Cross Country Sectional Preview

Gavit Sectional

Where: Riverside Park

When: 5 p.m. today

Teams: Bishop Noll, Calumet, Clark, East Chicago, Gavit, Griffith, Hammond, Highland, Lake Central, Morton, Munster, Whiting

Boys to watch: Ian O'Boyle (Bishop Noll), Blake Williams (Munster), Brooks Platt (Munster), Matt St. Amour (Lake Central), Kenton Pratt (Lake Central), Matt Gehrig (Munster), Jovan Andjelich (Munster), James Burgwald (Munster)

Boys outlook: Munster is the clear favorite, and it's unrealistic to even call another school a legitimate darkhorse. The Mustangs' balance and depth -- despite an obvious front-runner -- should give them a relatively comfortable victory. Lake Central is a likely second.

Girls to watch: Dana Payonk (LC), Megan Plenus (LC), Rachel Zajac (LC), Anna Bona (LC), Anna Kacius (LC), Jackie Henderson (LC), Kailey Jensen (LC), Brigid Marriott (Munster), Lindsay Kunz (Munster), Jessica Mitchell (Munster), Devin Gosberry (Munster)

Girls outlook: It's not far-fetched for Lake Central to sweep the top five or more places in this race -- the Indians are just that deep and just that good. Munster is a very solid squad and is a clear second.

Up next: The top 15 individuals and top five teams advance to the Crown Point Regional on Saturday.

Crown Point Sectional

Where: Lemon Lake Park

When: 5 p.m. today

Teams: Andrean, Crown Point, Hanover Central, Hobart, Lake Station, Lew Wallace, Lowell, Merrillville, River Forest, Roosevelt, West Side, Wirt

Boys to watch: Jake Bennett (Andrean), Zack Urevig (Crown Point), Joe Kolavo (Crown Point), Dan Caruanal (Merrillville), Dave Feitz (Lowell), Kale Liechty (Hobart), David Gladys (Hanover)

Boys outlook: Easily the most competitive of the sectionals, three teams -- Crown Point, Andrean and Lowell -- have a realistic shot at this one, with Merrillville and Hanover not far behind.

Girls to watch: Laicee Pierce (Crown Point), Katie Deatherage (Hanover), Katie Tarr (Merrillville), Alyssa Adelsperger (Andrean), Erika Feitz (Lowell), Heather Schultz (Lowell), Kim Partyka (Lowell), Kemi Doss (Roosevelt)

Girls outlook: Crown Point is the favorite here, though don't count out Andrean or Hanover. Like the boys, this one lacks a dominant team.

Up next: The top 15 individuals and top five teams advance to the Crown Point Regional on Saturday.

Chesterton Sectional

Where: Sunset Hill

When: 5 p.m. today

Teams: Chesterton, LaPorte, Marquette, Michigan City, New Prairie, Portage, South Central, Valparaiso, Washington Township, Westville, Wheeler

Boys to watch: Mike Fout (LaPorte), Matt Miller (LaPorte), David Osborn (Chesterton), Kiel Lovekin (LaPorte), Tyler Toll (LaPorte), Chester Vanek (Chesterton), Robert Braddy (Michigan City), Nolan Fine (Michigan City), Robbie Loop (Michigan City), Kyle Smiley (New Prairie), Alex Rosario (Wheeler)

Boys outlook: Nobody here can touch LaPorte, which is a legitimate state championship threat, but Chesterton and Michigan City are both very good and very deep, and should vie for second place. Fout is borderline untouchable by anyone other than teammates Miller and Lovekin and maybe Osborn.

Girls to watch: Megan Ranegar (Valparaiso), Mary Mellen (Michigan City), Jillian Ranegar (Valparaiso), Melinda Misch (Portage), Jackie Pagan (Portage), Becca Kuehn (LaPorte), Christina DelTurco (Portage), Emma Weismann (Valparaiso)

Girls outlook: The Valparaiso girls are Porter County's answer to Lake Central, with Megan Ranegar starting to become a threat to two-time state champ Alex Banfich of Culver Academies. The Vikings should win here, though Portage and Chesterton won't be too far behind.

Up next: The top 15 individuals and top five teams advance to the New Prairie Regional on Saturday.

Rensselaer Sectional

Where: Rensselaer High School

When: 5 p.m. today

Teams: Boone Grove, Hebron, Kankakee Valley, Knox, Kouts, LaCrosse, Morgan Township, North Judson, Oregon-Davis, Rensselaer, West Central, Winamac

Boys to watch: Jake Carden (Kouts), Mike Fauser (BG), Corey Dowds (Rensselaer), Jack Laski (KV), Jaron Coleman (Morgan)

Girls to watch: Jordan Chester (BG), Breanne Chevrette (KV), Trisha Hanlon (Hebron), Sarah Konkey (O-D), Kristin Fritts (KV)

Up next: The top 15 individuals and top five teams advance to the New Prairie Regional on Saturday.