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Changing of the guard has begun for West girls cross country program

August 31, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

Schmitz could emerge as No. 1 runner for girls

BY DEAN CRIDDLE – News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE — After four years and three trips to the Class 3A state cross country meet, the changing of the guard within the Belleville West girls cross country program has begun.

But the legacy of Sammie Grove won’t be forgotten.

“As a four-year letter winner, three-time state qualifier, four-time all-Southwestern Conference runner, Sammie was the face of our program, at least on the girls side,” Maroons coach Patton Segraves said. “Replacing someone of that stature won’t be easy, especially since we don’t have a lot of girls in the program right now.

“We’re just hoping that one or two of the girls step forward and become the type of leader that she was for us.”

One of those athletes could be junior Madeline Schmitz, who returns for her third season as one of the Maroons’ top runners.

A second-team all-SWC honoree last season, Schmitz may have what it takes to be the Maroons go-to girl.

“Madeline was very consistent for us a year ago. I could usually count on her to be in the top 20 in most of our big meets,” Segraves said. “We’re hoping this is the year she steps up and takes her running to the next level.”

Three other juniors — Brianna Winkel, Libby Kimutis and Hailey Horton — along with highly touted freshman Kristin Goerger round out the Maroons’ top five.

While Segraves has just 12 runners in the girls program, a record number of 30 boys are battling for running time on the varsity.

Seniors Shane Blick and Brandon Wise, along with junior Shane McCottrell, are battling to be the team’s No. 1 runner.

“I think we have a good group of boys,” Segraves said. “Blick and Wise have both been around for two years and while they’re not going to wow you, they’re just two kids who do what they’re supposed to do and come out every day and just work hard.

“McCottrell has been running since he was a freshman and I certainly think he’ll be competing for the No. 1 spot fairly soon.”

Two other juniors –Nate Gonzalez and Mike Magee — round out the top five boys.

“Like I said, we have five pretty solid kids there,” Segraves said. “None of the five are great, but they’re just good kids who like to run, like to compete and are solid high school cross country runners.”

Senior Sam Edwards is another runner in the mix for a top spot.

West faces its first major challenge of the season Saturday at the 30-team Granite City Invitational.

Filed Under Cross, Spotlight, Team Tagged With belleville west, Patton Seagraves

Strength in numbers: Althoff cross country program boasts 27 athletes

August 31, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

BY DEAN CRIDDLE – News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE — The days of hoping to have enough quality athletes be competitive at the varsity level apparently are over for coach Gary Calhoun and the Althoff cross country program.

At least in 2010.

Led by the trio of Savannah Ames, Sarah Schmidt and Jennie Gardner on the girls side and a superb group of freshman boys, the Crusaders have a record number of 27 athletes in their program this fall.

“The most we ever had before was 16, so to have 27 this year, we’re thrilled with that,” Calhoun said. “I really don’t know why. I do know we picked some up who have crossed over from other sports.

“The competition is the main thing. It used to be where if you were on the team, you had a position. Now if you don’t perform, there is someone waiting in the wings to take your spot. The best part is the kids. These are great kids who are blending well as a team.”

Megan Gillom, Trisha Quinn and Emily Flake are three other runners Calhoun is high on and should provide quality depth.

“Actually, we have four soccer players who have crossed over and are running for us this season,” Calhoun said. “I’ve always wanted to have that because if they run with us we’ll get them in great shape for soccer. Now we have that.

“Also, it allows these kids a chance to compete. As they showed during the soccer season, these girls love to compete.”

Senior Cullen Brant, an all-Belleville city runner two years ago as a sophomore, returns to lead a young, but very talented boys team.

Three freshmen — Michael Barnes, Jack Buese and Joey Bartholomew — are in the Crusaders’ top tier of runners.

“Joey, as a freshman, has come in and right now is our No. 2 or 3 runner, but I have high hopes for all three of those freshmen. They’ve all come in and looked very good,” Calhoun said. “Cullen (Brant) is our No. 1 guy and he’s always had a lot of potential. I know he’s worked hard and is anxious to come out and have a good senior season.

“Our boys are running in the 18-19 minute range for three miles. We know we have to get that lower, but we’re working hard to do that.”

While the Crusaders should have one of their better seasons in 2010, time will tell if they are able to compete with the area’s top Class 2A programs, such as Triad, Mater Dei, Highland and Cahokia, for a spot in the Class 2A state meet in early November.

“That’s the goal,” Calhoun said. “We took the girls team to state a few years ago and that was a great experience. It’s always great to be able to get an individual or a team to the state meet.”

