advertisement

Boys cross country / Scouting Northwest

By Michael Eaken

Daily Herald Correspondent

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Buffalo Grove

Coach: Jamie Klotz (12th year).

Last year: Fifth in Class 3A, 5th at Schaumburg sectional, 3rd Hoffman regional, 2nd in MSL.

Key losses: Jereme Atchison, Taras Didenko, Dan Roe.

Top returning runners: Steven Salvano (jr.), Yegor Krutikov (sr.), Eli Hinkle (so.), Jake Wenzel (so.), Jason Clark (sr.)

Top newcomers: Kevin Salvano, Tom Cleary.

Outlook: Buffalo Grove capped its best season ever with a fifth-place finish in Class 3A last season. But the Bison took a major hit to graduation, losing among others Atchison, who finished fifth at state. Klotz is looking to reload, and Steven Salvano will play a big part.

Elk Grove

Coach: David Dompke (fifth year).

Last year: 12th in MSL.

Key loss: Alex Mertes.

Top returning runners: Joey Kraemer (jr.), Mike Frintner (jr.), Ryan Hennessy (jr.), Zach Pindras (jr.), Robert Uehera (sr.).

Top newcomers: Mike Banasik.

Outlook: The Grenadiers will lean on a group of juniors led by Kraemer, who finished third in MSL frosh/soph meet.

Hersey

Coach: Jay Renaud (second year).

Last year: 7th at Hoffman Estates regional, 8th in MSL.

Top retuning runners: Andy Philipose (jr.), David Rodriguez (so.), Robert Somary (sr.) Ryan Kearns (sr.), Grant Vonder Lippe (so.), Jack O’Neil (jr.), Matt Stadnicki (jr.).

Top newcomers: Kevin Kovach (jr.), Tom Schwaba, Brendan Stonequist.

Outlook: Optimism is high, especially with the Huskies returning its entire top 12. Last year they were young, but they gained valuable experience, especially during a solid track season.

This year Hersey is poised to make a move led by Philipose and Rodriguez. Somary is the veteran who will guide the Huskies attack. They are solid and will be knocking on the door for a state berth.

Prospect

Coach: Mike Stokes (21st year).

Last year: 6th in Class 3A, 2nd at Schaumburg sectional, 1st at Hoffman regional, 5th in MSL.

Key losses: Josh Campos, Mike Thill, Ethan Koch, Connor Fitzgerald.

Top returning runners: Michael Leet (sr.), Quentin Schaffer (sr.), Max

Daleiden (jr.), Blake Hallman (jr.), Thomas Paczko (sr.).

Top newcomers: Max Gonzalez (jr.), Mike Anderson (so.), Ben Pederson

(jr.), Tommy Mathews (so.).

Outlook: Prospect had a fantastic finish last season taking 6th in Class 3A, with Leet making all-state, finishing in 20th place. Schaffer is also looking for a big year and will team with Leet to power the Knights attack. Daleiden is making up ground and could push the lead pack by late season. Prospect should be considered a state trophy threat and will also push Palatine for the MSL title.

Rolling Meadows

Coach: Frank Schweda (fourth year).

Last year: 10th at Schaumburg sectional, 6th at Hoffman Estates

regional, 7th in MSL.

Key losses: Brandan Thielsen, J.P. Manzanarez, Jimmy Dohn, Andrew

LeTourneau, Brian Rooney, Eric Ure.

Top returning runners: Alex Duman (sr.), Aaron Sanchez (jr.), Josh

Smith (sr.), Jamie Brunskill (sr.).

Top newcomers: Jack Davis (jr.), Ark Wrobel (jr.), Andrew Vinopal

(jr), Ian Fitzgerald (jr.), Tony Sarussi (so.).

Outlook: Rolling Meadows lost 6 of its top 7 runners from a very solid squad. Duman returns and with Smith and Sanchez the Mustangs are hoping to piece together another substantial run.

