Boys track and field: Scouting the Fox Valley
Aurora Central CatholicCoach: Troy Kerber
Conference: Metro Suburban Blue
2016 finish: Third place Metro Suburban West
Top returning athletes: Seniors Josh Jerwers (1,600 relay), Matt Mendoza (1,600 relay), Sam Vinson (1,600 relay), Griffin Zajac (1,600 relay), McKimmon Englehardt (110 hurdles), Brent Krpan (throws), Alex Wilkins (middle distance), John Monteglongo (middle distance), Caleb Minx (high jump), John Weinz (throws), juniors Jon Mattas (sprints, jumps), Dan McCully (middle distance-distance), Eli Castillo (throws), sophomores Kennedy Cross (middle distance), Jacob Montelongo (distance)
Key newcomers: Senor Drew Licar (sprints), juniors Ethan Hansford (middle distance), Josh Malanyaon (middle distance), sophomores Tony Vinson (sprints, jumps), Rob McCarty (middle distance), Bryce Wiltgen (sprints), Damon Becker (distance), freshmen Adam Stacy (sprints, hurdles), A.J. Ochoa (sprints)
Season outlook: ACC returns state qualifiers Jerwers, Mendoza, Vinson and Zajac from the 1,600 relay team and hurdler Englehardt. The Chargers have qualified individuals and relays for the state meet every season since 1993. "We look to compete for the conference title as well as a strong finish at the Class 2A sectional and advance athletes to state again," said Kerber, in his 31st season at the helm. ACC has 52 athletes on the roster. "We have a nice blend of experience and talented underclassmen that could bode well for us at the end of the outdoor season."
Aurora ChristianCoach: Ron Arb
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
2016 finish: No conference finish (Official passed away during meet, which was canceled and never made up)
Top returning athletes: Junior Andrew Hasulube (110 hurdles, 200, 300 hurdles, relays), sophomores Stephen Kersey (400, 800, 1,600, relays), Max Williams (shot put, discus)
Key newcomers: Seniors Erik Abrell (sprints, throws), Logan Hawkins (middle, long distance, distance relays), sophomores JJ Angelo (middle, long distance, distance relays), JJ Hasulube (middle, long distance, distance relays), Joe Cannon (400, shot put, discus), freshman Evan Callahan (sprints)
Season outlook: Andrew Hasulube qualified for state last year in both the high jump and the 110 hurdles. He broke the school record at state in the 110 prelims, going 16.92. "Andrew already is at the speed and the high jump height he was scoring at the end of last season," said Arb. "We look to have Andrew again go to state and perform well in up to three events or more." Arb likes the team's work ethic. "We have truly dedicated athletes who understand what it takes to mentally and physically prepare to compete at the highest level," he said. "The guys have bonded well and do a great job of holding one another accountable to achieve their individual and team goals. The leadership of this team is well above average and their dedication and determination are shown each day on and off the track." Arb notes this year's team has one of the highest combined grade-point averages in recent past years in the program.
BartlettCoach: Eric Kramer
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2016 finish: 7th place UEC
Top returning athletes: Seniors Dan Hayes (distance), Tyler Renella (throws), junior Sulaiman Ahmed (sprints and jumps), sophomore Angelo Peters (distance)
Season outlook: Ahmed has gone 21-6 indoors in the long jump, while Peters has clocked a 10:04 in the 3,200 indoors thus far. Kramer noted Peters is producing results better than when Dan Cotton (the school's best distance runner in program history) was a sophomore. Ahmed has posted one of the top marks in the conference this season in the long jump. "When it comes to sectionals, Sulaiman should be in the mix for long jump and we'll see what Angelo can do in the big meets at the end of the year. He is on track to be the best we have ever had," said Kramer. Bartlett has no shortage of young talent this season. "The frosh-soph team will be competitive across the board, which is something we haven't had since 2012," the coach noted. "We have had certain events or groups that are good, but this year we have a very good young team. We are looking forward to competing for a conference championship at the frosh-soph level (it would be Bartlett's first boys' track conference title at either level)."
