the 25 teams that will take to the line Saturday at Detweiller Park.
Other previews – 1A Girls | 1A Boys | 2A Girls | 2A Boys | 3A Boys
Naperville North ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 1
Notes – Naperville North has been on a mission all season after winning the 3A state title last fall. The Huskies remember what happened in 2015 when they entered the state meet as the favorite, but it ended up Minooka taking home the top prize. Take nothing for granted could be the motto of this team. It showed its strength by taking the top four places at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional scoring only 27 points. Sarah Schmitt and Alex Morris have been the front runners for the Lady Huskies this season. Both will be challenging for the state individual title. Hannah Ricci has been running strong in the past few meets and should be among the top 15. Claire Hill has showed improvement in every meet and could finish in the top 25. What will be interesting to see where their fifth runner places. Megan Driscoll was the team’s fifth runner in last week’s sectional race placing 17th and 34 seconds behind Hill. The gap could be something to watch. Naperville North could seal up consecutive state wins but will need to get their top 5 in the first 58 runners to accomplish that.
Yorkville ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 2
Notes – If there is one team that could surpass Naperville North in this meet, it could be the Lady Foxes. They placed 6 runners in the top 13 to easily win the Granite City Sectional ahead of ranked Minooka and Edwardsville. Alyssa Edwards is one the most improved runners in the state and could be among the top five in this race. Helena Kleronomos has stepped up in her freshman season as the team’s second runner and could be among the top 15 in this race. Their three through five pack could be the difference maker. Emily Eberhart, Olivia Borowiak, and Haley Simmons were within 13 seconds of each other in the sectional race. Getting those three runners in the top 40 could go a long way in deciding the team championship. Yorkville having seven runners in before Naperville North’s fifth runner comes across could make the outcome of this race extremely close. There could be a ten point or less difference between the two teams either way.
Wheaton-Warrenville South ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 4
Notes – The Tigers have been one of the hottest 3A Girls teams in the past month and will be in the hunt for a state trophy. Placing 7 runners in the first 12 in their regional race and then 7 runners in the top 22 to win the sectional title over a good Glenbard West team both times. Freshman Samantha Poglitsch has been the team’s top runner since the Naperville Twilight Meet since early October. She could finish in the top 20 in this race. Then comes their pack. In the past three races, South has had an average split of 12 seconds on their second through fifth runners. Getting that group in the top 70 could mean big things for this team. The gap between Poglitsch and the pack moved from 24 seconds in their regional and conference meets up to 38 seconds in the sectional race. The Tigers need to stay within 30 seconds of their lead runner and keep their team split near 50 seconds. It could mean a trophy going back to Wheaton with them.
Downers Grove South ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 3
Notes – The Lady Mustangs did not have their best rest of the season in scoring 71 points with Hinsdale Central but finishing behind Lyons Township for the sectional championship. The correlation of the front runner with the pack needs to be better in this race. Brenna Cohoon has been the top runner for the team all season. A top 25 finish is a possibility for this sophomore. Their pack running has been a key to their success all season. It was 16 seconds from second runner Erin Reidy to fifth runner Rebecca Diddia in the sectional race. That has been about the average of their team. The gap between one and the pack is something to watch. It has averaged 23 seconds in the races that I charted this year. In last week’s race, that gap was 31 seconds. For this team to be in the trophy hunt, the gap between Cohoon and the pack needs to be at the average or even closer.
Minooka ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 10
Notes – Another team that has been running hot as of late has been Minooka. The Indians finished second behind Yorkville but ahead of Edwardsville in the Granite City Sectional. Emily Shelton leads this team. She will be among the top runners on Saturday and will finish in the top ten. Vivian Van Eck was back running after being sidelined at regionals with a sore knee. It would not surprise me if she finishes among the first 25 runners. Julia Dames and Katelyn Gall lead the pack and should be among the first 50 runners. The split on their top five was a season’s best of 93 seconds last week with a split of 46 seconds on the pack behind Shelton. Van Eck should be closer to her teammate in this race. Their pack split at 35 seconds or under could get this team in the hunt for a trophy.
Glen Ellyn Glenbard West ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 6
Notes – The story this season for the Hilltoppers has been an extremely strong front three pack and then a gap before their fourth and fifth runners come across. The gap has been narrowing during the season making Glenbard West a team to watch on Saturday. Their numbers are strong in the front defending 3A champion Katelynne Hart looking for a state title and Lindsey Payne finishing in the top five. Katie Hohe has been running better with every race and should be among the top 15. The split from Hohe to their fifth runner has been near 77 seconds. That needs to drop 10 to 15 seconds in this race. Their fourth and fifth runners need to finish between 75th to 105th for Glenbard West to have a chance at a state trophy. The low numbers up front could get this team that.
