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2006 Hinsdale Central Girls Cross
Country in the News
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www.dailyherald.com
Who will make big statement?
By Michael Eaken
Daily Herald Correspondent
Posted Friday, October 20, 2006
It has been a very volatile girls cross
country season, and the ride is looking as if
it is only going to get wilder heading into
postseason.
Lockport, Naperville North, and Hinsdale
Central have all had turns at being No. 1 in
either the Illinois Prep Top Times Poll or the
Illinois Cross Country Coaches Poll.
And a host of other schools including
Barrington have risen and fallen in each of
the polls.
The IHSA Class AA regionals will be held on
Saturday kicking off a three-week joyride
culminating with the state meet Nov. 4 in
Peoria.
And who you may ask is the favorite? The best
recommendation is to put your hand in a hat
and pull out a name in what is shaping up to
be a wide-open state meet.
No. 1 Hinsdale Central still looks to be the
favorite, but the Red Devils barely won the
West Suburban Silver meet, nipping York on
tiebreaker with their No. 6 runner last
Saturday.
“There are a number of teams that are strong,”
said Hinsdale Central coach Mark McCabe of the
state field. “But I don’t think there is one
definite favorite. Probably four or five teams
have a chance to win it and another group will
be in the hunt for a trophy.”
Barrington began the season ranked No. 7 in
the Illinois Prep Top Times Poll, and
gradually worked its way up to No. 2 heading
into the Mid-Suburban League meet.
Barrington barely hung on to defeat a
fast-improving Fremd team by 2 points on
Saturday. Now the Fillies are hoping to regain
their momentum.
“It’s such a strong field, it will depend on
who hits on that day,” said Barrington coach
Debbie Revolta. “We’re looking to get back to
what we do best and that’s run together.”
York and Naperville North also seem to be in
the mix for state title in what is shaping up
to be one of the most competitive state meets.
“It’s been a long time,” said Palatine coach
Steve Currins of the wide-open race for the
title. “It may be just a team going down there
and having a solid day and the other teams
not.”
The top five teams and top five runners from
non-qualifying teams will advance to the
sectionals.
The regionals are the first leg on the race to
Peoria, if one adds injuries, illness, and
weather to the mix; the only certainty will be
the uncertainty of who will win state.
At Rolling Meadows: The Rolling Meadows
Regional at Salk Park will begin with the boys
race at 10 a.m. followed with the girls race
at 10:45 a.m.
Barrington, Fremd, Elk Grove, Conant, Hoffman
Estates, Prospect, Schaumburg, and host
Rolling Meadows will represent the MSL in the
11-team field.
Maine West from the Central Suburban North
will also be in the field.
Samantha Learch, Danielle Locascio and Rebecca
Tracy will lead a Barrington team that won its
second MSL title.
The favored Fillies are hoping to close the
gap between their third and fourth runners.
“For teams that have a chance to do something
downstate you want to go in with momentum,”
added Revolta. “You want to go in with some
good races under your belt and not bad ones.”
Fremd, after its impressive performance
Saturday, moved up to No. 5 in the Illinois
Coaches Cross Country Poll. Chelsea Bolton,
who won the MSL title, will lead the Vikings.
“There had been a couple of races where she
let the leader get away,” said Fremd coach
Mark Anderson of his senior who took the lead
with 300 meters remaining. “She did a good job
of staying attached and then having enough gas
in the tank to finish it.”
Seniors Alison Neubauer and Alex Flis have
pulled a Vikings pack that has made gradual
improvements throughout the season. Now
they’re looking continue their momentum.
“Hopefully this is something the girls can
build on,” said Anderson, whose team will
challenge Barrington.
Freshman sensation Annette White will lead
Prospect. Lucy Taylor and Emma Partridge will
also aid the Knights.
White led the MSL race for more than 2 miles
before finishing second and the Knights are
looking for the same type of performance on
Saturday.
“She put herself at risk,” said Prospect coach
Dave Wurster. “She wanted to go for the win
and she went for it.”
Schaumburg finished sixth at the MSL meet with
three all-conference runners and is in good
position to finish fourth.
The final spot will be a fight between Conant,
Hoffman Estates and Rolling Meadows.
Individually, Conant’s Kalli Dalton and Maine
West Lizzy Meier will add to a strong field.
At Wheeling: The Wheeling regional at Heritage
Park is set to begin with the girls race at 10
a.m.
Palatine, Hersey, and Buffalo Grove and host
Wheeling represent the MSL, with St. Viator of
the East Suburban Catholic Conference also in
the 12 team field.
Michelle Brunk will lead Palatine as it
finished third at the MSL race and will be the
regional favorite.
“Now it’s time to get into it,” said Palatine
coach Steve Currins. “Our 4-5-6 runners need
to get back to where they belong and we have
to keep improving.”
Megan Gojney and Georgia Wiard provide a 1-2
punch for a Hersey looking to advance.
“It felt good,” said Gojney, who finished
third in the MSL. “I think I’m just ready for
all the races this year and I’m a bit faster.”
Amber Stack, after a two-week absence, will
return to lead host Wheeling. Mandy
Kompanowski and Maggie O’Malley provide a
formidable duo for St. Viator.
© 2006 Daily Herald, Paddock Publications,
Inc.. |
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