Burlington Central Coach: Mike Schmidt
Conference: Kishwaukee River
2016 finish: Big Northern Conference champions
Top returning athletes: Seniors Jared Trupp (pole vault), Josh Teets (middle distance), Mitch Roedel (middle distance), Ryan Coursey (sprints), Matt Petersen (throws), Jared Metz (throws), Ryan Hupe (throws), juniors Aakansh Sharma (hurdles, pole vault), Gabe Rivera (sprints), Jack Zetti (distance), Michael Kalusa (sprints, jumps), sophomores Adam Kries (middle distance), Jimmy Badillo (sprints), Patrick Mayfield (jumps), Enrique Martinez (middle distance), Logan Anderson (distance), Connor Wagner (hurdles)
Key newcomers: Juniors Arnie Rodriguez (distance), Sean Larson (jumps), Kevin Chounlamany (sprints, jumps), freshmen Anthony Farmer (distance), Gio Martinez (distance)
Season outlook: Central left the Big Northern Conference as the six-time defending champions and will compete in the new Kishwaukee River Conference. The Rockets return the likes of state qualifiers Trupp, who took third in the state in the pole vault and is a two-time state medalist in the event, and Kalusa and Kries from the team's sixth-place 1,600 relay state team. "We have a very strong distance group with a great core of sophomore talent along with good senior leadership," said Schmidt. "We have good hurdlers, solid field events with experienced throwers, vaulters and high jumpers. I like the talent base with our young kids. If they keep improving, they will be making some serious noise in Charleston in a year or two." Schmidt has been impressed with Teets' and Kries' development in the early going. "Josh has looked impressive in the indoor season in the 800 and Adam, a sophomore who anchored our 4-by-4 team last year, has serious talent." Schmidt once again has the Rockets competing in a mainly Class 3A schedule to get the team ready for its conference meet and the Class 2A sectional. Central, which should be one of the favorites in the new conference, has finished in the Top 10 at state as a team in four of the last five years. "That is the goal for this year's team as well," said Schmidt.
BataviaCoach: Dennis Piron
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 finish: UEC River and Kane County champions
Top returning athletes: Seniors Jay Hunt (high jump, sprints), Reggie Phillips (400, 200), Michael Stanley (relays, 400), Blake Bakkum (pole vault), Peter Rudelich (high jump), Will Akers (jumps, hurdles), Ross Berggren (throws), Nick Krella (pole vault), juniors Shane Knanishu (distance), Sam Conger (hurdles), Sean Adams (distance), Jeremiah Evans (sprints)
Key newcomers: Seniors Jordan Birkhaug (sprints), Chad McAndrew (400, 200), juniors Elijah Green (throws), Tom Stuttle (jumps), sophomore Julian Davis (sprints), freshmen Adam Kennedy (800, 1,600), Joe Knanishu (distance), Damien Rodriguez (distance), Artavian Taylor (jumps, sprints)
Season outlook: Hunt, Phillips, Stanley, Akers and Evers all are returning state qualifiers from a year ago for veteran coach Piron, now in his 28th season. "This year's squad is one of the deepest and most talented I have coached in my entire career," he said. "They have very high expectations and the ability to meet those. Early state rankings place us as a Top 10 program and the results have merited that belief. We should be at the top of every scored meet we compete in. We are a very focused and hardworking team. This team is very good and fun to coach. It should be a great year." Hunt, an Iowa signee, is approaching 7 feet in the high jump and is also one of the team's top sprinters. Piron noted Stanley and Evers have looked "special" during the indoor season. "Big things ahead," he said. The coach also noted freshman Kennedy is an athlete to keep an eye out for. Last year's team had 88 honor-roll students out of 137 on the roster and 19 earned all-UEC honors and 40 picked up all-UEC academic honors, while more than 900 personal bests were set on the team a year ago.
Crystal Lake South Coach: Nick Willhoit
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: Fifth place FVC
Top returning athletes: Seniors Sam Peschke (pole vault), Peter Polizos (pole vault), Nathan Meador (throws), Joe Prus (middle distance), Miles Foydl (middle distance), Connor Buckner (400), junior Jack Becker (distance), sophomore Will Lawrence (sprints)
Key newcomers: Juniors Kolade Ayedune (sprints), Oscar Campos (sprints)
Season outlook: Peschke finished seventh in the state in 2016 in the pole vault, while Becker, Prus and Foydl were part of South's 3,200 relay team that also qualified for state. "We have some top-end individuals on the team who will be relied on to perform well in big meets," said Willhoit. "The team has some depth within the sprint crew and pole vault. The positive attitude and hardworking mentality if maintained throughout the season will help some of the middle-of-the-pack athletes rise to the occasion in May." Becker is coming off a strong cross-country season and Willhoit lauded his winter training as well. The coach feels Prus has the potential to be one of the top 800 runners in the area "within a very deep field in the conference this year," said Willhoit. "I'm excited to see this team compete," the coach added. "A lot of guys have potential to surprise some folks. The entire Fox Valley is solid so it will be a competitive year."
