SCOTS FOOTBALL RETURNS EXPERIENCE, DESIRE IN ‘08

Steve Bell won’t be wanting for much in the way of personnel going into the 2008 campaign, but he and the team are hungry for a conference championship to go with the one the 2005 squad secured with a 9-0 league record.

The Fighting Scots return 35 letter winners and 22 players who saw action as starters last season when the team went 7-3 and finished in a tie for second place in the Midwest Conference. With so much experience back from a successful campaign, one might think Bell has a hand on the MWC title, but nothing could be farther from the truth in Bell’s eyes.

"Everybody wants to pick a conference champion before we even play a game," said Bell. "We all know the only way for anyone in our league to get into the NCAA (tournament) field is to win it. There are nine league games and we’ll probably need to win them all (for an NCAA berth)."

While the ninth-year head coach is cautious about predicting the outcome of the conference championship, the league’s coaches were fairly certain of the outcome weeks in advance of the first game. In the annual coaches’ poll, the MWC coaches tabbed defending champion St. Norbert to repeat, giving the Green Knights 10 first-place votes and the Scots the remaining three.

Monmouth appears to be well-positioned with a plethora of starters returning. A newcomer or two could crack the lineup on the offensive side, as graduation and other factors have Bell looking to replace two offensive linemen, a pair of running backs and one receiver. The defense, however, appears to be set.

Quarterback Alex Tanney (Lexington, Ill./Lexington) returns for his sophomore season. As a freshman, the strong-armed gunslinger assaulted the record books, throwing for a school record 2,678 yards, which already ranks him fifth all-time in that category. Versatile junior Keegan Jones (Knoxville, Ill./Knoxville) looks to have the early nod over freshman Patrick Miller (Pontiac, Ill./Pontiac) as the primary backup for Tanney. Jones could also see action at tight end.

Monmouth may also have a couple of secret weapons at the end of Tanney’s passes. Former quarterback, junior Steve Zidow (Peru, Ill./LaSalle-Peru), moves into a receiver’s role, while sophomore J.D. Holeman (Jacksonville, Ill./Routt) returns after serving with his reserve unit last year.

Giving Tanney time to find one of his many targets is an offensive line that averages nearly 270 pounds. The early projection puts juniors Dan Schwindenhammer (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame) at left tackle, Seth Hill (Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville) at center and first team all-conference lineman Josh Kotecki (Peru, Ill./LaSalle-Peru) at guard. Senior Matt Wardell (Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville) moves from last year's tackle spot to left guard. A battle is brewing for the starting spot at right tackle between senior Zach Howerter (Kilbourne, Ill./Havana) and converted defensive lineman, junior Nick Hoffman (Moline, Ill./Moline).

"We expect these guys to be pretty good," said Bell of his experienced line. "We still have to mesh together, so only time will tell how good this group will be."

Bell refers to his running backs as a "multi-headed horse." Predicting the spot will sort itself out prior to the first game, sophomores Mike Ridgway (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) and Nick Law (Heyworth, Ill./Heyworth) are battling for playing time with senior Casey Orwig (Fort Madison, Iowa/Fort Madison) and junior Clay Bricker (Avon, Ill./Bushnell-Prairie City) who combined to get nearly one-third of the team’s carries and yards last season. Add into the mix "talented" freshmen Noah Roseland (Coal City, Ill./Coal City) and Caleb Pratt (Danville, Ill./Westville), and Bell has a variety of options for the two-man rotation in the backfield.

The only item missing from the offensive plan, according to Bell, is better balance in production.

"We were balanced last season in the pass-to-run ratio," explained Bell. "But we need a few more yards on the ground. It’s not just one area, but we need to get better as a team."

It’s a bit more settled on the defensive side of the ball, where 11 starters return, and it all begins up front.

All-conference first-teamer, senior Wes Levy (Plano, Ill./Yorkville), who led the linemen in tackles last season, headlines the returning D-line. He’s joined by sophomore Peyton Lumzy (Dixon, Ill./Dixon), juniors Nick Leffler (Virginia Beach, Va.), Nick Davis (Ashmore, Ill./Charleston) and Marc Wozniak (Petersburg, Ill./PORTA).

Much like the offense, the defense may have a secret weapon or two. The sack leader on the Scots championship team in ’05, sophomore Anthony Goranson (Bartlett, Ill./Belvidere), returns to the team after taking last year off. Goranson, who Bell says is "torturing" the offense in practice, and sophomore Shawn Betar (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth-Roseville) will bolster an already strong defensive front.

