Boys cross country / Scouting Lake County
North Suburban Lake
Lake Zurich
Coach: J.B. Hanson (sixth season)
Last year’s record: state runner-up in Class 3A, 3-time defending NSC champions
Top graduated seniors: Victor Delatorre (Eastern Illinois), Alex Brend (Minnesota), Ryan Moncrieff (Miami, OH), Andrew Lulis (Augustana), Shawn Picha
Top returning competitors: seniors Pat Juras (17th in Class 3A), Jon Smith, David Smith, Pat McPartlan; junior Jared Ripoli
Key newcomers: juniors Jon Ramirez, Alex Milner, Trevor Kuehr
Outlook: The Bears’ second-place finish to York by a mere two points last fall was one of the biggest shockers in IHSA boys cross country history. And while three of the top 37 runners in the state from that team graduated, Lake Zurich’s current team knows that it has the potential to compete with some of the best in the state.
Libertyville
Coach: Mark Buesing (11th season)
Last year’s record: fourth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Mike Schmitz
Top returning competitors: seniors Dan Ryan, Kevin Heller, Kevin Pfeil, Easton Huch, J.P. Pastella, Cam Taylor, Kevin Burke; juniors Nick Korhumel, Evan Bujak, Forest Wagner
Key newcomers: freshman Max Roberts
Outlook: After losing only one key runner to graduation, the Wildcats should really be in for an outstanding 2011 campaign. Korhumel and Ryan placed 19-20 in the rugged NSC and the team has depth and experience with Heller primed for his senior season.
Mundelein
Coach: John Osmanski (eighth season)
Last year’s record: second in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Martin Mena (UW-Parkside), Kyle Hendrickson (Loras College), Gian Carlo Vassallo (Roosevelt University), Robbie Munnings (U of I)
Top returning competitors: seniors Nitesh Kumar, Adam Fell
Key newcomers: senior Jorge Becerra; junior Cooper Lohr; sophomore Liam Mellon; freshmen Mickey Cardenas, Bryce Richards
Outlook: With an experienced pack leading the way, the Mustangs placed second to Lake Zurich in conference and reached the sectional meet as a team in 2010. Now, Mundelein will try to regroup with a solid core of runners who have put in a lot of time during the hot summer months.
Stevenson
Coach: Scott Somers (fourth season)
Last year’s record: seventh in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Kevin Wood (Middlebury College), Greg Chavez
Top returning competitors: seniors Alex Goldberg, Jonathan Kersky, Konnor Kruse, Diego Chavez, James Vestuto; juniors Thomas Russell, Danny Gardiner; sophomore David Bredin
Key newcomers: junior Jon Rice
Outlook: The Patriots will be hard-pressed to replace all-stater Wood (19th in Class 3A). But with Goldberg now expected to lead its pack, Stevenson is still expected to be very competitive in the NSC this season.
Warren
Coach: Bill Dawson (30th season)
Last year’s record: third in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Kevin Vollrath (U. of Chicago), Matt Message (Wisconsin-Stout), Miguel Herrerra (Carthage College)
Top returning competitors: seniors Mike Harland, Tyler Herman, Roberto Lara, Pat Ward; juniors Martin Martinez (20th at sectionals), Jacob Butler, Joe Severini, Eric Boutelle, Connor Franczyk
Key newcomers: seniors Jusuf Saranic, Taylor Carlile; juniors Chris Ruman, Tim Neal, Mike Neal, Parker Phair; sophomores Reese Brady, Michael Kleine, Adam Shurson
Outlook: The Blue Devils have a standout in Martin Martinez to lead their pack again this season. But Warren’s ultimate success will depend upon how well the next six varsity runners fill in behind their young leader.
North Suburban Prairie
Antioch
Coach: Dave Judson (17th season)
Last year’s record: 13th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Anthony Rucker, Brian Kay
Top returning competitors: seniors Travis Gantz, Cade England, Roland Coutcher; sophomores Tyler Thorn, Jarett Baker
Key newcomers: freshmen Dan Ressler, Zach Besson
Outlook: The transfer of top runner Matt Poss to Des Moines (Iowa) will leave a huge void at the front of the Sequoits’ pack this season. But despite being young overall, Antioch’s team does have some experienced runners returning.
Grant
Coach: Jeff Durlak (fifth season)
Last year’s record: sixth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Ryan Mamerow (North Central), Jay Wisniewski
Top returning competitors: senior Justin Sanchez; junior Trent Peters-Clarke (11th in NSC); sophomores Dalyn Romig, Jorge Costilla
Key newcomers: junior Peter Audrain; freshmen Jeff Brundidge, Sam Axelsson, Matt Marander
Outlook: The Bulldogs will miss 2010 state-qualifier Mamerow anchoring their lineup this season. But they do have an all-conference runner in Peters-Clarke ready to lead their pack, which still has some promising depth to fall back on.