Dundee-CrownCoach: Matt D'Angelo
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: 13th place
Top returning athletes: Seniors Oscar Garay (sprints), Jake Olsen (middle distance), Billy Bloom (sprints), Ace Aclaro (jumps), juniors Anthony Hurgoi (distance), Ross Dalgelish (sprints), Jorge Hernandez (distance), Joey DeVita (distance), Danny Price (distance), Kyle Belknap (sprints), sophomores Dylan Becker (sprints and jumps), Adam Swanson (middle distance), Meonte Foster (sprints)
Key newcomers: Senior Oscar Nava (throws), sophomore Jake Mishalski (jumps), freshmen Jason Miller (sprints), Kareem Dunner (sprints, jumps)
Season outlook: D-C is coming off a third-place showing at the FVC indoor meet. "The desire to compete is one of the greatest strengths of this team," said D'Angelo. "Continually, day in and day out, they give their best at what they are doing. They have developed a relentless attitude and have embraced the makers mentality that we have tried to build in our program." Hurgoi was a state qualifier in cross-country this past fall. "He has made some great strides in track this year in the 1,600 and 3,200," said D'Angelo. "He has a relentless desire to compete and make himself better every time he is on the track. Because of that I think he will continue to achieve PRs and fulfill his goal of qualifying for state." Aclaro is coming off a 2016 season slowed by injuries and recently won the FVC indoor triple jump title with a mark of 43-10, a personal best by a foot and a half. "I think he even still has more potential to keep improving and getting better," said D'Angelo.
ElginCoach: Drew Smith
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 finish: Fifth UEC River
Top returning athletes: Seniors Nolan Williamson (jumps, hurdles), Max Troyke (distance), Julio Aguinaga (sprints), junior Jorge Pulido (sprints)
Key newcomers: Junior Michael Weatherburn (high jump, sprints)
Season outlook: Smith is impressed with Williamson's progress in the jumps and hurdles. "I think if he stays committed he'll be punching a ticket to state in May," said Smith. Woerner and Troyke are coming off swimming and wrestling seasons respectively and Smith noted they already are running PR times from the outdoor season last year. Pulido and Aguinaga are showing even more promise in the 400, while newcomer Weatherburn looks to be a threat in the jumps and sprints. "We graduated a lot of talented senior last year," said Smith. "I'm excited about this group because with the loss of last year's group, we're starting to see new leaders emerge and take ownership of the team. I think we have multiple opportunities to score points in conference and sectionals this year, but it will take a lot of work on our part to get them where they need to be."
Elgin AcademyCoach: Brian LeVanti
Conference: Independent School
Top returning athletes: Juniors Hy Chau (middle distance, jumps), Tommy Cain (middle distance, jumps)
Key newcomers: Sophomore Jinyeop Park (throws), freshmen Anthony Perez (distance and jumps), Christopher Perez (distance), Arman Pabani (distance and jumps)
Season outlook: New coach LeVanti takes over a group that has a mix of returning athletes as well as some new faces to the program. "We have a promising group of individuals who are anxious to meet the challenges on the track this spring," he said. "Their hard work ethic combined with their sense of humor and camaraderie is sure to provide a great platform for success."
