See an overview of Greater Lansing's high school girls cross country teams
Here is an overview of the high school girls cross country teams in Greater Lansing.
CAAC BLUE
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Okemos, T-2. DeWitt, T-2. Grand Ledge, T-2. Holt, 5. East Lansing, 6. Waverly, 7. Everett
▶ Top runners: Anna Delgado, East Lansing; Emma Netzel, Holt; Taylor Pangburn, Grand Ledge; Autumn Thompson, DeWitt; Lauren Walker, Holt
DEWITT
▶ Top returners: Autumn Thompson (so.), Kayla Williams (so.), Ayla Holben (so.), Kyra Shadduck (sr.), Leah Shadduck (so.)
▶ Other contributors: Sydney Ferguson (fr.)
EAST LANSING
▶ Coach: Kathy Hubbard (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Anna Delgado (sr.), Abby Minnick (so.), Grace Rose (sr.), Frankie Calabrese Barton (sr.), Edith Pendell (sr.), Barbara Stout (sr.), Kianna Shady (sr.), Maddie Hicks (so.)
▶ Other contributors: Kate Chenault (fr.), Azalea Macias (fr.), Kate McAndrews (sr.), Caroline Comstock (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Delgado owns track school records in the 1,600 and 3,200 and is a top returning runner for the Trojans. East Lansing hopes to become a more cohesive team and be a surprise.
EVERETT
▶ Top runners: Tokyo Weiss (fr.), Saraphim Prince (so.)
GRAND LEDGE
▶ Last season: 2nd
▶ Coach: Fred Hutchinson (16th season)
▶ Top returners: Taylor Pangburn (sr.), Lauren Hamilton (sr.), Madison Lira (sr.), Kambree Eberly (so.)
▶ Other contributors: Arianna Skinner (fr.), Madison Aten (fr.), Ludia Jagga (fr.), Amelia Cornell (fr.)
▶ Outlook: The Comets expect to be in the mix for CAAC Blue and Greater Lansing titles. Pangburn was an all-league runner and just missed out on all-state honors, while Hamilton joins her as key performers back for Grand Ledge.
HOLT
▶ Top returners: Emma Netzel (sr.), Lauren Walker (so.), Jessica Bossenbroek (jr.), Ava Mullen (jr.)
▶ Outlook: Netzel and Walker, both state qualifiers, were among the top runners in the CAAC Blue last season and lead the returners for the Rams.
OKEMOS
▶ Last season: 1st
▶ Coach: Brian Harrod (13th season)
▶ Top returners: Shannon Gillahan (jr.), Nicole Mays (jr.), Lily Salazar (jr.), Arohi Nair (sr.), Jaana Glasmacher (sr.), Bryna Mead-O’Brien (jr.), Isabella Thompson-Orsua (so.), Lilly Vanderveneet (jr.)
▶ Other contributors: Fiona Whitmyer (fr.), Elizabeth Shafer (fr.), Sophia Jildeh (sr.), Joelle Morris (jr.)
▶ Outlook: Gillahan was an all-conference runner last season for the Wolves, who have six of their top seven runners back from last year’s squad. Okemos has high hopes again and expects to get added depth from a few newcomers.
WAVERLY
▶ Last season: 6th
▶ Coach: Robert Lurie (34th season)
▶ Top returners: Samantha Howard (sr.), Claire Scofield (sr.), Anaiyah Cooks (so.)
▶ Outlook: Howard and Scofield give the Warriors a strong one-two combo, while Lurie said Cooks is among a number of younger runners who have been improving.
CAAC RED
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Mason, 2. Williamston, 3. St. Johns, 4. Haslett, 5. Fowlerville, 6. Eastern
▶ Top runners: Clara Fletcher, St. Johns; Meghan Ford, Mason; Lauren Hunter, Haslett; Nicole Schafer, Williamston;
EASTERN
▶ Coach: Kittie Lynch (14th season)
▶ Top returners: Sydney Leinbach (jr.), Avery Reed (so.)
▶ Other contributors: Clara Freeman (sr.), Lexandria Albarez (fr.)
▶ Outlook: The Quakers have a young team with a lot of inexperience. Leinbach is a third-year varsity runner and Reed is in her second season to lead Eastern.
FOWLERVILLE
▶ Top runners: Molly Kilpela (jr.), Delaney Richardson (fr.), Trisha Seiter (sr.), Alaina Borowy (sr.), Avery Copeland (sr.)
HASLETT
▶ Coach: Michael Homan (9th season)
▶ Top returners: Lauren Hunter (sr.), Dora Henry (jr.), Paige Ide (jr.), Danielle Tepe (so.), Caroline Flynn (jr.)
▶ Other contributors: Abby Russel (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Hunter, Henry and Ide earned all-league accolades last fall for the Vikings. Homan said the goal is to improve each meet while competing for a top spot in the Red.
MASON
▶ Last season: 1st
▶ Coach: Charles Miller (16th season)
▶ Top returners: Meghan Ford (jr.), Payton Ball (sr.), Katie Doneth (sr.), Caitlyn Woll (jr.), Kaelyn Craddock (jr.)
