Scouting Report: Maclay Girls

Maclay just missed out on a podium spot in 2011 after finishing fourth behind Holy Trinity, Oak Hall, and champion Providence. The Marauders return one of the top individuals in 1A, senior Stefanie Kurgatt. Kurgatt finished second at last year's Cross Country Finals and will be joined by seniors Kristin Sweeney and Elizabeth Santoro to form an experienced top three. Sweeney placed 16th last year and 7th in 2010 as a sophomore. All three have had a very productive summer in terms of mileague and Coach Droze says are on target to drop their Pr's in their final seasons. Incoming freshman Katie Whitworth could also make an impact in the middle spots of this team. Whitworth ran a 2:33 for 800 meters in middle school and Coach Droze says her work ethic and attitude is great.

Kurgatt and Sweeney had excellent track seasons and are hoping to build off of that success. Kurgatt ran nationally ranked times in both the 800 (2:10.49) and 1600 (4:57.33) to claim state titles. She also ran over the summer at national meets in North Carolina and Puerto Rico. Sweeney placed sixth at the 1A state meet in the 1600 (5:10.25) and 12th in the 3200 (11:55). Kurgatt, Sweeney, Santoro, and Tamani Wilson teamed up to take home the runner-up trophy in the 4x800 meter relay.

Maclay packs a potent 1-2 punch and a solid number three with Santoro, but their problem is depth. Coach Droze has only eight girls on his squad this year. He hopes those numbers can grow by word of mouth and by season's end they will have enough to finish fourth or fifth. It will be difficult to make the podium with the likes of Holy Trinity, Providence, and Oak Hall having solid teams in 2012.