A senior-laden linebacking corps will patrol the middle of the field. All-conference first-team Marc Artozqui (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) is joined by second-team all-league Danny Weiden (Oglesby, Ill./LaSalle-Peru), honorable mention T.C. Olsen (Amboy, Ill./Amboy) and Luke Sandrock (Deer Grove, Ill./Prophetstown). Experienced sophomore Marcus Ruff (Avon, Ill./Bushnell-Prairie City) figures to compete for the weak-side linebacker spot.

"This is a very tight-knit group," said Bell of his defensive unit. "They’re very enthusiastic and are the pulse of our team right now because of their veteran leadership."

For the first time in four years, Nate Palkovic will not be lining up to kick. The team scoring leader graduated but has returned to work with the kickers. Junior Kyle Tuor (Peoria, Ill./Dunlap) and freshman Shane Reschke (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo) are neck-and-neck for the starting role, but Bell admits replacing Palkovic won’t be easy.

"We’ll see who wins the job," said Bell. "It won’t be easy to fill Palkovic’s shoes, but we’ll be OK."

Other than the kicking unit and the running back positions, the 2008 version of the Scots should put a lineup on the field similar to last season’s. That’s a picture Bell doesn’t mind painting.

"I really like this team," praised Bell. "There is a tremendous amount of leadership and I think that will develop the chemistry that we’ll need to hold strong for 10 games. I believe this team is talented enough to achieve our goals."

One of those goals has been to add team balance. To that end, the Scots expect to be a threat on both sides of the ball.

At the end of the season, the Scots hope to compliment themselves on their second league title since 2005.

Sounding like Charles Dickens, women’s soccer coach Barry McNamara has great expectations for this year’s edition.

The Scots return nearly everyone from last year’s team which finished fifth in the Midwest Conference for the second straight year. The league’s coaches saw no reason to rank the Scots any higher in the pre-season poll, something McNamara may use for motivation.

"I understand why we’re picked fifth," said McNamara. "If we just changed the outcome of one game each of the last two years, we wouldn’t have been on the outside looking in. The team has set the goal of getting into the conference tournament and I think that’s a very achievable goal."

Part of McNamara’s optimism is the experience his squad returns (10 starters) plus the addition of some capable players (eight IHSSCA-honored recruits) to bolster the lineup. The top two scorers from last season, lone senior Sarah Kisner (East Moline, Ill./United Township) and sophomore Megan Meeke (Elmhurst, Ill./York), will likely patrol the midfield. Meeke should be in a more comfortable role at midfield after necessity moved her to forward as a freshman. Kisner will add some muscle and could move into the top three goalscorers all-time at Monmouth. "Strong" sophomore Becca Baur (Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville) and "gifted" freshman Kelly Russell (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) will also be in the mix.

A deep and talented roster means the Scots will have some options at all positions. Junior Emily Caron (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) and freshmen Katie Fluegel (Rockton, Ill./Hononegah) and Danica Rogers (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle) expect to provide support. Injured junior Holly White (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) will contribute once she heals.

The Scots recruited heavily at the forward position and McNamara will have his pick of a sophomore and five freshmen. Returner Niki Sue Williams (Elmhurst, Ill./Immaculate Conception), who netted a hat trick vs. Ripon last fall, will join freshmen Amy Unzicker (Morton, Ill./Morton), Molly Ball (Charleston, Ill./Charleston), Erica Kurth (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle), Valerie Piekos (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo) and Nicole Mazor (Crestwood, Ill./Shepard) as a talented and deep pool of forwards. Piekos and Mazor could also see action in the midfield.

Three of the newcomers enter college with excellent credentials, scoring a combined 95 goals as high school seniors. Unzicker, who will also play fall tennis, was a first team all-state performer. Ball, Mazor and Kurth each earned all-sectional honors their senior year, and Piekos did as a sophomore.

What had been an off-season concern has proved to be yet another bright spot for the Scots. Returning junior defenders Lauren Vana (Darien, Ill./Downers Grove South) and Whitney Ott (Moline, Ill./Alleman) and sophomores Hillary Broms (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) and Brittney Parker (Waukegan, Ill./Warren) provide a formidable back four.

"Each one of these players is pretty special," praised McNamara. "Vana is one of our toughest kids, Broms is one of the smartest defenders you’ll ever see, Ott is a tough competitor and Parker is a returning all-conference player."

