Boys track: Scouting Northwest
MID-SUBURBAN EASTBuffalo GroveCoach: Tim Podulka (2nd year)
Last season: Tied for 8th MSL
Key losses: Kouji Yoshida, Steven Salvano (State qualifier - Tulsa), Maurice Beryozkin (State qualifier), Mitchell Janca, Evan Murphy (state qualifier - Augustana)
Key returners: Seniors - Nate Woten, Brendan McKinney (state qualifier), Marlo Johnson, Jake Wenzel, Montana Nimerfroh, Eli Hinkle, Ed Punzalan, Mike Tsypin, Tripp Wallner; Juniors - Tom Cleary, Kevin Salvano (State qualifier), John Krzezowski.
Top newcomers: Sophomores - Jimmy Trieb, Nigel Wilson, Dimitri Lomnick
Outlook: Brother Steven set the tone, and the younger Salvano looks to the tradition of distance dominance. He already is working up the record boards and could see success anywhere from 800 meters on up. McKinney is a throwing threat and looks to break his own discus mark. Woten is a high jumper to watch for a Bison team that should be a factor in the East.
Elk GroveCoach: Brian Bucciarelli (7th year)
Last season: 7th place MSL
Key losses: Brandon Soriano (State qualifier - Carthage), Michael Frittner, Joey Kramer, Billy Heffley (State qualifier), Mike Bishoff, Sebastian Hyppolite, Keyshawn Brown (state qualifier), John Pass, Travon Royal
Key returners: Seniors - Paul Ifianyi (state qualifier), Peter Ifianyi, Greg Johnson, Alberto Centeno, Chris Mertes, Ryan Miller, Paul Was, John Glennon; Juniors - Carmen Galgano, Danny Dalemberg
Top newcomer: Sophomore - Dominic Chiavone
Outlook: After a very successful 2014, the Grenadiers look to repeat that led again by the Ifianyi brothers. Paul is emerging as a hurdling threat while Paul could help in a number of ways. Mertes is a veteran that should help pace the Grens to another successful season.
HerseyCoach: Ken Blazek (21st year)
Last season: 5th place MSL
Key losses: Ryan Garrett, Matt Dini (State qualifier), Matt Stadnicki, Mark Holada, Joe Bellafiore (State qualifier), Andrew Phillipose (state qualifier), Kevin Kovach (State qualifier), Jack O' Neil (state qualifier), Jacob Komenda, Tindale Danweih
Key returners: Seniors - David Rodriguez (State qualifier), Josh Plischke, Alex Siepiora, Cody Bayless, Erik Anderson, Danny Somary, Austin Kane, Grant VonderLippe (State qualifier), Cole Monckton, Kyle Svoboda, Kevin Ziegenhorn; Juniors - Jared Polfuss, James Latona, Nick Wagner, Jack Ruane, Jordan Edwards, Dan Blair, Dan Sklarzewski.
Top newcomers: Junior - Kamil Jackowski; Sophomores - Grant Wagner, Jacob Krupa, Sigmund Serranila, Sam Szienty
Outlook: "Super Dave" is back for one final run for the Huskies and he should lead the way in the distance and relay events. He has plenty of company for the distance-strong Huskies with VonderLippe, and Ziegenhorn returning. Finding depth in the shorter races will be a key to Hersey taking the top spot in the East. Monckton will lead the way in the jumps.
ProspectCoach: Frank Mirandola (1st year)
Last season: MSL East Champions, 6th place MSL
Key losses: Blake Hallman, Andrew Inserra, Shaun O'Carroll, Justin Phillips (State qualifier), Brian Slupski, Max Gonzalez (State qualifier), Eric Garmoe, William Lussenhop (State qualifier), Ben Pederson (State qualifier)
Key returners: Seniors - Mike Anderson, Greg Suarez (State qualifier), Sam Garcia, Dema Govalla, Mike Tomasetti, Mike O'Malley, Vinny Lai; Juniors - Matt Cozine, Dan Marshall
Top newcomers: Juniors - Teddy Eckhardt, Karsen LeCompe, Brady Schwartz; Sophomores - Anthony Kies, Billy Matzek
Outlook: Mirandola takes the reins of a Knights team with a long tradition of owning the MSL East. For that reign to continue, seniors like O'Malley, Suarez, Lai, and Garcia will need to keep on with the success they have had. Plenty of young distance runners are in the pipeline, but expect Anderson to keep up the long line of the Blue Circle success.
