With the girls’ track and field team’s highest numbers since head coach Phil Paulson took the reigns, the strength of the team’s veterans, combined with promising newcomers, could lead to an NCIC title in the conference’s final year.
“Things are going well,” said Paulson. “We have a good group of kids and we’ve really been successful with crossover athletes. The numbers are getting there, currently at 42, in part to some kids in other sports not getting enough playing time and there are positives in the middle school. It is a good feeder system.”
The Lady Leafs look to their eight seniors for leadership and expertise. Returning to the squad are Nicole Adams, Joann Chenoweth, Amy Cosgrove, Kaitlin DeGrave, Danielle Dewey, Jena Rice and Betsy Winberry. Joining the team for her first year of track is Allie Hudson.
“We’ve got a combination of throwers, jumpers and runners in the senior class,” said Paulson.
The junior class is the biggest class on the Lady Leaf squad this season, with some returners, including state qualifier Amanda Egan, and some first year track athletes who look to make an impact.
Joining Egan are Jade Collins, Sydney Dykema, Megan Ficken, Sally Hamer, Tess Hamer, Andrea Kastorff, Hilary Lohman, Melissa McConnell, Michelle McConnell, Crystal Slocum and Alexis Wade.
“I think we have some talent in the junior class and Amanda Egan takes a lead role on that end,” said Paulson. “She is such a hard worker.”
Coach Paulson said there is enough motivation on his squad this year that the Lady Leafs could capture the conference title.
“I think with this solid group and others that are coming into play, we have a shot,” said Paulson. “I think we have enough people in place that we can challenge Sterling. We just have to see how we match up. There are always surprises.”
The sophomores looking to make an impact this season are Britta Conrad, Jacque DeFauw, Jenny Ford, Paige Gatter, Darrian Hartman, Hannah Lohman, Hannah Sheley, Jessica Stoneking, Bethany Storm and Kaci Storm.
“Darrian Hartman and Hannah Sheley in the pole vault have developed a lot of confidence and we will be competitive again in pole vault,” said Paulson. “And Kaci Storm is multi-talented. You can put her into anything.”
Participating in their first year of high school track and field are Kelcey Adams, Carolina Baptist, Courtney Cutlip, Emily Diehl, Amber Fobert, Emily Ford, Rachel Ganson, Anna Madigan, Kristina Medema, Erin Peterson, Maggie Schlindwein and Hannah Waller.
“What I have seen in practice of the freshmen, we have some talented athletes,” said Paulson. “Emily Ford is coming off a dominant distance group in the fall and has also proven to know the triple jump. Kelcey Adams likes the quarter and runs hard at it and Hannah Waller has proved to be a good hurdler.”
Coach Paulson views his group this year as very balanced.
“We have solid people coming in and I think we have enough balance between experience and exciting new talent,” said Paulson. “And I think it is possible to have the best of both worlds. We have potential for state qualifiers in the upper class and a few freshman and sophomores that could break through and make an impact.
“We have a lot of potential and there is excitement from the girls. It is nice to see a young group have talent and balance.”
At the start of the season, coach Paulson sees his distance events as being a strength of this year’s team based on the success from cross country in the fall, but there are a lot of big shoes to fill. Another strength Paulson said is just keeping everyone healthy.
Paulson said right now he doesn’t see any weaknesses for this team.
“I feel better about this year compared to last year,” said Paulson. “Last year we had new girls out that didn’t have a concept of athletics and were not out for another sport before, but this year things are improving and moving in the direction I want them to.”
Coach Paulson’s main goal for this year’s team is to win conference.
“Having state qualifiers again is icing on the cake,” said Paulson.
The goal of having everyone be at all the meets was a challenge last year, Paulson said.
“If we can get everyone to commit to track I think we can be very successful,” said Paulson.
Paulson said the outlook of the NCIC is pretty much the same and he sees it being Geneseo and Sterling battling it out for the title again.
“I would like to see continual progress and the girls draw together as a team,” said Paulson. “Track has always been an individual thing, but they are developing a camaraderie and if we have that you get better performances. I think we will have a good balance.”
Last season, the Lady Leafs earned a second-place finish in the NCIC and third place at the Geneseo Invite.
Geneseo also sent seven athletes to the IHSA State Finals in the 4x800-m relay, discus, high jump and pole vault.
Representing Geneseo in the 4x800-m relay were Cosgrove, Winberry, Dewey and Chenoweth, while Jessie DeFauw participated in the high jump. Egan in the discus took 11th overall with a throw of 111-08, while Megan Wyffels also came in 11th in the pole vault at 9-6.
The Lady Leafs will next take on Pleasant Valley at 5:30 p.m. March 9 at Westwood Sports Complex in Sterling.
Geneseo, Ill. —
