Merrimack Valley Conference
Andover
2009 season: 3-7 record, 16th EMass. Division 1 meet
Returning lettermen: Jessica Salley, Sr.; Danielle Slauzis, Sr.; Rebecca Noymer, Sr.; Rebecca Long, Jr.; Kathleen McGinty, Jr.; Nikki Morin, Jr.; Eliza Lewis, Soph.; Meghan McPhee, Soph.
Promising newcomers: Maggie Mullins, Jr.; Sarah Warne, Jr.
Candidates: 37
Captains: Jessica Salley, Danielle Slauzis, Rebecca Noymer
Returning EMass. Division 1 leaders: 88. Meghan McPhee, 99. Kathleen McGinty
Assistants: Brenda Clarke-Warne, Kevin Sharkey
Fast facts: The girls will move to the MVC small division this year. ... new assistant coach Kevin Sharkey was a captain for Andover back in 1994. ... Sarah Warne, who comes over from soccer, is the daughter of assistant coach Brenda Clarke-Warne. ... Maggie Mullins should make a huge impact. She ran a stellar 5:10.39 mile in the spring.
Coach Leo Lafond (23rd year): "We are very optimistic with the addition of Maggie Mullins to a large group of returning runners. She'll be our No. 1 runner. Sophomore Meghan McPhee should have a breakout season."
Central Catholic
2009 season: 4-6 record, 13th at EMass. Division 2 meet
Returning lettermen: Beverly Wang, Sr.; Shannon Sullivan, Sr.; Courtney O'Leary, Sr.; Marissa Botting, Sr.; Kelsey Kowal, Jr.
Promising newcomers: Kayla Smith, Sr.; Sarah Lynch, Jr.; Isabelle Kosman, Jr.; Jackie Nassar, Soph.; Caroline MacDonald, Soph.
Candidates: 25
Captains: Beverly Wang, Courtney O'Leary, Shannon Sullivan
Returning EMass. Division 2 leaders: 16. Kelsey Kowal, 59. Shannon Sullivan, 83. Courtney O'Leary
Assistants: Annie Starette
Fast fact: Senior Beverly Wang missed nearly the entire cross country season last year with an injury and her return should provide an immediate boost.
Coach Colette Madore (4th year, 17-13): "The goal is to be stronger than last year. We're focused on improving our depth and I'm hopeful we can do that. I think Kelsey (Kowal) can be challenged by a large group of runners."
Haverhill
2009 season: 10-0 record, sixth at Division 1 All-States
Returning lettermen: Julie Solimine, Sr.; Bridget Twomey, Jr.; Jillian Meserve, Jr.; Samantha Kelleher, Jr.; Kristy Robertson, Soph.
Promising newcomers: Meghan Wrenn, Jr.; Lindsey Molloy, Jr.; Katherine Becker, Soph.; Emily MacLean, Soph.; Carolyn DeWitt, Soph.; Riley Gilmore, Frosh.
Candidates: 19
Captains: Julie Solimine
Returning EMass. Division 1 leaders: 6. Julie Solimine, 48. Bridget Twomey, 68. Jillian Meserve
Assistants: Courtney Kelley
Fast facts: Haverhill has won five of the last six Merrimack Valley Conference titles and 50 of its last 51 dual meets, including the last 20 in a row. ... Lead runner Julie Solimine, who is ranked second in her class, may be headed to Stonehill, which has been a popular destination for Haverhill runners. Ex-Hillies Pat Fullerton and Ethan Penney are currently running for the Stonehill men's team. She's battled health problems but when healthy she's among the best in the state.
Coach Mike Maguire (19th year, 152-23-1): "I think with Julie (Solimine) and Bridget (Twomey), Jillian (Meserve) and Sam (Kelleher), we have a good nucleus. Bridget really blossomed in track and should be really improved. I think we'll be right up there contending again. We're looking forward to continuing what we've established."
Lawrence
2009 season: 1-9 record
Returning lettermen: Keyla Rodriguez, Sr.; Shayna Rivera, Sr.; Lissa Jimenez, Jr.
Promising newcomers: Melissa Medina, Sr.; Daniela Ayala, Sr.; Anabel Reyes, Jr; Claribel Faulkner, Soph.; Evelin Reyes, Soph.; Leanna Pham, Frosh.
Candidates: 13
Captains: Keyla Rodriguez
Returning EMass. Division 1 leaders: none
Assistants: Angel Pabon
Fast fact: Impressive freshman Leanna Pham is the younger sister of graduated valedictorian Kim Pham, a four-year runner who is now at Brown.
Coach Anthony Ellis (2nd year, 1-9): "We're trying to get the numbers up and build something. A lot of the newcomers ran track so that's a good sign."
Methuen
2009 season: 2-8 record
Returning lettermen: Katisha Bellegarde, Jr.; Petty Kim, Jr.; Nancie Shelton, Soph.; Chrystal Cedeno, Soph.
Promising newcomers: Lindsey Hamblet, Jr.; Brittany Cayer, Soph.; Marwah Haq, Frosh.; Mariana Pietrangelo, Frosh.
Candidates: 12
Captains: TBA
Returning EMass. Division 1 leaders: 50. Petty Kim
Assistants: Deanna Garafolo
Fast facts: New assistant Deanna Garafolo is from Maine but she is a teacher in the Methuen school system and an avid runner of road races. ... Newcomer Lindsey Hamblet, a junior, was a hurdler in track last spring.
Coach Bill James (12th year): "We have some decent runners, but we need more depth. We're hoping to get some more girls out. Individually, we could have some success."
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