Yorkville in hunt for team trophy

Geneva shoots for three-peat in Class 3A

Led by sophomores Ali Hester and Esther Bell, Yorkville could bring home a team trophy and several individual medals at Saturday's state cross country meet if last week's Class 2A East Peoria Sectional title is any kind of gauge of the young squad's talent.

"If we run to the level we are capable," Foxes coach Chris Muth said, "we certainly could be in the hunt for a trophy."

At East Peoria, Yorkville pushed past favorites Peoria Notre Dame and East Peoria, while Hester raced to the sectional title in a time of 19:13 in sloppy conditions.

"Ali is poised for a very high finish," Muth said, "and Esther could challenge for top 10-15, if not higher."

One factor the Foxes and all local runners will not have to contend with this weekend is a messy course, with no rain in the forecast and highs topping out in the 60s at Detweiller Park.

"All season we have tailored our training for the state meet course," Muth said. "We practice on long, gradual hills to duplicate the last 800 meters of the race."

Joining Hester and Bell on the course will be Breezy Stuepfert, Casey Kramer, Ashley Leonetti, Karen Greyer and Madi Hester.

"We just need to approach the state meet just like every other meet we have run this year," Muth said, "and if we do that, good things should happen. The girls have exceeded our expectations."

Two hours later, Geneva will attempt a three-peat in the Class 3A race.

Led by returning All-State runners Kelly Whitley and Tess Ehrhardt, the Vikings are not going to give up their team trophy lightly.

Teams on their radar are Prospect, Palatine, Schaumburg and York, while Whitley will battle the likes of former teammate Meghan Heuer of St. Charles North and Naperville Central sophomore Amanda Fox, along with others, for the individual title.

Also racing for the Vikings are senior Kelly Shogren, juniors Rachel Hammond, Megan Brady and Liza Tauscher and sophomore Cory McLauchlan.

One thing is for sure, don't count Geneva out. Despite finishing third at the St. Charles East Sectional, this team knows how to run -- and more importantly -- how to win on this course.

Oswego East sophomore Ariel Michalek is hoping to improve upon last year's 42nd place finish and take home a medal this fall.

"Ariel is a strong, focused runner," Wolves' coach Stephanie Scapino said, "and I have no doubt that she is prepared to give her very best effort at state."

In the Class A Meet, Aurora Christian hopes to end its season with a top five finish.

"We'll do great," said senior captain Danielle Gorder, shortly after qualifying for the state meet.

The Eagles are led by Sarina Oleson, who placed 31st last year. The mentally-tough sophomore is All-State caliber and could pick up a medal if she follows her game plan. Joining her and Gorder on the course will be Anna Pape, Amy Berger, Sydney Bennet, Sage Millard and Jannea Epperson.

Somonauk's Jaimie Towle is also in line for All-State if she sticks close to Oleson, like she did at the Class 1A Aurora Christian Sectional last weekend.

The Class 1A Meet begins at 9 a.m., followed by 2A at 11 a.m. and 3A at 1 p.m.

For additional meet information, visit www.ihsa.org.

Girls Cross Country: State Meet