Filed Under Cross, Spotlight, Team Tagged With Belleville Althoff, Gary Calhoun

West runners will set pace for East; Effinger and Otten could be among area’s best

August 31, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

BY DEAN CRIDDLE – News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE — Veteran Belleville East cross country coach Bryan Mitchell heads into the 2010 season with what again should be one of the top girls teams in the area.

But it will rely heavily on two runners: seniors Maria Effinger and Mackenzie Otten.

Three-year varsity starters and two of the metro-east’s elite runners, both have yet to reach their potential due, at least in part, to nagging injuries.

But, at least in the preseason, both are relatively healthy.

“Maria put in a lot of time and miles this summer and right now she’s having a slight problem with her shins. Nothing serious. We’re just being careful,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been very impressed with Mackenzie so far. She’s healthy and looks very, very strong.”

So does the rest of the Lancers’ girls squad, which hopes to compete with Southern Illinois’ powers O’Fallon and Edwardsville for the Southwestern Conference championship.

Senior Jade Salama also returns and will combine with junior Keanna McIntyre and highly touted sophomores Gabi Lopez and Madeline Gaul to provide a strong supporting cast for Effinger and Otten.

Mitchell also is high on a large group of freshmen.

“Those other four girls all ran on the varsity a year a year ago and I’m expecting a good season,” Mitchell said. “The freshman class is a very good one. I’m hoping they will, but it will take a meet or two to see if any of them will make an impact this season.”

On the boys side, Mitchell must replace Belleville city champion Kip Kuldell, but returns two of his top three harriers from a year ago in juniors Joe Cheatham and Ben Thomas.

“Again, both Ben and Joe put in a lot of miles this summer and that’s what it takes,” Mitchell said. I’m expecting both of them to have good years and that they’ll be leaders on this team.”

Seniors Rashaun Farmer and Justin Jones, along with juniors Deonte McNary and Isaiah Hagood, are among those Lancers competing for a spot in the lineup.

East will compete in the Granite City Invitational on Saturday.

Filed Under Cross, Southwestern, Spotlight, Team Tagged With belleville east, Bryan Mitchell, Mackenzie Otten, Maria Effinger

A season of change in store at Ottawa — New coach hopes to develop Pirate program in new top-heavy conference

August 29, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

It’s a new year in so many ways for Ottawa cross country.

Most notably, this brings a new leader as Doug Hearn takes over as head coach. He replaces Vince Thompson, who stepped down following many years of service to the OTHS program.

With that new coach, Hearn is hoping to start up a new winning tradition. And although he knows it will take time, he thinks it’s very attainable with hard work and dedication.

“My goal basically is build from one week to the next,”Hearn said. “We won’t always know what to expect, but as long as we continue to move forward, everything will take care of itself. Right now, the kids are doing great. They’re putting in the time and putting in the miles. We want to work toward something that is meaningful.”

It won’t necessarily be easy. Ottawa now enters the Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference, which is loaded with state powerhouses.

Sycamore’s boys won the state title in 2007 with Dixon winning it the very next year. Sycamore was fifth in 2008 and 10th in 2009. The Sycamore girls were ninth in 2007.

Maple Park Kaneland’s boys team finished fifth at state last year and eighth two years ago. Yorkville’s girls team was second at state last year with the boys team finishing 10th in 2008 and eighth in 2007.

Still, to compete with the big boys, Hearn has a group with which is a good place to start, featuring 15 girls and 13 boys.

Girls team

The girls unit features a nice corps of six seniors that will provide leadership to a group of seven sophomores and freshmen that hope to be a building block for the future.

Leading the way will be a veteran to the racing scene in Emmy Sakakibara. The senior has been an important piece to the OTHS puzzle the last two years and will be so again this year.

In fact, in her first meet of the year Wednesday in Morris, Sakakibara finished third overall in an 11-team event.

“She attacks the hill when we do hill workouts and sets a great example,” Hearn said. “He’s never complaining. She’s very quiet but very confident in what she can do. She sets a great pace for our girls.”

Sakakibara will be joined by the likes of returning seniors Kendra Brenbarger, Bri Vogel, Peyton Magnafici and Amber Weitzel. Fellow senior Alex Ortiz, a state qualifier in the track sprint events, also is running cross country this year and had a terrific first meet, finishing seventh overall.

“She’s really a great competitor and is going to be a good one for us throughout the year,” Hearn said.

Emily Janis is another solid returner for the Pirates and will join Kelcie Rombach as the team’s juniors. Sophomores Haley Harsted, Hillary Hon, Kelli Nelson and Jade Novak all show promise.

Freshmen Megan Cameron, Lauren Lennox and Megan Ward also are out for the sport. Some of the sophomores and freshmen already have shown plenty of promise, as they led Ottawa to a second-place finish in the junior varsity competition of Wednesday’s meet.

