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GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM CAPSULES

Dan Stickradt | September 20, 2011 | Comments (0)

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM CAPSULES

Below are the 2011 girls cross country team capsules for the high schools located in the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage region. Capsules compiled by NOS staff. Coaches wishing to submit additional information can do so by e-mailing senior editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or results@northoaklandsports.com

SCHOOL: Auburn Hills Avondale

HEAD COACH: Kim Kutchmann, second season.

LEAGUE: OAA Blue Division.

COUNTY: 24^th (682 points).

REGIONAL: Sixth at D-2 Linden regional (161 points).

STATE: Did not qualify.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Anna Haritos, soph. (19:56; state qualifier); Madi Donaghy, soph. (21:47); Suzanne Wdowik, soph. (21:48); Ginny Vincent, jr. (22:41; injured most of last season); Takiyah Smith, jr. (23:06); Allison Silverman, fr.; Carly Gomez, fr.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Several other freshmen highlight the roster.

KEY LOSSES: Danielle Lentz, Xiadani Ruiz.

NOTABLES: Numbers are up to 25 and the Yellowjackets are looking for better success with a large freshman class, two which are currently in the top five.

SCHOOL: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian

HEAD COACH: Bryan Crump.

DUAL RECORD: 8-3 overall.

LEAGUE: MIAC (second at league meet; second overall).

COUNTY: 28^th (832).

REGIONAL: Second at D-4 Grosse Pointe South regional (65 points).

STATE: 19^th at D-4 state finals (507 points).

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Rachel TerMarsch, sr.(20:21; two-time All-MIAC; two-time all-region); Alexis Nelson, sr. (21:16; All-MIAC, three-time all-region); Angelica Allegro, fr.; Amy Libka, sr. (22:59); Madi Bottiaux, soph. (new runner); Courtney Yee, jr.; Ally Erickson, jr. (27:17).

OTHERS TO WATCH: Shelby Webb, sr.; Madison Webb, soph.; Allie Wood, sr.

KEY LOSSES: Alexa Messing, Kalena Shaw.

NOTABLES: The Lancers have had plenty of success in Division 4 in recent years, making it to the state several times in the 1990s and 2000; this year most of the squad is back, numbers are up to 15, and there are some track athletes running cross country for the first time. Oakland Christian should be a team that finishes in the top half of the MIAC once again and a team that should contend for another state finals pass.

FIGHT TO THE FINISH: Rochester's elise Walker (left) and Oxford's Abby Wrobel race towards the finish at last year's Division 1 regional. Fiel Photo

SCHOOL: Clarkston

HEAD COACH: Kevin Breen, second season.

LEAGUE: OAA Red Division (sixth in final league standings).

COUNTY: 13^th (316 points).

REGIONAL: Sixth at D-1 Goodells regional (126 points).

STATE: Did not qualify.

OTHER: First at Birch Run Invite; first at West Bloomfield Invite-Division I; third at Chesanning Invite; fourth at Holly Invite-Division I.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Natalie Smith, sr. (19:25); Kaitlin Catania, jr. (20:09); Kylie Kanvish, soph. (20:29); Jill Harris, sr. (20:38); Erin Billette, jr. (20:42); Molly Jeffers, jr. (20:31); Sage Beauregard, soph.(21:07).

OTHERS TO WATCH: Lynsie Gram, fr.; Colleen Napier, sr.; Mende Gleiss, sr.; Kelley Fitzpatrick, soph.; Mackenzie Proper, soph.; Haleigh Orr, soph.; Hannah Hawkins, soph.; Amanda Wakefield, soph.

KEY LOSSES: Lindsay Fantin (19:17), Andrea Butler (19:47).

NOTABLES: Clarkston started out strong last season, but injuries of several top-10 runners ended up costing the Wolves during the final month of the season; Clarkston went from West Bloomfield Invite champs to 13^th at the county and out of contention at the regional. This season if the Wolves can remain healthy, they could be a relevant team challenging at various invitationals and perhaps even the regional

SCHOOL: Holly

HEAD COACH: Matt Weisdorfer.

LEAGUE: 7-1 in Flint Metro League (second at league meet).

COUNTY: 32^nd (No team score)

REGIONAL: Seventh at D-1 Bay City Western regional (177 points).

STATE: Did not qualify.

OTHER: Fourth at Greater Flint Championships; fifth at Bath Invitational; eighth at Coaching Legends Invitational.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Alex Matvchuk, soph. (19:51); Jen Beckner, sr. (20:20);

Miriah Ridal, sr. (20:49); Shannon Westfall, jr. (20:54); Abby Brown, soph. (21:21);

Charlotte Ruffini, jr. (21:35); Carly Schroeder, sr. (21:47).

OTHERS TO WATCH: Kalie Grice, fr.; Olivia Allmen, soph.

KEY LOSSES: None.

NOTABLES: The Bronchos return their entire top seven, so figure to prograss even further in 2011; this team was middle-of-the-pack at the regional elvel and hope to climb higher this time around.