If any of the defenders need a break, former starter Lindsay Johnson (Burlington, Iowa/Burlington), a junior, will be available. Johnson, tabbed as the team’s fastest player, is coming back from a minor injury in the pre-season. Freshmen Emily Shoemaker (Silvis, Ill./United Township) and Cristina Frigo (Lansing, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) are also expected to find action on the field.

If opponents get past the Scots defensive wall, they’ll have to contend with sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Wintersteen (Bloomington, Ill./U-High). Wintersteen, who played the majority of the time in goal last season while setting a team record for minutes played, has again won the job over capable additions Katerina Meletis (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) and Molly McKeown (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest).

"We feel we’ll be starting 11 quality players," said McNamara. "After the starters, we have good depth with a lot of quality."

It may be easy to draw comparisons with the 2005 team that made the school’s first appearance in the league tournament, but McNamara is hedging on that comparison.

"The 2005 team had two first team all-conference players, one at sweeper and one at forward," reported McNamara. "If we have some outstanding scoring this year, I think we can do what we did in ’05."

Excuse women’s tennis coach Kerry Frantz if he seems a bit giddy these days, but the third year coach believes he could be fielding one of the best teams in the history of the program.

"We’re expecting good things," reported Frantz. "We could be as good as, or better than, any team we’ve had in the history of the program. I’m not saying we’ll win a Midwest Conference title, but we should be close. We’ve got some ground to make up on (conference favorite) Grinnell. They’re still the team to beat."

Frantz’ optimism is due in large part to the addition of freshman Amy Unzicker (Morton, Ill./Morton) who will likely take over the No. 1 singles spot. Unzicker, who will also play soccer this fall for the Scots, bolsters an already strong lineup.

"Amy has played a lot of quality matches including some club tennis," praised Frantz. "She brings a high level of play to us immediately and is a serious contender for the No. 1 spot. If that happens, last year’s Nos. 1, 2 and 3 players would drop to Nos. 2, 3 and 4. All of them were very competitive last year, so the new alignment would make them even better by playing down a spot."

Cassie Frantz (Macomb, Ill./Macomb), the coach’s daughter, would likely move to the No. 2 singles spot in the new lineup, a move that would make her even more dangerous. The senior has been in the No. 1 spot the last two years and is tied for the career wins record. A study-abroad assignment last spring took her away from the spring season, but she is expected to regain form in the early season.

Kimi Wegner (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) experienced some "growing pains" last season after a successful high school career and coach Frantz expects his talented sophomore to lock up No. 3 singles. Wegner, playing primarily at No. 2 last season, played in numerous tight matches and Frantz expects that experience, plus the move to No. 3, will propel her to a successful season in 2008.

Last year’s No. 3, Brittany Donnelly (Metamora, Ill./Metamora), should see even more success after moving to the No. 4 singles position. The senior is tied with Frantz for the most career victories and should add to that total this season with a "powerful" baseline game.

"Brittany has never played below No. 3 singles," said Frantz. "This year’s move to No. 4 isn’t a reflection on Brittany’s play by any means. It’s a reflection of the strength of the team. I expect Brittany to dominate at No. 4."

Senior Maddy Ethington (Orland Hills, Ill./Andrew) was known early in her career as a doubles specialist, but her singles game has improved enough to slate her as the No. 5 player. While the other Scots were moved down one position, Ethington enters the season playing the highest position of her career.

While Frantz is set with his top five positions, the final spot is "wide open." Juniors Rachel Bognar (Kewanee, Ill./Kewanee), Sarah McLinden (Chicago, Ill./Queen of Peace), Kayla Seyller (Somonauk, Ill./Geneseo); sophomore Valerie Koopman (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) and freshman Julie Battcher (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) are vying for what Frantz calls it a "great opportunity" to crack the lineup.

The Scots doubles combinations should be improved, too. Frantz and Donnelly will again be paired at No. 1 with hopes of capturing the Scots’ first MWC doubles title since 1979. Unzicker and Wegner will form a formidable combination at No. 2 with the expectation they could be a team to be reckoned with for the next three years. Ethington is waiting for someone to distinguish themselves from the pool of five players to join her at No. 3 doubles.

The Scots will play a grueling early season schedule, including a pair of eight team tournaments at Western Illinois and Quincy universities in hopes that competition will have them battle-ready for conference play.

"We wanted to play a high level of teams at the start," claimed Frantz. "We’re hoping that will propel us into the conference season and help us down the road."

