GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY AT A GLANCE

Redmond Mustangs

• Head coach: Denis Villeneuve, 19th season

• Last year: Co-4A Kingco champion, District II runnerup, fourth at state.

• 2008 turnout: 28.

Key returners

• Sr. Sarah Lord: Division I-caliber runner has the potential to stand atop the state medal podium.

• Jr. Devin McMahon: Currently not training because of heart problem, but should return later in the season. Like Lord, McMahon has state-title potential.

• Sr. Jillian Jaccard: Missed last season with heart problem. She had an operation in the summer and she looks good and feels good, according to Villeneuve. Expect her to have a solid bounce-back season, Villeneuve said.

• Jr. Melissa Villeneuve: Came out of nowhere and placed 11th at the Kingco meet last season.

• Jr. Hailey Jorgensen: Top JV runner last year will contribute at varsity level.

Top newcomers

• Sr. Kelly Brown: Had strong track season and will be a strong force this fall.

• Soph. Jenna Sanders and Kelly Weiss: Both will be counted on to produce points in dual meets.

Did you know?

Jenny Light is running for Santa Clara University and Carmen Tubbesing competes for Brown University.

The Overlake Owls

Head coach: Jill Steele, 1st season

• Last year: Did not have enough runners to field a team.

• 2008 turnout: 10.

Top runners

• Sr. Heather Starbuck: New to Overlake, senior has the most experience.

• Jr. Jennifer Patterson: Already showing promise, will be one to watch.

Did you know?

This year’s turnout of 10 runners is the largest in school history, according to Steele. “We hope to see our numbers continue to grow each year,” she said.

The Bear Creek Grizzlies

• Head coach: David Miller, 4th season

• Last year: Did not have enough to field a team.

• 2008 turnout: 6.

Key returners

• Jr. Jeanine Gorzalski: Defending tri-district champion placed 27th at Class B state meet last fall.

• Soph. Adelaide Tillinghast: Improved dramatically in the offseason, should put a charge into Grizzlies.

• Sr. Britannie Vander Weide: Seeking back-to-back berths at state meet.

Top newcomers

• Fresh. Joy Twentyman: Ran more than 200 miles this summer to get ready for the season.

• Fresh. Maddi Magee: Competed for middle school cross-country team the previous three seasons.

• Sr. Brianna Firminger: Newcomer is battling shin splints and hip problems, but could be a solid contributor by the end of the season.

Did you know?

The Grizzlies had only three girl runners last fall, but all three advanced to the state meet.

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