2002outprevned1

    Welcome to the most wide open regional in the State. The only teams of power coming to Boardman will be Hudson, GlenOak, Jackson, Wadsworth, and Kent.
      Will start off with the 4x800. There are a few teams to watch at Boardman, one is Boardman itself (9:36.39 state; 9:35.25 regionals). Returning their whole team from last year of Brittany Durkin, Gina Mavrikis, Sarah Grabert and Manica Cuevas, they will be very tough to beat. Hudson however, strengthened by the return of there soccer players will be a factor. If it were not for Hudson's champion soccer team, their XC team would be vastly improved. Two of perhaps their best runners, Jillian Barr (State qualifer as a Frosh in the 1600 last spring) and Annie Araps (2:30, 5:27 as an 8th grader) both played soccer, but will be joining the track team this spring. Look for the explorers to field a strong 4x800 and distance corps in general. Jackson has the depth behind Ashley Hmiel, Brittanie Hall, Jessica Fleming and others to dominate this region and should make it out. Alliance, Wadsworth, and Kent will likely vie for the fourth spot with Stow or other potentially good teams.
      In the 800 the top 4 runners from last season at the State level have all left to graduation. The 800 is a wierd animal however, and every year a runner or 2 will pop out of nowhere to dominate the local scene. While I know of no such person now, look for the possibilities of Brittany Durkin (Boardman), Brittanie Hall (Jackson), Kehres (Alliance), and a Hudson runner or two to make a splash. Lauren Sloan and Stephanie Wade of Kent will also have an excellent shot.
      I Leading the class of stellar frosh 1600 runners from last year, look for last years state qualifiers, Barr (5:19), and Durkin (5:18) and Hall (5:20) to run well. Araps could be a factor here as could be freshman Jenna Yeakel of GlenOak. Ashley Hmiel and Jessica Fleming could make it out too if they choose the 1600.
      In the 3200, Cleveland Heights' Delia Springstubb and Caroline Barnes could have good seasons coming off their successful XC campaigns. Cleveland Heights senior and past state qualifier Phoebe Springstubb has decided to hang up her spikes and pursue a musical career. The 3200 is wide open, even moreso than last year. I look for a runner to two to step up. Possibly a great spot for the freshman in Yeakal or Araps or Alex Bourlas of Hoover, or an older runner coming off a good XC season like Sloan, who showed she has the stamina, or Hmiel, Hall, or Fleming. Alison Kupla of Mentor could contend as well.