Kokomo Tribune - Thursday, August 16, 2007

-- As with the boys cross country teams, Howard County’s girls are looking forward to a new postseason tournament trail that begins in Logansport and winds its way through Culver and New Prairie.

But before that happens, the ladies have an even bigger change on the near horizon. For the first time, in 2007 the IHSAA-mandated distance for all girls races will lengthen from 4,000 meters to 5,000 meters - just like the boys run.

Don’t bother listening for a bunch of groans and gripes from anyone though. Most are pleased with the change.

"Our approach is we are happy with the new distance," Western coach Heather Yentes said, which may come as disheartening news to the rest of the competition. The Panthers have won four straight sectional championships.

"We think our team will actually be stronger running [5,000 meters]," said Yentes, who replaces Dana Neer, the architect of those four sectional titles. "[The girls] have essentially been training for that distance for a couple years now. This is just a continuation of that. They are ready for it."

One real concern is how freshmen girls moving from 3,000 meters in eighth grade will make the jump this year to five kilometers. But it does simplify things for course directors who now must mark only one course for both boys and girls. One coach said he told his girls it’s a fact of life for everyone and "let’s move on."

"Everybody’s got the same deal," said Dave Stevens of Northwestern. "It’s not like the Western girls run four [kilometers] and we run five. I try to make as many positives out of it without dwelling on it."

The following are capsules of the five county teams.

Western

The Panthers, who made their fifth consecutive semistate appearance in 2006, lost only one girl to graduation, return four of their top five runners and have an outstanding freshman class coming in.

Couple that with a new regional field at Culver Academies that doesn’t include nemesis Fort Wayne Carroll and prospects are bright once again at Western.

"This is a group of girls who have already worked all summer and put in the time," Yentes said. "They’re focused and want to at least repeat semistate this year. With the new alignment I think that works to our benefit."

Junior Jenn Elliott and senior Katie Hollingsworth will be stalwarts once again for the Panthers.

Elliott won the Marion Sectional race last year and Hollingsworth was fourth. At regional Hollingsworth was eighth overall.

"Jenn has stood out as a team leader because we are a young team," said Yentes. "She’s a motivator, she’s very positive and she enjoys running.

Yentes said of Hollingsworth: "Honestly, the increased distance is going to work to her benefit because she’s one of those runners that starts out slower but usually comes through the pack."

Junior Lacey Myer and Kelsey Durr are the other returnees while freshmen Bre Nicholas, Kayla Gaskins, Ashley Gaskins and Corianne Myer, Lacey’s younger sister, all have the ability to crack the lineup for the defending Mid-Indiana Conference champs.

"We’re going to have a good little pack of runners and it’s going to be a toss-up each meet on who finishes where."

Eastern

The Comets field one of their most seasoned teams in years thanks to the return of all seven sectional runners, including five seniors and a former regional qualifier.

Granted Eastern finished 10th at Marion in 2006, but the quality and quantity are a luxury coach Brandon Mink will enjoy this year.

"They are just a great group [of girls] to work with," he said. "They all get along really well, so we’re glad to have them back and it’s going to be sad for me when all these seniors graduate."

Those seniors are led by Emily Rethlake, who finished 15th at sectional as a freshman but hasn’t been able to duplicate the feat in two tries since. Rethlake did qualify for the track regional this spring in the 1,600 meters.

"Emily’s been our top girl and we certainly hope to have her advance," said Mink. "She had a successful track season and hopefully she’ll have a good senior season."

The rest of the seniors include Danielle Stiner, Elise Pollard, Rebecca Kady and Abby Altman. Lindsay Reprogle and Alyssa Summers are returning sophomores, and freshman Emily Wilcox will add depth.

Mink is another coach who welcomes the change from 4,000 meters to 5,000.

"Honestly I think it may help us in some ways," he said. "A lot of these girls do better the longer they go. Hopefully that will bode well."

Northwestern

The Tigers just missed a return to regional in 2006, finishing sixth at Marion, and welcome back their top runner, senior Jennifer Claudio.

Stevens noted that Claudio, an individual regional qualifier last season, is looking forward to the challenge of the new distance this year, saying "she gets stronger as the distances get longer."

"Jennifer has come in [this season] in probably the best shape she has been in," Stevens said. "She’s attacking every practice as if it’s her last. I’m really impressed with what she’s been doing so far and she’s looking forward to setting the new school record [for 5,000 meters]."

Sophomore returnee Morgan Hullinger has probably the best chance of being No. 2 behind Claudio, with junior Ruby Sanchez also back in the fold. They are the only runners with sectional experience.

After that, Stevens will rely on sophomores Allie Combs and Tasheena Bousum and freshmen Hannah Ault, Gretchen Catron, Kelsey Kennedy and Amy Reed.

"If [the newcomers] get a little experience it’ll be interesting to see what they can do to pick their spots in the lineup," Stevens said. "It’s going to be exciting to see them mature.

"We’ll be OK at the beginning. We’ll get better as the season goes on, that’s for sure."

Kokomo

The Wildkats were regional qualifiers in 2006 but have no margin for error this season with only six runners.

One of those is senior Nicky Parry, who was fifth individually for Kokomo at the Marion Sectional. After her, though, there are more question marks than experienced teammates.

"Nicky Parry is head and shoulders above everybody else right now," coach Ricke Stucker said. "We can’t get hurt or sick or we’re done."

Stucker expects returnee Kellie Miles to run No. 2. Hailey Butchart and Libbi Brown are two more holdovers, with track girls Kelsey Griffin and

Maddie Cassidy rounding out the lineup.

"We’re going to have a huge, huge gap from [No.] 1 to [No.] 5 I’m afraid," said Stucker. "By tournament time we hope to narrow that gap so we can beat somebody, but with our schedule we’re just going to get killed early [in the season].

"The kids know that, but if they are patient and pay attention, we’ll run pretty well at the end."

Taylor

The Titans have only four runners at this point but coach Jim Grossman hopes to find enough girls to at least field a team once classes are in session.

"We’re going to shake the bushes here once school starts," he said. "Hopefully a couple of the incoming freshmen may not be aware [the season is starting] and want to get involved."

Britney Parsley is the lone senior returning. She is flanked by juniors Leslie Maple, Abby Waggoner and Jessica Rogers.

Maple was the team’s No. 2 runner last season and is expected to take the lead in 2007, with Parsley right behind her.

"Britney is really looking good and should be a close second [behind Maple]," said Grossman. "The important thing is she’s pushing Leslie, and that’s going to make them both better."