The Ohio Men\'s team looks as strong as ever, relying heavily on young men from the southwestern quarter of the state. Greater Dayton area runners include Chad Beylo, Chris Meyer and Paul Krebs. Also from the southwestern region of Ohio, there is Chris Rapp (Mason) and Tom Morgan (Kings Mills). Expect to see racing from the other Ohio men as well.
The Ohio women are well represented by the whole state. From the southwestern region, we have Angela Bizzarri sitting this race out, but Katie Ickes, Katie Antonik, Sarah Foster and Bridget Franek should lead a competitive group of young ladies racing on Saturday!
Pennsylvania women and men are always competitive and bring several top seniors form schools that won a team state championship like Hilary Adams and Lisa Giacometti from Dallas H.S. , Liz Brickley and Carly Petrarca from Latrobe H.S. and Liz Costello from Conestoga H.S. who was the 3A state champ! The men have Duriel Hardy from West Chester East and Pat Jeffers from LaSalle who could lead the way. Expect to see something from Jon and Matt Grey from Kennard Dale H.S. too.
Kentucky is back after a few years away from the meet and bring a solid group of men running in the 15 and 16 minute range. Lead runners could be Dan Murner (South Oldham) and Matt Smith (Oldham County). Kentucky women should be lead by Jenna Siemer, Keela Osbourne (both from Greenwood H.S.) and Kim Grieshaber from Woodford County H.S. Expect Kathryn Long, Laura Armstrong (Assumption H.S.) and Colleen Davis (Paul Laurence Dunbar H.S.) to pick up the slack if needed!
Illinois has Steve Finley and Glen Morris from Palatine H. S. coming. Ryan Craven (Prospect), Christian Escareno (Rolling Meadows) and Bruce MacTaggert (Glenbard H.S.) right behind as Illinois bring ten men within 40 seconds of each other! The ladies are a little more spread out, but Shannon Phelan (Naperville), Amy Laskowske (Palatine), Amanda Beggs (Lincoln Way East) and Therese Brokaw (West Central) should give them a group up front!
Indiana has a whole slew of \"All State\" folks coming. State runner up, Sarah Kehe and team mate, Mary Ballinger, (Chesterton) should be solid. Jenny Kulow (Brown County) and Megan Jackson (Northridge) will add some punch up front. On the men\'s side , I would expect Brock Hagerman, Satae Champion from Pendelton H.S to push Indiana case! He should expect help from Adam Martin (Chesterton), Michael Pabody (Southport) and Stephan Hein (Crown Point -home of former All American-Mick Slackner?).
Michigan is consistant and always in the thick of things. Look for Lori Burgess (Grand Rapids South Christian), Rebecca Monroe (Crossroads Charter) and Kristina Olsen (Jackson ) to carry this team. The men should see Chris Pankow (Williamston), Landon Peacock (Cedar Springs), Ian Girard (Chelsea), Peter Christmass (Ann Arbor Pioneer) and Sam Breen (Woodhaven) move thier way up into the top group!