FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Girls Cross Country

Much like last season (and the two seasons before that) all discussions of the top area cross country teams must start with Westfield. The Shamrocks have won the past three state cross country titles under head coach Scott Lidskin. While the team lost Breanne Ehrman and Maggie Bingham to graduation, Westfield returns senior Kaitlyn Love, who finished eighth at the state meet last fall. "Kaitlyn is a very gifted and talented runner," Lidskin said last fall. Westfield also returns sophomore Waverly Neer (23rd at state), senior Dana Christie and seniors Annie Monardo, Elyse Estridge and Stacey Kuzina. Standing in the way of a potential four-peat could be county rival Carmel. In head coach Chuck Koeppen's final season, the Greyhounds return a bevy of runners who could return Carmel to the champions podium in October. Sophomore Mackenzie Skwarcan finished 32nd at state as a freshman last fall, while sophomore Alex Chitwood and senior Kayla McCurdy were also top-40 finishers. Chatard, featuring senior All-State runner Carly Sobolweski, and Cathedral, guided by junior Paige Mason, could also contend - as will Center Grove, which returns top-15 finisher Sarah Higgens, senior Shelbi Burnett and junior Sophie Paquette. GIRLS TO WATCH FOR THIS FALL KAITLYN LOVE (Westfield) - Senior was All-State selection and finished eighth overall last season. SARAH HIGGENS (Center Grove) - Senior looks to build on 11th place finish at state in 2007. CARLY SOBOLEWSKI (Chatard) - All-State selection in 2007, finished 18th at state last year as a junior. ALEX DAUGHERTY (Lawrence North) - Top 25 finish at state, All-State runner, bring Wildcats senior leadership and lots of talent. WAVERLY NEER (Westfield) - The Shamrocks next No. 1 runner, this sophomore finished 23rd and was named All-State as a freshman. LYNDSEY WALL (Franklin) - Senior, who finished 31st at state in '07, will lead Grizzly Cubs attack. MACKENZIE SKWARCAN (Carmel) - Just a sophomore, she finished 32nd at state last year. PAIGE MASON (Cathedral) - Junior finished top-50 at state in '07. ALEX CHITWOOD (Carmel) - This sophomore is another reason Carmel expects big things of the team in 2008. KAYLA McCURDY (Carmel) - Senior will try to led a loaded team to state; finished 39th at finals last fall. SHELBI BURNETT (Center Grove) - Senior was a top 50 finisher at state in '07. KRISTEN SCHULZ (Carmel) - Finished 44th a season ago at state meet. KATY ACHTIEN (Cathedral) - Will be a solid No. 2 runner for the Irish this year. SOPHIE PAQUETTE (Center Grove) - This junior could be a reason the Trojans will challenge for state in '08.