Boys cross country: regional scouting, Northwest
Scouting boys cross country regionals
What to know: The top seven teams and top five runners from non-qualifying teams advance to the sectionals. Rankings below are from the Illinois Cross Country Coaches Poll.
CLASS 3A
Hoffman Estates Regional
Where: Busse Woods When: 11 a.m.
Advancement: Schaumburg sectional, Oct. 27
Outlook: No. 11 Prospect and No. 13 Hersey will lead the nine-team field that is comprised of all Mid-Suburban League teams. Prospect senior Quentin Shaffer figures to set the pace, last weekend the Knights senior won the MSL title in commanding fashion. The Knights are hoping to rebound from a fourth-place team finish in the MSL. Hersey wants to keep rolling. Sophomore David Rodriguez and junior Andy Philipose finished 6-9 in the MSL and will lead the Huskies’ effort Saturday. Hoffman Estates junior Billy Thomas, Schaumburg senior Evan Prizy, and Fremd junior Harry Winter will also be in the competitive field.
Grant Regional
Where: Camp Henry Horner, Ingleside When: 10 a.m.
Advancement: Schaumburg sectional, Oct. 27
Outlook: No. 5 Palatine and No. 6 Barrington will lock horns once again. The Pirates got the best of the Broncos at the MSL meet, squeezing by with a 10-point victory. Senior Christian Zambrano finished fourth to power the Pirates, and senior Andrew Clingerman and junior Emil Kozakiewicz stepped up big in the final mile. Senior Ryan Burgoon paced Barrington, taking third place, and junior Jake Herb continues to emerge for the Broncos. North Suburban Conference champion Lake Zurich is also in the nine-team field. Senior Alex Milner has paced the Bears this season. McHenry sophomore Jesse Reiser, who finished third in the Fox Valley Conference, will join the strong field.
Libertyville Regional
Where: Adler Park When: 3 p.m.
Advancement: Schaumburg sectional, Oct. 27
Outlook: Highland Park was ranked in ICCC poll all season, but the Giants slipped a bit in finishing fourth at the Central Suburban League meet. Warren and Buffalo Grove will give chase. Junior Steven Salvano (15:01) just missed going under 15:00, finishing in an impressive second and leading BG to a fifth-place finish at the MSL meet. Lake Forest senior Billy Bund, Warren senior Martin Martinez, and Libertyville senior Nick Korhumel went 1-2-3 at the North Suburban Conference meet. Also keep an eye out for Highland Park senior Jonah Hanig.
Loyola Regional
Where: Harm’s Woods When: 10:45 a.m.
Advancement: Niles West sectional, Oct. 27
Outlook: It looks like it will be a rematch of the Central Suburban Meet. No. 15. Maine South, New Trier, and Niles North went 1-2-3 in the CSL, separated by 35 points. Niles North senior Micah Beller, Maine South senior Jon Vaccaro, and New Trier senior Ethan Kaplan finished 1-2-3 individually. Maine West will also be in the 10-team field. Dominick Budzik leads the Warriors.
St. Ignatius Regional
Where: Washington Park, Chicago When: 1 p.m.
Advancement: Niles West sectional, Oct. 27
What to watch: Host and 13th-ranked St. Ignatius is the top team in this regional. Senior Jack Keelan will set the pace for the Wolfpack. Leyden, after finishing fourth in the West Suburban Gold, is also hoping to advance. Senior Rocco DiMatteo and senior Nick Avila finished 3-4 in the WSG and will pace the Eagles.
CLASS 2A
St. Viator Regional
Where: Melas Park When: 10 a.m.
Advancement: Fenton sectional
What to watch: St. Viator is looking to advance to its second consecutive state meet. It starts for the Lions on Saturday. St. Viator had 4 runners finish in the top ten at the East Suburban Conference meet. Junior Nick Brey paced the Lions with a third-place finish.
— Michael Eaken