▶ Outlook: Ford was an all-state performer after finishing third at the state finals last season. She leads a Bulldogs team looking to repeat in the CAAC Red and qualify again for the state meet.
ST. JOHNS
▶ Last season: 2nd
▶ Coach: Bob Sackrider (28th season)
▶ Top returners: Clara Fletcher (jr.), Abby Young (jr.), Lily Sackrider (jr.), Sylvia Thomas (jr.), Josie Heystek (jr.), Lydia Finn (so.), Isabel Ward (sr.), Erica Feldpausch (sr.)
▶ Outlook: Fletcher ended last season as an all-state runner, while Young and Lily Sackrider were all-league performers. St. Johns looks to be one of the top teams in the Red again.
WILLIAMSTON
▶ Last season: 3rd
▶ Coach: Paula Maurer-Westbrook (43rd season)
▶ Top returners: Nicole Schafer (so.), Elleah Berger (sr.), Samantha Sweeney (sr.), Marie Schafer (sr.), Tamara Stoner-Sleight (so.), Ashley Sweeney (sr.)
▶ Other contributor: Reese Supianoski (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Schafer earned all-state honors to cap a strong freshman season and leads the returners for the Hornets. Williamston has a veteran core surrounding her in fourth-year varsity runners and returning all-league selections Berger, Sweeney and Schafer. Stoner-Sleight also is a returning all-league runner for the Hornets, who look to be in the mix in the CAAC Red.
CAAC WHITE
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Lansing Catholic, 2. Eaton Rapids, 3. Charlotte, 4. Ionia, 5. Portland, 6. Sexton
▶ Top runners: CC Jones, Lansing Catholic; Hannah Pricco, Lansing Catholic; Tessa Roe, Lansing Catholic;
CHARLOTTE
▶ Top runners: Baylee Moore (fr.), Isabelle Goodrich (so.), Avari Montgomery (fr.), Andie Wildern (fr.)
EATON RAPIDS
▶ Top runners: Sydney Thompson (jr.), Sofia Kingsley (sr.), Kennedie Crow (fr.), Zoe Hankey (so.)
IONIA
▶ Coach: Brianna Wiles (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Clara Deeren (sr.), Megan Lennemann (sr.)
▶ Other contributors: Carleigh Thompson (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Deeren was an all-league runner and along with Lennemann will lead the Bulldogs.
LANSING CATHOLIC
▶ Coach: Tim Simpson
▶ Top returners: CC Jones, Hannah Pricco, Tessa Roe, India Doerr, Zee Simpson, Elaine Kutas
▶ Other contributors: Frances Melinn (fr.), Stella Lipinski (fr.), Bri VanSwoll (fr.), Paige Kutas (fr.), Kate Coffey (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Jones, Pricco and Roe are returning all-state runners. How things unfold behind them could dictate how much success the Cougars have in the postseason. Lansing Catholic is chasing an 11th straight league title.
PORTLAND
▶ Top runners: Anna Heath (so.), Ava Pulling (fr.), Lily Buckland (sr.), Abby Seavey (fr.)
SEXTON
▶ Coach: Sheila Nash (8th season)
▶ Top returners: Zara Djibrine (sr.), Nene Issa (sr.), Furaha Kabategeki (sr.), Mediane Gusenga (sr.), Yata Mansour (sr.)
▶ Outlook: Sexton will be led by a core of seniors and hopes to grow its numbers.
CMAC
BATH
▶ Top runners: Poppema (fr.), Brenda Lopez (sr.), Larrea Garcia (sr.), Mackenzie Hills (fr.)
DANSVILLE
▶ Top runner: Rebekah Hallock (so.)
FOWLER
▶ Coach: Brett Schafer (7th season)
▶ Top returners: Kelcie Pung (so.), Grace Piggott (sr.), Grace O’Hare (jr.), Faith Phillips (sr.)
▶ Outlook: The Eagles have a small team but are focused on qualifying as many as possible for the state finals. Pung leads the returners and was an all-league performer, while Piggott and O’Hare were state finals qualifiers.
LAINGSBURG
▶ Top runners: Emily Rathka (so.), Madison Phillips (fr.), Addison Rusz (so.), Evelyn Logghe (so.)
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
▶ Top runners: Whitney Werner (so.), Ella Kowatch (sr.), Abby Arens (sr.) Hayden Hengesbach (jr.), Emma Wittenbach (so.), Lorelei George (Sr.)
Werner finished as a Division 3 all-state runner last season and is among the top returners for the Pirates.
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK
▶ Last season: 6th
▶ Coach: Dan Lawless (13th season)
▶ Top returners: Cozette Brown (sr.), Ellayna Meredith (jr.), Olivia Pung (jr.)
▶ Other contributors: Emma Honsowitz (sr.), Isabelle Kissane (r.)