Ward was eighth overall and Harsted ninth. Lennox also medaled in 12th place while Hon just missed a medal in 16th place.

“I think our girls will be pretty competitive,” Hearn said. “We’ve got some nice kids and some hard workers. We have some kids who have run track, and some who have never done this before. It’s a good, solid group.”

Boys team

While the OTHS boys team is a bit smaller — there are 13 out for the sport in total — there is plenty of reason for optimism, including three seniors and two juniors.

T.J. Draper is a senior and a newcomer to the team, but had a great first race, finishing 16th overall for a medal. He’ll be joined by fellow seniors Eddie Weber and Joaquin Santoy.

Junior Matthew Manau has been a strong contributor for the Pirates in each of his first two seasons and will be again. He was 18th overall in Wednesday’s meet as Ottawa finished ninth out of 11 schools.

“Ithink those two worked well together,”Hearn said of Draper and Manau. “I think T.J. surprised himself a little bit. He was a pleasant surprise to me. And Manau has been around the sport. He knows how to put on the miles.”

Junior Thomas Wolfe also will provide some experience for Ottawa. Sophomores Logan Meyer, Adam Frick, Wyatt Mach and Alex Thompson will receive plenty of opportunities. Freshmen Ken Armstrong, Trevor Buhr, Joe Daebelliehn and Colin Vandervort also are hoping to contribute.

Much like the girls unit, the underclassmen on the boys side also had a great start, finishing third out of 10 teams. That included an eighth-place finish for Mach and a 16th-place finish for Armstrong.

“Today was really good because not even I was sure how we were going to do today,” Hearn said. “It’s all new to me. But we had a great start, and hopefully it continues.”

Filed Under Cross, Spotlight, Team Tagged With Doug Hearn, ottawa

CS8 and Area girls cross country preview and runners to watch

August 23, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

from Springfield by GateHouse Media, Inc.

 Here’s a look at the key teams and individuals participating in girls cross country this fall.

CARLINVILLE

The Cavaliers’ No. 2, 3 and 4 runners, sophomores Chloe Walton and Maddie Boente and senior Kelsey Klaus, are back from last year’s state-qualifying team. So is No. 6 runner sophomore Courtney Reid. A key newcomer is freshman Lea Viano, the younger sister of former standouts Austin and Kelsee Viano.

CHATHAM GLENWOOD

Glenwood must rely on its youth. The Titans have zero returning juniors and seniors. All-stater Lindsay Rogers and fellow sophomores Delaney Dixon and Elissa Lahr should team up with the incoming freshmen, who helped Glenwood Middle School win its third straight Illinois Elementary School Association state championship in 2009.

JACKSONVILLE

Junior Taylor Ingram and senior Kelsey Rammelkamp are the sole upperclassmen on the roster. The good news is the majority of the 2009 team is back, and Ingram is a two-time CS8 special mention pick. Coach Breck VanBebber’s group of underclassmen includes Alexis Jibben and Megan DeWitt, who were among four freshmen on the varsity last season. Key newcomers are freshman Clara Lee – she’s the sister of Jacksonville’s No. 1 runner last year, Hannah Lee, who now runs for Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville – and sophomore Natalie Flynn.

LANPHIER

Coach Mike Garcia had high hopes for sophomore Natalie Runkle, who finished one spot higher than SHG all-stater Emily Delvo at last year’s Lee Halberg Lanphier Invitational, but Runkle has transferred to the Aurora Illinois Math and Science Academy in suburban Chicago. Her absence makes the Lions’ rebuilding season more difficult.

LINCOLN

The Railers lost just one runner from last year. Juniors Brittney Bone, Melyssa Cooper, Ami Frost, Elaine Tiffany, Asia Glenn and sophomore Xavia Henessey are among the returnees, and that excites coach Kirk Dobihal. “I like it,” he said. “It makes for some intrasquad competition.”

ROCHESTER

Like their male counterparts, all seven of the Rockets’ top runners are back. Juniors Aspen Williams and Lynnett Ramsey are teaming up again with sophomores Alison Nowakowski, Kinzey Stoll, Emily Blankenship, Nicole Tabatabi and Erin Lindstrom. Add freshman Amanda Nelson, a junior high state track qualifier as an eighth-grader, and junior Caitlin Maxwell to the mix and a successful season is possibly in the works.

SACRED HEART-GRIFFIN

The Blazers’ cross country juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down despite graduation losses. Seniors Emily Delvo, Madz Negro, Maria Lowis and Taylor Moore and sophomore Meredith McClain competed at state last year. Delvo placed the highest at 15th. “We have more girls out than we’ve ever had,” SHG coach Ed Gaffigan said. “We have some young ones coming up. Right now it’s hard to access who the top seven are. It’s going to be a contest. It may change over the year.”

