Boys cross country: Scouting the MSL meet
Boys cross country: Scouting the MSL meetWhere: Heritage Park, Wheeling
When: 11 a.m. Saturday
Host: Wheeling
Defending team champ: Hersey
Last year's individual champ: Zach Dale (Conant)
MSL West champion: Hoffman Estates
MSL East champion: Prospect
What to know: This will be a great three-team race for the title between Prospect, Hoffman Estates, and Buffalo Grove. Individually, Buffalo Grove senior Kevin Salvano is the heavy favorite. The newly renovated Heritage Park is the venue and offers a couple tight passing lanes in spots along with a deceiving hill, all of which should provide an interesting challenge.
Teams to watch: With rankings by the Illinois Cross Country Coaches Poll: No. 9 Buffalo Grove, No. 10 Hoffman Estates, Prospect, Fremd, Hersey, Palatine, Wheeling, Barrington.
Runners to watch: Kevin Salvano (Sr., Buffalo Grove), Tom Cleary (Sr., Buffalo Grove), Mitchell Guittar ( Sr., Buffalo Grove), Bryan Gamboa (Sr., Hoffman Estates), Shiv Patel (Sr., Hoffman Estates), Jack Worman (Jr., Hoffman Estates), Matt Cozine (Sr., Prospect), Sean Sanaghan (Jr., Prospect), Karson LeComte (Sr. Prospect), Danny Peterson (Jr., Fremd), Luke Vogelgesang (Jr., Fremd), Kevin Paton (Sr., Hersey), Jack Fredian (So., Hersey), Dan Trejo (Sr., Palatine), Ben Kontney (Jr., Palatine), Justin Loquercio (Sr., Wheeling), Matt Hoffman (Jr., Wheeling), Nick Laning (So., Barrington).
Outlook: Buffalo Grove, Prospect, and Hoffman Estates are on a collision course. The three teams have separated themselves from the pack and will offer a fierce battle. BG defeated Hoffman Estates 24-31 to open the season on Sept. 1. MSL East champion Prospect then defeated Buffalo Grove 27-30 on Oct. 1. Two days later, MSL West champion Hoffman Estates finished fourth at the Peoria Central Invitational, with Prospect finishing in sixth place. BG offers a solid 1-2 punch with Kevin Salvano and Tom Cleary, but Hoffman Estates and Prospect pack are dangerous. This is going to be fun. Fremd has quietly put together a solid season and will push for a top-five finish. Hersey, Palatine, Wheeling, and fast-improving Barrington will also be in the mix for a top-five finish. Salvano has established himself as a big favorite in the individual race. The BG senior won the First to the Finish Invite in early September by hitting 14:22, the third-fastest time at Detweiller Park this season. Cleary will also be near the top for the Bison. Fremd junior Danny Peterson has had a breakout season and will challenge on Saturday. Wheeling senior Justin Loquercio will be running on his home course and has been solid all season. Senior Bryan Gamboa and senior Shiv Patel will pace a dangerous Hoffman Estates attack, and senior Matt Cozine figures to push the Prospect pack.
- Michael Eaken