Aurora-area girls track team-by-team previews

Updated: March 30, 2011 3:04PM

Aurora Central Catholic

The Chargers are coming off a so-so season in which they finished seventh in the Suburban Christian Conference, but the school has still managed to qualify for state 17 of the last 18 years.

ACC coach Troy Kerber hopes his team will finish among the top half of SCC teams, but the conference is looking tough.

The biggest chances for success seem to lie with sophomore Jenna Koener, who qualified for state in the 3,200 last year, and has a good chance to be one of the top middle-distance runners in the state.

The Chargers get back junior Anna Sestak, who also qualified for state in the 3,200, from injury, and the addition of junior Amanda Contreras will bolster a traditionally strong program in the long sprints and middle distances.

"Traditionally speaking, we have always done well in the SCC," Kerber said. "We won the SCC title in '07 and placed second in '08 and '09. Overall, we have had 11 top-3 places since joining the SCC in 1997. For us to get back to that point we need continued improvement from our sprints and fields. We have a strong core of athletes, we just need to expand the core."

Aurora Christian

The Eagles were young last season but still managed to excel and qualify in several events for the state tournament: triple jump, 100 hurdles, 100, 200, 400 and the 800 relay.

The girls still have several key pieces integral to last season's success. The addition of Alyssa Andersen and Peyton Wade adds depth and the development of sophomore rising basketball star Mackenzie Bollinger in the triple jump will help also, while staples Sarina Oleson and Sam Schuette will hold down the distance events.

"So far, the weather has been cooperating and we've been able to get out and condition so we are further ahead than last year," Eagles coach Dr. Jeff Schutt said. "The athletes that came out for track are much more mentally tough, physically prepared and more dedicated to be counted upon when times get tough."

Batavia

The Bulldogs, like Geneva, are transferring over to the Upstate Eight Conference and hoping that they can continue their success in a highly competitive River Division. Batavia took second in the Western Sun last year behind the Vikings and has some key graduates to replace to keep pace.

State champion in the 300 hurdles Kathryn Warner will be missed as she also qualified for state in the pole vault and 1,600 relay. The same will be felt for the state qualifying-losses of Alexis Sampson in the 800, Olivia Gross in the pole vault and Julia Gross on the 1,600 relay.

The Bulldogs will pick up points each meet from returning state finalist Haleigh Theuerkauf in the shot put. Tamar Norville and Monique Saucedo will have to hold down the jumps, Rachel Spalding will lead the distance groups and Bari Robinson will tackle middle distance.

The team has less than desirable sprint speed so the other events will be pivotal.

"We have a very young team with a small group of upperclassmen that are providing good leadership and a high standard of hard work to help continue the success of the program," Batavia coach Chad Hillman said.

East Aurora

The Tomcats are coming off a season where a couple individuals had stellar years.

Priscilla Miranda qualified for state in the 800, but has graduated. Jasmine Shipp was the Upstate Eight long jump champion, but she is also gone.

Leadership duties will fall to UEC champion and state qualifier Virginia Handley in the pole vault.

Jasmine Plummer could be a nice addition from the basketball team with her speed, and Maurisa Peete could also lend a leg in that area.

East is strong in the sprints and pole vault, but must improve off an indoor season where it struggled.

"The team is willing to learn and improve," Tomcats coach William Anderson said. "They are starting to understand why specific training is required to be competitive."

Geneva

It will be a challenge repeating as conference champions this year for the Vikings as they must transfer over to the crowded, talented Upstate Eight from the Western Sun. That said, Geneva did finish second in its sectional and had a lot of athletes qualify for state.

The Vikings lost state champion pole vaulter Allie Pace to graduation, but have lost only one relay member off last year's team, instilling hope that this squad will be just as lethal.

Leadership will come from seniors Tess Erhardt, Rachel Hammond and Liza Taucher in distance and Erin Kluck and Mady Temple in sprints, leaving someone else to step up - like sophomore Emma Anderson - in field events.

