2002outprevned2

   Heading to the Ravenna Regional, which is new this year will be the majority of the quality d2 schools in Northeast Ohio. CVCA, Perry, Walsh Jesuit, Chagrin Falls, Regina (incidentally those 5 are in the same district (lol)) St. Thomas and Marlington.
     In the 4x800 look for CVCA to lead the way. They finished 7th at the state meet last year (9:51.53). But the important thing to look at is that if they would have run their regional time (9:37.05) they would have been 3rd. They are returning their whole team of Carrie Lawver, Allison Shuck, Tiffany Mielnick, and Amy Arnold. There biggest challenge coming out of the region will likely come from upstart Perry. Lead by the Fickensher sisters, Johanna and freshman Andrea, along with Skye Pirc, they will field a strong 4x800. St. Thomas Aquinas has the ability to field a really great 4x800 as well. The challenge they will need to face is to not repeat the pitfalls that they succumbed to during the XC season. They will need to be focused, ready, and avoid injury to contend. The mystery team would be Walsh. They have the talent to be a great team, but as we observed during XC, talent does not equal success. West Geagua always has strong 4x800's as well. Regina, with Yandeh Joh and Trinity with India Pettus, both very strong anchor legs, could be a factor if they can put some talent around them.
    In the open 800, Joh (2:16, 3rd at state) is returning and Pettus (2:17, 4th at state) is back as well. Look for those two to take the top two spots right off the bat. Kathy McCreary of Rocky River made it to state last season with a 2:21 at regionals.   Proach, Buchanon, or Siefert from St. Thomas could also contend depending on who runs it for them. Allison Shuck of CVCA, only a frosh last season, has the potential to make some noise as well.
     In the 1600 look for CVCA's Amy Arnold (5:08, 1st at state) to literally run away with the title. After her, it could be Brandi Schoeppner of Minerva (5:17, 6th at State) claiming the second spot. After her look for Carrie Lawver of CVCA, Johanna or Andrea Fickescher of Perry, Proach, Christine Collins of Chagrin Falls, Katie Krupko of Marlington, or Rocky River frosh Caroline Sanker.      In the 3200, once again, Arnold (11:11, 1st at state) in a landslide. Then, look at Lisa Davies (11:23, 6th at state) and Megan Cingcade (19:31, 22 at state XC) of West Branch to contend. The always enigmatic Val Zajac of Cardinal Mooney is also a contender as would be freshman Stacie Stockard of Streetsboro. Krupko and Proach (11th and 12th at State last year) are the returning qualifiers and could easily make it out this year as well. However, all of the runners mentioned here and above (Lawver, Fickensher's, Collins, Sanker, et. al) will provide good competition in the 3200 as well as the 1600 and a lot will depend on who chooses to run which events.