SOUTHEAST

Junior Misty Davenport is the Spartans’ top female runner again this year, said Southeast coach Chris Hood.

SPRINGFIELD

The good news is the defending Class 2A state champions return five of their top seven runners. The bad news is the Senators must stay healthy. “If somebody gets injured, we’re probably going to be hurting a little bit,” coach Dan Devlin said. “Last year we had a coupe of runners we could plug in.” Junior Kirby Hale placed fourth at state. Senior Madie Alexander placed 21st. Junior Maggie Cornelius, Christy Rolf and Leora Reyhan are back.

TAYLORVILLE

Junior Miranda Matheny, Taylorville’s No. 1 runner, is back. She was a sectional qualifier last year along with sophomore Lauren Pearce. Juniors Allison Champley and Madelyn Kahle and senior Cassie Corriveau round out the team’s nucleus. “Freshman Brooke Ward ran with us this summer,” Taylorville coach Gary McCullough said. “We expect good things from her and Allison.

*****

SIX KEY MEETS

SEPT. 4 — Rochester Invitational at Rochester Community Park
SEPT. 11 — Lee Halberg/Lanphier Invitational at Lincoln Park
SEPT. 11 — PORTA Invitational at Petersburg
SEPT. 25 — Springfield High Invitational at Lincoln Park
OCT. 16 — Central State Eight Conference Meet at Lincoln Park
NOV. 6 – Class 2A State Meet at Detweiller Park, Peoria

*****

RUNNERS TO WATCH

MADIE ALEXANDER, Springfield High The senior placed 21st at state last season. She had six top-10 finishes. “Kirby and Madie switched off a couple races there at the regional, sectional and conference,” Springfield coach Dan Devlin said.

KRISTEN GARWOOD, Lutheran The junior is a Class 1A state title contender. She placed third in 2008, but a fever at the 2009 state meet limited her to 50th. At the Class 1A state meet in the spring, she placed fifth in the 3,200-meter run and was 10th in the 1,600.

MADZ NEGRO, Sacred Heart-Griffin The defending CS8 champion had five top-five finishes during the 2009 cross country season and placed fifth in the 3,200 at the state track meet. “I think it (running track) helped her quite a bit,” coach Ed Gaffigan said.

KIRBY HALE, Springfield The two-time all-stater splits her time in the summer between cross country and basketball. She was eighth or better in nine meets last fall. Hale finished fourth at state.

Filed Under Athlete, Spotlight, Team

Bloomington-Normal Intercity girls cross country preview

August 20, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

By Pantagraph staff pantagraph.com

A brief preview of the 2010 Intercity girls cross country teams.

Bloomington

Coach: John Szabo, 29th year

2009: 4th in Big 12; 3rd in regional; 15th in sectional

Returnees from top seven: Sr. – Leah Mullenix, Shelby Wiist; Jr. – Sarah Schneider; So. – Meg Fitzgerald.

Other key contributors: Sr. – Tiziri Seffal; Jr. – Chrissy Little; Fr. – Kendall Wiist.

Storyline: Mullenix, Schneider and Fitzgerald were part of the sixth-place 2A state 3,200 relay last spring. Mullenix, a 12:42.14 3,200 runner, should lead the team as she did in 2009. BHS, which couldn’t field enough runners to score in last year’s Intercity Meet, has 10 girls out. “That’s the most girls we’ve had out in a few years and the best group we’ve had in a while,” said Szabo, who’d like to see his team crack the Big 12’s top three and reach the sectional.

Keep an eye on: Little, a good track athlete in the 300 hurdles and triple jump, is out for the first time. Also new to the team is soccer player Tiziri Seffal.

FULL ROSTER

Seniors- Jessie Alvis, Leah Mullenix^, Lauren Osterbrock, Tiziri Seffal, Shelby Wiist^; Juniors- Chrissy Little, Sarah Schneider^; Sophomore- Meg Fitzgerald^; Freshmen- Hailey Wall, Kendall Wiist.

Central Catholic

Coach: Tom Engelhorn, 9th year

2009: 1st in Intercity; 3rd in Corn Belt; 2nd in regional; 2nd in sectional; 7th in 1A state.

Returnees from top seven: Jr. – Mallory Paul, Katie Einck, Maureen Christensen; So. – Alex Van Hoof.

Other key contributors: Sr. – Kali Lewis; Jr. – Anne Brady.