"After winning back-to-back conference titles in the Western Sun, we're looking forward to competing in the Upstate Eight and rising to a new level of competition," Geneva coach Peter Raak said. "We've graduated some tremendous athletes the past couple years, so we're looking to our younger ones to step up and continue the tradition."

Hinckley-Big Rock

Spending 10 years as a track coach at one school isn't unusual, but given the enrollment at H-BR, Greg Burks would probably kill for a baby boom.

The Royals are going to have to be creative to score points with a small list of athletes.

They return junior Kaitlin Phillips in the 400, in which she was a state qualifier.

Phillips was also a sectional medalist in the 100 along with Beth Klein in the 400, and the two sprinters will be relied up heavily to get points for H-BR.

If Hannah Morsch and Kristen Clark have strong seasons in the distance events, then perhaps the Royals could surprise a few people.

"Our depth is an issue again," Burks said. "We have some individual talent, but will have a tough time filling each event."

Kaneland

The Knights finished the 2010 Western Sun Conference meet with a seventh place finish and finished ninth in Kane County and seventh at the Rochelle 2A Sectional.

Gone are state qualifiers Sarah Wallace (pole vault) and Lisa Roberson (3,200 relay).

The good news is Kaneland had a good indoor season and has remained healthy, while showing improvement.

The Knights placed the third at the Hononegah Invite, fourth at the Byron Invitational and won the Northern Illinois Big 12 indoor meet.

New additions Lauren Zick (sprints, jumps) and Sydney Strang (distance) are quality freshman contributing in multiple events.

Kaneland looks especially strong in field events with Ashley Castellanos, Brooke Patterson, Zick and Sydney Luse picking up big points.

It will be a battle for the Knights during the conference battles with the multitude of strong distance runners, but the 3,200 relay will be their best strength.

"We have a very large team for us," Kaneland coach Doug Ecker said about his 50-girl squad. "What has impressed me so far is the leadership from the seniors and the responsibility and work ethic of the entire team. We need to develop depth and our relays to compete for an outdoor conference championship."

Metea Valley

The first full varsity schedule for Metea has gone swimmingly so far during the indoor season. While the Mustangs only placed ninth in the 12-team Upstate Eight at the indoor meet, they have been growing the youth that abounds on the team and are itching to get outside, where their new track is a more ideal surface than the less-than-stellar indoor environment.

Sophomore Jasmine Cowan looks to be a bright spot in the throws, coming off a 2010 season when Metea won the UEC JV championship, and sophomore Amy Nealon is developing into one of the best 800 runners in the conference, following a fifth place finish in the UEC indoor.

Freshman Emily Cowan will be a top sprinter for the Mustangs and is also a member of the 800 relay team consisting also of Crystal Butler, Andrez Williams and Rachael Harris that won the UEC indoor title and competed at the state meet this past weekend.

Metea will need to improve in jumps and hurdles over the course of the outdoor season, but don't be surprised if the crop of youngsters running around Eola Road make a little noise along the way.

"Our sprint group is pretty strong," Mustangs coach Dr. Jim Braun said. "Consistency is a big thing and some maturity. I want them to realize they can compete with anybody. Sometimes we see some of those big teams and we are in awe of them. The way some of my coaches have brought these kids along, I think we can compete with anybody. We may not always beat them, but the kids have the potential, they just need to actualize it."

Mooseheart

Ramblers head coach Dave Klussendorf always has a tough task fielding consistent teams with the nature of the school's overall mission.

Mooseheart has limited numbers for this season and is still learning about the individuals to try to put the best team together by placing the right person in the right spot.

The Ramblers will look to returnees Cayanna Samuelson and Santana Sanchez to hold their own in jumps and sprints. Muslyn Yarngo will be useful in hurdles and sprints, and Yolanda Linneman and Ashley Molina will tackle the middle distance events.

That leaves newcomers Tabby Gorrell (sprints), Megan Robinson (middle distance) and Roccio Sanchez (sprints) to fill in where they can to contribute points.

