GIRLS XC: Howard County preview

Kokomo Tribune - Thursday, August 20, 2015

Two years ago, the Panthers took third place — their best showing since winning the 2008 sectional. Last year, the Panthers ran to a second-place finish behind champion Maconaquah.

Western has to replace state qualifier Nicole Hampshire, who was the sectional's individual winner. The Panthers otherwise are loaded with returning runners.

"It's a different dynamic this year," Western coach Joni McCracken said. "Last year, we had Nicole and she was able to bring in those low points. Even though we have a lot of people back, it's a new team. We're going to have to do it as a team this year with pack running.

"We're probably one of the deepest teams in the area, but Maconaquah obviously is strong and talented."

The Panthers are led by a pair of runners who missed last season with injuries — senior Erin Knepley and junior Reagan Ritchie.

Sophomores Taylor Walden, Allison McMinn and Logan Buck all ran in the sectional year. Walden took seventh place in 21:10.56, McMinn was 16th in 21:40.84 and Buck was 21st in 21:59.38.

"They were all very key to us last year," McCracken said of the sophomore trio. "They were our 2-3-4 kids who could run anywhere. They're still in that pack there. We're also adding three freshmen and they're right up there in the pack too, so all of a sudden, we have about nine kids."

Also back from the sectional lineup are senior Samantha Luginbuhl (29th place, 22:19.24) and junior Jama Claxton (41st, 23:16.69).

The Panthers' freshmen are Natalie Nicholson, Emma Marley and Megan Hampshire.

McCracken also has seniors Mallory Davis, Taylor Nunan, Monica Koerner and Kendra Perkins and sophomore Bronwyn Getts.

Western is a Hoosier Conference team now following the Mid-Indiana Conference's breakup. McCracken said she is largely unfamiliar with the Hoosier, but she knows West Lafayette looms large.

"West Lafayette is a state podium team," she said. "It's going to be great to run with them. We're looking forward to being able to see that kind of dominant team and seeing what we need to do to reach that level."

The following are looks at the other Howard County teams, in order of last season's sectional finishes.

NORTHWESTERN

Northwestern coach Dave Stevens is enthused about his squad.

"We have 16 girls on the team this year, the largest number ever," he said. "They have all been working hard and they are looking forward to reaching a higher level."

In last year's sectional, Northwestern finished fifth, taking the final regional qualifying spot.

The Tigers return five runners from their sectional lineup — sophomore Kate Bilkey (22:12.53, 26th place), junior Nicole Crocker (22:17.23, 28th), seniors Jensen Freeman (23:07.85, 40th) and Elizabeth Bolyard (23:46.84, 46th) and sophomore Holly Hall (25:10.89, 56th).

The Tigers also return senior Rebecca Simms, juniors Emma Bailey and Tory Combs and sophomore Josie Marcum.

New to the team are juniors Alyssa Pier and Abby Olsen, sophomore Hannah Strawmyer and freshmen Lauryn Fackler, Madison McGriff, Casey Lechner and Sophia Yager-Motl.

"We have high hopes for this season," Stevens said. "With so many girls, the potential is great and they are showing each day how much they want to succeed. The newcomers are going to contribute right away and the veterans are showing very good leadership."

Northwestern joins Western as new to the Hoosier Conference this year.

EASTERN

The Comets return three runners — senior Carly Jones and juniors Sydnie Hill and Kaylee Gebhart. They add freshmen Molly Hapner and Catie White.

"The girls are healthy and training well," coach Ben Cox said. "Carly and Sydnie are looking strong and I've seen some moments of good leadership from Kaylee as she's been helping bring the freshmen along.

"As a team, I'm looking for the girls to improve every meet — by time or by race strategy — and to stay competitive."

In the 2014 sectional, Eastern finished eighth in the 12-team field. Hill was 35th (22:37.26) and Gebhart was 60th (26:11.08). Jones missed the meet as her season was cut short by mononucleosis. In the 2013 sectional, Jones was second individually, leading Eastern to the team title.

"I'm excited for Carly because she's been able to train consistently well since before track last spring. She's strong, healthy and hungry. ... She's looking for as long a run as possible in the postseason," Cox said.

Jones ran to a season-opening victory in the Northwestern Combination meet Tuesday.

"I look for Sydnie to break through a little bit," Cox added. "She's gained experience and strength over the last year. She was just one place from advancing to regional last year and wants to take another shot."

Eastern is new to the Hoosier Heartland Conference.

"I look forward to the challenge of getting to know some new competition and seeing how we stack up," Cox said.

KOKOMO

New Kokomo coach Chad Salinas is pleased with what he is seeing.

"At this point, workouts and times are improving," he said. "... I am pleased that we have doubled the number of runners that have come out this season from past seasons. Hopefully we can get over a few nagging injuries and peak towards conference and sectional."

The Wildkats return a pair of runners — juniors Cinnamon Andrews and Abigail O'Keefe. At last year's sectional, Andrews was 47th (24:06.37) and O'Keefe was 70th (29:40.39). Kokomo finished ninth as a team.

There are four newcomers — senor Cori Johnston, sophomore Nicole Erny and freshmen Madison Cleaver and Breanna Roberts.

Salinas said it's "a rebuilding year" for the Kats.

"We have a young group of hardworking girls who I expect to improve tremendously throughout the season," he said. "If they continue to push each other and work as a team, I feel that we have a chance to make it out of the sectional to regional."

Kokomo finished ninth in the 12-team sectional last year. The top five teams advance to the regional.

Salinas noted the North Central Conference is in a transition year following perennial power Huntington North's exit.

TAYLOR

The Titans return seniors Cami Hansen and Paige Welsh and add sophomore Te'a Kuss.

The Titans are two runners short of the minimum needed to field a complete team.

"Obviously, team scores are out of the running this year, but Cami is the healthiest she has been during her high school years and a long run into the tournament is expected," coach Matt Carlile said, noting Hansen had a productive summer. "I also expect some career-best times from Paige this year. She has been very committed throughout the summer and has put the work in."

In last year's sectional, Hansen was 30th (22:22.58) and Welsh was 52nd (24:29.66). Taylor fielded an incomplete team.

Like Eastern, Taylor is new to the HHC this year.

"We are pretty excited to see a different meet this year," Carlile said

TAYLOR

The Titans return sophomore A.J. Good and are adding freshmen Braxton Downs, Eli Paul and Anthony Sommer. Good was 65th in the sectional. Downs and Paul ran in middle school.

The Titans are one runner short of the minimum needed to field a complete team.

“As a young team, I expect good things for the future out of all of them and see this as a year to build some skills and habits that should show great results. ... Team scores are not an option, but the self-improvement throughout the season will be our metric for success,” coach Matt Carlile said.

“Missing most of the summer has us at a disadvantage, but I wouldn’t count these guys out in October when tournament time comes.”

Taylor joins Eastern as a Hoosier Heartland Conference newcomer.

The Titans open their season today with the Northwestern Combination meet.