Barrington ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 5
Notes – Keep an eye on Barrington in this race on Saturday. The Fillies could surprise some. The team is coming off impressive races in winning the Mid Suburban League title and then the Hoffman Estates Sectional where they won the team title. Jocelyn Long is coming off a win last Saturday at Busse Woods and should be in the top ten in this race. Freshman teammate Molly FitzPatrick has been a great boost for the team and should be among the first 20. Their split on the top five went up from 83 seconds in their conference race to 105 seconds last week. Some of that has to do with Jocelyn Long running 20 seconds faster. Keeping the split under 90 seconds keeps this team in trophy territory.
LaGrange Lyons Township ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 8
Notes – The Lions have been on a roll this season even though they have been without their top runner Sarah Barcelona has been out with a series of injuries. Emily Henkel as stepped up as the team’s top runner. She could finish in the top 20 in this race. Watch for the pack behind Henkel. This looks out of it at the mile, but boy do they move in the second half of the race. The split was only 22 seconds on the group behind Henkel last week. Getting it closer to their teammate led by Kate Dickman will be something to watch in this race. This team was a surprise in winning the Hinsdale Central Sectional. They could be a surprise in this Saturday state race.
Edwardsville ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 7
Notes – The Lady Tigers finished third in the granite City Sectional and will look for a top five finish in this race. Their top five split has averaged near 60 seconds this season. It was 63 seconds in last week’s race. Abby Korak could be in the top 25 in this race. Watch for teammates Abby Schrobilgen and Melissa Spencer close behind in the top 40. They did not run a bad race last week. They were close to their average per runner. Running a top five runner split under 55 seconds cove move this team into a top five position.
Hinsdale Central ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 9
Notes – The Red Devilettes could have three all-state runners in this race. It will be the fourth and fifth runners that you will want to keep an eye on. Only 20 seconds separated Grace McCabe, McKenna Revord, and Reilly Revord with all three runners finishing in their top six in last week’s sectional race. They were within eight seconds at the Naperville Twilight. You should see the three together at the end. Lucy Fisher was within 33 seconds of Revord last week. Bella Pisani was another 42 seconds back. Both of those gaps need to be narrowed for this team to be in the mix for a top five finish.
Batavia ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 11
Notes – Batavia looked deceptively good in last week’s second-place sectional race. The problem was that they were in the same race as Naperville North. The Bulldogs could be a surprise team in this meet with a finish as high as fifth possible. Marygrace Golden and Mia Gianfrancesco have traded off the top spot most of the season and could lead the team with top 30 finishes. Their team split has averaged near 60 seconds towards the end of the year. Keeping five runners in the top 70 could get this team to a top five spot.
Mt. Prospect – Prospect ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 15
Notes – The Lady Knights finally made it to Peoria finishing second last week at Busse Woods after finishing sixth the previous two seasons. Mikayla Olsen has been the top runner most of this year, but was the second runner only four seconds behind Marissa Valentini. The same kind of race could get both runners into the top 40. The key to their success was keeping their top five runners within 35 seconds of each other. It was 39 seconds in their league championships. The same kind of formula this week could net the Knights a top ten finish.
Lockport Township ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 19
Notes – The Lady Porters ran an impressive race in finishing fourth at the Granite City Sectional. Lockport put 5 runners in the top 15 led by Alexandra Skibicki’s 15th place finish. Their split in the pack was only one second. It might be hard to replicate that type of race in the state meet. Their split on five was 33 seconds the week before. This team does not have the star runner that will give them low points. Skibicki in the top 55 with a repeat of the top five sectional split could still get this team into the top 10.
Winnetka New Trier ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 12
Notes – The Trevians have come on strong especially in the state series. Their third-place finish at the Lake Park Sectional is evidence of that. This team is deep with five running at #1 runner at points this season. Last week, it was Bridget Forbes in front leading New Trier that had only 11 second split on their top five. The week before it was the turn of Leah Ulrich leading her team to a 42 second spread. This team is capable of finishing in the top ten. Watch how this team moves in the race. They start out slow, but they are moving in the final mile of the race.
Lincolnshire Stevenson ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 16
Notes – Stevenson welcomed their top runner Isabelle Sparreo after she missed two races due to injury. It resulted in a Stevenson third-place finish at the Hoffman Estates Sectional making it two years in a row for the Patriots. A healthy Sparreo could finish in the top 25 in this race. She was the team’s third runner 24 seconds behind Natalie Sorenson last week. If she is in the front with Sorenson, you could see this team tough in the top ten. The split was tight at sectionals at 44 seconds. The same kind of race will put the top ten in their sights.