Storyline: Two-time state champion Kelly Curran has moved on to Notre Dame while Lindsay Stopa and Colleen Besler did not come out. Despite those losses, Engelhorn believes his eight-girl squad is “going to be much better than I thought.” He hopes a top-four Corn Belt Conference finish leads to a post-season surge. The Saints are 13th in the Dyestat preseason rankings.

Keep an eye on: Van Hoof earned all-state honors as a freshman, clocking 18:48 for 23rd in 1A. “We’d like to see her in the top 15 at state,” said Engelhorn, who reports Lewis, a first-year runner, has stayed with Van Hoof in preseason practice.

FULL ROSTER

Senior- Kali Lewis; Juniors- Anne Brady^, Maureen Christensen^, Katie Einck^, Kelsey Milligan, Mallory Paul^; Sophomores- Abby Rhodes^, Alex Van Hoof^; Freshman- Elizabeth Catt.

Cornerstone

Coach: Michele Larsen, 4th year

2009: 9th in regional

Returnees from top seven: Sr. – Katie Wilhelm; Jr. – Nicki Wilhelm, Brittany Madden; So. – Ashley McGhee, Kaley Summers.

Other key contributors: Jr. – Sara Newcom, Hannah Critchfield; Sophomore – Sarah Kelly.

Storyline: This eight-girl roster is the largest in school history. In last fall’s regional, Katie Wilhelm finished 35th, Nicki Wilhelm 45th, McGhee 53rd, Summers 57th and Madden 58th.

Keep an eye on: Katie Wilhelm ran 5:58.64 in the 1,600 last spring while McGhee motored 13:31.74 in the 3,200.

FULL ROSTER

Senior- Katie Wilhelm^; Juniors- Hannah Critchfield, Brittany Madden, Sara Newcom, Nicki Wilhelm; Sophomores- Sarah Kelly, Ashley McGhee, Kaley Summers.

Normal Community

Coach: Tom Patten, 26th year

2009: 4th in Intercity; 2nd in Big 12; 1st in regional; 7th in sectional

Returnees from top seven: Sr. – Raquelle Gibson, Kelly Weekes; So. – Carly Pederson, Carley Catherine, Brittany Hull.

Other key contributors: Sr. – Kelsey Stiles; So. – Tiffany Lam, Emily Jacob, Rachel Hile-Broad; Fr. – Rachel Johnson.

Storyline: Pederson, the reigning sectional champion, placed 24th in the 3A state meet, clocking 17:55. Her 3,200 best was 11:16.33 last spring despite suffering from anemia. “She has got her iron levels back up and she is looking nice and strong,” said Patten, who has a 33-girl roster.

Keep an eye on: Johnson, 13th in the junior high state meet, gives NCHS a solid trio up front with Pederson and Catherine, who ran 12:33.14 in the 3,200 last spring. “It’s a question of what we can put together with them,” Patten said. “Obviously we’d like to make it to sectionals and see how things stack up there.”

FULL ROSTER

Seniors- Lori Claricoates, Raquelle Gibson^, Grace Leighton, Kelsey Stiles, Kelly Weekes^, Lauren Zager; Juniors- Malaney Abel, Sara Freed, Nicole Gilbert, Lindsey Gist, Morgan Heerde, Jennifer Hughes, Madison Martin, Hailey Mott, Rachel Sabick, Miranda Schlehuber, Lexi Wyatt; Sophomores- Tess Campbell, Carley Catherine^, Rachel Hile-Broad, Brittany Hull^, Emily Jacob, Tiffany Lam, Carly Pederson^, Alexi Silva; Freshmen- Sydney Biedenharn, Carly Blystone, Emily Frazier, McKenzie Hayes, Rachel Johnson, Rachel Richter, Jacey Whiteside, Erin Wilhelm.

Normal Community West

Coach: Steve Destri, 3rd year

2009: 2nd in Intercity; 1st in Big 12; 2nd in regional; 3rd in sectional; 25th in 3A state.

Returnees from top seven: Sr. – Taryn Basting, Jaci Clark; Jr. – Hannah Magnuson, Bailey Kerschieter, Michaela Fowler, Amy Monks; So. – Becca Rood.

Other key contributors: Sr. – Ali Cleinmark; So. – Emily Brelsfoard.

Storyline: The Wildcats return their state lineup intact and have added Brelsfoard, who didn’t compete last fall, but placed fifth in the 3A state 3,200 in 10:46.11, the No. 3 time in area history. She also clocked 5:05.46 in the 1,600. “She is certainly one of the top 10 runners in the state based on what she did in the 3,200 in track,” Destri said.

