Boys track: Scouting Northwest
MID-SUBURBAN WEST
Barrington
Coach: Todd Kuklinski (10th Year)
Last season: fifth place MSL
Key losses: James Paijich (State qualifier - Wheaton), Erik Peterson (7th in state 3,200 – Butler), Peter Lee, Alex Collins, Hank Mitchell, Nolan Wojtowicz (State qualifier), Chase Soeldner, AJ Scarbrough (State champion Triple jump), Prentiss Brooks, Matt Geleske, Jacob Svoboda.
Key returnees: Seniors – Ray Tolentino, Dan Jaderholm, John Larsen, Ryan Skelly, Ryan Burgoon (State qualifier), Alec Webber, Kevin Gordon, Terry Frank, Anthony Espinoza, Joe Yassin, Alex Broderick; Juniors – Jacob Hallstrom, Ryan Perkins, Adam Phillips, Jac Goetch, Mike Rappleye, Jake Herb, Johnny Andraschko, JP Brooks, Michael Carbonara; Sophomores – Konrad Eiring, Brandon Melyenchuk, David Tung, Julius Smith.
Top newcomers: Seniors – David Cerney, Akeel Abdelhadi; Junior – Parker Deloye; Sophomores – Terrance McGovern, Kyle Monahan, Tyler Anderson, Scotty Miller.
Outlook: It’s hard to believe that six years have passed since the Broncos last won the league. This year, that streak looks like it could come to an end with a very deep roster. The Broncos have plenty of veteran talent but the newcomers in Deloye, Cerney and Miller already have made significant impacts during the indoor season. Burgoon, Skelly, Goetch and Eiring are solid group of veterans that will help lead the Broncos back to the top.
Conant
Coach: John Powers (5th year)
Last season: third place MSL
Key losses: Ben Bowers (3rd in state high jump – Penn), Tyler Schneider (State qualifier – Missouri), James Weaver (State qualifier), Alex Miller (Marquette), Tom Zidek (Olivet Nazarene).
Key returnees: Seniors – Joe Sulentic, Darius Cunningham, Vasil Vasilev, Justin Bowers, Erik Killian, Scott Shin, Kevin Engebretsen, Tim, Odarczenko, Alec Field, Scott Eilirch; Juniors – Jack Hutchison, Hugh Hutchison
Top newcomers: Senior – James Flanagan; Junior – Eije Okpa; Sophomore – Zach Dale; Freshman – Chris Serrano
Outlook: One of the great early surprises in 2013 has been the emergence of Dale and the continued success of Sulentic. While the losses to graduation are big ones for the Cougars, there is plenty of top level talent at the top of the lineup for Powers and Conant. Okpa is a newcomer to watch and Cunningham could be a force in the sprints as he looks to replace the veteran Zidek. Look for the Hutchinson brothers to be key contributors this spring.
Fremd
Coach: Jim Aikens (24th Year)
Last season: MSL West Champs, MSL Champions, Sectional Champions
Key losses: Christian Vail (Duke), Matt Jackson, AJ McGhee, Brandon Esquivel, Jake Winter (State qualifier), Nick Bednarek (9th in state pole vault – Illinois State), Tim Lehigh, Connor Pfister (State qualifier – Washington (MO), Dave Mollado (State qualifier - Judson).
Key returnees: Seniors – Jake Lewis, Chris Carracher, Chris Mendiola, Kevin Winberg, Pawel Klimak, Andy Marturano, Will Grubbe; Juniors – Nick Vucovich (State qualifier), Jake Wilson, Joshua Yamamoto, Griffin Fujii, Aaron Harris, Garret Groot, Brad Rueehrdanz, Harry Winter (State qualifier), Matt Konopka, Nick Macius (State Qualifier); Sophomores – Darius Burchette
Top newcomers: Senior – Kamil Grudzien; Juniors – Tom Mayer, Sebastian Urban, Jordan Walker; Sophomore – Pat McMahon
Outlook: Defending the conference title is nothing new for Fremd. Only problem is, the Vikings haven’t done so since they won back-to-back in 2004 and 2005. To repeat, look for the Vikings to rely on Lewis, Winberg, Vucovich and Winter. Macius is another big point getter as is Konopka and one of the top young sprinters in the conference in Burchette. Walker, Mayer, and Grudzien will play key roles for the Vikings.
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Tyrone Jones (sixth Year)
Last season: 11th place MSL
Key losses: James Vaughn (State qualifier)
Key returnees: Senior – Jared Bruemmer, Alex Tooren, Connor Dressler, Brennan Albuck, Adam Long, Fred Williams, Mike Jackson; Juniors – Billy Thomas; Sophomores – Javonte Brownlee.