Lakes
Coach: Andy Schroeder (seventh season)
Last year’s record: eighth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Blake Franson (Wisconsin-LaCrosse), Danny McGrath, Ryan Hergott, David Kosman
Top returning competitors: seniors Josh Camp, Wesley Gonzalaz; juniors Ryan Prais (two-time state qualifier), Tanner Morgan; sophomore Jimmy Burchard
Key newcomers: seniors Rich Baker, Ethan Ashmore; sophomore Tyler Lorhmann; freshman Daniel Miller
Outlook: Despite having four of their top seven runners graduate, the Eagles hope to retain their Prairie Division crown this season. Prais will be aiming for a third straight trip downstate after placing 16th as a freshman and 35th as a sophomore.
Round Lake
Coach: Kevin Brady (seventh season)
Last year’s record: ninth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Juan Carrera (Southern Illinois), Cristian Bayadares
Top returning competitors: seniors Anthony Arenas, Sergio Martinez, Victor Contreras; juniors Roberth Paz, Angel Carrera, Manuel Ocana, Jorge Villa
Key newcomers: senior Robert Cruz; junior Orlando Orteaga; sophomore Robert Pisarski;freshmen Noberto Carcia, Rosendo Acosta
Outlook: The Panthers will miss the leadership of graduated two-time state qualifier Juan Carrera. But they still have a solid group of runners back and they should be competitive in the Prairie Division again.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Michael Roberts (fifth season)
Last year’s record: 11th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Nick Garpow
Top returning competitors: senior Kyle Schrems; junior Morgan Lichtenstein; sophomores Kyle Whitney, Ben Mohrdieck, Nick Webber
Key newcomers: juniors Oleg Babin, Dan Galinovskiy; freshmen Ben Dobbertin, Tyler Smith, Rob Williams
Outlook: The Cougars’ program has seen a big bump upward in numbers this season, which bodes well for the future of the young squad. Sophomores Whitney and Mohrdieck should be two major factors for Roberts’ squad in 2011.
Wauconda
Coach: Al Willhoit (33rd season)
Last year’s record: 10th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Jake Stronz, Robert Brunn, Cameron Ciesil
Top returning competitors: seniors Thomas Webb, Erik Summerville, Connor Rueb, Steve Stiller, Bobby Adelezzi; juniors David Carter, Colin Bernhardt
Key newcomers: junior Brentley Hovey; sophomore Kevin Vaughan; freshmen Austin Pequeno, Matt Bulgarelli
Outlook: After losing five of their top seven runners to graduation, the Bulldogs will be in a rebuilding mode. But if the pieces begin to fall into place, Willhoit hopes his team will turn the corner by regional time.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Carmel
Coach: Jim Halford (25th season)
Last year’s record: eighth in regionals
Top graduated seniors: Brian Waldron, Jimmy Heid
Top returning competitors: seniors K.J. Matuszak, Jordan Yancey, Christian Horcher, John Housner; junior Alex Warkenthien; sophomores Dillon Novak, Anthony Gatusso
Key newcomers: freshman Patrick Hogan
Outlook: Competing in the smaller Class 2A for the first time should benefit the Corsairs this fall. They also have the luxury of a great front-runner in all-state hopeful Matuszak to lead their pack, despite having an overall lack of team depth to fall back on.
Fox Valley Conference
Grayslake Central
Coach: Jim Centella (third season)
Last year’s record: 7th in FVC
Top graduated seniors: Kyle Rehberg, Michael Hamilton (CLC)
Top returning competitors: seniors Luke Zygmunt (45th in Class 2A), Will Brewster, Brent Rische, Brett Seaholm; junior Kevin Boyle;sophomores Ben Shwaiko, Kirk Dickson
Key newcomers: sophomore Kevin Orozco; freshman Tommy Zygmunt
Outlook: The Rams hope to move up with the elite teams of the FVC and they have one of the best 1-2 punches in the state in Class 2A behind Zygmunt and Brewster. Both of those two seniors are coming off of great track seasons last spring, and Grayslake Central is pushing for a trip downstate this fall.
Grayslake North
Coach: Brandon Boyd (seventh season)
Last year’s record: ninth in FVC
Top graduated seniors: Tyler Vincent
Top returning competitors: seniors Matt Kendzior, Matt Zaverdas, Tim Rollings; junior Brett Brown
Key newcomers: sophomore Ryan Bruder; freshman Jack Barreca
Outlook: With Kendzior ready to lead the Knights’ pack into competition, Grayslake North is hoping to make a push up the FVC standings this season despite having a relatively young squad at the varsity level.