Boys track / Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN LAKE
Lake ZurichCoach: Randall Dunbar (2nd year)
Last year: 5th Place NSC
Key losses: Jon Ramirez (State qualifier), Matt Sherman, Bobby Klett, Robert Rossdeutcher, Jared Ripoli (State qualifier), Trevor Kuehr (State qualifier), Alex Milner (state qualifier - Purdue), Shazid Kahn, Drew Pavlovich.
Key returnees: Seniors - Ryan Fitzgerald, Dan Abboud, Adam Griffith, Justin Wright, Austin Kuehr, Anthony Baca, William Llanos (State qualifier); Juniors - Zach Hilt, Justin Shim, DJ Smith; Sophomore - Ben Klett (State qualifier);
Top newcomers: Senior - Donovan Long; Sophomore - Dante Manley; Freshmen - Matt Pereira, Jake Stevens.
Outlook: A nice combination of sprints and distance make up their years Bears team. Klett looks to keep rolling from football and head downstate again in the sprints, Llanos is a veteran in the distance core and should contribute right away. Abboud and Griffith provide key senior depth while Pereira and Stevens are the young distance depth that continues to make an impact. Look for the Bears to be right in the mix in the NSC Lake.
LibertyvilleCoach: Jason Schroeder (3rd year)
Last season: 7th Place NSC
Key losses: Nick Korhumel, Andy Nader, Matt Williams, Jaleel Savoy, Jojo Amdur, Kai Weitkamper, Lou Diamond, Matsen Dziedzic (State champion shot put - Illinois).
Key returnees: Seniors - Griffin Maldonado, Patrick Human, Matt Surrell, Kevin Barbian, Mark Girgus, Atticus Rush, Evan Mazurek; Juniors - Max Roberts (State qualifier), Taylor Rossman, Pat Quinn, Keith Wilson, Alex Zolek
Top newcomers: Sophomores - Ethan Fowkes, James Mobley, Tori Thornds, Jabari Kuigley, Sean O' Malley, Kyle O' Malley, Sam Chen; Freshman - Ryan O; Malley.
Outlook: One of the most talented juniors in the conference this spring will wear the orange black for the Wildcats in Roberts. One of the best returning hurdlers in the state, Roberts should be a factor in the 110 and 300 races. Wilson is another talented junior for the Wildcats in the jumps and fresh legs should mean a long trip to state this spring. Good sprints up top led by Human and Maldonado and good distance depth should keep the Wildcats near the top of the NSC Lake.
MundeleinCoach: Kevin Shifley (7th year)
Last season: 12th place NSC
Key losses: Kevin Wilk, Steve Slaughter, Dominic Paliani, Tim Del Castello, Kenny Pechtl, Tyreese Hurdle, Damien Perry, Juan Carlos Miguel, Cooper Lohr, Harrison Richards.
Key returnees: Seniors - Chance Lindsey; Juniors - Bryce Richards (2nd in state 800), Mickey Cardenas, Alek Escuduro; Sophomores - Isaac Banuelos, Colton Fisher.
Top newcomers: Juniors - Anthony Givens, Robert Hamilton; Sophomore - Uli Hagedorn; Freshman - Mitch Shazer.
Outlook: One of the great stories of 2013 was the rise of then-sophomore Bryce Richards. Now the story is, what will he do next. Figure the talented junior to add the 1,600 in his quest for more medals downstate. Hagedorn is a strong new edition as the numbers for the Mustangs continue to rise. Givens and Hamilton will add to that depth while Fisher and Lindsey are veteran contributors.
Stevenson Coach: Andy Farrissey (18th year)
Last season: 4th place NSC
Key losses: Alan Velev, Danny Gardiner (State qualifier), Stephen Johnson, Brian Lee (Brendan Wood (State qualifier), Michael Dolan (State qualifier - Drake), Jordan Fobbe (2nd place state shot put)
Key returnees: Seniors - Ki Hwan Kim (State qualifier) Jeremy Bloomfield; Juniors - Sammy Oh (State qualifier), Cameron Green, Tim Vestuto; Sophomores - Jared Borowsky (State qualifier).
Top newcomers: Senior - Sam Oriate, Daniel Oh; Juniors - Aaron Lund, Matt Tutker, Henry Sise.