Wheeling

Coach: Tom Polak

Last year: 15th at Schaumburg sectional, 5th at Hoffman regional, 11th

in MSL.

Key losses: Nick Modlin, Jordi Arriaga, Jose Ortiz.

Top returning runners: Bruce Ferraro (jr.), Edwin Arteaga (jr.), Edwin

Hernandez (so.), Cole Dammeier, Alfonso Figueroa (sr.), Brian Hernandez (so.), Dakota Laing (jr.).

Top newcomers: Ziggy Jasiunas, Steven Abraham, Roberto Gonzalez, Justin Loquercio, Jesus Perez.

Outlook: Top returnee Ferraro is still recovering from an injury that sidelined him during the spring. Wheeling will look for progress from Arteaga and Dammeier. Last year the Wildcats advanced to their first sectional since 2007 and they are looking for a much quicker return.

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Barrington

Coach: Ty Gorman (10th year).

Last year: 8th in Class 3A, 4th at Schaumburg sectional, 3rd at Palatine regional, 4th in MSL.

Key losses: Erik Peterson, Nolan Wojtowicz.

Top returning runners: Ryan Burgoon (sr.), Mike Rappleye (sr.), Kerry Frank (sr.), Konrad Eiring (so.), Ryan Skelly (sr.).

Top newcomers: Jake Herb, Ryan Perkins, Andrew McAuliff.

Outlook: The Broncos will miss Peterson, the two-time defending MSL champion who also finished 8th in Class 3A, but the pieces are there for another impressive season. It starts with Burgoon, who finished a surprising fourth at the MSL meet and then secured an all-state medal by finishing 23rd in Class 3A. Burgoon will pace a Broncos attack that will be in the thick of the MSL race. Rappleye and Eiring also have state experience and will aid the Broncos attack that has its sights set on a return to Peoria.

Conant

Coach: John Powers (13th year).

Last year: 7th at Schaumburg sectional, 4th at Hoffman Estates regional, 6th in the MSL.

Key losses: Tyler Schneider (Missouri), James Weaver, Alex Miller.

Top returning runners: Joe Sulentic (sr.), Zach Dale (so.).

Top newcomers: Matt Andress (sr.), Rob Smolik (jr.), AJ Thiede (jr.), James Pesce (jr.), Shujaat Sultan (so.), James Janczy (so.).

Outlook: Schneider helped power a late season surge by the Cougars last season, but won’t be around this season. Dale showed plenty of potential by taking first in the MSL frosh/soph race and is an emerging star. Sulentic is also key member and the two are looking to lead a young squad that hopes to develop throughout the season.

Fremd

Coach: Darius Sanchez (second year).

Last year: 9th in MSL.

Key loss: Jake Winter.

Top returning runners: Harry Winter (jr.), Nick Vucovich (jr.), Nick Macius (jr.), Danny Johnson, Andrew Marturano (sr.), Josh Peterson (sr.), Jacob Wilson (sr.).

Outlook: Fremd could surprise some teams this season. It starts with Winter, who is knocking on the door for state qualification. Vucovich and Macius have had a strong summer and will contribute.

attack.

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Brenden Mariano (second year).

Last year: 10th in MSL.

Top returning runner: Billy Thomas (jr.).

Top newcomer: Brennan Albuck.

Outlook: Mariano has the Hoffman program on the move and is expecting big things from Thomas this season. Last year Thomas finished 13th in the MSL, and the junior is primed for a big season this year. Albuck is new to the program but isn’t too far off Thomas’s pace. The two Hawks will lead the attack this season. Mariano is looking to fill in the blanks after his two front runners and will work to narrow the gap.

Palatine

Coach: Chris Quick (seventh year).

Last year: Class 3A state champion, Schaumburg sectional champion, Palatine regional champion, MSL champion.

Key losses: Anthony Gregorio (Iowa), Peter Tomkiewicz (Grand Valley State), Tim Meincke (Eastern Illinois), Tim Johnson (Missouri), Marcus Garcia (UIC), Noah Brown.