Keep an eye on: Cleinmark, a softball player who didn’t run last fall, placed fourth in a recent intra-squad time trial. Kerschieter, the reigning Big 12 800 champion at 2:20.75, shared the team’s No. 1 and 2 spots last year with Magnuson. Fowler ran 12:13.88 in the 3,200 last spring while Basting clocked 12:32.94 and Magnuson 12:36.34. They hope to battle O’Fallon for downstate supremacy in 3A.

FULL ROSTER

Seniors- Taryn Basting^, Jaci Clark^, Ruth Kenney, Bethany Salm, Ali Cleinmark; Juniors- Michaella Fowler^, Bailey Kerschieter^, Hannah Magnuson^, Amy Monks^, Michelle Stevens, Caileigh Peterson; Sophomores- Emily Brelsfoard, Megan Fort^, Megan Kaiser^, Emily Peacock^, Bekka Rood^, Becca Rupard^, Tyraina Schupbach, Kelsey Kinley; Freshmen- Shelby Andrews, Emily Waibel, Taylor Weber, Paige Weekly.

University High

Coach: Lester Hampton, 22nd year

2009: 3rd in Intercity; 4th in Corn Belt; 2nd in regional; 9th in sectional.

Returnees from top seven: Sr. – Emily Clay, Kelsey Emmert, Emily Bugg; So. – Morgan Cross, Alexandra Walch.

Other key contributors: Sr. – Natalie Bowman, Elizabeth Composto, Marissa Tank; Jr. – Jordan Armstrong, Lyndsay Shaver, Kiara Vance, Haylee Weakly; So. – Madison Abel, Elizabeth Fansler; Fr. – Sydney Billingsley, Paige Smid.

Storyline: In the Intercity Meet, Clay has placed fourth, second and fourth the past three seasons. The Division I pole vault prospect, who is part of a 30-girl roster, reported for preseason practice in the best shape of her career. “I think Emily certainly does have a shot at a state medal,” Hampton said.

Keep an eye on: Emmert, Walch, Bugg and Cross placed 23rd in the 2A state track 3,200 relay. “That has given that group a shot in the arm,” Hampton said. “I think we can compete for championships.”

FULL ROSTER

Seniors- Natalie Bowman^, Emily Bugg^, Emily Clay^, Elizabeth Composto, Kelsey Emmert^, Melanie Goebel, Mia Hartung, Marissa Tank^; Juniors- Jordan Armstrong, Cheyenne Bowers, Bayli Doubet, Emily Honzel, Katie Lane, Lyndsay Shaver, Kiara Vance, Haylee Weakly; Sophomores- Madison Abel, Morgan Cross^, Elizabeth Fansler, Delaney Kroll, Tori Morgan, Bethanie Namoff, Kylie Thompson, Alexandra Walch^, Samantha Supan; Freshmen- Sydney Billingsley, Morgan Jacob, Ariana Jahiel, Minda Ruiz, Paige Smid.

Filed Under Cross, Spotlight, Team

Benton Runners Lead Girls All-South Team

July 1, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

by Phil Knapper

Benton’s undefeated run through its meet schedule this season led it to a sectional title and entries in 11 events at the Class A state track meet.

That hard work and progression paid off as the Southern Illinois Coaches Association All-South Girls Track Team was announced on Thursday.
Benton had four individuals and three relays named to the team, putting the finishing touches on an outstanding year.

“Any time you can be named as one of the best in southern Illinois it’s a good thing,” Benton coach Andy Sloan said.

Ashley Webb, Madaline Parrish, Sydney Potts and Kaitlyn Schutt were named as individuals, with Benton’s 4×100 and 4×400 relays also getting the All-South nod.

Webb, who has accepted a throwing scholarship with Eastern Illinois University, took seventh in the shot put and sixth in the discus at the state meet this season and is considered one of the top throwers in the state.

Parrish and Potts were the top hurdles team in the south, with the two best times in the 300 lows and two of the best times in the 100 lows. Potts had the best time in southern Illinois in the event, at 15.3, Parrish running a 16.6.

Schutt was an all-around performer as a freshman for the Rangerettes. She qualified for state in the 800-, 400-, and 200-meters, as well as the 4×100 relay. She had the top time in the south in the open 400-meters, taking ninth in the event at state and anchoring an eighth place finish for the 4×100 relay in Charleston as well.

Macy Shurtz, Parrish and Potts were the first three legs of the 4×100 relay that led the south with a 50.5.

The mile relay team of Valarie Repp, Parrish, Cassidy Neal, and Potts had the third best time in the south at 4:16.3.

Other locals on the All-South include Sesser’s do-everything freshman Chelsea Miller, who took sixth in the 100-meters, seventh in the 200-meters and fifth in the long jump at the Class A state track meet, and Christopher/Zeigler-Royalton senior Lily Furlow, who had the second-best high jump in the south at 5 feet, 2 inches and qualified for state in the event.