Rolling MeadowsCoach: Frank Schweda (7th year)
Last season: 12th place MSL
Key losses: Aaron Sanchez, Adam Kromar.
Key returners: Seniors - Mike Priller, Dan Kim, Tim Howley, Andre Russell-McGraw, Antonio Atencio, Colin Piscitello, Peter Tatkowski, Franciso Trejo, Nick Devona; Juniors - Jack Swindells, Tripp Turchik; Sophomores - Devonte Amos, John Gerardi, Chad Wynter
Top newcomers: Sophomores - Matt Ziemba, Alex Vo, Mike Utyro; Freshman - Jared Axelrad.
Outlook: A return to the state meet is in the offing for the Mustangs this year and there are plenty of athletes with great shots. Kim is a threat in the vault while Trejo is a solid thrower that should be right in the mix. Plenty of excitement comes every time Axelrad takes the track. He should be a factor quickly.
WheelingCoach: Mike Kamedula (1st year)
Last season: 10th place MSL
Key losses: Christian Galvan, Alan Rodriguez, Tom Shover, Nate Laude, Matt Greenburg
Key returners: Seniors - Cole Dammeier, Tyler Urban, Evan Brown (state qualifier), Drew Schwartz, Steven Abraham, Armani Dennis, Melvin Sandoval, Steve Montesinos, Bhupinder Chahal; Juniors - Danny Rodriguez, Josh Diaz, Alex Mendez; Sophomores - Blake Greenberg
Top newcomers: Junior - Dylan Draka; Sophomore - Jason Shannon
Outlook: Hey, who is the new guy in charge? Yes, Kamedula joins the Wildcats after a successful run at Prospect. He inherits a program in good shape led by Dammeier and Montesinos. Brown emerged as one of the top jumpers in the conference late last year and should build from there.
MID-SUBURBAN WESTBarringtonCoach: Todd Kuklinski (12th year)
Last season: MSL Champions. Sectional Champions, Tied for 12th at state.
Key losses: Parker Deloye (9th in state 800 relay - Illinois), Ryan Perkins, Alec Weber, Adam Phillips (4th in state 3,200 relay), Jac Goetch (State qualifier), Jake Herb, Johnny Andraschko (4th in state 3,200 relay), JP Brooks (9th in state 800 relay), John Foley
Key returners: Seniors - Konrad Eiring (4th in state 3,200 relay), Derek Harms, Brandon Melyenchuk (9th in state 800 relay), Curtis Monahan, Andrew Gensberg, Joe Bolger, Daniel Stermer, Julius Smith, Terrance McGovern, Kyle Monahan, Tyler Anderson (4th in state 3,200 relay), Greg Schuett, Scotty Miller (3rd in state 100, 9th in state 800 relay, 4th in state 200), Griffin Claes; Juniors - Mark Landwer, Grant Elliott, Cooper Van Kampen, Jack Niccoletti, Scott Jonske, Alex Maher, Hunter Merritt; Sophomores - John Misko, Matt Haller.
Top newcomers: Senior - David Danhauer; Sophomores - Harrison Arledge, Peter Jackowski, Mark Stefan, Logan Moews, Nafh Tirie, Ross Bravo; Freshman - Louis Cossio
Outlook: With as much as the Broncos lost from last year's club, you would think a rebuild is in order. Not so fast. Miller is one of the top returning sprinters in the state and he has lots of help in Claes and Melyenchuk. Eiring is a state title contender in the 800 and could lead the Broncos' 3,200 relay back to prominence. Broncos look to repeat as conference champs for the first time.
ConantCoach: John Powers (7th year)
Last season: Tied for 8th place MSL
Key losses: Jack Hutchison, Tyler Block, Rob Smolik, Kyle Brown, Chris Shintaku, Hugh Hutchison, Eije Okpa.