That road might just lead to the first league title in school history.

When the volleyball team graduated four seniors last spring, they lost nearly 50 percent of the team’s kills. So how do you replace that kind of high-caliber production from a team that placed second in the Midwest Conference last season?

"We’ll need to get more production from a variety of players," said coach Kari Shimmin. "The key will be to get points from ALL our hitters, not just a few. We have quite a few options with some good players who are anxious to play. Our six seniors have been patiently waiting in the wings, and now it’s their time to shine."

The six include all-conference middle hitter Samantha Robinson (Milan, Ill./Rockridge), Anna Damos (North Henderson, Ill./United), Amanda Boonstra (Fulton, Ill./Fulton), Tanesha Hughes (Peoria, Ill./Woodruff), Rachel Leffelman (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) and standout libero Crystal Myers (Byron , Ill./Byron). The group played behind four seniors who racked up seven all-conference awards in four years. Shimmin calls this year’s seniors a "versatile" group who can help meet the team goal of producing a wide range of attackers.

The Scots, who will employ a 6-2 offense, have three setters bidding for significant playing time. The veteran of the trio, junior Alexis Keller (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo), shared the setter’s spot last season with graduated career assists leader Colleen Wilkin. Sophomores Laura Anton (Evanston, Ill./Regina Dominican) and Alisha Shadid (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) are also in the mix, giving Shimmin options at setter as well as hitters.

"We’re looking for setters who are quick to the ball and display good court sense," reports Shimmin. "We’re still in the experimental mode, finding the right mix of setters and attackers."

Speaking of attackers, Robinson threw down a team second-best 267 kills last season and could be joined in the front row by any combination of her classmates or underclassmen. Four players are battling for two outside hitter positions. Boonstra, Leffelman, Damos and sophomore Alyson Schroeter (Woodruff, Wis./Lakeland Union) are all in the mix for playing time. Schroeter led that group with 185 kills in ’07. Shimmin reports this could be a breakout season for Leffelman who returned to camp "in the best shape she’s ever been in."

Hughes scored 218 kills last season, fourth on the team, and expects to contend for a right side attacker spot. The multi-sport Hughes, who also competes in basketball and track, brings a powerful and aggressive game to the Scots.

Freshman Kendra Newlon (Hampton, Ill./United Township) has impressed Shimmin in the preseason. The explosive newcomer should also be in the mix for an attacking position.

The defensive leader in the back row, Myers, is just 25 digs away from breaking the career record and is expected to anchor what Shimmin calls a very "solid" defense. The veteran coach expects her team to alter many would-be kills and credits that to some outstanding defensive play up front.

"Behind the blocks we may have some of the best defensive players we’ve had in quite a while," said Shimmin.

Shimmin, now in her 11th year at Monmouth, is excited about the back row. Much like the offense, the Scots have options there as well. Junior Sara Schoon (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo) and "quick" freshman Jenna Bean (Bloomington, Ill./Lexington) could also be part of the defense expected to help feed a hungry offense.

The final newcomer to the Scots, Megan Creen (Rapids City, Ill./Riverdale), could see action as either a right side or outside hitter. The freshman is making a "nice" transition from a setter and hitter in high school.

"We expect Jenna and Megan will be the players of the future," projected Shimmin. "They’ll get time with the varsity, but we’re grooming them for the future."

That future could be fairly bright for the Scots who expect to reload with plenty of ammunition in 2008.

If pre-season practice rounds are any indication, the women’s golf team could make a run at their first Midwest Conference title since their coach, Molly McNamara, was part of the Fighting Scots 2002 championship team.

"We’ve got good senior leadership, an all-conference performer and some players whose games are beginning to click," said McNamara. "We’ll see if we can put it all together over the course of the season."

Junior Lynsey Barnard (Pekin, Ill./Pekin) was the surprise of the MWC Championships last fall, playing in only one meet prior to the 72-hole conference tournament. Barnard’s 10th place finish made her the first all-conference Scot since Kacie Parge earned the honor in 2004.

"Lynsey really put the time in over the summer," praised McNamara. "She’s a naturally-gifted golfer and a great competitor. That’s a pretty good combination."

Hartshorn has added distance off the tee which McNamara reports has improved her confidence. Sackville, meanwhile, is described as a long hitter off the tee with a good stroke.

"I expect Heidi and Jessica to use their experience to have good senior seasons," said McNamara. "Both have been very consistent in practice and are showing a lot of confidence in their ability."