GenevaCoach: Gale Gross
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 finish: Second place UEC River
Top returning athletes: Tyler Dau (1,600), Brian Kuehl (800), Josh Rogers (3,200)
Key newcomers: Ben Ramage (200), Jacob Berry (pole vault), Bobby Murray (sprints, jumps), Andrew Olenek (300 hurdles)
Season outlook: The Vikings return a nice core of three 2016 state qualifiers in Dau (fifth in the 1,600), Kuehl (800) and Rogers (3,200). "The main point-getters will be in the distance this year," said Gross. "However, the entire team is relatively young and has something to prove. The team strength really lies in each other. I really like their attitude and work ethic. This group has a sense of what it takes to be good and a desire to get there." Gross also is impressed with the progress Olenek, Elliott Gleamza (shot put) and Evan Rutledge (400). "Andrew had a great freshman season and we're looking to see what he can do this year," Gross said. "Elliott has improved already 6 feet over last year and has some more to go. Evan has shown some nice improvement during the indoor season and has the desire of a senior who wants to go out on a high note." Gross sees Batavia as a favorite in the UEC River. "This year will be tough to defeat Batavia in our division," Gross said. "We will be a very young team and it will be interesting to see how they mature as the season progresses."
HampshireCoach: Joe Watzlawick
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: 11th FVC
Top returning athletes: Seniors Douglas Stuehler (jumps), Jake Oury (800), Will Matushek (1,600), Sheldon McKittrick (300 hurdles), junior Elijah Stuart (middle distance)
Key newcomers: Senior Noah Varvara (sprints), sophomores Tommy Croissant (pole vault), Cameron Reedy (distance)
Season outlook: Stuehler and Oury both qualified for state in Class 2A in 2015 and lead a list of returning athletes. "Our distance and mid-distance runners definitely are the strength of our team with Jake, Will Cameron and Elijah," said Watzlawick. "Douglas also is strong in the jumps. We are a senior-led team and we can compete." Watzlawick said Stuehler and Oury are motivated to return to state in their senior years. The coach is also high on his 3,200 relay team. "I think we can put together a 4-by-800 relay team that will be very strong," he said. Hampshire's roster has ballooned to near 50 athletes this season. "We are going to be senior-led, but we have almost 50 kids out so this will be the biggest team we have had so it will be fun to see them progress," said Watzlawick.
Harvest Christian AcademyCoach: Steve Bland
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
2016 finish: NA (Official died during meet, which was then canceled)
Top returning athletes: Senior Michael Sisko (3,200), Andres Cojocarescu (sprints), juniors Kyler Young (3,200, 3200 relay), Mark Davila (3,200, 3,200 relay), Andrew Dobrescu (1,600)
Key newcomers: Freshman Erik Richter (3,200, 3,200 relay)
Season outlook: Sisko (3,200) and Dobrescu (1,600) both are returning state qualifiers. Sisko has gone 10:12 in the 3,200 already, while Bland also has high hopes for his 3,200 relay team. Sisko and Dobrescu both were all-state in cross-country this past fall. "Our strength is our willingness to work," said Bland. "The team is small, but the athletes we do have are willing to work and have great attitudes about it. They bring a lot of passion, are ambitious and aren't afraid of hard work. They are willing to take the long view and see that this season or last season wasn't simply about the moment, but about a progression. This is why we think our best days are in front of us. Our goal always is to win the conference meet, apart from that we are looking to get athletes to state and onto the podium. As our team has progressed, we are putting more emphasis on podium placement at state rather than being satisfied to just get there."
HuntleyCoach: Jim Rolando
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: FVC, McHenry County and sectional champions
Top returning athletes: Seniors Jacob Riese (pole vault), Raf Rivera (pole vault), juniors Dubem Anikamadu (100, relays), Eric Mooney (relays)
Season outlook: Huntley is predicted once again to be one of the top teams in the Fox Valley area. Riese and Rivera were state finalists in the pole vault last year, while Anikamadu was a state qualifier in the 100 and along with Mooney were part of Huntley's all-state relay teams. "We look to improve as the season goes along," said Rolando. "It will be difficult to repeat some of the individual and team performances that helped us win some bigger meets last year. Getting younger guys ready to compete will be a priority for us and that is both a strength and weakness. They can become like last year's group who competed at the varsity level and stepped up many times, but they also are pretty young right now and aren't quite ready to compete day in and day out at the varsity level."