Key returners: Seniors -- Zach Dale (3rd in state 3,200, 4th in state 1,600), Joel Almodivar, Kevin Chang, James Janczy, Saad Altaf, Jake Bean, Bhavin Chaudhari, Mike Meier, Joe Kim, Shujaat Sultan; Juniors - Nick Elms, Tim Engebretson, Eric Ellefson, AJ Hermann, Jason Guiliano, Rian Stanford, Tim Cullen, Ross Cayley.
Top newcomer: Junior - Palmer Graham.
Outlook: Already achieving All-American status is not enough for Illinois-bound recruit Dale. He ran the fastest time in Illinois indoors in the 2-mile and is ready to attack that event and the mile this spring for the Cougars. Sultan is another one to watch while the newcomer Graham could be a factor in his first year in the sport.
FremdCoach: Jim Aikens (26th year)
Last season: MSL West Champs, MSL runner-up
Key losses: Nick Vucovich (State qualifier - Pomona), Joshua Yamamoto (Augustana), Pat Cox, Aaron Harris, Brad Ruehrdanz, Harry Winter (State qualifier - Butler), Danny Johnson, Nick Macius (Chicago), Tom Mayer (state qualifier), Jordan Walker (State qualifier);
Key returners: Seniors -Darius Burchette (State qualifier), Pat McMahon, Kyle Lewis (8th in state 800 relay), Eric Nelson, Jawan Gaines (8th in state 800 relay), Jack Albrecht, Casey Wood, Matt Fossing, Nathan Hanlon; Juniors - Caleb Vail, Ryan McMahon, Kenny Lyke (State qualifier), Samson Oladimeji, Ryan McMahon (8th in state 800 relay)
Top newcomers: Junior - Raqid Adebyo; Sophomores - Danny Peterson, Jack Roberts
Outlook: A bitter taste still remains from how the MSL meet ended last spring - the Vikings lost by half a point. This season, Fremd looks to return to the top spot led by one of the most dynamic athletes in the league in Gaines. Lewis is a sprint threat and Fossing should make up for losses on the distance side. Can the Vikings get back to state in the throws? Albrecht looks to continue the tradition.
Hoffman EstatesCoach: Tyrone Jones (8th year)
Last season: 11th place MSL
Key losses: Billy Thomas (Butler - State qualifier), Alex Escobar (State qualifier), Ridwan Dadeno, Jalen Anderson
Key returners: Senior - Javonte Brownlee, Corey Riley, Jordan Schultz, Brian Miller, Mike Baureis, Nic Fortney, Mike Sanflippo; Juniors - Bryan Gamboa (State qualifier), Shiv Patel, Nathan Otto, Michael Johnson, Zach Clark, Tom Krawlilec, Matt Peterson
Top newcomers: Senior - Tyrone Pittenturf; Sophomores - Alex Makrounis, Ryan Greenwalt; Freshmen - Shreekar Patel, Declan Rustay, Anigel Jones, Jayvon Blissett, Jack Worman.
Outlook: Hoffman is soaring and it's easy to see why. After the success during cross country, the Hawks should immediately be a factor in the West led by Gamboa and Sanflippo among others. Brownlee is solid in the throws and should contend in the shot and disc. Riley is a great complement in the sprints for a Hawks program that has its biggest turn out since Jones started.
PalatineCoach: John Nalley (24th year)
Last season: 4th Place MSL
Key losses: Chaka Kelly (State qualifier), Argeni Bailon (North Central), Adam Brauer, Eddie Graham, Dean Kolar, Emil Kozakiewicz, Kristaff Langford, EJ Miller, Jerome Bradley, Shaheim Kelly, River Crane (State qualifier), Adam Poklop (State qualifier - North Central).
Key returners: Seniors - Jake La Rocca (State qualifier), Graham Brown, Rob Fekete, Josh Mackie, Gavin Falotico (State qualifier), Jimmy Jones (State qualifier), Erik Cardoso, Tom Sobotka, Cam Cornelius (state qualifier); Juniors - Dan Garcia (State qualifier), Mike Hilmer, Zach Micheal, Nick Sabado, Koby Theobald.