Oswego East ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – Not Ranked
Notes – The Wolves rebounded after finishing third in the West Aurora by finishing third in last week’s Waubonsie Valley Sectional. Abby Flammersfeld has been the top runner all season with her 15th place finish last week again leading her team. Oswego East ran a 40 second split on their top five in last week’s race. Getting Flammersfeld in the top 60 with a split lower than the week before could get this team in the top half of the team standings.
Palatine ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 20
Notes – The Lady Pirates have been slowed down by injuries during the season. Yet again, here this team is at state after finishing fifth at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Freshman Anne Marie Jordan has been the team’s No. 1 runner since her first race at the Richard Spring Invitational. Jordan could be among the top 35 in this race. Their split on the top five last week in the sectional race of 74 seconds was the best since their 54 second split on five in the Spring race. Getting the pack of Liz and Kate Lechowicz along with Lauryn Simons will be something to watch. Keeping that group within 20 seconds of Jordan and 20 seconds of each other could mean getting closer to the top ten.
New Lenox Lincoln-Way Central ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 13
Notes – A team that could find their way into the top ten. The Knights finished fifth in last week’s Granite City sectional race. Mackenzie Brownrigg has been the top runner for her team all season. The junior could finish in the top 35 in this race. Their top five split has been near 72 seconds the past two meets. A split like that on Saturday could move this team into the top 15.
Lisle Benet Academy ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 14
Notes – The Redwings have been a surprise all season partially due to that they added six freshmen to their top seven. The team ran a 40 second split in their top five as they finished fourth at the Hinsdale Central. Kelly Andrews has led the pack most of the season including last week when she led three runners across the line within nine seconds of each other. Benet will not have the low numbers in the front. Keeping that pack n=mentality keeps this team in the top 15.
Oswego ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 24
Notes – It looks like the Panthers are getting healthy at the right time. Their top runner Isabelle Christiansen has been hobbled by injuries during the season. With her in the lineup on Saturday, Oswego qualified for the state meet by finishing fifth at the Waubonsie Valley Sectional. Christensen and Grace Pagone have finished together in their last three meets with only a second separating the two in the sectional race. It is possible that both runners finish in the top 35 in this race. The top 5 split for this team will need to come down for this team to finish in the top 15. It was 82 seconds in last week’s race with 64 seconds in their conference run. Keeping a split under 70 seconds will be a big help.
Naperville Central ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 23
Notes – The Redhawks have relied on pack running all season. Last week, it was Emily R. Scott leading her team to the state meet with Central finishing fourth. No low numbers in this group meaning the closeness of the pack is necessary. They ran with a 32 second split on their top five last week. Scott or Natalie Sarris need to be in the top 75 with the low number split for this team to be among the top 20.
Elmhurst York ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 21
Notes – The Dukes used good pack running behind their top runner Sarah May to get back to the state meet finishing fourth at the Lake Park Sectional. May could finish among the top 30 in Peoria. York only had an eight second split in their pack led by Katherine Tomaska and Emma Kern. The pack was within 34 seconds of May in the sectional race. Keeping the pack split the same but within 25 seconds of May could move York to one of the top 15 teams.
Cary-Grove ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 18
Notes – The Trojans have been the surprise coming down the stretch first finishing second in the Palatine Regional and then making it to state with a fourth-place finish at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. Allison Drage leads this team with hopes of finishing in the top 55 in this race. Cary-Grove ran a 68 second split on their top 5 with only 38 seconds separating their first four. Lowering those numbers could push this team into the top 20.
Plainfield North ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – Not Ranked
Notes – Plainfield North did not run their best race of the season but still finished fifth at the Hinsdale Central Sectional qualifying for the state meet for the second year in a row. Juliana Stogsdill was the top runner all season but finished 31 seconds behind Megan Patton’s 10th place finish. Watch for the two to be close together in this race on Saturday. Their split has been close to two minutes most of the season. Getting their runners finishing within 90 seconds of each other could move this team into the top 20.
Park Ridge Maine South ILXCTF.com Final Ranking – 25
Notes – Olivia Niziolek finishing fifth overall helped her team qualify for the state meet with a fifth-place finish at the Lake Park Sectional. The split on the pack behind Niziolek was separated by 30 seconds in that race but 82 seconds behind their star runner. Getting the pack 20 to 30 seconds closer could mean good things for Maine South. More news |