“There are about 25 athletes on the list that really represent the south well,” Sloan said. “The kids that made the list work hard and deserve (being named). It’s a real feather in their caps.

“For the kids from my team that made it, this says a lot about those kids,” he continued. “It’s a great ending to a great season.”

Filed Under Spotlight, Team Tagged With all-south, benton

Leaps and bounds

June 23, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

BY LES WINKELER, THE SOUTHERN 

No, Zack Riley isn’t faster than a speeding bullet. No, he can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound.

He can, however, come close.

The Herrin senior jumped 6-foot-8 in the high jump, went 24-3 in the long jump and anchored two state championship relays while leading the Tigers to the Class 2A state championship this year. Those credentials made Riley an easy choice for The Southern Illinoisan’s Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year award.

Riley, who will attend Rend Lake College next year, also won the award last year.

“I knew coming into this season I wanted to make a statement as a team at state, but I wanted to make sure the team was consistently good all season,” Riley said. “Everything this year was just for the team.

“The record for the high jump (7-2 held by Eric Thompson) – I wanted it, but tying it was alright. It’s one of those things you want, but if you can’t get it and you can achieve a state championship in the same season, the record is nothing compared to that team trophy.”

That selfless attitude is for real.

“Sometimes when you’re coaching athletes who are elite, sometimes you get some attitude,” said Herrin coach Rob Long. “Zack has none of that. He just does what it takes. He does it, and he does it willingly. He’s very coachable.”

Riley went to the state track meet with huge expectations. He was the defending long jump and high jump champion. He wasn’t fazed by the pressure of repeating.

“Not really,” he said. “I came into the meet knowing what I had to do. I just tried to do what I could to win. I didn’t really want to overdo it in the long jump or the high jump because I just wanted to focus on the relays to make sure we did good in those.”

And, he went about his business in workmanlike fashion. However, Riley did allow himself small emotional displays, primarily brief fist pumps, after crossing the finish line first in the 400 and 800-meter relay prelims and finals.

“I don’t really do too much with that,” he said. “I don’t really try to put myself out there. I definitely did in the 4 X 200. I was excited. I was nervous for the first time in three years at a track meet. There was so much on the line.”

The victory in the 800-meter finals essentially wrapped up the team title for the Tigers.

“Aside from being a great high jumper and long jumper, he’s a great sprinter,” Long said. “I don’t think he’s reached his full potential yet. He can do about anything you ask him to do.

“If I would pick four different events, he’d probably excel in them. He’s that kind of athlete.”

Riley expects to concentrate on the jumps as a collegian.

“The coach at Rend Lake told me I’d probably just be doing the long jump and high jump and maybe get into the triple jump,” he said. “I think I’ll miss being on a relay team and trying to do something with four amazing guys like we did this year.

“It’s a whole different story when you get to that level.”

And, the sky could yet be the limit.

“(His potential) is endless,” Long said. “Two years ago, we wouldn’t have thought he’d go 7-2. I think he still has some growing to do. He’ll train at a different level. They’ll bring out the best in him. He’s capable of all kinds of great things.”

Riley plans to study physical training at Rend Lake and eventually pursue a degree in kinesiology.

Filed Under Featured, Spotlight, Team Tagged With Brian Pankey, DeMarlo Harris, herrin, Marshall Anderson, Rob Long, zach riley

NCAA track title still sinking in for IWU women

June 5, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

By Randy Sharer

BLOOMINGTON — The NCAA Division III national championship women’s track and field trophy sat regally in a reception area at Shirk Center on Thursday.

That fact did little to help those involved in its procurement absorb the thrilling reality of its presence.

“It’s going to take a while to sink in,” said 12th-year Coach Chris Schumacher, whose team scored 54 points to edge Wisconsin-Oshkosh by one on Saturday at Berea, Ohio.

The triumph was IWU’s first outright national outdoor crown to go with a shared outdoor title in 2008 and the 2008 indoor championship.

Three senior captains involved in all three wins and eight national appearances were Mackenzie Clemens, Amanda LaRocca and Ali McCoy, who combined for 36 All-American finishes.

“This one was even more special for me than the ones we won two years ago just because it’s our senior year,” said Clemens, a Bloomington native. “To go out on this is unreal.”

LaRocca did her part, scoring 24.5 points as IWU exceeded its No. 4 ranking. She clocked school records of 11.77 seconds and 24.02 while placing second in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Her 400 relay won in a school record 46.07. She also ran third in the 100 hurdles (14.10), just missing her school record of 14.08.