Top newcomers: Junior - Thomas Nalley; Sophomores - Mackenzie Balanganayi, Everardo Bustamante, Courtland Cornelius, John Elischer, Cordell Griffin, Nate Izweski, Brian Leonard, Zion Oluleye, Cole Wasowicz
Outlook: Distance has always been strong for the Pirates and with Brown returning, it's that way again. But there is plenty of depth and balance all over the lineup. The kind of balance that leads to a conference title. La Rocca, Falotico, Garcia and the list goes on and on. This looks on paper to be one of the deepest teams Nalley has had. This year, there are two Nalleys, with Thomas joining the mix.
SchaumburgCoach: Ryan Senica (5th year)
Last season: 3rd Place MSL, Sectional Champions, 11th in state
Key losses: Edwin Kelly (8th in state triple jump), Tom Ciupka (3A State champion 800 relay), Adam Maslowski (state qualifier), Stacey Smith (3A State champion 800 relay), Ed Phillips
Key returners: Seniors - AJ Vetter, Halleluyah Eluobaju, Jarmon McMillon (3A state champion 800 relay), Juan Maldonado, Alonzo Sally, Cesar Arenas, Shandall Thomas (3A State champion 800 relay, 4th in state 100, 7th in state 200), Isaac Rogenski, Sammy Ramani, Eddie Lamas; Juniors - Bernard Payne, Nick Olvera; Sophomores - Manny Little, Dakari Ferguson
Top newcomers: Junior - Payton Buchanon; Sophomore - Danny Galovich; Victor Olaitan
Outlook: No one in the state was faster in the relays on the track last year than the Saxons. With the return of Illinois State recruit Thomas and McMillon, that trend has a great chance to continue. Eluobaju is a thrower to watch. The Saxons also boast two of the better vaulters in the area in Arenas and Ramani.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHMaine WestCoach: Andrew Trotter (22nd year)
Last season: 5th place, Central Suburban North
Key losses: Alec Logan, Geoff Brzezowski, Kevin Strom
Key returners: Seniors - Alex Liston, Chris Asuncion, Joey Vogeney, Lucas Martin-Ranft, Pat Nelson, Denis Vujic, Adam Hill, Jake Hill; Juniors - Shane Huffaker (State qualifier), Juan Bahena; Sophomores - Marteen Robinson, Daniel Serrano
Outlook: Injuries are hitting the Warriors early this year with Huffaker on the shelf so far indoors. Once he is healthy he should be a factor in the vault again for West. The strength of this team is the underclass group which puts the Warriors on the path to future successes. Robinson and Serrano look to lead the youth movement.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLDLeydenCoach: Tom Cartwright (8th year)
Last season: 6th place WSC Gold
Key losses: Keenan Davis, Aaron Wigham, Aaron Stocks, Danny Vilchez, Nathan Colindres
Key returners: Seniors -Josh Pitts, Daniel Tragarz; Juniors - Danny Ponce, Alan Prado, Mateusz Scelazek
Top newcomers: Junior - Matthew Schuberth; Sophomore - Jalen Moore
Outlook: The Eagles look to make strides in the WSC Gold this year behind a talented group of seniors in Pitts and Tragarz and good depth at the junior level. Ponce and Scelazek look to lead the way for Leyden.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICSt. ViatorCoach: Rodero Warren (11th year)
Last season: 5th place ESCC
Key losses: Mitch Ryan, Matt Beiswenger, Ryan Henry (State qualifier), Nick Brey (4th in state 3,200 - Marquette), Andy Smith;
Key returners: Seniors - Brian Peters (State qualifier), Yoon Chang, Jake Scanlon, Zach Gyuricza (State qualifier); Juniors - Miles McDonnell, Eric Mitalo, Kevin Teraji, Drew Morton, Danny Sullivan, Joey Finnegan, Jake Ryan, Jacob Bonanotte (State qualifier), Nick Lang, Trevor Koos, Joshua Placencio; Sophomores - Jae Jung, Sam Brey
Top newcomers: Freshmen - Bobby Ochoa, Jack Scilowski
Outlook: Each year brings more medals to a continually improving Lions program. That trend figures to continue in 2015 with a deep and talented group returning. Gyuricza is one of the top returning hurdlers while the younger Brey looks to follow in his older brother's footsteps.