"We're still trying to learn about the athletes we have," said Klussendorf, who realizes each Mooseheart student has a unique background. "The girls are working hard to improve in their events and to meet the coaches' and their goals. We'd like to improve on last year's outdoor season and to move up from this year's fifth place finish at the conference indoor meet."

Plano

The Reapers had a nice season in 2010, taking second in both the Interstate Eight and their sectional. Replacing Olivia Moody, who contributed in the high jump, both hurdles and the 800 relay, will be imperative.

Plano seems to have figured some things out so far by capturing their third state indoor title already behind freshman Alexis Smith, who competed at the Illinois Prep Top Times meet this past weekend.

Look for her to continue a strong run in the 100 hurdles, long jump and triple jump. Freshman Haley Beck is also adding a lot in the shot put.

By far though, the strength is the 800 relay, which was second in the state in 2010. The Reapers will hope Tachae Miles (sprints), Samone Williams (hurdles), and Yvette Martinez (jumps, sprints), along with Smith, Bre Bassett and Vanessa Gomez can keep the honors rolling in for Plano.

"I am confident we will be contending for conference and sectional titles this year," Reapers coach Andy Shaw said. "I kind of feel like I am playing basketball with no sixth man on the bench, but the five people I have on the court are Harlem Globetrotter good. Basically, if one key girl goes down, we immediately lose anywhere from 20-30 points. I literally need every girl to be healthy."

Rosary

The Royals jumped headfirst into the Suburban Christian Conference and finished fourth in 2010 on their way to qualifying seven events at the Class 2A state meet.

Anna Deufel, now a senior, finished fourth in the 100 and ninth in the 200 at state. Rosary will miss state qualifiers Meghan Gannon and Eva Doyle, but Rosary has more than enough girls on its 50-person roster to make up for the losses.

The main goal for coach Vic Mead is getting his relays to state as well, which just missed by a hair last year.

Deufel and senior Aly Rindone will anchor the sprints, while Amy Kus all-around athleticism will fill in gaps and Kelly Keiffer's expertise at distance will allow time for some freshman with potential to work into the mix.

"At the moment, we seem to need work in the field events," said Mead, who is dealing with knee injuries to Amy Kus and Grace Petry. "Sometimes at age 56 and 23 years coaching, you wonder how long you'll keep coaching, but I'm personally having a lot of fun this year with this group."

Sandwich

The 2010 Interstate Eight Conference champion Indians lost three key seniors in Justine Moore, Laurel Skorup and Dani Pearson.

The first two took track scholarships, while the latter got to college with volleyball.

Now Sandwich must use its six returning all-conference performers and blend in some of the freshman that were Prairie Conference champions last season.

Senior Jordan Flowers returns as a state qualifier in high jump and the school record holder for the event. She will also contribute heavily to the 200 and the 400 relay.

Victoria DeFily, Melanie Tassone, Ashley Gusman, Jessica Lauzon and Megan Olson are the other all-conference athletes integral to the Indians' season.

They also get Steff Tassone on a mission to end her senior season without injury, which will help solidify multiple events.

"We are excited about this upcoming season," Sandwich coach Dusty Behringer said. "We are hoping to build upon the success that we ended last season with. ... Steff has worked very hard this offseason to build on the success that she has accomplished so far in her high school career. With her ability to be a leader on this team, we are hoping to repeat as I-8 Conference champions."

Somonauk

The Bobcats qualified six girls for state in 2010, led by Jaimie Towle in the 3,200 run and Audrey Weismiller in the triple jump and 3,200 relay. Karrah Kuykendall (3,200 relay) is a huge loss after having graduated to go on and play volleyball at Monmouth.

Bobcats coach Brian Davis can find solace in the current 3,200 relay team of senior Emily Paull, freshman Natalie Rabe, freshman Lauren Zaeske and Towle because the foursome has already broken the school record set last year and qualified for the indoor state meet this past weekend.