Top newcomers: Juniors – Alex Escobar, Ridwan Dadeno, Jalen Andersen; Sophomore – Corey Riley
Outlook: In getting the program back in the right direction, the Hawks will look to rely on the strong distance group led by Thomas. Bruemmer is a do it all type that could qualify in a number of events. Brownlee is an emerging field event specialist in the throwing events. Dressler is another veteran while the additions of Riley, Escobar and Anderson will help build the foundation for a growing program. The Hawks host the conference championships and sectional meets this spring which should provide extra motivation.
Palatine
Coach: John Nalley (22nd Year)
Last season: Fourth place MSL
Key losses: Tim Meincke (Eastern Illinois), Julian Turner, Peter Tomkiewicz (8th place 3,200 – Grand Valley State), Jinho Kim, Anthony Gregorio (Iowa), Tim Johnson (9th place 3,200 relay - Missouri), Taylor Hall, Marcus Garcia (State qualifier – Illinois-Chicago), Kendric Cornelius (9th in state 3,200 relay - Carthage).
Key returnees: Seniors – Cam Kuksa (State qualifier), Kevin Riggs, John Serio, Brad Walls, Ken Cervenka, Justin Roberts, Jordan Jarrett, Rob Hank, Andrew Clingerman (9th place 3,200 relay), Zach Stella, Christian Zambrano (9th place 3,200 relay), Alex Nawrot, Nick Dorsen, Pawanjitt Dhaliwal, Josh Baldos; Juniors Chaka Kelly, Kristaff Langford, EJ Miller; Sophomores – Jake La Rocca, Graham Brown
Top newcomers: Juniors – Jerome Bradley, Shaheim Kelley, River Crane; Sophomores – Rob Fekete, Josh Mackie, Gavin Falotico; Freshman – Dan Garcia
Outlook: No matter who the Pirates lose to graduation, they always seem to reload. This year they will have to dig especially deep to replace some heavy graduation losses. But the return of Zambrano, Clingerman and Brown will solidify the distance events. Kuksa is the do-it-all type of Pirate that has made Palatine a force of late. Finding the right pieces for the sprinting events will be a huge key for the Pirates. If they are able to find that depth, consider Palatine a threat in the MSL this spring.
Schaumburg
Coach: Ryan Senica (3rd Year)
Last season: Sixth place MSL
Key losses: Wyatt Kondras, Tyler Anderson (Eastern Illinois), Pat Swiech, Andrew Selep (State qualifier – Monmouth), Brandon Kibby, Isaiah Trotter
Key returnees: Seniors – Evan Prizy (State qualifier), Lee Duhs (State Qualifier), Juwaan Richard (State qualifier), David Rodgers, Travis Rauch, Nick Smith, Jan Dimaano, Aryus Diggenses, Stephen Piller, Juan Barajas; Juniors – Sadarris Patterson, Edwin Kelly, Adam Maslowski, Stacey Smith
Top newcomers: Sophomores – AJ Vetter, Jarman McMillan, Juan Maldonado, Brendan Parker, Cesar Arenas
Outlook: To win the conference title it takes talent, the stars aligning, and a little luck. The Saxons have the talent part with seniors Richard, Prizy, and Dimaano leading the way. But where this team excelled last spring was a talented group of sophomores and those sophomores are now juniors with Patterson, Kelly and Smith all looking to play key roles. Duhs will be a factor in the throws as the Saxons look to win their first MSL title since 1995.
MID-SUBURBAN EAST
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Jamie Klotz (10th year)
Last season: Ninth place MSL
Key losses: Dan Roe (State qualifier – Missouri), Jereme Atchison (State Qualifier - Illinois), William Patino, Taras Didenko (State qualifier - Bradley), Mohammed Khan, Joe Bernardo, Luke Kulick
Key returnees: Seniors – Kevin Newman (State qualifier), Nick Bernardo, Yegor Krutikov, Todd Ahlers, Dan Kim, Jonah Agustyn, Ken Grond, John Pallister, AJ Wright; Juniors – Koji Yoshida, Steven Salvano
Top newcomers: Sophomore – John Maddox; Freshmen – Tom Cleary, Kevin Salvano.
Outlook: Distance has been king for Klotz and the Bison of late and that doesn’t appear to change any time soon with the Salvano brothers shining already this season. Pallister and Wright will help in the field but a hole remains in the sprints. Grond and Bernardo will be counted on there. Newman looks to medal at state in his third trip down.