JacobsCoach: Jason Borhart
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 finish: Fourth place FVC
Top returning athletes: Seniors Steven Bellefontaine (sprints, relays), Aiden Ludlum (sprints, relays), Conrad Beech (400, relays), Garrett Brenizer (distance), juniors Loren Strickland (sprints, jumps), Jermaine Magdlin-Ferguson (hurdles, relays), sophomore Zach Albrecht (middle distance)
Key newcomers: Junior Caleb Walker (sprints, relays), sophomores Mark Lemke (middle distance), Brandon Cole (middle distance)
Season outlook: Bellefontaine is a returning state qualifier in the 100. "We have some quality athletes throughout the team," said Borhart. "We don't have the complete team to win at the big meets, but we should be able to put together quality marks in nine or 10 events." Borhart said Huntley is the team to beat in the FVC. "They do a great job with the athletes they get and should have most events finish well in big meets."
KanelandCoach: Andy Drendel
Conference: Northern Illinois Big XII
2016 finish: Second place conference, Class 2A sectional champions
Top returning athletes: Seniors Danny Walker (pole vault), Adam Rivas (800 relay), Cody Delarme (relays), Matt Noel (relays), Matt Redman (relays), junior Matt Richtman (1,600, relay), Clayton Hannula (discus)
Key newcomers: Junior Jack O'Sullivan (pole vault), sophomore Drew Hahn (shot put), freshman Daniel Occhipinti (distance)
Season outlook: Richtman qualified for state in the 1,600 last year and also was part of Kaneland's all-state 3,200 relay team. Hannula was a state-qualifier in the discus, while Rivas, Delarme, Noel and Redman were either competitors or alternates on Kaneland's 800 and 1,600 state relay teams. Walker won the pole vault state title in 2015, but was injured last season. Freshman Occhipinti has the current fastest 800 indoor time for all freshmen in Class 2A. "Our team's goals are to be competing for a conference title for both varsity and frosh-soph level, compete for a sectional title and compete for a Top 5 place at state," said Drendel. "We have almost 50 frosh-soph athletes on the team this year and are looking to see who steps up to contend for a varsity spot. The goal is to always be healthy and competing to the best of our abilities in May."
LarkinCoach: Nate Williams
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 finish: 13th place UEC
Top returning athletes: Seniors David Hibbler (sprints, relays), Eduardo Baltazar (400, 800), Uriel Espinoza (800, 1,600), juniors KJ Redmond (300 hurdles), Ezzry Leon (throws), Adalid Hernandez (sprints, relays), sophomores Isai Rios (throws), Jahari Stubbs (110 hurdles)
Key newcomers: Senior Avion Stewart (jumps, sprints), Max Whitaker (110 hurdles), junior Devonte Logan (jumps)
Season outlook: Redmond was in the Top 10 in Kane County in the 300 hurdles last season. Hibbler earned all-conference honors in 2015. Baltazar is returning from a heel injury). Stubbs was Top 5 in both the 110 and 300 hurdles at the frosh-soph level last year. "We look to be more competitive this season with a larger team, returning athletes and a deeper roster," said Williams. "David Hibbler is back for his senior season and will attempt to return Larkin to the state meet for the first time since 2014. We look to be strong in the hurdles, improved in the throwing-jumping events and will attempt to reintroduce the pole vault for the first time since the late 1990s-early 2000s."
MarmionCoach: Dan Thorpe
Conference: Chicago Catholic League
2016 finish: Third place CCL
Top returning athletes: Seniors Nick Auriemma (throws), Nick Brennan (distance), Justin Caceres (sprints), David Farrell (distance), Riley Friel (throws), Quinn Gratz (distance), Jon Groom (sprints), Jacob Heineman (pole vault), Weston Kramer (throws), Andrew Lifka (distance), James Milder (distance), Zach Moore (sprints), Nick Sevenich (hurdles), Charlie Zimmer (distance), juniors Ryan Conti (distance), Sean Galle (distance), Seth Groom (jumps), Jacob Lee (pole vault), Zach Orpilla (distance), Michael Ronzone (distance), Isaac Schieble (throws), Evan Turcich (distance), Zach Urwiler (sprints), Nick Ward (distance), sophomores Keegan Bennett (distance), Keoni English (distance), Jacob Harron (distance), Ben Saloga (hurdles), Alex Wilson (sprints)
Season outlook: Marmion fared quite well in its first season in the Chicago Catholic League and comes back in 2017 with state qualifiers Groom (third in the triple jump), Gratz (10th in the 800) and Zimmer (16th in the 3,200). Groom already has jumped 45-9 ½ indoors in the triple. Thorpe is impressed with the potential of his distance group. "Quinn, Charlie, Jimmy Milder and Michael Ronzone make up that 4-by-800 team and we expect great things from Andrew Lifka and Zimmer in the 3,200," the coach said. "Gratz (800) and Ronzone (1,600) have great opportunities to go to state if we stay away from injuries." Thorpe said the team's goal is to take home the CCL title. "Winning conference in the famed Chicago Catholic League would be a great accomplishment and is our No. 1 goal," he said. "And we want to send as many athletes as possible to state."
