PREP CROSS COUNTRY CAPSULES

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

BASIC

Coach: Traci Owczarek.

Top athletes: Boys, Kourtney Campbell (Sr.); Marty Gaut (Sr.); Julio Figueroa (Sr.); Girls, Aunali Davis (So.); Kayla Ryness (Jr.); Liz Aguilar (Sr.).

Outlook: Both teams are rebuilding after losing large senior classes. The boys still have strong leadership and expect contributions from freshman Cody Cureton and sophomore Chris Honnings. The girls welcome Audrie Peeuler and Margery Lucas, who could provide immediate help.

CORONADO

Coach: Mark Tondryk.

Top athletes: Boys, Justin Denney (Sr.); Colton Jacobson (So.); Sean Stoopes (Sr.); John Tuthill (Sr.); Girls, Michaelanne Laurent (Jr.); Lauren Lucas (So.); Ali Grace-Sterner (So.).

Outlook: Coming off consecutive appearances in the state meet, Coronado’s boys must replace their top three runners who graduated. Laurent, who placed 16th in the state meet last year, leads a young but talented girls squad.

DEL SOL

Coaches: Boys, John Dixon; Girls, Jeff Hopkinson.

Top athletes: Boys, Tim Gallant (Jr.); Girls, none reported.

Outlook: The boys welcome freshman Colin Smith, who could provide an immediate spark, while the girls are trying to build with newcomers.

FOOTHILL

Coaches: Boys, Kevin Soares; Girls, Natalie Thomas.

Top athletes: Boys, Cameron Walker (Sr); Brian Arvizu (So.); Girls, Leah Leedy (Jr.); Brandy Yamka (Sr.).

Outlook: Coming off their first state trip since 1999, the boys hope to contend for the Sunrise title and return to state. The girls aren’t backing off after winning their second straight regional title last year. Leedy could be the state’s best runner.

GREEN VALLEY

Coach: Blaine Thompson.

Top athletes: Boys, Ryan Anderson (Sr.); Cliff Moss (Sr.); Justin Buschows (Jr.); Cagen Combs (So.); Girls, Shannon Ritter (Jr.); Asli Kupoglu (So.); Alex Wilson (Sr.); Kelli Belmont (Sr.).

Outlook: Both teams are young but loaded with potential and could have surprising results.

LIBERTY

Coach: Colin Sully.

Top athletes: : Boys, Rick Duncan (Sr.); Brandon Liberty (Jr.); Danny Herrera (Jr.); Girls, Amanda Cuenca (Sr.); Rocio Cuenca (Jr.); Kim Desario (Fr.).

Outlook: The boys are hoping to make a move in the regional, while the girls hope to become a regional contender after doubling the size of their roster.

SILVERADO

Coaches: Boys, Brian Whitaker; Girls, Barry Whitaker.

Top athletes: Boys, Sean Whitesitt (Sr.); Jaime Reeves (Sr.); Ryan Cross (So.); Ronnie Brakes (Sr.); Kevin Allen (Sr.); Girls, Brittany Spaulding (Sr.); Kerissa Anaya (Jr.); Jenna Deering (So.).

Outlook: The three-time defending boys regional champions are hoping for a four-peat, while the girls hope to join the boys at state.

TECH

Coach: Tony Kyriacou.

Top athletes: Boys, Chris Rising (Jr.); Devin Mancuso (Sr.); Jose Galvez (Sr.); Jose Escamilla (Jr.); Brian Murillo (Jr.); Girls, Crystelle Schultz (Sr.); Ana Mata (Jr.); Claudia Perez (So.); Corina Figueroa (Sr.); Maryvel Sobrzano (Sr.).

Outlook: In what might be Tech’s final year as a Class 4A school, both teams are continuing to climb the ladder and are poised to grab state berths.

NORTHEAST DIVISION

CANYON SPRINGS

Coach: Freddie Thompson.

Top athletes: Boys, Jonathan Brooks (Sr.); Trevor Babcock (Jr.); David Gray (So.); Girls, Heather Hollinger (So.); Nancy Zepeda (Sr.).

Outlook: Both teams expect to be in the hunt for a division championship and hope to make waves in the regional.

CHAPARRAL

Coach: Ernesto Lacayo.

