Harper ready to make another run
Men's and women's cross country teams will compete in the NJCAA Division III, Region IV meet Saturday at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon.
The women's race begins at 11 a.m, and the men leave the starting line at noon.
Both of the entrants from Harper College are ranked No. 1 nationally.
"Our goal is to beat everybody," said Harper coach Jim Macnider. "We have looked good."
Scott Williams returns for a second trip to the regional meet. After a midseason illness put a damper on the Barrington alum's season, Macnider says he has looked very strong.
Macnider characterizes this year's team as being as deep as any team he's had at Harper. He said a very good freshman class has filled in some of the gaps.
The highest profile recruit, Sean Sanaghan (Prospect), has played a key role.
"He's really a talented young man," Macnider said.
Harper's women's squad has been making a go of it without Ali Gutt (Schaumburg), who excelled with the Hawks for two seasons before continuing her running career at Eastern Illinois.
"It would be hard to replace Ali," Macnider said.
The good news is, the Hawks still have some seasoned talent leading the way in All-Americans Breanna Bogucki and Natalie Cook.
"Bree is a special kid," Macnider said of the Cary-Grove alum. "She works hard."
Freshmen will also play a key role for the women's team.
Misbah Baig has been Harper's fastest runner to date, and Macnider says she's also taken on a leadership role.
Another freshman of note is Rachael Temple (Grant), who has added quality depth as the Hawks' fourth or fifth runner.
"They are all coming around," MacNider said of the women's squad.
Volleyball title defense begins: The top-ranked Harper College volleyball team begins its national championship defense at 10 a.m. Saturday, when the Hawks play the winner of Wednesday's quarterfinal between Rock Valley College and Joliet Junior College at Elgin Community Community College.
If Harper wins that semifinal of the NJCAA Division III, Region IV tournament, it's on to the championship at 3 p.m.
"Winning at any level isn't easy," cautions Harper coach Bob Vilsoet.
Harper is 33-5 this season, and all of its losses are to teams ranked higher than 19th in the NJCAA poll.
College of DuPage is the No. 3 seed in the regional and will meet No. 2 Madison in the other semifinal.
The Hawks entered the season with plenty of talent back from last year's title run.
Two players to keep an eye on this postseason are Sarah Udoni, the MVP of last year's NJCAA tourney, and setter Emily Huprich, a transfer from Southern Illinois who leads the nation in assists.
While Vilsoet is comfortable with the idea of being a favorite to repeat as national champs, he's urging a one-set-at-a-time approach. It will take a total of five victories for Harper to claim what it is after.
"You still have to win those five to win the national title," he said.