1. St. Charles
The Saints won their first cross-country state title last year with 75 points–compared to runner-up Sandburg’s 157–and had all seven runners place in the top 75. Six runners return, including senior Tera Moody, who was last year’s Class AA state runner-up to Geneva junior Rebecca Mitchell. Moody, who in the spring won a state track title in the 1,600 meters, will vie for her first individual cross-country championship on the new 2.5-mile state-meet course in Peoria’s Detweiller Park (the course replaces a 2.1-mile route). The Saints lost All-Stater Carrie DePiazza to graduation but return Lauren Brannon, who finished 34th in last year’s state meet, Carrie Phelps (37th), Kelly Tetzlaff (38th), Denise Hefferin (52nd) and Renee Kleckner (72nd). Bethanne Saso, who was a state-meet alternate the last two years, could make her state-meet debut in November.
2. York
The Dukes have had top-five finishes in the Class AA state final the last four years but are looking for their first girls cross-country state championship. Celi Williams, 14th in last year’s state final, Maria Cicero (49th) and Kelly Forst (115th) return from last year’s team that finished third in the state meet. “Some people might think we’re down because we lost four people,” York coach Larry Bassett said. “We have 12 to 14 runners that could make the top seven.” Bassett said he is optimistic Laura Fitzgerald and Erin Fiene, both of whom helped York finish third two years ago, will re-enter the lineup. Fitzgerald and Eva Zellman were members of York’s record-setting 3,200-meter relay team in track. Williams has recovered from a knee injury that forced her to miss the spring track season.
3. Sandburg
The Eagles have gradually improved their state-meet finishes in the last four years, and their second-place finish in ’97 was the best in school history. “St. Charles seems to be head and shoulders above everyone,” coach Jim Frye said. “But I like what we have coming back. I’m not ready to switch teams with anyone.” Frye and returning state qualifiers Carrie Byrnes (29th last year), Bridgette O’Rourke (42nd), Mary Farrell (75th) and Lauren Arquilla (76th) are hoping Breanna Wabick will remain injury-free this season. Wabick, a junior who was eighth in the 1,600 meters in the state track finals, has missed two cross-country seasons because of lower-leg injuries. Frye believes she could be the team’s No. 1 or No. 2 runner if she’s healthy. Twins Val and Lisa Orshonsky and Chris Lia will vie for remaining lineup positions.
4. Palatine
Last year’s fourth-place finish in the state meet was shocking by Palatine’s standards. The Pirates own the state record with six girls cross-country state championships over the last eight years. “It will help us this year in a positive way,” Palatine coach Steven Currins said. “The three runners that are back will want to make sure things happen.” Currins hopes Lori Stutzman (62nd last year), Diana Ainsley (65th) and Susan Riemer (117th) will offset the loss of his Nos. 1, 2 and 3 runners to graduation. But Palatine is usually deep on the lower levels. Underclassmen who hope to make the lineup are Emilie Schattner, Lindsay Gustafson, Liz Bana, Samantha VanderHeyden and Celeste Falardeau.
5. Lincoln-Way
The Knights have every runner back from last year’s team that finished fifth in the state finals and will be led by Katie Henning, who was fourth among individuals in ’97. Coach Phil Hoffman said he sees a stronger pack developing this year in Sarah Lowe (32nd), Michele Barrowman (74th), Emily Lafferty (92nd), Annie Monninger (122nd), Patty McGrane (132nd) and Caroline Cunningham (134th).
Best of the rest
Lake Zurich, Lake Forest, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Downers Grove North, Hersey, Wheaton North, Glenbard West, Schaumburg
TOP RUNNERS
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Lauren Brannon, sr., St. Charles; Carrie Byrnes, jr., Sandburg; Tracy Denaro, sr., Stevenson; Joelle Desco, sr., Mother McAuley; Rachel Endress, jr., Wheaton North; Kyna Forkins, so., Glenbard West; Katie Hartmann, jr., Woodstock; Katie Henning, sr., Lincoln-Way; Victoria Jackson, jr., Lake Forest; Emeline Johnston, jr., Barrington.
Catie La Bracke, jr., Marian Central Catholic; Kara Lahey, jr., Lockport; Sarah Lowe, sr., Lincoln-Way; Lana Macnider, jr., Schaumburg; Lisa Martin, so., Lake Zurich; Kristyne McGuinn, sr., Stevenson; Rebecca Mitchell, jr., Geneva; Tera Moody, sr., St. Charles; Carrie Phelps, so., St. Charles; Sarah Spalding, sr., Hersey.
Amy Silder, sr., Naperville North; Casie Simpson, so., Oswego; Laura Spencer, so., Wheeling; Sarah Teren, jr., Oak Park; Kelly Tetzlaff, so., St. Charles; Lissa Vogley, sr., Benet; Tabitha Volling, jr., Lake Zurich; Breanna Wabick, jr., Sandburg; Celi Williams, sr., York.