Top athletes: Boys, Dimitrius Smallwood (Sr.); Fidel Verduzco (Jr.); Jorge Hernandez (So.); Girls, Samantha Smith (Fr.); Jessica Alcala (Fr.); Brittany Armstrong (Jr.).

Outlook: The boys don’t have loads of running experience but should be competitive and hope to head to state. Two freshmen might lead the girls squad, which hopes to scrap its way to a competitive season.

DESERT PINES

Coach: Randy Michalak.

Top athletes: Boys, Raymond Clark (Sr.); Juan Rodriguez (Sr.); Girls, Irma Mandujano (Sr.).

Outlook: Michalak likes the improvement he has seen in his returning runners. Both squads have young runners who will take time to develop but could come together nicely during the season.

ELDORADO

Coach: Rigo Carmona.

Top athletes: Boys, Daniel Hernandez (Jr.); Girls, Claudia Gonzales (So.).

Outlook: Numbers are a concern for the boys, who are hoping to build with youth. The girls are talented but young and have the potential to put together a solid season.

LAS VEGAS

Coaches: Boys, John Padilla; Girls, Jennifer Brown.

Top athletes: Boys, Robert Deguchi (Sr.); Girls, not available.

Outlook: The boys team was poised for a big year but unexpectedly lost four of its top five runners, leaving younger runners to pick up the slack.

RANCHO

Coach: Todd Herrick.

Top athletes: Boys, Levi Lee (Jr.); Mitch Segura (Sr.); Daniel Denis (Sr.); Girls, Kylee Ridge (Jr.); Jessica Julio (Sr.); Jade Young (Sr.).

Outlook: The boys are senior-laden and bring back six of their top seven runners, while the girls are searching for depth to complement their top runners.

VALLEY

Coaches: Boys, Mike Ovens; Girls, Sue Lee.

Top athletes: Boys, Dane Lystrup (Jr.); Joseph Leaks (Sr.); Terry Thornock (So.); Girls, Aileen George (Sr.); Wendy Villa (Jr.); Maria Landeros (Jr.); Taylor Allgeier (So.); Kathiren Swigert (So.); Brenda McClellan (Fr.); Ninfa Sebastian (Jr.).

Outlook: New coaches and an influx of young runners have injected enthusiasm into both programs.

SUNSET REGION

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

BISHOP GORMAN

Coach: Don Giardina.

Top athletes: Boys, Bryan Daseler (Sr.); Nick Manfredi (So.); Girls, Maddie Levine (Jr.); Katarina Murzl (So.); Mary Essa (Fr.); Angelica Losic (Fr.).

Outlook: The boys lost 10 seniors to graduation but are hoping to improve. The girls are young, with no returning seniors and five freshmen, but could jell quickly.

BONANZA

Coaches: Boys, Derek Stafford; Girls, Kelly Jankowiak.

Top athletes: Boys, Jacob Thornell (Sr.), Jordan Sage (Sr.), Steve Simmons (Jr.); Girls, Felisha Scholz (So.).

Outlook: The boys could be one of the better teams in the division and hope to qualify for the state meet, with Thornell leading the way. The girls have seven runners, two more than last year, and continue to build.

CLARK

Coaches: Boys, Pat Billings; Girls, Gena Reagh.

Top athletes: Boys, Jake Naylor (So.); Troy Goudge (Jr.); Jordan Kofford (Jr.); Girls, Leah Ballard (Sr.); Kira Espinoza-Levy (So.).

Outlook: Three strong runners at the top of the lineup give the boys hope for a state appearance. Ballard finished fourth in last year’s state meet and will lead a girls team that is counting on new runners to improve quickly.

DURANGO

Coach: Jim Holben.

Top athletes: Boys, Andrew Lewis (Sr.); Djordje Czvijanovic (Sr.); Danny Reynolds (Jr.); Patrick Manley (So.); Girls, Marticka Tillman (Sr.); Courtney McCann (Jr.); Danielle Olvera (Jr.); Natia Chogavadze (Jr.); Lillian Bogadadaze (Jr.).

Outlook: Lewis and Czvijanovic have state-meet experience, but the boys will need other runners to step up if the team is to go to state. The girls have a strong junior class to go along with Tillman and could be a threat.

SIERRA VISTA

Coach: Carrie Faber.

