Suburban Life

Red Devils headed to Nike Nationals

Published: 11/26/06

Hinsdale Central's Class AA state championship girls cross-country team has one more big race to run.

Coach Mark McCabe's Red Devils are one of 20 elite teams from across the country that will compete in the Nike Team Nationals meet Saturday, Dec. 2 in Portland, Ore.

Elaine Kuckertz, Lauren Zumbach, Rosemary Hines, Gina Kapusta and Emily Cleary were the Red Devils' top-five finishers at the state meet, who combined to lead Hinsdale Central to an 80-point advantage over runner-up Barrington for the state title (the second largest margin of victory at the Class AA meet since 1997).

Kapusta was the lone senior in the Red Devils' top five at state, and Hines, Kuckertz, Zumbach and Heather Stevens (the team's No. 6 runner at state) were all sophomores.

Jennifer Laser (Hinsdale Central's seventh runner at state), Emily Kane and Grace Pedersen are the other seniors who will be part of the Red Devils' trek west.

Catherine Bruns, Allie Emery and Katie Kummerer were also part of Hinsdale Central's roster during its run through the state tournament.

The Nike Nationals feature two teams from each of eight regions throughout the United States, plus four at-large teams. Indiana state champion Westfield will be the other Midwest representative besides Hinsdale Central. Fellow West Suburban Silver school York will represent the Midwest in the boys' race.

©2006 Liberty Suburban Chicago Newspapers.