Megan Costanzo and Katie Peluse qualified for state last year on the 3,200 relay team, which will aim for a second straight sectional title this year, and will provide depth at distance.

"In general our middle distance teams are pretty strong," Davis said. "Our distance relays have a great shot at state."

Waubonsie Valley

Teams at Waubonsie are typically strong and 2011 looks no different for the school that took eighth at the 2010 state meet and just recently finished a surprising first at the Upstate Eight indoor meet.

The Warriors graduated three athletes (Dasha Patton, Moryike Akinosun, Haley Davis) that are now running for Division I universities, but the cupboard is not bare.

Waubonsie head coach Dave Gowing still has Moryike's sister and all-state junior Morolake to lean on plus another all-stater in Ayo Adewole.

Akinosun, who was named the Class 3A Athlete of the Meet at the Illinois Preps Top Times Meet this past weekend after winning the 55 and 200 while beating reigning outdoor 100 state champion Aaliyah Brown in both events, will stake her claim in the 100, 200 and 400. Adewole will tackle sprints and hurdles.

Look for Ashley Bruner to be a stalwart in the 400 and 800, Chloe Hamilton to accrue points in the throws and Kristina Chapman to be the leader in distance.

The addition of Nia Williams, who will contribute to sprints and jumps, will help round out a deep and strong group.

"Our two returning all-staters bring us experience to continue to build on some success we've been fortunate to have the past few years," Gowing said. "We'll continue to work hard during the outdoor season to improve for the state meet to reach the goals the kids have made."

West Aurora

The Blackhawks are typically one of the best teams in the area and following a seventh place state finish in 2010, there shouldn't be too much of a letdown this season.

While it will be difficult replacing 100 hurdles state champion Shanice Andrews, who was also a long and triple jumper and good for 30-40 points a meet, West generally shows the ability to produce girls to fill any gaps, including losses of Mariah Smith in throws and Kristin Holmes, who ran the first leg of the sprint relays.

The 2011 indoor season proved to be interesting for the Blackhawks, in that they won the Fourth Annual Hononegah Classic Invitation against 25 other teams, while also placing second in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Case in point about West's athleticism is the addition of freshman Emma Spagnola, who is an outstanding athlete in her own right and will compete as a hurdler, high jumper, long jumper and a sprinter.

Blackhawks head coach Teresa Towles thinks she will capture a lot of attention this year. There's also freshman Kyla Walton who is a sprinter and middle distance runner with a lot of raw talent and the ability to also contribute to jumps. Junior DeAndra Stewart could be a nice addition to the sprint group in the 400 and the relays.

West still has seniors Jasmine Ranson (jumps, sprints), Kehlay Dunah (sprints, relays) and plus several experienced field event athletes and distance runners to guide the team to further glory. It will take a concentrated effort to double up in points in more events to counteract the points West would have earned from their key losses.

"What I love most about this season's team is the fact that we are continuing the tradition of ‘One Team, One Dream,'" Towles said. "They work hard and support one another while having fun. I am excited to see how we perform as a team and I was even more excited to see the newcomers display their talent and make their presence known."

Yorkville

So the Foxes lost state qualifiers Sam Elliott and Katrina Donarski. So what, this team is loaded, led by its award-capturing distance team and 2010 Beacon-News cross country runner of the year in junior Ali Hester.

There's also all-state track and cross country runner Esther Bell and all-stater Leena Palmer. And also sophomore Casey Kramer, who qualified for state in the 1600. And also sophomores Bri Stuepfort and Lindsay Foster, all girls that were on Yorkville's state runner-up cross country team.

With distance thoroughly covered by quality, coach Ben Draper will look to seniors Katie Silagyi and Amy Henkel and juniors Erika King and Melissa Ybarra to provide points in other events.

"Our distance team, while small, is super talented," Draper said. "They will lead us at every meet. Our other strength is our freshman class. It is deep and talented and just needs experience before it will begin to compete at a high level."

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.