A sophomore, Kristin Humphrey (Polo, Ill./Polo), has impressed her coach in the early practice, firing two career-bests in the first week of practice. McNamara credits Humphrey’s short game as reason for improvement and expects her sophomore to post a team score in nearly every meet.

Junior Kendra Catterton’s (Moline, Ill./Moline) game has "clicked" and that gives her the inside track as the fifth player. Catterton’s game continues to improve each year. McNamara believes her hard work over the summer has made the difference.

"Kendra’s hard work since her freshman year is beginning to pay off," claimed her coach. "She’s scored for us in some practice rounds and that’s helping her confidence. I think she will continue to contribute."

Juniors Megan Baum (Wataga, Ill./ROWVA) and Stephanie Arrowsmith (Trivoli, Ill./Farmington) spent a couple of years away from golf but continue to improve since returning to the sport. The Scots coach reports Baum has been scoring well in the early going. Arrowsmith has been consistent, but a little work on her putting stroke could make her a challenger for a scoring spot.

Sophomore Katy Olds (Princeton, Ill./Bureau Valley) and freshmen Victoria Green (Pittsfield, Ill./Pittsfield) and Lanae Hoffman (Kinderhook, Ill./Western) round out McNamara’s group. Any one of the group could make a run at a scoring spot by season’s end.

When the Scots won the conference title McNamara’s senior year, they broke Knox’s four-year stranglehold on the crown. Since that time, Illinois College has reeled off five straight titles. McNamara is hoping this year’s Scots can repeat history, crowning themselves conference champions while ending an opponent’s title streak.

The men’s soccer team has done the math and believes, with a little addition and subtraction, they could be a contender in the Midwest Conference.

George Perry’s squad lost four one-goal contests last season and went overtime in four games, three of which ended in ties. This year, the Scots hope to score on three goals: 1) advance to the MWC tournament; 2) reduce their goals against average to less than one; and 3) increase their goals scored average to more than one.

Perry, now in his third year at the helm, has a good blend of experience and talented freshmen that could surprise the league’s coaches, who picked the Scots eighth in the pre-season poll. A return to the MWC tournament would be the team’s first appearance since 2001, when they earned the tournament title and the NCAA tournament berth that goes with it.

"I’m really pleased with our returning players’ focus," said Perry. "Our freshman came into camp stronger than expected. They’re showing good soccer knowledge and are mixing very well with our upperclassmen."

If the theory is that success begins with defense, the Scots should be in good hands. Junior Owen Robinson (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) returns in goal after playing every minute between the posts last season. Robinson has returned "quicker and stronger" and has impressed his coach with some "good decisions" in the practices.

Before opposing offenses can get a shot at Robinson, they’ll have to contend with defenders Chris Anderson (East Moline, Ill./United Township), a senior, juniors Bryan Jackson (Princeton, Ill./Princeton) and Garrett White (Woodson, Ill./Jacksonville), and the biggest of the foursome, 6-1, 206-pound sophomore Joe Howell (St. Louis, Mo./Kirkwood). Perry reports the defense is beginning to "put the pieces together" and should be a very good group.

In the midfield, the Scots return last year’s leading scorer, junior Danny Davis (Batavia, Ill./Batavia). Add in junior Patrick Blazer (Franklin Park, Ill./St. Patrick) and sophomore Adam Buol (South Beloit, Ill./Hononegah) and the Scots have an experienced midfield. Freshmen Eddie Martinez (Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben), Mark Serio (Bridgeview, Ill./Brother Rice) and Daniel Medina (Chicago, Ill./Farragut) join sophomore Daniel Sell (Lake Villa, Ill./Lakes Community) as a group expected to log serious playing time. Sell and the three freshmen bring "great intensity" to the field, which is something Perry expects will result in goal-scoring success.

Perry’s front line will look slightly different this fall with some new players at the forward positions. Juniors Lucas Knox (East Moline, Ill./United Township) and Joe Schwinger (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South) and freshman Josh Del Valle (Chicago, Ill./St. Patrick) are expected to create scoring opportunities for themselves and others.

"They are beginning to understand their roles," said Perry. "Our forwards will create some good scoring opportunities for our midfielders. I think we may get more goals from midfield, partly because of the work of the forwards."

Freshmen Zach Statham (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) and Corey Moynahan (Sherman, Ill./Williamsville) add to the improved team quickness and both are expected to log minutes off the bench.

Perry has tried to "beef up" the non-conference portion of the schedule, playing five of the first six games on the road in preparation for what could be a very competitive conference season.