Elk Grove
Coach: Brian Bucciarelli (5th Year)
Last season: 12th place MSL
Key losses: Alex Mertes, Dejan Besara, Fernando Lozano (State qualifier – Illinois Wesleyan), Martin Diaz, Greg Johnson
Key returnees: Juniors – Brandon Soriano, John Pass, Trabon Royal; Sophomores – Paul Ifianyi (State qualifier), Peter Ifianyi
Top newcomer: Junior - Keyshawn Brown
Outlook: In only one season, the Ifianyi brothers may have made the biggest impact of any first year runner in the conference. Now in their second campaign, state medals are the goal. Soriano will help contribute to a strong 1600 relay. The Grenadiers have not had a state medalist since 2008, but Paul Ifianyi and his relay mates look to end that this spring. Ifianyi is also a strong contender in the 400 as he qualified last year.
Hersey
Coach:Ken Blazek (19th Year)
Last season: Eighth place MSL
Key losses: Mark Balmes (3rd in state shot put, 6th in state discus – Carthage), Jason Palatty, Steve Kuc, Kevin Mengarelli, Jackson Smith, Blake Robinson, Chase Monckton.
Key returnees: Seniors – Jim Olsen, Robert Somary (State qualifier), Matt Dini, Tom Mahachek, Brandon Veenendaal, Ed Beyer, Ryan Kearns, Paul Fredrick, Shyan Das Madan, ; Juniors – Ryan Garrett, Andrew Phillipose (State qualifier), Kevin Kovach, John Cha, Jacob Komenda, Eric DeLoera; Sophomores – David Rodriguez.
Top newcomers: Juniors – Eddie Miklasz, Sam Harvey, San Hwang; Sophomores – Joe Caputo, Cole Monckton, Mark Trevino, Kyle Svoboda.
Outlook: A few graduation losses should not derail what should be a very strong season for the Huskies. The distance is as good as it gets in the conference led by Somary and Phillipose. Rodriguez had a very successful first year in the distance events as well and should play a significant role for the Huskies. Garrett, O’Neil and Kovach also will be key parts to the Huskies success. Olsen and Beyer will be key contributors in the field events.
Prospect
Coach: Mike Kamedula (13th year)
Last season: MSL East Champions, MSL runner-up
Key losses: Josh Campos (3rd in state 3,200 relay - Harper), Nick Krumpholz (State qualifier), Dan Troutman (3rd in state 3,200 relay), Nick Meersman (State qualifier - DePaul), Chris Meersman (State qualifier), Ted Ford (3rd in state 3,200 relay), Sam Frasco (State qualifier), Vito Anzalone (State qualifier), Harry Hamilton, Frank Walter, Matt Rendino, Mike Thill (3rd in state 3,200 relay), Mike LaTulip, William Cooney.
Key returnees: Seniors – Dave Kendziera (State qualifier), Quentin Schaffer, Mike Leet, Ike Sunu, Shola George, Pat Costello; Juniors – Blake Hallman, Andrew Inserra, Shaun O’Carroll, Jack Tuttle, Brian Slupski,
Top newcomers: Sophomores – Sam Garcia, Brady Eckert
Outlook: No team in the conference took it on the chin to graduation quite like the Knights did. As always, Kamedula and distance coach Mike Stokes always seem to find the right mix and this year figures to be no different. Kendziera can score in a number of events, including the hurdles, for the Knights. Schaffer is one of the top distance runners in the state which makes Prospect a big meet team and one that could score big at state.
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Frank Schweda (5th Year)
Last season: Seventh place MSL
Key losses: Brendan Thielsen, Derek Heer, Michael Stec, JP Manzanares, Jimmy Dohn, Andrew Letourneau (Cincinnati), Ryan Gunderson, Jordan Diaz, Jeramie Okoh, Chase Larson
Key returnees: Seniors – Josh Smith, Noe Zarate, Jakub Szylak, Kody Cagwin (8th in state pole vault), Ted Bivolarov, Alex Duman, Matt Lisowski, Matt Matuszek, Andrew Pletch, Artis Canthaboury, Alex Brown, Tim Luever, Griffin Huck; Juniors – Aaron Sanchez.
Top newcomers: Senior – Jim Kolb; Sophomore – Mike Priller.
Outlook: Seniors will lead the way for the Mustangs this season and that’s a good thing because there is plenty of talent up top. Cagwin is one of the top returning pole vaulters in the state and Luever and Huck also figure to add valuable field points. Bivolarov, Duman and Zarate along with Smith will play big roles in the success for Meadows this spring. The MSL East is wide open and the Mustangs could be the team to step in and stop the reign of Prospect.
Wheeling
Coach: Tom Polak (11th Year)
Last season: 10th place MSL
Key losses: Andrew Jensen, Peter Kim, Jose Ortiz, Nick Modlin, Jeremy Fredrick, Collin Gallivan, Tyler Brady
Key returnees: Seniors – Cameron Decoursey, Chad Mikosz, Jesus Rodriguez, Zigi Jasiunas, Alfonso Figeuroa, Marco Ragudo; Juniors – Christian Galvan, Edwin Arteaga, Sam Yoshino, Nate Laude, Matt Greenburg
Top newcomers: Sophomores – Isaac Branch, Sean Richards, Cole Danmeier, Tyler Urban.