Outlook: Borowsky stormed onto the scene late last year to lead the Patriots downstate. This year he won't sneak up on anyone - likely he will run right by them. Team the talented sophomore with Sammie Oh and the Patriots have a talented 1-2 punch. Kim is a three year veteran and multiple event state qualifier in leading the jumps and sprints. Vestuto looks to take the next step in the sprints as well.
WarrenCoach: Bill Dawson (19th year)
Last season: 9th place NSC
Key losses: Martin Martinez (State Qualifier - Brown University), Jacob Butler, Andrew Berman, Joe Severini, Arthel Rosquist, Miles Garner, Tony Severini, Mike Biondo, Terrel Jones.
Key returnees: Seniors - Reese Brady (State qualifier), Rayvon Spruill, Nitin Tangellamudi, Tom Steen, Kevin Ward, Marcus Shamberg, Adam Shurson, Derrick Nickerson, Julian Flores, Michael Kliene; Juniors - Jacob Martinez, Nathan Campbell, Isaac Walker, Joe Haight, Dominic Rossi, Mason McIntosh.
Top newcomers: Senior -Darius Davis, Jovan Charleston; Sophomores - Dustin Macuiba, Alex Delgado; Freshmen - Melvin Pettis, Hugo Flores, Julian Ruiz, Dante Johnson.
Outlook: Sprinting depth has never been a problem for the Blue Devils and doesn't figure to be this spring either. A very deep and talented freshmen core led by Pettis and Johnson join Brady and Walker to make for good relay depth. Tangellamudi could end the throwing draught for Warren in the shot put as he has already been over 50 feet. A replacement for the graduated Martinez could be in the making in Macuiba.
NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIEAntiochCoach: Chris Bailey (5th year)
Last season: 8th place NSC
Key losses: Nick Brito (State qualifier), Tyler Facey (9th in state high jump), Leroy Chapman (4th in state 400), Kyle Patrick (State qualifier), Jacob Craft (State qualifier).
Key returnees: Seniors - Dan Lonski, Cam Ayers, A.J. Marsiglio, Bogdan Anghel (State qualifier); Juniors - Andre Rivera, Alan Taylor (State qualifier), Zach Besson, Danny Ressler; Sophomores - Destiny Dickson, Matt Adam.
Top newcomers: Freshman - Mitchell Kawell.
Outlook: Numbers are good and so far the results match as the Sequoits look to keep rolling from a strong indoor season. Marsiglio is a nice compliment to the middle distance group and Ayers will provide depth to the sprint group. Taylor is a multi-talented Sequoit and can contribute in the sprints and throws for Antioch. Kawell is a key newcomer.
Grant Coach: Tom Evans (3rd year)
Last season: NSC Prairie Division Champions, NSC Champions, Sectional Champions, Tied for 4th Class 3A
Key losses: Peter Audrain, Trent Peters-Clark, Keion Miller (State qualifier), Dan King, Brad Wasilewski (State qualifier), Louis Echiverria (State qualifier), Kris Smith (State qualifier), Kyle Whitman, Brandon Lombardino (State champion Discus, 3rd place state shot put - Arkansas State)
Key returnees: Seniors - Jonathan Wells (State champion high jump), Kyle Hatton (9th in state 800), Dalyn Romig, Jorge Costilla, Billy Sullivan, Jake Bychowski, Joey Sadauskas, Francisco Uribe, Andrew Parker; Juniors - Jeff Brundidge, Jeremy Bredwood (State qualifier); Sophomores - Nick Peterson, Tim Brundidge, Octavian Wells (State qualifier).
Top newcomers: Senior - Mike Burns; Juniors - Deonte Dillon, Frank Cardy, Mikel Graves; Sophomores - Kemar Miller, Chris Hatton; Freshman - John Schmidt
Outlook: The Bulldogs are not rebuilding this year. After all, all is well that ends with the Wells. Octavian and Illinois-bound Jonathan Wells will lead the way, but they are not alone. Kyle Hatton is a returning qualifier with a younger brother in Chris that could make some noise. Bychowski is healthy and has eclipsed 50 feet indoors. Bredwood, Brundidge, Sullivan, and Romig will lead a very strong senior group. Hard to repeat last year's feats but this team looks to have the pieces to do so.