"We need to play top teams early," explained Perry. "We want to see what we need to work on before we begin conference play."

If the Scots can achieve their top goal of qualifying for the MWC tournament, one of those things to work on will be extra travel arrangements come November.

HARRIERS HAVE MULTIPLE GOALS

The men’s and women’s cross country teams have two goals in mind for 2008: 1) have peak performances at the Midwest Conference and NCAA meets; and 2) be named Academic All-American as a team.

Achieving both goals for Roger Haynes’ charges will require copious amounts of hard work. The ninth-year cross county coach says both teams have returned to campus with the right attitude to achieve those goals.

"We talk about academic and athletic goals," said Haynes. "The classroom work is significant to them as a group, and that’s a good sign. Athletically, we’re shooting to have as many all-conference runners as we can."

The Fighting Scots men and women return a combined five of six all-conference runners from last season. The men’s squad is a bit shorter on numbers but high on quality, returning three of their four all-conference performers – senior Damon Bautista (Silvis, Ill./United Township) and juniors Brad Begyn (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) and Clay Staley (Hanna City, Ill./Illini Bluffs).

"Brad had a really good summer," reported Haynes of Begyn, who had the early lead over Staley as the team’s top runner. "He ran well in the Bix race. Clay had seven weeks of Marine Corps training, so he didn’t get the amount of road work in he would have liked to, but he did get a lot of fitness training."

Staley, who just missed a national berth last year, has historically been a fast starter in the early portions of races but has tended to fade in the last few miles, so he could reap the benefits of the summer’s Marine training.

"Clay needed to gain a little more strength," said Haynes. "He starts strong, but needs to be better at the finish."

Sophomores Tim Bentz (Dixon, Ill./Dixon), Matt Peharda (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods), Scott Sheller (Morton, Ill./Morton) and Craig Maher (Oak Lawn, Ill./Oak Lawn) had "solid" summer workouts in preparation for the fall season. "Talented" freshman Jonathan Welty (Dixon, Ill./Sterling Newman), who played football in high school, will dedicate his collegiate fall season to cross country and is projected to be among the Scots’ points scorers.

The women return their top seven from last season. Sophomore Mary Kate Beyer (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) and junior Katie Staab (Batavia, Ill./Batavia), who were both All-MWC runners a year ago, lead the pack and are joined by juniors Kaile Schreiner (Dixon, Ill./Newman Central Catholic), Briana Flynn (Bettendorf, Iowa/Pleasant Valley), Amy Aghababian (St. Charles, Ill./Burlington Central) and Jayme Ayers (Normal, Ill./West) and sophomore Whitney Didier (Dixon, Ill./Dixon). Like Staley for the men, Beyer narrowly missed last year’s national meet.

"Mary Kate is just the opposite of Clay," said Haynes. "She has been very consistent over the course of the race. We need her to get out a little bit faster at the start."

The Scots expect newcomers Taryn Tang (East Moline, Ill./United Township), a junior with no collegiate experience but who has performed well during summer road races, and freshman Ashley Szabo (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) to contribute. Tang’s summer performances have her tabbed as a possible top five runner.

Haynes’ women should get a boost from sophomore Brooke Potendyk (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria), who missed last season due to injury. Once back in cross country shape, Potendyk will add to the Scots’ already deep stable of women harriers.

"We think the addition of Tang, Szabo and Potendyk will make a big difference," projected Haynes.

When the MWC championship meet rolls around, Haynes is hoping his teams will be reaching their peaks.

"We need to narrow the gap in our pack times," claimed Haynes. "We’ve been pretty strong in the front, but not as good in the 3-7 as we would like to be."

With a little extra work on the course and in the classroom, the Scots could be in position to achieve their academic and athletic goals while embodying the ideal of the true student-athlete.

Congratulations are in order for former Monmouth College Sports Information intern Matt Troha ’04 on his selection as Assistant Executive Director with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

For the past three years Troha had been serving the Midwest Conference (MWC) as the league’s first full-time Sports Information Director. His duties with the IHSA will draw on that experience as he will handle much of the media relations work. MWC Commissioner Chris Graham heaped praise on the MC grad for his outstanding work in the position.

"Under his leadership a new benchmark of conference communications and promotions was developed that surpassed the Division III standard," said Graham. "Matt personifies the typical Midwest Conference graduate. He possesses tremendous skill and perspective, but his impact was anything but typical over the past three years."