Top returning runners: Christian Zambrano (sr.), Graham Brown (so.), Andrew Clingerman (sr.), Zach Stella (sr.), Brian Smith (sr.), Tyler Squeo (sr.), Joe Mars (sr.).

Top newcomers: Emil Kozakiewicz (jr.), Argeni Bailon (jr.), Patrick Seeberger (so.), Connor McGough (so.), Adam Brauer (jr.), Eddie Graham (jr.), Dean Kolar (jr.).

Outlook: Palatine capped a sensational season by winning the Class 3A title last year, this year the Pirates are looking to reload. They lost their entire top five, but the cupboard is not bare. Zambrano and Brown are looking to keep the Pirates attack buzzing. Brown is definitely an emerging star and may be ready to make his mark. There are a lot of unknowns for this team, but Quick has a way of pulling things together. It will be a bit tougher this season, but the Pirates should once again contend for an MSL title and make a push down at the state meet.

Schaumburg

Coach: Scott Lillley

Last year: 6th at Schaumburg sectional, 2nd at Hoffman Estates regional, 3rd in MSL.

Key losses: Tyler Anderson, Pat Swiech, Brian Flight.

Top returning runners: Evan Prizy (sr.), Juan Barajas (sr.), Travis Rauch (sr.), Stephen Pillar (sr.), Mikias Tibebu (sr.), Omar Alhayek (jr.), Nick Smith (sr.).

Outlook: Schaumburg fizzled a bit after finishing third in the MSL, as the Saxons finished sixth at the sectional and missed qualifying for state. Schaumburg lost three runners from last year’s squad, but the Saxons do return Prizy, who finished 9th in the MSL. Prizy is the real deal and will power the Saxons attack. Barajas is also looking for a big season. Schaumburg is looking to make some noise and will push the MSL leaders.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Maine West

Coach: Andrew Trotter (22nd year).

Last year: 6th at Loyola regional, 4th in the CSL North.

Key losses: Felipe Garcia (Oakton CC), Eric Vogel, Nathan Schiavone.

Top returning runners: Dominick Budzik (so.), Alex Liston (so.), Doug Ortiz (sr.), Mike Picchiotti (sr.), Kyle Morishita (sr.), Ben Brissette (sr.).

Outlook: Budzik had a solid freshman campaign and is looking to continue his momentum. Trotter will also rely on a experienced group of seniors to push the Warriors attack.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

St. Viator

Coach: Wayne Edelman (sixth year).

Last year: 25th in Class 2A, 4th at Fenton sectional, 3rd at Mather regional, 3rd in ESCC.

Key loss: Elliot Hilgert.

Top returning runners: Kevin Schreiber (sr.), Nick Brey (jr.), Tyler Sammons (sr.), Will Biersdorf (sr.), Ryan Gurreri.

Top newcomers: Drew Morton, Jacob Bonnanotte, Tom Schreiber.

Outlook: St. Viator qualified for the state meet for the first time last season and Edelman is hoping to lead the Lions back to Peoria again. Schrieber will power Viator’s attack, the senior finished eighth at the ESCC meet and seventh at the Fenton sectional. Brey, Sammons, and Biersdorf will aid the Lions charge.

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

Leyden

Coach: Rick Mason (fifth year).

Last year: 5th at St. Ignatius regional, 3rd in WSG.

Key losses: Fabian Cabrera, Paul Bosnyak, George Johnson, Deep Shah.

Top returning runners: Rocco DiMatteo (sr.), Nick Avila (sr.), Pedro Solis, Nathan Colindres (jr.), Danny Vilchez, Robert Garcia.

Top newcomers: Josh Pitts, Mateusz Szelazek

Outlook: Leyden lost 5 of its top 7 runners including Cabrera, a state qualifier. DiMatteo and Avila return and will lead the Eagles’ charge. Mason is hoping the team can narrow the gap with its two front runners and develop throughout the season.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.