Outlook: For his final season, Decoursey could make it to state in any number of sprint events. The 400 and 200 seem to be his strongest, but the 100 is still a favorite. The distance events will look to rebound with Arteaga and Rodriguez leading the pack, Mikosz will be counted on in a number of events including the jumps. Laude and Danmeier figure to be major contributors for the Wildcats.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
Maine West
Coach: Andrew Trotter (20th year)
Last season: Fifth place CSL North
Key losses: Nathan Schiavone (State qualifier), Felipe Garcia (State qualifier), Alec Polovchak, Aaron Williams, Rogelio Rodriguez, Eric Vogel.
Key returnees: Seniors – Alex Gasca (State qualifier), Richard Leon (State qualifier), Matt Romano, Doug Ortiz, Brad Ritzema, Julio Fernandez; Jakouri Glover-Jones.
Top newcomer: Sophomore – Alex Liston; Freshman – Shane Huffaker
Outlook: For the Warriors to make an impact in the rugged CSL North, Gasca, Leon and Liston will need to make an impact and if the indoor season is any indication the trio surely will. The 3,200 and 1,600 relays have been staples for this program for years and favorites of Trotter. Good balance and talented seniors should lead the way for both relays down state this spring. Glover-Jones and Ritzema are ones to watch.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
Leyden
Coach: Tom Cartwright (sixth year)
Last season: Sixth place WSC Gold
Key losses: Krystian Chudoba, Paul Bosynak (State qualifier), George Johnson (State qualifier), Lucas Gimier, Matt Gniecki, Eddie Perez, Nelson Lugo, Fabian Cabrera (State qualifier - Aurora), Deep Shah
Key returnees: Seniors –Jonathan Rodriguez, Ryan Sarno, Paul Reynoso, Rocco Dimatteo, Nick Avila, Juan Salgado, Anthony Martinez; Juniors – Keenan Davis
Top newcomers: Juniors – Aaron Wigham, Billy Schuster
Outlook: Usually the indoor season is a good indicator of things to come for the Eagles and all signs point to a strong season for Leyden. Sarno, Reynoso, Dimatteo and Avila will be counted on in the field and on the track for the Eagles this spring. Davis is another contributor and the additions of Wigham and Schuster should bolster the depth on the roster. A move to the top half of the WSC is a very achievable goal for the Eagles this spring.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
Carmel Catholic
Coach: Jim Halford (29th Year)
Last season: Third place ESCC
Key losses: Brian Kadowaki (State qualifier), Pat Gray, Anthony Paul, Jack Schoen (7th place 1600 relay), K.J. Matsuzak (UW Parkside), Jordan Yancey (7th place 1600 relay), Christian Horcher (7th place 1600 relay), Devin Becker, Kenny Miller, JP Blaida 7th place 1600 relay).
Key returnees: Seniors – Chase Reiger, Zach Ballitan; Juniors - Dillon Novak, Alex Warkenthien, Dan Santos, Max Johnson, Austin Fenger; Sophomores – David Biondo, Patrick Tastika, Collin Psenka.
Top newcomers: Sophomores – Nuriel Canles, Patrick Hogan; Freshman – Michael Cusack
Outlook: It’s not often that Halford has to rebuild, but this year may be one of those cases considering the Corsairs were hit hard by graduation. The cupboards are hardly bare. Reiger, Warkenthein, and Biondo look to lead the way in a very tough ESCC this spring. Tastika and Psenka provide good young depth for Carmel. How the younger Corsairs develop and contribute to a talented group of juniors will go a long way towards Carmel’s success.
St. Viator
Coach: Rodero Warren (ninth year)
Last season: Ninth place ESCC
Key losses: Elliott Hilgert (State qualifier), Michael Escarda, Jimmy Sexton, Steven Brey.
Key returnees: Seniors –John Balas, Matt Mylynski, Adam Clark, Tyler Sammons, Will Beiersdorf, Kevin Schreiber; Juniors - Jason Ziolkowski, Matt Beiswenger, Ryan Henry, Nick Brey; Sophomores – Brian Peters, Yoon Chang, Jake Scanlon, Woojin Son
Top newcomers: Seniors – Ryan Rodriguez, Nick Kasper; Junior – Mitchell Ryan; Freshman – Miles McDonnell
Outlook: Expectations for the Lions are high and with a deep and talented senior group leading the way, it’s easy to see why. Balas leads the senior group and he isn’t alone with talented veterans Beiersdorf, Schreiber, and Clark figuring to be major factors. Miles McDonnell will surely be one to watch. Expect to see a large number of Lions headed to the state meet. The middle distance relays (1,600 and 3,200) are where the strengths are.