▶ Outlook: Meredith and Brown are returning all-league runners and Division 4 state qualifiers and lead the Shamrocks. The additions of Honsowitz and Kissane give St. Patrick the ability to have a team score. Lawless is excited about his squad’s possibilities.
SARANAC
▶ Top runners: Madeleine Hill (sr.), Alyssa Possehn (so.), Becca Thomas (sr.), Sadie Trahan (fr.)
GLAC
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Leslie, 2. Lakewood, 3. Lansing Christian, 4. Stockbridge, 5. Olivet, 6. Perry, 7. Maple Valley
▶ Top runners: Ashlyn Kephart, Lansing Christian; Erin Lubahn, Leslie; Jaidyn Smith, Leslie
LAKEWOOD
▶ Top runners: Emma Tidd (fr.), Reagan Lab (sr.), Sadie Brearley (sr.), Claire Fortier (jr.), Emma Lancaster (sr.)
LANSING CHRISTIAN
▶ Top runners: Ashlyn Kephart (sr.), Corinne Ritter (sr.), Anna Meyer (sr.), Annabelle Tallon (so.)
▶ Outlook: Kephart was all-state in Division 4 last season and leads the Pilgrims.
LESLIE
▶ Last season: 2nd
▶ Coach: Ron Beegle (7th season)
▶ Top returners: Erin Lubahn (so.), Jaidyn Smith (so.), Jalynn Schmetter (jr.), Kayla Creisner (jr.)
▶ Other contributors: Hailey Creisner (fr.), Audrey Allard (sr.)
▶ Outlook: The Blackhawks expect to have a strong season and be in the mix or GLAC and regional titles. Leslie has a strong returning core led by returning all-league performers and state qualifiers Lubahn and Smith.
MAPLE VALLEY
▶ Last season: 7th
▶ Coach: Tiffany Blakely (9th season)
▶ Top returners: Lily Faurot (jr.), Brianna Gurd (so.)
▶ Other contributors: Mackenzie Decker (jr.), Ada Marie Blakely (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Faurot is a third-year runner who is working to get back to the state finals and will lead Maple Valley. The Lions hope to have a full team by mid-season.
OLIVET
▶ Last season: 5th
▶ Coach: Misty Fitzpatrick / Bruce Baker (5th season)
▶ Top returners: Morgan O’Dell (sr.), Olivea Gessner (jr.), Leah Kiss (jr.)
▶ Other contributors: Haylie VanderWal (fr.), Hayden Gardner (jr.)
▶ Outlook: Gessner was a state qualifier last season, while O’Dell and Kiss are varsity veterans back for the Eagles. Olivet is focused on improving its finish in the GLAC.
PERRY
▶ Top runners: Teagen Hallock (so.), Annabella Kue (jr.)
STOCKBRIDGE
▶ Last season: 1st
▶ Coach: Lissa Avis (3rd season)
▶ Top returner: Anna Ransom (so.)
▶ Other contributors: JayLee Chapman (fr.), Ava Vaccaro (so.)
▶ Outlook: The Panthers will be much younger after losing five seniors to graduation, which included standout Rylee Tolson. Ransom is a first team all-league runner back and will lead the Panthers. Chapman was one of the top junior high runners in the area last season and will contribute.
OTHERS
ASHLEY
▶ Coach: Hannah Williams (6th season)
▶ Top returner: Sophia Wirt (jr.)
▶ Outlook: Wirt is a third-year varsity runner for the Bears. Williams is looking to see Wirt continue to improve.
CARSON CITY-CRYSTAL
▶ Last season: 4th MSAC
▶ Coach: Grant Woodman (11th season)
▶ Top returner: Mary Beth Hyatt (jr.)
▶ Other contributors: Emma McCarty (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Hyatt is the lone returning starter from last season and was a state qualifier. McCarty is a key new addition for an Eagle squad hoping to qualify as many runners as possible for the state finals while contending for all-league and all-region spots.
OVID-ELSIE
▶ Last season: 1st MMAC
▶ Coach: Wes Diener (6th season)
▶ Top returners: Alexis Spitzley (sr.), Piper White (so.), Madison Thornton (so.), Kaia Spiess (jr.)
▶ Other contributors: Clarissa Baese (fr.), Audrey Bensinger (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Spitzley is the reigning MMAC league champion and a fourth-year varsity runner. The Marauders have a trio of other first team all-league runners in White, Thornton and Spiess. Diener thinks his team will be improved and expects Ovid-Elsie to be in the mix for another league title.
OWOSSO
▶ Last season: 2nd Flint Metro
▶ Coach: Brock Holtsclaw (8th season)
▶ Top returners: Josie Jenkinson (so.), Libby Summerland (jr.), Julionna West (so.), Emma Johnson (sr.)
▶ Other contributors: Emma Crandell (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Jenkinson and Summerland were first team all-league runners who qualified for the state meet and are part of a strong core back for the Trojans. With six runners returning, Owosso is eyeing a strong finish in the Flint Metro League and a state finals appearance.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Greater Lansing high school girls cross country overview
