By Ron Haramia
Pilot Sports

Kelly Norton (above) is one of CGA’s team captains along with state cross country champion Alex Banfich. pilot file photo

Marshall County turned out to be the talk of the high school girls cross country season a year ago. Culver Girls Academy runner and Plymouth resident Alex Banfich led the pack, culminating with a state championship run. The CGA junior and the rest of the area runners will begin to see what lies ahead for 2006 as the prep season reaches full stride this week.

The humble Banfich will now have to deal with the added pressure of being the defending state champ and enters the fall campaign with the favorite tag placed directly on her running singlet. But make no mistake, the entire Culver Girls Academy team wants to make the ride back to state again.

The Eagles, led by coach Michael Chastain, were ranked No. 13 in the first state poll. The team finished undefeated (8-0) in dual meets in 2005, finished first in sectionals and regionals, fourth at semi-state and 15th at the state meet.

Besides Banfich, look for solid running from junior Kiley Trennepohl (sectional runner-up) and senior Hannah Goettle, junior Elise Hoover and senior Kelly Norton.

Banfich and Norton are the team captains.

Newcomers to watch include sophomore Margaret Peter and freshman Willow Smith.

Chastain's assistants are Nathan Buonanno, Neal Holtshulte, Josh Pretzer, and Kristin Ware.

plymouth's team was just two places from a state berth a year ago. Back from that team and expected to excel are seniors Julie Rodriguez and Chara Ballog, and juniors Katie Day and Amy Jacobs. Junior Morgan Hite is a key newcomer to watch.

Rodriguez missed qualifying for state by just one place in 2005. Hite, a member of the girls soccer team last fall, set a school record in the 3200m during the spring track season.

“We have a good front-runner in Julie” said longtime head coach Allen Shockney. “We lost our No. 2, Megan Holzwart, but we should make up for her loss with the other girls. We have been running with six in a pack at times (during practice).

“At one practice, the girls were given a choice between a four-, a six-, or an eight-mile run and the front pack wanted the eight-miler. It's exciting that girls that strong are picking the longer distances. They are not shying away from it and are accepting the challenge.”

bremen's top three runners - senior Beth Hochstetler, junior Renee Zeltwanger, and sophomore Stephanie Weldy - were separated by just two seconds in the Lady Lions' first meet.

Added to the mix this year is freshman Leah Fanning, a first-time runner who has a background in swimming. Head coach Mickie Gardner hopes to have standout senior Samantha Hartsough back soon as well. Hartsough, a four-year member of the team, did not run track last spring or during this past summer due to a foot problem.

Honorable mention all-conference selections Jeanna Sell and Alisha Bird head the five-girl triton team.

“Both have been working hard all summer,” said head coach Wes Rettinger. “They both have a good chance of being all-conference this year.”

Sell is a senior and could make it to semi-state this fall. Bird is a junior.

Top runners to watch from Glenn include Cassie Holcomb and Alicia Stevens.

KNOX returns junior Anna Hyrczyk and sophomore Beth Dunklau to its lineup. Newcomers to watch include senior Lora Jaskulski, sophomores Allysa Loomis, Courtney McGowan and Lyndee Norem, and freshmen Stefanie Bartoli, Heather Pick and Pattie Olson.

“The team features many newcomers that are working hard to improve,” said head coach Rob Krueger. “We have a chance to be much more competitive than in the past.”

Sarah Konkey is the leading runner for OREGON-DAVIS.