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Girls Cross Country Capsules

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Head coach: Mike Wachtmann.

Lettermen lost: Jackie Bell.

Returning lettermen: Laura Bowman, Elise Sauder, Amanda Storrer, Aleah Lambright.

Strengths: "The returning group is small but dedicated. Nicole Wood and Audrey Lambright will bring new energy to the girls team."

Overall outlook: "The girls expect to keep injury minimized and compete as a full team at the league and district meets. Again this year, our girls team is dedicated and optimistic that more athletes will join them."

League outlook: "We hope to move up a couple of spots at the league meet."

Ayersville

Last year: 3rd in GMC.

Head coach: Alexis Zippay.

Lettermen lost: Lauren Luderman, Emily Miller, Hannah Fogt.

Returning lettermen: Kelsey Dockery, Lauren Hammersmith, Dani Bassous.

Promising newcomers: Sarah Vogel, Hannah McKibben.

Strengths: "We have runners that have a great work ethic and runners with regional and state experience."

Weaknesses: "Our numbers on the girls side are lower than in previous years. We lost three seniors who contributed to last year's team success."

Overall outlook: "We hope to be competitive in the GMC and have runners advance in tournament."

Edgerton

Head coach: Jason Zumbaugh.

Lettermen lost: Alecia Daniels, Colleen Vonalt, Courtney Glore, Toni Goebel, Alexis Fritch.

Returning lettermen: Tiffaney Seurer, Shana Daniels, Taylor Curry, Alex Binzler, Vanessa Hardman.

Promising newcomers: Anna Bostater, Allison Cole, Leighe Nickels.

Strengths: "We have a great mix of returning lettermen and freshmen. We will work together to help each other improve."

Overall outlook: "We look to be very tough on the course. Our goals are set high as we look to improve our placing at all invitationals as well as the GMC meet."

League outlook: "Look for Fairview to be in the mix for the GMC title."

Fairview

Last year: 1st in GMC.

Head coach: Angela Karacson.

Lettermen lost: Tina Schroeder.

Returning lettermen: Carley Brieninger, Jenna Graham, Tierney Czartoski, Morella Roehrig, Olivia Brieninger, Samantha Rhodes, Kathleen Walsh.

Promising newcomers: Kaylie Tekelenberg, Hannah Vollmer.

Strengths: "The girls have a lot more experience going into this season. They have a strong desire to be successful and have dedicated a lot of time to this sport."

Weaknesses: "Our schedule is a big weakness for us. We have a rediculous number of meets crammed into our season and it really starts to affect us coming into tournament time. I've been trying to lighten the load, but to no avail."

Overall outlook: "If we stay healthy and keep a good attitude and work ethic, we should be fine."

League outlook: "As far as the GMC meet, I think there's definitely more than one contender. The GMC always has a lot of strong runners."

Napoleon

Last year: 2nd in GBC, 3rd at Districts, 8th at Regionals.

Head coach: Randy Lee Burke.

Returning lettermen: Rachel Huddle, Sara Lauf, Rachel Lutz, Melissa Smith, Kelsey Steele, Malori Lankenau.

Promising newcomers: Erica Monnin, Amber Willeman, Meredith Hoops.

Strengths: "The Napoleon girls will be a team to look out for."

Overall outlook: "With good numbers, we need to focus, believe and work extra hard to meet our goals as individuals to make the team even stronger We will have a good to outstanding team developing and being ready to make the necessary steps to reach our goals in the GBC, district, regional and state cross country meets. Great efforts and attitudes are being developed."

Ottoville

Head coach: Bob Kaple.

Lettermen lost:

Returning lettermen: Molly Maag, Melissa Turnwald, Rachelle Bendele, Emilee Bryne, Brianna Rodriguez, Shayla Siefker, Brooke Bendele, Kristin Schweller.

Promising newcomers: Lori Hoersten, Kari Beinig, Kara Hoersten, Amy Looser, Audrey Rieger.

Strengths: "The girls have everyone back from last year."

Pettisville

Last year: 2nd in BBC, 9th at Regionals.

Head coach: Tom Wagner.

Lettermen lost: Alexa Short.

Returning lettermen: Rachel Beck, Kayla King, Jackie Morrill, Erin Fricke, Taylore Lantz, Brady Avina, Lexie King, Tanner Hostetler.

Strengths: "We have good numbers (12) for the size of our school. It is a very talented, hard-working group with good leadership and a nice group of first-year runners."

Weaknesses: "As with all teams, our challenge will be to gel as a team and avoid injuries as we progress through the season toward tournament."

Overall outlook: "We should be very competitive with most teams. There will be many very good D-III teams this year. Ottoville, Liberty Center and Toledo Christian are just a few of the outstanding teams around northwest Ohio."

League outlook: "Fayette is the defending BBC champion and the team to beat. Stryker will be strong."

Stryker

Last year: 3rd in BBC.

Head coach: Scott Goodnight.

Lettermen lost: Wendy Mickelson, Naomi Smolka, Catie Huston, Brooke Hancock.

Returning lettermen: Natalie Graber, Andi Grieser, Lindsey Strup, Ashley Papiska.

Promising newcomers: Michaela Rupp, Emily Rupp.

Strengths: "We have four letterwinners with great experience from running at Regionals last year."

Weaknesses: "We have a limited number of runners and need to avoid injuries."

Overall outlook: "Looking to improve on last year's success. I would like to see the team finish better at Regionals."

League outlook: "I would like to see us compete with Fayette and Pettisville for the league title."

Wauseon

Last year: 1st in NWOAL, 1st at District, 3rd at Regionals, 10th at State.

Head coach: Rebecca Stuckey.

Lettermen lost: Holly Baird, Bethany Wilson.

Returning lettermen: Bailey Creager, Marin Baird, Kristen Benschoter, Abby Kuntz, Zoe Garrow, Shannon Sprow.

Promising newcomers: Lexie Barid, Tyler Conley, Tessa Herring, Jessi Myers, Mara Pelok.

Strengths: "They have experienced success in recent years and want to continue to do so. We have a lot of talented and similar-paced girls this year. Not necessarily any standout like Holly Baird, but a solid group that can go sub-21:00 that should run well as a pack."

Weaknesses: "A few of our top runners battle injury."

Overall outlook: "We are solid. Our goal is to make it to the state meet."

League outlook: "Our girls' team goal is to place first again for the sixth year in a row. NWOAL favorites are Wauseon and Delta. Also, Liberty Center is rumored to have a strong team out this year."

Wayne Trace

Last year:

Head coach: Troy Branch.

Lettermen lost: Jenna Gordon, Cassie McDougall.

Returning lettermen: Samantha Davis, Amanda Hill, Lindsay Matthews.

Promising newcomers: Courtney Seffernick, Mackenzie Campbell, Adrianne Ross.

Strengths:

Weaknesses: "We are very young as a team."

Overall outlook: "We hope to improve throughout the season."

League outlook: "We hope to be competitive by confrence time."