Top athletes: Boys, Mitchell Paul (Jr.); Tommy Blake (Sr.); Girls, Britteny Reynolds (Sr.); Trissa Combs (Fr.); Shannon Huh (So.).

Outlook: Faber said the Lions are excited by their biggest teams, number-wise, ever. Both squads have good individuals and are running in a pack, which should help everyone improve.

SPRING VALLEY

Coaches: Boys, Doug Clarke; Girls, Emily Jones.

Top athletes: Boys, Tim Coleman (Sr.); Ricky Barcenas (Jr.); Girls, Kourtney Moody (Jr.); Danielle Sullivan (Jr.); Justine Sullivan (Jr.); Lillian Chavelier (Sr.).

Outlook: The boys team continues to try to recruit athletes and is building with Coleman and Barcenas as leaders. The girls team, led by state-qualifier Moody, is talented and could be a threat.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

ARBOR VIEW

Coaches: Boys, Sam Richardson; Girls, Tyrel Cooper.

Top athletes: Boys, Paul Quiroz (Sr.); Jacob Waite (Sr.); Zac Reese (Sr.); Greg Marschik (Fr.); David Jaeger (Fr.); Mike Strobeck (Jr.); Tyler Mills (Jr.); Girls, Christine Marschik (Sr.); Katie Carrell (Jr.); Teora Schumacher (So.); Taylor Inghram (So.); Sam Devine (So.).

Outlook: The boys will rely on a solid top seven to make a move up both the league and regional standings. The girls are young and hoping to jell quickly.

CENTENNIAL

Coaches: Boys, Mike McGuire; Girls, Bill Miller.

Top athletes: Boys, Nathan Williams (So.); Garret Hair (Sr.); Scott Albright (So.); Jason Schuerman (Jr.); Travis McDonough (So.); Casey Stagner (Jr.); Devon Dane (So.); Chris Knerr (Sr.); Girls, Michelle Gitz (Sr.); Lindsay Newson (So.); Caitlin Kodweis (Jr.).

Outlook: Williams is one of the state’s elite runners and will lead an improved boys team. A deep but relatively young roster gives the girls hope for a seventh trip to state in the last nine seasons.

CHEYENNE

Coach: Scott Thrasher.

Top athletes: Boys, Eric Leider (Sr.); Chris Magnatta (Sr.); Jeff Pawlicki (Jr.); Girls, Brittney Washington (Sr.); Ansherae Devine (Jr.); Tynia Coats (Jr.).

Outlook: Three experienced runners give the boys hope to move up from a 10th-place finish at regionals. Washington returns from injury to join a team that had strong showings during track season and could be poised for a strong year.

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL

Coaches: Boys, Jessica Fasulo; Girls, Nicole Szcepanski.

Top athletes: Boys, Yosnay Malvarez (Jr.); Alex Davis (Sr.); Talihar Hasson (Sr.); David Ronan (Sr.); Sam Mayo (Fr.); Girls, Tiffany Hutton (Sr.); Anesia Rich (Jr.).

Outlook: The boys squad has plenty of potential and talent but might need to build confidence in itself to be successful. The girls squad, led by Hutton and Rich, is otherwise young and might need time to come together.

MOJAVE

Coach: Megan Nykodym.

Top athletes: Boys, Colby Evans (Sr.); Girls, none submitted.

Outlook: Evans hopes to return to state.

PALO VERDE

Coaches: Boys, Luke Atwell; Girls, Robert Davis.

Top athletes: Boys, Daniel Wicks (Jr.); Zach Smith (Jr.); Girls, Ashley Wimmer (Sr.); Rachael Schulte (Jr.).

Outlook: The boys have a dangerous top two in Wicks and Smith but need to find other runners to score. Wimmer and Schulte lead a solid girls team that should have the Panthers headed to state.

SHADOW RIDGE

Coach: Patrick Fitzgerald.

Top athletes: Boys, Tyler Bernard (Sr.); Andrew Barnson (Sr.); Kyle Graviet (Sr); Girls, Sierra Enman (Sr.); Ashley Graf (Jr.).

Outlook: Depth and solid leadership have the boys excited about the potential for success this season. Coming off a fifth-place finish at the regional, the girls are hungry for more improvement.

NOTE: Legacy and Western did not respond to requests for information about their teams.