Girls Pre-Season Rankings (31-40)
by Colin Altevogt
#31 Franklin Grizzly Cubs
Franklin Central Semistate #11
2007 Results:
Edinburgh Sectional: 3rd place (92 points)
Greensburg Regional: 3rd place (97 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 11th place (346 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Lyndsey Wall (12) – 18:49 (8th place)
Natalie Grissom (12) – 20:28 (64th place)
Ashley Walker (11) – 21:14 (92nd place)
Paige Erickson (12) – 21:38 (112th place)
Nancy Lin (11) – 21:38 (113th place)
Haley Anderson (10) – 21:42 (117th place)
2008 Outlook:
Franklin returns nearly of its 11th place semistate team. Unfortunately for the Cubs, so does about every team that finished ahead of them. Frontrunning senior Lyndsey Wall will once again lead the way for Franklin after advancing to the state finals as an individual and just missing All-State honors. Behind her is a group of experience underclassmen that could lead the Cubs to a top ten finish in the toughest semistate.
#32 Zionsville Eagles
Franklin Central Semistate #12
Brebeuf Regional #6
Carmel Sectional #5
2007 Results:
Carmel Sectional: 4th place (87 points)
Noblesville Regional: 7th place (176 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Carmel Sectional):
Calesse Cardosi (12) – 20:28 (16th place)
Francis Einterz (11) – 20:37 (20th place)
Taylor Martin (12) – 20:54 (25th place)
Hayley Motter (10) – 21:49 (37th place)
2008 Outlook:
Zionsville brings back four from last year’s team that was probably the state’s second best not to advance to any semistate. The Eagles route through the tournament is a tough one, taking them through the toughest sectional, regional, and perhaps the semistate if they are able to advance. If Zionsville is able to develop some depth, they should be in the mix to advance through the sectional and regional.
#33 Penn Kingsmen
New Haven Semistate #9
Elkhart Central Regional #4
2007 Results:
South Bend Riley Sectional: 5th place (109 points)
Elkhart Central Regional: 5th place (113 points)
New Haven Semistate: 7th place (210 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
Valerie Burns (11) – 19:18 (9th place)
Brenna Gonderman (11) – 20:52 (65th place)
Andrea Nelson (12) – 21:01 (70th place)
Heather Stevens (10) – 21:36 (98th place)
Alissa Penland (10) – 21:37 (100th place)
Alyssa Priebe (12) – 23:02 (133rd place)
2008 Outlook:
Penn started on fire last season, cooled way off at the start of the tournament before coming on strong at the semistate. At that point, though, it was too little too late. The Lady Kingsmen did advance two to the state finals, but the team finished just one spot shy of making the trip as a team. With Val Burns back for her second season, Penn could again threaten to advance out of the semistate, though the road will be tougher this season.
#34 New Prairie Cougars
New Prairie Semistate #6
2007 Results:
Chesterton Sectional: 4th place (98 points)
Pike Central Regional: 4th place (115 points)
New Prairie Semistate: 11th place (277 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Prairie Semistate):
Sarah Thompson (11) – 20:48 (47th place)
Mary Gamble (10) – 20:55 (52nd place)
Julie Jeszneszky (11) – 21:08 (63rd place)
Rebecca Miko (11) – 22:02 (93rd place)
Grace Lusk (10) – 22:09 (100th place)
Cassandra Monroe (10) – 22:39 (114th place)
2008 Outlook:
New Prairie hasn’t been to the state finals since 2002, but that drought may end this fall. With six of seven coming back from last year’s team, the Cougars will most likely to rely on usual frontrunner Mary Gamble, whose 19:48 time at the regional on the same course that the semistate is located would have finished 17th. The rest of the team will need moderate improvement, but the Cougars certainly have a good chance to advance to the state finals on their own home course in late October.
#35 Fort Wayne Northrop Bruins
Franklin Central Semistate #10
West Noble Regional #5
2007 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 3rd place (90 points)
West Noble Regional: 6th place (135 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional):
Allycia Gaffer (11) – 20:15 (11th place)
Emily Zent (11) – 20:20 (12th place)
Cara Fisher (10) – 20:20 (13th place)
Sara Zimmerman (10) – 20:50 (18th place)
Laura Swanson (11) – 22:09 (36th place)
Brittany Shuler (11) – 22:27 (39th place)
Kaela Hicks (11) – 23:10 (50th place)
2008 Outlook:
Northrop was ousted from a tough regional at West Noble but bring back all of its young team. With a solid trio up front, the Bruins could contend for a trip to the state finals with a talented freshman class or an unexpected newcomer. Northrop does have all of last year’s line-up coming back for another year as well, so this could be a team of the future.
