Boys cross country: State meet scouting, Lake County

71st annual IHSA boys cross country state meet

Class 2A

When: noon Saturday

Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria

Area teams:

• Grayslake Central - coach Jimmy Centella; seniors Jack Aho (first in 2015), Matt Aho (seventh in 2015), Ben Steinbeck, Mario Giannini; juniors Eli Minsky (25th in 2015), Luke Reblin; freshman Ethan Boelens

Area individuals: Vernon Hills senior Shane Williamson (27th in 2013, third in 2014, eighth in 2015), Grayslake North senior Liam O'Connell, Lakes senior Jeremy Wallace

Outlook: Defending state champion Grayslake Central has three returning all-state runners to lead its pack, including defending state champion Jack Aho. But even that top trio of runners may not be enough for the Rams to offset the depth and talent of No. 1-ranked Mahomet-Seymour, which had its top five runners finish in under 15:39 in winning the Metamora sectional. The 25-team field could be the great equalizer for Grayslake Central, though, as the Rams rolled to the state title a year ago by a 54-121 margin over the Bulldogs. Normal University is ranked second in the state, while Crystal Lake Central gave the Rams a run for their money at sectionals. Grayslake Central held off the Tigers 102-111 for the crown in the 18-team meet. "I still think we have a good chance to take second, but (Mahomet-Seymour) is seven deep and they held out three of their top seven at sectionals," Centella said. "We're hoping Jack and Matt go 1-2. We're just trying to run our best, and that should be good enough for a top-three finish."

This will be the fourth and final state meet appearance for Vernon Hills standout Williamson, who has a good shot at becoming a three-time all-stater. Williamson just missed all-state (top 25) with a 27th-place finish as a freshman. It will be the first trip to Detweiller Park for O'Connell, Wallace and Matushek. Williamson (15th place) earned the seventh and final individual at-large berth downstate by edging Antioch freshman Charlie Smith (16th) by less than one second at the Belvidere sectional.

Class 3A

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria

Area teams:

• Lake Zurich - coach J.B. Hanson; seniors Brian Griffith (seventh in 2015), Matt Pereira (third in 2014, fifth in 2015), Kyle Griffith (21st in 2015); juniors Patrick Burns (73rd in 2015), Eric Metzger (181st in 2015), Jacob Bieniek, Sean Ginn

Area individuals: Libertyville junior Alex Tam, Stevenson junior Nikita Smyrnov

Outlook: After winning its fourth sectional title in seven years, Lake Zurich is once again in the hunt for a top-three trophy. The Bears turn to elite runners Brian Griffith and Matt Pereira to help get the job done. Kyle Griffith gives Lake Zurich a third returning all-stater (top 25) to turn to in the big meet, while Brian Griffith is pointing toward a potential individual state crown. This will be Pereira's fourth appearance in the state meet. "We're going to go down there and put our best foot forward, and whatever happens, happens," said Hanson, whose team could face a major obstacle against powerhouse Neuqua Valley. "Metzger (who missed sectionals) will give us a boost. There's a lot of really good teams, but we're in the mix for a trophy." After placing second as a sophomore, York's Charlie Kern Jr. could be the runner to beat, although he barely nipped Brian Griffith earlier this season at the Palatine Invite. "My goal is to win it all and I'm excited to get out with the top guys in the state again," Brian Griffith said. "I just have to stay with the top guys and not let anyone get away from the top pack.

The North Suburban Conference also will be represented by Tam of Libertyville and Smyrnov of Stevenson. "It's a fast course," Libertyville coach Stuart Mendelsohn said. "(Tam) knows what the competition is like, and he knows what he needs to do. "I think he can make all-state. He has to go out with the leaders and hold his place." Smyrnov captured the seventh and final individual at-large berth to state with a 13th-place finish at the Waukegan sectional. "It's great experience, he's had a really good junior year, and I think he's learned a lot," Stevenson coach Scott Sommers said. "He's done all the right things to get to this point, and I think he has a shot to have a huge PR at the state meet."

- John Bumbales