SCHOOL: Lake Orion

HEAD COACH: Debi McDonald.

LEAGUE: OAA Red Division (fourth at league meet; fifth in final league standings).

COUNTY: 12^th (302 points).

REGIONAL: Second at D-1 Goodells regional (91 points).

STATE: 20^th at D-1 state finals (481 points).

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Anna Dietz, soph. (19:27); Ashley Bartreau, sr. (19:48); Casey Stribbell, soph. (19:58); Patty Babich, jr. (20:08); Molly Emerick, jr. (19:52);
Abbey Ernatt, sr. (injured last season; best career time 19:11); Kelsi Silliman, jr. (21:17).

OTHERS TO WATCH: Madz Ham, fr.; Meghan Cuneo, jr.

KEY LOSSES: Sarah Daly, Amy Wells.

NOTABLES: The Dragons came out of nowhere to qualify second out of a deep field at the Goodells regional last season, marking only the second time ever qualifying as a team; the Dragons have a long history of finishing fourth or fifth at the regional level. This year’s team is much like last year’s, very unpredictable. If the Dragons are going to qualify for the state meet this season, they will have to collectively improve at a rapid pace and also have a solid showing on regional Saturdat

SCHOOL: Ortonville Brandon

HEAD COACH: Not available

LEAGUE: Flint Metro League.

COUNTY: 32^nd (No team score)

REGIONAL: 14th at D-1 Goodells regional (391 points).

STATE: Did not qualify.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Damoee Laser, sr.; Morgan Martin, soph.; Sara Nutter, soph.; Marcee Wardell, sr.

KEY LOSSES: Amy Allison, Brianna Sellars, Brianna Lung.

NOTABLES: The Blackhawks dipped through a rebuilding campaign in 2010 and still graduated three of the top seven runners; several new faces are going to have to step up and perform for Brandon if it is to finish higher at the league and regional meets this season.

SCHOOL: Oxford

HEAD COACH: Ray Sutherland, 38^th season.

LEAGUE: OAA White Division (second place in final standings;

COUNTY: Third (196 points).

REGIONAL: Fifth at D-1 Goodells regional (118 points).

STATE: Did not qualify.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Brooke Kovacic, jr.; Brittany Johnson, sr.; Chelsea Johnson, sr.; Abby Wrobel, jr.; Jenna Feeney, fr.; Sabrina Smith, fr.; Jessica Murphy, fr.; Kristen Godwin, soph.; Alora McCoy, fr.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Sam Medici, soph.; Jillian Walker, jr.;

KEY LOSSES: Megan Seeley.

NOTABLES: With most of its top 10 back and a very strong freshman class, this could be Oxford’s best season to date on the girls side; this team already has a trio of top-three finishes at invitationals and with three freshmen already in the top seven, the ceiling is extremely high for this unit.

SCHOOL: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

HEAD COACH: Adam Frezza.

LEAGUE: CHSL (league finish unavailable).

COUNTY: 21^st (564 points).

REGIONAL: Fifth at D-2 Linden regional (116 points).

STATE: Did not qualify.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Sara Barron, sr.; Jamie Hanson; Christina Casali; Erin Hergott; Haley Hershey; Erin Murphy; Carly Joseph.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Candice Mack, sr.; Maggie Martinez.

CRUISING TOWARDS THE FINISH: Rochester Adams junior Jamie Morrissey is a two-time all-league, all-region and all-state runner. File Photo | Dan Stickradt

SCHOOL: Rochester

HEAD COACH: Larry Adams, 16^th season.

LEAGUE: OAA Red Division

COUNTY: Ninth place (282 points).

REGIONAL: Fourth at D-1 Goodells regional (113 points).

STATE: Did not qualify.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Jessica Goethals, soph.; Maria Lepore, sr.; Jessica Smith, jr.; Allise Walker, jr.; Erica Munyan, jr.; Nivi Nagaraj, sr.; Allison Skelcy, fr.; Caitlyn Skelcy, fr.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Sarah Egbert, jr.; Stephanie Handley, jr.; Kelly Yu, jr.

KEY LOSSES: Brooke Handler, (D-1 state champ; Miss Cross Country; All-American).

NOTABLES: The Falcons had their steak of team state qualifying berths snapped at seven last October, finishing fourth in a tight regional by only six points. This year the Falcons have some talent, but will need for several runners to shave off some time by regional weekend in order to have a chance to qualify. The Falcons already have top five finishes at the Golden Grizzlies Open, OAA-Red Division Jamboree and the Algonac Muskrats Classic.

SCHOOL: Rochester Adams

HEAD COACH: Budd Cicciarelli, 30^th season.

LEAGUE: OAA Red Division (fifth at league meet; fourth in final standings).

COUNTY: 10^th (285 points).

REGIONAL: Seventh at D-1 Goodells regional (127 points).

STATE: Did not qualify.

OTHER: Adams Invite (third); West Bloomfield Invite-Division I (sixth); Spartan Invite (20^th).