#36 Fort Wayne Concordia Cadets
New Haven Semistate #11
West Noble Regional #6
2007 Results:
Fort Wayne Northrop Sectional: 2nd place (55 points)
West Noble Regional: 4th place (105 points)
New Haven Semistate: 6th place (184 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 17th place (444 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
Hannah Osborn (11) – 19:23 (11th place)
Cayla Pusey (10) – 20:46 (59th place)
Hillary Stickell (11) – 20:50 (61st place)
Lauren Borchelt (11) – 21:01 (71st place)
Kayla Konow (10) – 22:49 (129th place)
2008 Outlook:
Concordia’s consecutive streak of seven straight appearances at the state finals may be in jeopardy. The Cadets lost two of last year’s runners who had been constants on their teams over the past four seasons. Still, Concordia always seems to find a way to make it to the promised land, even benefiting from last year’s expansion to six teams advancing from the semistate. Don’t be shocked if Concordia is able to find some solid newcomers and extend the streak to eight. At the same time, the Cadets season could prematurely end at the tough West Noble Regional.
#37 Warren Central Warriors
Franklin Central Semistate #13
2007 Results:
New Palestine Sectional: 2nd place (58 points)
New Palestine Regional: 2nd place (74 points)
Franklin Central Semistate: 12th place (349 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Franklin Central Semistate):
Jacklyn Howland (10) – 20:17 (52nd place)
Breauna Turner (11) – 20:47 (76th place)
Leah Woodbury (10) – 21:13 (91st place)
Sarah Horn (10) – 21:16 (93rd place)
Kelly Hodges (10) – 21:16 (94th place)
Emily Wright (11) – 21:44 (119th place)
2008 Outlook:
With a team full of freshman last year, the Warriors have six returning sophomore or juniors this season. Though they most likely lack what it will take to advance from a loaded semistate, the Warriors could have a bright future, especially with two girls whose brothers were on former Warren Central state championship teams.
#38 Columbia City Eagles
New Haven Semistate #12
2007 Results:
Marion Sectional: 2nd place (38 points)
Marion Regional: 4th place (119 points)
New Haven Semistate: 12th place (286 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the New Haven Semistate):
Haley Ritcher (11) – 20:16 (35th place)
Renee Menzie (10) – 20:18 (37th place)
Laken Lefever (10) – 20:36 (52nd place)
Shelby Simpkins (11) – 21:49 (107th place)
Courtney Raypole (12) – 22:11 (113th place)
Samantha Engle (10) – 22:22 (117th place)
2008 Outlook:
Judging by last season’s results, Columbia City should find itself in a familiar place in the middle of the field at the New Haven Semistate. The past three years, the Eagles have finished 12th, 15th and 12th at the semistate. With most of this season’s team coming back for at least another year, Columbia City may be another year away from breaking through.
#39 Evansville North Huskies
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate #8
2007 Results:
Evansville Mater Dei Sectional: 1st place (36 points)
Pike Central Regional: 1st place (65 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate: 10th place (258 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Bedford North Lawrence Semistate):
Alisha Kuhlenholte (11) – 21:10 (59th place)
Danielle Mutz (12) – 21:24 (72nd place)
Seana Senff (12) – 21:45 (84th place)
Erin Taylor (10) – 21:59 (96th place)
Abigail Farr (12) – 22:22 (104th place)
2008 Outlook:
North loses superstar Lacey Orth but does bring back five of last year’s seven from the tenth place semistate team. Though the Huskies lack a superstar, steady improvement for all five runners could put North in the mix to get back to the state finals.
#40 New Albany Bulldogs
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate #9
2007 Results:
Crawford County Sectional: 1st place (30 points)
Crawford County Regional: 1st place (70 points)
Bedford North Lawrence Semistate: 3rd place (150 points)
IHSAA State Finals: 22nd place (545 points)
Returning Runners (based on results from the Bedford North Lawrence Semistate):
Stephanie Cave (12) – 20:25 (28th place)
Saisha Rairdon (12) – 20:50 (41st place)
Kimberly Condra (12) – 20:58 (45th place)
Lindsey Gall (12) – 22:06 (99th place)
2008 Outlook:
New Albany returns four seniors from last year’s state finalist team. Though this team is a far cry from last year’s squad, a return trip to Terre Haute is not out of the question. Obviously the Bulldogs need improved depth, but senior leadership and experience may be enough.
( Girls 41-50 Teams )