Friday, April 02, 1999
GIRLS TRACK PREVIEW
Colerain's Zeinner stronger for repeat bid
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
Winning the 3,200 meter state championship last year didn't come easy for junior Alison Zeinner.
Repeating in 1999 may be even tougher for Zeinner as three of the top six finishers return, including Jinny Hanifan (Anthony Wayne), Tara Storage (Beavercreek) and Amy Evans (Austintown Fitch).
Zeinner is Cincinnati's only defending state champion. East Clinton's Jennifer Caldwell also goes after a second consecutive title in the Division II 300 hurdles.
“Alison had a tremendous off-season of training,” Colerain coach Ron Russo said. “She's probably in the best shape ever.”
Zeinner finished 11th at the state cross country meet despite being weakened by pneumonia
“When it comes to lifting, Alison is one of the strongest kids,” Russo said. “She only weighs 105 pounds but benches 140 pounds dead weight.”
Although Colerain is loaded with distance runners and sprinters, the 15 coaches voting in The Enquirer's preseason poll named Mount Notre Dame No.1.
Walnut Hills received one first-place vote to finish second with Colerain, Middleton and Mercy rounding out the top five.
Here's a look at the top 10 teams.
1. Mount Notre Dame: A team with balance and depth, the Cougars will be competitive in most events except distance races.
Donna Pucke, a senior middle distance runner who qualified to the national indoor meet, is tough to beat along with 1998 district champion Fallon Lane in the 400 meters.
Others to watch: Jen Tobergte (jumps), Trina Knight and Cathy Schlueter (hurdles), Shannon Connelly and Shelley Knight (sprints) Laura Eppstein (high jump) and Rebecca Collins (middle distance).
2. Walnut Hills: If coach Karl Kauffman finds athletes to compete in the field events, the Eagles could quickly soar to the top of the poll.
Proven distance runners Katie Aerni and Sarah DiShiells will score well along with Rachel Senser and Elizabeth Lindeman.
Others to watch: Andrea Chandler (sprints), Alyssa Wood (200, long jump), Erica White (sprints), Leigha Wilson (200, 400), Amanda Mullins-Hall (hurdles) and Tama Fennell (100, 200).
3. Colerain: This ranking came as a shock to coach Ron Russo.
Besides Zeinner, Colerain will rely on Virginia Grace (discus), Aliesha Kinamore (hurdles), Catie Grebe (1600), Kelly Crum (800) and Alysa Croxton (200).
“We have a more mature team in nearly every area except the sprints,” Russo said. “The freshman class has speed and it will be a baptism by fire for these youngsters.”
4. Middletown: Although the Middies lack numbers, they have quality athletes in the hurdles, field events, middle distance and distance events. Sarah Lanham will be the mainstay, competing in three individual events (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and 400) and the 400 meter relay.
Others to watch: Chemere Merrida (shot put, discus), Amy Fiessinger (800, 1600), Johanna Schunk (800, 1600), Dina Hendriex (100), Tara LaVelle (800, 1600), Ashley Harris (long jump, 200) and Ashley Weber (1600, 3200).
5. Mercy: The Bobcats may be the most underrated team in the top 10 based on performances in the winter indoor meets.
Regional qualifiers Dawn Hildebrand (shot put) and Betsy Maly (long jump, hurdles) are two of four standout athletes. The others are Sarah Rodenbeck (1,600, 3,200) and Melissa Clavier (hurdles, 800, discus).
“Early season illness has hit the team hard and slowed down the progress,” coach Carol Giordano said. “We have depth in all events and the underclassmen have shown improvement during the indoor season.”
6. Ursuline: Another team with top five potential, the Lions are blessed with depth in every event except shot put and discus.
State qualifier (100 hurdles) Lindsey Biddle will anchor a solid core of sprinters that includes Valerie Lasko, Jaleen Francois, Blair Uniacke and Mary Sandquist.
Amy Hoffman heads the distance runners along with Cami Cambruzzi, Colleen Devanney and Leslie Campbell.
7. Anderson: A team with only eight seniors and nine juniors, first-year Redskin coach Eric Kroell will rely heavily on underclassmen.
The 400 and 800 will be two strengths led by Allison Nickel, Sarah Anthony, Sarah Correll, Kelly Burdick, Chelsea Homan, and Autumn Kozimer.
8. Princeton: The Vikings are deep and will rely on Erin Murray (800), Jackie Moore (100 hurdles), Jenny Lock (800), Marquita Hicks (200) and Monica Lewary (200).
9. Lakota East: Although coach Jason Lindsey's team lacks depth, it will be strong in distance (Jaime Wyckoff and Lindsay Zinn) and discus and shot put (A.J. Smith).
10. McAuley: This could be the year the Mohawks challenge for the GGCL title based on strength in the middle distance, high jump and depth.
Athletes to watch: Annie Dome, Erin Matson (1600), Sarah Kemme (800), Angela Sparks (high jump), Melanie Obberrecht (400), Lauren Wagner (800) and Liz Koral (400).
RETURNING STATE PLACERS
Division I
200 Meters: Tenea Green, Withrow, 25.72, sixth
300 Hurdles: Sarah Lanham, Middletown, 44.52, sixth
3200 Meters: Alison Zeinner, Colerain, 10:49.07, first
Division II
100 Hurdles: Jennifer Cardwell, East Clinton, 15.51, third
300 Hurdles: Jennifer Cardwell, East Clinton, 44.30, first
Discus: April Craver, Clermont Northeastern 126-8, fourth
Discus: Monique Smith, Hillsboro, 124-11, fifth
Long Jump: Iffy Akebeze, McNicholas, 17-7, fifth
Shot Put: April Craver, Clermont Northeastern, 41-1, second
Division III
100 Meters: Isabella Kabuli, Seven Hills, 12.86, third
200 Meters: Isabella Kabuli, Seven Hills, 26.46, sixth
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