LakesCoach: Kurt Rowells (9th year)
Last season: 2nd Place NSC, sectional champions, 4th in Class 2A State
Key losses: Ryan Prais (7th in state 800, 4th in state 1600 relay - Illinois), Dillon Fallotico, Jake Degrave (UW Stevens Point), Shaun Beutlich (8th in state 100, 4th in state 800 relay - Olivet Nazarene), Justin Bergeron, Ahman Reffat (4th in state 800 relay), Trevor Ray (4th in state 1,600 relay), Ty Summers (State qualifier), Troy Swindle (6th in state high jump), Max Savinkov (3rd in state high jump), Caleb Arnwine (State qualifier), Mark Gerrits (4th in state 1,600 relay)
Key returnees: Seniors - Rodolph Boyer (7th in state 110 High hurdles), Jimmy Burchard, Jake Zimmerman, Ryan Campbell, Hitart Patel, Alex Murray; Juniors - Cory Hertz (4th in state 800 relay), Jake Balliu (4th in state 1,600 relay, 4th in state 800 relay); Sophomores - Devyn Cedzillo (State qualifier), Cooper Jazo, Charles Hudson.
Top newcomers: Juniors - Steve McVicker, Ryan Mullen
Outlook: Even though the Eagles will be moving into Class 3A this season, it's like they have been there all along. Since week in and week out, Lakes faces big school competition, the jump should not be a factor. What will be a factor will be the likes of Hertz, Balliu, Boyer, and Cedzillo on the track. Jazo should also be in the mix for a qualifying spot. Distance will be a key to the Eagles depth this spring.
Round LakeCoach: Kevin Brady (10th year)
Last season: 13th Place NSC
Key losses: Angel Carrera (Western Illinois), Robert Paz, Manual O' Connor (Elmhurst), Jorge Villa (Elmhurst).
Key returnees: Seniors - Chris Washington, Matuesz Lopez, Taylor Stempinski; Juniors - Kevin Perez, Joel Pinajero, Joey Greenhill, Chris Perry; Sophomores - Emmanual Sanchez, Kyle Johnson.
Top newcomers: Juniors - Morgan Fields, Enrique Sanchez, Cole Steger, Andrew Maskevich, Rosendo Acosta, David Cordova; Sophomore - Lakendrick Wright
Outlook: A new problem has emerged for the Panthers this spring - they nearly ran out of uniforms. And, now they need more than one bus to travel from meet to meet. Depth like they have never seen it, should mean results that will last a while for the Panthers. Washington and Lopez are two key veterans while Pinajero and Perry will add more depth. A good young core led by Wright could mean big things in the future for Round Lake.
Vernon HillsCoach: Mark Whitney (2nd year)
Last season: 6th place NSC
Key losses: Mitch Campbell, Sam Kasten, Michael Hayibor, Richard Vizcayno, Gabriel Cotton (5th in state 200 - Carthage), Jacob Hallendorf, Nick Foley (State qualifier - North Central), Oleg Babin (State qualifier), David Kucharz, Dan Galinovsky, Drake Randall, Morgan Lichtenstein
Key returnees: Seniors - Ben Mohrdieck (State qualifier), Eric Dorhoefer, Kyle Whitney (State qualifier), Nick Webber, Chris Lannan, Keith Carlson, Ryan Fasbinder, Kyle Erchenger, Ilya Fedorovich; Juniors - Tyler Smith, Rob Williams, Juan Martinez, Eric Slovak, Colin Alexander, Nathan McManus, Ty Chong, ; Sophomores - Caleb Ju, Bryan Castellanos, Alex Geier, Andres Salazar, Noah Agnew (State qualifier), Brandon Coty, Jordan Martin, Alex Yang.
Top newcomers: Junior - Richard Clark; Sophomores - Jamie Cevantes, Sam Laneman, Trevor Moyers, Jay Holloway; Freshman- Shane Williamson.
Outlook: Off of a strong cross country season, the Cougars are looking to take that next step on the track. Whitney and Mohrdieck should cover everything from 800 on up for the Cougars this spring. If Vernon Hills will contend in the Prairie, they will need to find field and distance depth. Plenty of young talent in that area could emerge led by Holloway.