“I think we knew going into this one that it was possible, but it was still unreal when we finally ended up winning,” said LaRocca of the team title.

Analysis of the results reveals how narrow the margin of victory was time wise. The Titans’ top finisher in the 100, 200, 100 hurdles and 400 relay was a combined .22 ahead of the next finisher.

“If one of those races goes one hundredth another way, or two hundredths another way, we don’t win,” Schumacher said. “It all had to happen.”

The end of the meet could not have happened more dramatically as IWU scored 15 points in the 200, the third to last event, to draw within five of Oshkosh. In the final event, the 1,600 relay, IWU needed to place at least third.

Not only did the Titans get third, but they cut a second from their season best to clock 3:46.23 thanks to McCoy (55.5), Lauren Alpert (56.1), Clemens (56.7) and her sister, Tara Clemens (57.0).

“I think we all run even better under pressure,” said Mackenzie Clemens, who didn’t advance to the 800 final even though she was seventh fastest in the prelims at 2:11.70, just missing her 2009 school record of 2:11.10.

No Titan ran farther at nationals than McCoy, who sprinted 2,200 meters in the heats and finals while placing seventh in the 200 (24.40) and eighth in the 400 (56.45).

McCoy was part of the 400 relay along with Alpert and Shavantay Thomas. That win was IWU’s 12th ever national event victory under Schumacher. Thomas also placed third in the 100 (11.83) and fourth in the 200 (24.19) while Alpert was seventh in the long jump (18-4.25).

Schumacher thought his 400 relay, unbeaten against D-III foes in 2010, could finish in the top three in 2009, but a dropped baton nixed that and may have cost IWU a team trophy (it finished seventh).

This year Thomas overcame a 4-meter deficit on the anchor leg to nip Wartburg by .03.

The Titans’ times are more often seen at the Division I level, which begs the question, how did such talent end up at IWU?

“One of my philosophies is that to be able to compete for a national championship you have to have athletes who could be potential Division I athletes,” Schumacher said.

IWU’s academic reputation and its history for helping high school stars improve lured a powerhouse roster.

“Every girl that he has recruited has bettered the program,” said LaRocca, who followed in the footsteps of former IWU greats Gena Rawlins and Rachel Anderson.

Filed Under College, Spotlight, Team

North Central College Wins Triple Crown, Al Carius Program of the Year Award

June 3, 2010 By staff Leave a Comment

Courtesy: Tom Lewis, USTFCCCA

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is honored to announce North Central College of Naperville, Ill., as the winners of the Al Carius Division III Men’s Program of the Year Award for the 2009-2010 school year. North Central won the school’s first triple crown, capturing NCAA titles in cross country, indoor track & field, and, most recently, outdoor track & field.

Al Carius Division III Men’s Program of the Year Winners
2009-2010: North Central (Ill.) (1st), UW La Crosse (2nd), Amherst (3rd)
2008-2009: UW Oshkosh (1st), UW La Crosse (2nd), UW Stevens Points (3rd)

North Central became the first squad to win a triple crown in Division III since UW Oshkosh in 2005-06. North Central and head coach Al Carius – who is also the award’s namesake – won their fifth NCAA outdoor team title and first since sharing the crown in 2000 last weekend in Berea, Ohio. The Cardinals won their second-ever NCAA indoor title in March by a sizeable margin and, last November, was dominant in winning their first national cross country crown since 1999.

“It’s been a year of really coming together as a team, and finding out what that really means, and dealing with adversity all along the way,” said Carius. “Our guys continuously regrouped and got back together and continued to move forward. So many times, there were things that happened that could have interrupted that momentum, but it’s a real credit to everybody who has contributed to this synergistic effect, as well as the final result.”

UW La Crosse finished second in the tally (16) for the second-straight year, notching third-place showings at both track & field championships to go with a tenth-place national performance in the cross country season. Amherst was third with 35½ points.

The Al Carius Program of the Year Award is named after USTFCCCA Hall of Famer and long-time North Central College head coach Al Carius.  Carius is in his 45th year of service at North Central and has won 20 NCAA Division III National Championships.

The Al Carius Program of the Year Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding NCAA Division III men’s cross country/track & field program.  The award honors the institution that has achieved the most success in each academic year (spanning the cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field seasons) based on the institution’s finish at the NCAA Division III Championships.

In order to be eligible for the award, teams must qualify for the NCAA Championships.  Scoring is based on the team’s finish at each NCAA Division III Championship in cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field (i.e. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points, 31st = 31 points) with the lowest total score for all three championships combined determining the award recipient. Ties among schools split points for positions taken.

Filed Under College, Spotlight, Team Tagged With Al Carius, north central
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