St. Charles EastCoach: Chris Bosworth
Conference: Upstate Eight River
Top returning athletes: Seniors Colton Weber (pole vault), JB Sandlund (800, 1,600, 3,200 relay), Jake Schweizer (100, 200, 1,600 relay), James Cooper (300 hurdles, 1,600 relay), John Carroll (triple jump), Jake Beno (distance), juniors Charlie Wade (triple jump), Cole Adesso (distance), Campbell Koch (distance)
Key newcomers: Juniors Nick Garlisch (100, 200, plus 400, 800 relays), Yalon Rogers (100, 200, plus 400, 800 relays)
Season outlook: Sandlund was all-state last year as a member of the Saints' 3,200 relay team, while Weber also qualified for state in the pole vault. "We have a couple of kids who went to the state meet and did well and we bring that leadership back," said Bosworth. "They are leading the team and doing all right so far. Our distance kids had a good cross-country season and they know it is important to hold up their end of the deal. They are going to help us out. We are pretty good all-around this season." Weber has gone 14-9 indoors in the pole vault, Carroll (triple jump), Sandlund (800), Wade 400 and Koch (mile) also are ranked in the state indoors in those respective events. "We're a little more balanced than we've been in other years," said Bosworth.
St. Charles NorthCoach: Kevin Harrington
Conference: Upstate Eight River
Top returning athletes: Seniors Sam Ambrogio (discus), Luke Sutherland (400), Colton TIsdall (1,600 relay), Luke Zanis (1,600 relay), Cameron Wright (pole vault and horizontal jumps), Jared Palan (pole vault), Riley Smith (hurdles, 400), Collin Srocki (high jump and hurdles), Grayson Reed (high jump), Eric Lins (sprint), junior Peter Willis (high jump)
Other key athletes: Seniors Tim Leal (middle distance, long sprints), Nick Hartmann (sprints), Marson Maynor (hurdles), Michael Bancroft (throws), Danny Horvath (throws), Jacob Kappel (throws), juniors Bo Ruttens (distance), Frank McGinn (horizontal jumps), Bobby Mikos (sprints), Josiah Havens (sprints and horizontal jumps), Doug Bullock (throws), sophomores Lorenzo Dripps (sprints), Jacob Aalfs (sprints), freshman Ben Cook (middle distance and long sprints)
Season outlook: Ambrogio qualified for state in the discus last year, while Willis (high jump) and Sutherland (400) also went, as did three-fourths of the North Stars' 1,600 sectional-champion relay team in Sutherland, Tisdall and Zanis. "2017 looks to be a good year for the North Stars," said Harrington. "Our sprint relays should be strong and we should put up some points in the field."
Streamwood Coach: Dylan Lau
Conference: Upstate Eight River
Top returning athletes: Seniors Ricardo Villarreal (distance), Ahmad Ward (hurdles), juniors Julian Flores (throws), Derrick Combs (sprints), sophomores Marcos Villarreal (distance), Carlos Ramirez (distance), Elijah Beach (throws), Josh Morris (sprints), Angel Lara (sprints)
Key newcomers: Junior Angel Gonzalez (throws), sophomore Emigdio Mayo (throws), freshmen Brandon Munoz (distance), Sirrion Dixon (sprints)
Season outlook: Villarreal was a sectional qualifier this past fall in cross-country and will be part of a Sabres team that is relatively young. "As a team, we are looking to improve where we left off last season," said Lau. "We are a team that is freshman and sophomore heavy so we are working on developing our young guys while maximizing our upperclassmen potential. Our strength this year will be the leadership of our juniors and seniors. For distance, it's Ricardo Villarreal and for sprints its Derrick Combos who helps lead the team." Lau also has been impressed with Beach's development. "We're also expecting big things from Elijah in shot and disc." Lau said another key will be getting onto the outdoor track and competing in meets. "One obstacle we face is we are a young team and with that comes inexperience," he said. "We just need to get these younger guys as many reps as possible."