WaucondaCoach: Megan Zemanek (12th year)
Last season: 11th place NSC
Key losses: David Carter, Will Danner, Jack Weber, Chris Bednarski (State qualifier)
Key returnees: Seniors - Nick Ledova, Kacper Kulesza, Ross Theel, Luke Fugle, Austin Pequeno, Tommy Thomason; Juniors - Alex Payne, Ben Lenzerotti.
Outlook: Wauconda will be without a home this spring as the football stadium gets a facelift including the track. The Bulldogs will share track time with Mundelein as they prepare for the season. Senior leadership will again be a calling card for Wauconda this spring.
East Suburban Catholic ConferenceCarmel CatholicCoach: Jim Halford (29th year)
Last season: 9th Place ESCC
Key losses: Chase Reiger, Zach Ballitan, Alex Warkenthein
Key returnees: Seniors -Dillon Novak, Anthony Gattus ; Juniors - David Biondo, Patrick Pastika, Collin Psenka, Nuriel Canles, Patrick Hogan, Julian Johnson; Sophomore - Michael Cusack
Top newcomers: Juniors - Jason Kadowaki, Austin Truesdale; Sophomores - Will Hoffman, John Caffarelli; Freshmen - Brian Thompson, Jeremy Strutzel.
Outlook: An unfamiliar finish in the ESCC last year means a hungrier than ever Corsair team for 2014. The young freshmen team won conference last year and those athletes figure to contribute to Carmel's rise back to the top of the conference. Kadowaki is a youngster with great promise while a strong junior group led by Pastika, Psenka and Biondo should lead to state qualifiers for the Corsairs this spring. Look for Carmel near the top of the ESCC
Fox Valley Conference Grayslake NorthCoach: Garrett DeGross (1st year)
Last year: 6th in Fox Valley Conference
Key losses: Dylan Toole (State qualifier), Alex Rotter, Brandon Uribe, Jim Glass, Jake Smith, Charlie Pine
Key returnees: Seniors - Ryan Bruder, Alex Shulga (State Qualifier), Jake Hensley; Juniors - Titus Booker (State qualifier), Kevin Meyer, Rugby Walsh, Andrew Martineau; Sophomore - Dylan Ponomar
Top newcomers: Junior - Tyshaun Crockwell; Freshmen - Michael Cabahug, Alex Moran
Outlook: Two returning state qualifiers greet DeGross in his first head coaching job. Shulga is one of the top 400 guys returning in the area while Booker is an elite sprint talent that matches his football skill. You stars could emerge in Cabahug and Moran to compliment the good veteran depth. Look for the Knights to be in the top half of the Fox Valley.
Grayslake CentralCoach: Brent Pitt (11th year)
Last year: 4th place Fox Valley Conference
Key losses: Kevin Boyle (State qualifier), Kelton McCowen, Heinrich Klett, Jorge Rovera, Eddie Nielsen, Louis Kovarik, Ted McGraw, Matt Weatherhead (2nd Place 400 relay, State champion 800 relay), Jourden Swopes (2nd place 400 relay, state champion 800 relay - St. Xavier), Davonta Jennings (State champion 800 relay, 2nd place 400 relay), Luke Stancil
Key returnees: Seniors - Kacey Adams (State champion 800 relay, 2nd place 400 relay), Devin Quinn, Ben Schwaiko, Diego Quazada, Kevin Orozco, Malcolm Reed, Jacob Wiggins, Steven Anderson; Juniors - Cam Schwartz, Dmitri Dawson, Spencer Hirt, Max Brunk; Sophomores - Kris Jones, Connor Gosell, Jack Battaglia.
Top newcomers: Senior - DeMarcus Quick; Junior - De'Juan Ali; Sophomore - Kyle Jones
Outlook: Graduation took out the most successful sprint group in school history as the Rams said good bye to state champions in Swopes, Weatherhead and Jennings. More than enough talent returns to fill the holes led by Adams, Wiggins, and Reed. Keep a close eye on Quick as he has lived up to his name so far indoors. Dawson, Ali and the Jones' all figure to keep the Rams near the top of the FVC.