Boys cross country / State meet scouting, Northwest
Boys cross country / State meet scouting, Northwest
Where: Detweiller Park Peoria
When: Saturday; Class 1A at 10 a.m.; Class 2A at noon; Class 3A at 2 p.m.
What to know: Neuqua Valley is the team to beat. The Wildcats rolled to the West Aurora sectional title with 25 points, placing five runners in the top 11, and is aiming for its third state title. Downers Grove North, Lyons Township, and Lake Zurich also field strong teams and will challenge for a trophy. Downers Grove North and Lyons went 1-2 at the Marist sectional, with Lake Zurich rolling to a victory at the Waukegan sectional. This four-pack has separated themselves from the field during the season and will be hard to dent. But both Prospect and Hersey have teams that are running well and could shake up that order. Individually, it could be wild. York junior Charlie Kern and Lake Zurich senior Brian Griffith have both made their marks this season. Griffith is coming off a big victory at the Waukegan sectional, while Kern finished second to Maine South senior Reese Jordan at the Niles West sectional. Two runners to watch are Sandburg junior Dylan Jacobs and Lyons junior Danny Kilrea; they went 1-2 at the Marist sectional. Lyons senior Vince Zona, Minooka senior Soren Knudsen and Oak Park-River Forest senior Irwin Loud could also be in the mix. Saturday's state meet will also mark the final meet for longtime York coach Joe Newton, one of the most successful coaches in Illinois high school sports history. Newton has been part of the York program for 61 years and has led the Dukes to 28 state titles.
Area teamsProspect: For second consecutive year, the Knights are running their best at the end of the season. Last year Prospect took second at the Schaumburg sectional en route to a seventh-place finish in Class 3A. The Knights ran their best race of the season on Saturday, taking second at the Waukegan sectional. The seniors have set the tone for a Knights squad that won the Mid-Suburban East title, took second in the MSL and won the Hoffman Estates regional. Senior Jack O'Donnell and junior Jack Terry paced the Knights at the sectional and were supported by senior James Riordan, senior Sean Sanaghan, junior Nate Cozine and junior Jack Hempleman. Sophomore Andy Reimann also has had impressive season for the Knights. Prospect has been running smooth and relaxed, if they do that on Saturday a top-five finish would be within reach.
Hersey: The Huskies also could be a team to watch on Saturday. Hersey won its third MSL title in four years and took third at the Waukegan sectional, 1 point behind Prospect. Senior Jacob Krupa missed last season, but returned to anchor the Huskies this fall. He has provided a steady hand in helping Hersey navigate through some injuries. Freshman Josh Methner has been a revelation for the Huskies; he was Hersey's No. 1 runner at the sectional. Junior Nate Mayo, senior Sam Svienty, junior Jack Fredian and junior Quinn Cunningham have aided the Huskies' ascent. Sophomore Ryan Buck has returned from a medical setback and could also aid the Huskies. Hersey has missed the contributions of junior Ryan Theisen, who was sidelined early this season, but the Huskies have done a nice job of filling in the gaps. A great run on Saturday could place the Huskies in the top five.
Palatine: Palatine is excited for its return to the state meet after a two-year absence. Senior Brian Leonard will lead the way; he is the MSL's champion and finished third at the Waukegan sectional. Senior Ben Kontney and freshman Richard Jacobo have solidified the Pirates' chase pack. Senior Nate Izewski and junior Art Oshinson have also been a big part in the Pirates' resurgence, which included an MSL West title. Palatine always attacks the state course and it should be no different on Saturday. A top-ten finish could be within reach for this team.
Individual qualifiersClass 3A: Hoffman Estates senior Jack Worman has exploded this postseason, finishing fourth in the MSL, winning the Hoffman regional title and claiming fourth at the Waukegan sectional. It sets the stage for a big state run for the Hawk senior. Barrington junior Nick Laning has also had a pretty nifty postseason. He finished second in the MSL and added seventh-place finish at the Waukegan sectional. The Broncos junior has had a breakout season, and look for that to continue on Saturday.
Class 2A: St. Viator qualified for its fifth state meet in six years, finishing second at the Fenton sectional. Sam Brey (16:13) won the sectional title, followed by junior Kevin Gross in fourth. St. Viator finished second in the East Suburban Catholic and also won its own regional, capping a big year for the Lions. Junior Brady Collis, junior Richard Rinka and freshman Patric Natindim also supported the Lions' sectional effort.
- Michael Eaken