South ElginCoach: Anthony La Rue
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2016 finish: 2nd place UEC Valley
Top returning athletes: Senior Nicco Woods (100), juniors Desmond Lockett (100), juniors Jerlon Teems (100), Hector Rodriguez (800)
Key newcomers: Senior Joe Hall (800), sophomores Azxavier Salinas (high hurdles), Jacob Todd (100, 200)
Season outlook: This is La Rue's eighth year as head coach and in each of the previous seven seasons the Storm has qualified at last one athlete for the state meet, including last year's run that included a pair of third-place finishes at state and a seventh-place showing. Lockett, Woods and Teems have run in the low 11s in the 100, while Rodriguez has gone 2:06 in the 800. La Rue sees West Aurora once again as the team to beat in the division. "West Aurora for our conference always is a very strong team, especially when it comes to the championship season," he said. "When you have some of the top long, triple and high-jump athletes in the state, you always will have a chance to make noise at the state level of competition." South Elgin logged five Top 3 finishes at last year's UEC meet.
Westminster Christian
Coach: Matt Soules
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
2016 finish: NA (official died during meet, which was then called off)
Top returning athletes: Jason Yaccino (800), senior Tom Danner (1,600, 3,200), junior Will DeHaan (300 hurdles, 400, 800), sophomore Will Kemieciak (sprints)
Key newcomers: sophomore Domenic Boyce (throws), Dylan Leach (1,600, 3,200)
Season outlook: Yaccino took eighth last year in the state in the 800 in Class 1A. He also placed first in the 400 and 800 in Westminster's first indoor meet this season. Kemieciak took second in the 200 in that meet. "For a small roster, we have a good distance group," said Soules, in his first season at the helm. "They have worked hard in the off-season to be ready for a strong start and for peak performance later in the season. This is a unified group. They have a lot of fun together and it makes the drives, meets and practices a blast. I'm looking forward to their hard work paying off when conference and when the state qualifying meet comes up." Soules feels Kemieciak has a strong chance to qualify for state in the 200, while Yaccino is hungry to podium this year and set PRs in the 800 and 400. DeHaan will help the Warriors in the 300 hurdles and 400. "He'll find his niche this year in the 300 hurdles and the 400," said Soules. And Danner is entering his final season of track at Westminster. "As a senior, Tom has one last chance to improve and head to state before a college selection that will most probably include a cross-country scholarship," said Soules.
West Aurora
Coach: Cortney Lamb
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2016 finish: UEC Valley champions
Top returning athletes: Seniors DaVion Cross (triple jump), DaQuan Cross (high jump), Chandler Behrens (400, 800 relays), Michaels Dudley-Pryor (400, 800 relays), Jaeshawn Robinson (400, 800 relays), Jaquan Buchanan (400, 800 relays), David Castillo (distance), junior Camron Donatlan (high jump), Reece Mavros (shot put)
Key newcomers: Junior Kevin Sylvester (jumps), sophomores Moshe Rogers (jumps), Andre Jones (pole vault)
Season outlook: West Aurora recently won the UEC indoor team title. The Blackhawks return defending state high-jump champion Donatlan, plus state runner-up DaVion Cross in the triple jump and brother DaQuan Cross, who took eighth in the state in the high jump last year. Mavros also qualified for state in the shot put, while Behrens, Dudley-Pryor, Robinson and Buchanan qualified in the 400 and 800 relays. "This group of athletes is very talented and very coachable," said Lamb. West Aurora should again be strong in the field events and sprints. "We have always been a program that relies on big points from field events and sprints," said Lamb. Lamb said the team also will be bolstered by a strong contingent of younger competitors. "We have a number of younger guys ready to step into varsity roles," the coach said. "How they adjust to it will determine how successful we will be in some of the bigger invites." Depth could be a key determining factor for the Blackhawks outdoors. "If we can find some depth in a few spots, we could have another very successful outdoor season," said Lamb.