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Gabby Thivierge, jr. (third at state finals in 3,200 during track but first-time cross-country runner); Jamie Morrissey, jr. (19th at state finals in 18:15; two-time all-stater); Sarah Johnson, sr. (19:49); Lydia Stanley, jr. (20:06); CJ Karas, sr. (20:28); Monica Rasmussen, jr. (20:35); Meghan Santella, soph. (21:20).

Alexis Gorman, jr. (21:27).

OTHERS TO WATCH: Caroline Kletzien, soph. (injured last season);

Jacqueline Markey, jr. (21:53); Marie Szilard, soph. (22:36); Lauren Lowes, soph. (22:59).

KEY LOSSES: Elena Barone, Amanda Bayagich.

NOTABLES: Adams should be sizable better this season, only losing two runners form the end of its lineup while bringing in some key newcomers that have made an immediate impact so far this season; Adams qualified for the state finals 20 straight times until missing in both 2009 and 2010, where the Highlanders finished fourth and sixth, respectively at the regional meet. Adams should challegne, Oxford, Rochester Stoney Creek, Rochester, Clarkston, Lake Orion and Utica Eisenhower for a state berth this season.

SCHOOL: Rochester Stoney Creek

HEAD COACH: Jed Kramer, seventh season.

LEAGUE: OAA White Division (first at league meet; first in overall league standings).

COUNTY: Second (194 points).

REGIONAL: First at D-1 Goodells regional (86 points).

STATE: 11^th at D-1 state finals (341 points).

OTHER: Second at Armada Old Skool Classic; second at Adams Invite; third at West Bloomfield Invite.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Cassie Hoffman, jr. (18:54); Nicole Kowalchick, soph. (19:03); Mary Santi, jr.( 20:13); Laura Johnston, jr. (20:13); Natalie Bick, sr. (20:13); Sydney Davis, jr. ( 21:02); Sarah Votaw, sr. ( 21:13).

KEY LOSSES: Sara Szatkowski (18:55, Central Michigan), Caroline Egan (20:33); Kelsie Pittel (20:44); Samantha Boyle (21:18); Kara Kovack (21:39).

NOTABLES: The Cougars are coming off their best season in school history, winning league and regional titles with a runner-up finish at the county meet.There are five runners from the top 10 that graduated, so Stoney Creek may dip slightly this season;this team could still be in the running for a state-qualifying berth if the Cougars can stay healthy.

SCHOOL: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest

HEAD COACH: Karl Weber.

LEAGUE: MIAC.

COUNTY: 32^nd (No team score)

REGIONAL: Fifth at D-4 Grosse Pointe South regional (166 points).

STATE: Did not qualify.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Lauren Church, jr.; Amy Rink, soph.; Kristina Sienkienwicz, sr.; Courtney Sharbaugh, soph.; Haylee Luedtke, sr.

NOTABLES: The Crusaders are small on numbers for the second straight season.

CHUGGING ALONG: Clarkston senior Natalie Smith is the Wolves' most experienced runner. File Photo | Dan Stickradt

SCHOOL: Troy

HEAD COACH: Matt Richardson, eighth season.

LEAGUE: OAA Red Division (second at league meet; first in final standings).

COUNTY: First (173 points).

REGIONAL: Third at D-1 Linden regional (87 points).

STATE: 13^th at D-1 state finals (355 points).

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Haley Burns, jr.; Lauren Miller, soph.; Abby Green, soph.; Katie Shaheen, sr. Kira Burnett, jr.; Maral Toukhanian, jr.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Tarah Thompson, sr. (injured last season); Rachel Loken, soph.; Amanda Crecelius, soph.

NOTABLES: With over 50 athletes on the team, Troy’s girls should again be one of the top five teams in Oakland County and a squad that could challenge for a 14^th straight state finals pass. Although only three of the top 10 are back, the Colts have had a consistent ability to replenish the wheel and keep turning out quality runners.

SCHOOL: Troy Athens

HEAD COACH: Mike Stallsmith, 15^th season.

LEAGUE: OAA White Division (fifth in final league standings).

COUNTY: 32^nd (No team score)

REGIONAL: Seventh at D-1 Linden regional 193).

STATE: Did not qualify.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Claire Nord, fr. (19:30); Jaclyn Dibartolomeo, sr. (22:33); Kate Dickerson, sr. (19:54) Grace O’neill, soph. (22:38); Melissa Palmer, sr. (20:28); Esther Yan, soph. (21:34); Quinn Bezenah, soph. (20:52).

OTHERS TO WATCH: Maddy Salem, fr. (13:30 in 3,200 as eighth grader).

KEY LOSSES: Tammy Sanchez (19:52); Emily Orlando (21:12).

NOTABLES: With a strong freshman group and little defections to graduation, the Red Hawks hope to be a much-improved team that could contend in the OAA White Division.

SCHOOL: Troy Christian Leadership Academy

HEAD COACH: Not available.

PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Brittany Cremean, fr.

NOTABLES: This is the Defenders’ first foray into cross country, with a limited number of male and female athletes and meets, this should be a learning experience for those involved with the inaugural program.