Boys cross country: Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE
LAKE ZURICH
Coach: J.B. Hanson (12th season)
Last season: third in Class 3A, sectional champions, regional champions, first in NSC
Top graduated runners: Brian Griffith (fifth in Class 3A, Notre Dame), Matt Pereira (sixth in Class 3A, Harvard), Kyle Griffith (Purdue)
Top returning runners: seniors Patrick Burns, Jacob Bieniek, Eric Metzger, Drake Heisterkamp, Sean Ginn
Key newcomers: freshman Jack Gilboy
Outlook: After bringing home the third-place trophy in Class 3A last November, the Bears will have the unenviable task of trying to replace three individuals who are now running at Division I colleges. Despite losing those front-runners, Lake Zurich should still have plenty enough depth, talent and experience to at least make a strong push for a state berth. Coach J.B Hanson believes that his team success will depend on how his current individuals take the step up from being pack runners last year to being front-runners in 2017. The Bears have been on a roll for almost a decade now as they have won eight NSC championships in the past nine years. Lake Zurich still has four of its top seven runners back from last year's elite squad in seniors Patrick Burns (51st at state), Jacob Bieniek (121st), Eric Metzger (182nd) and Drake Heisterkamp (199th).
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Stuart Mendelsohn (third season)
Last season: eighth in sectionals, third in regionals, third in NSC
Top graduated runners: Stephen Richardson, Joe Gasick (St. Norbert College), Alex Hecksher-Gomes, Addison Whitney
Top returning runners: seniors Alex Tam, Nate Sweitzer, Colin Beattie, Albert Su; juniors Max Sauers, Ben Johnson, Connor Shinn; sophomore Will Gordon
Key newcomers: sophomores Cole Gebert, Bennett Scheuneman, Dane Whitney; freshman Ethan Hansen
Outlook: With 2016 state qualifier Alex Tam (40th in Class 3A state meet, sixth in NSC) back and ready to lead their pack, the Wildcats are hoping to improve on their performance from last year and make a push for the state meet at Detweiller Park. Libertyville will have to replace a couple of key seniors in Stephen Richardson and Joe Gasick, but the Wildcats do have four of their top seven runners from last season back in the lineup. Senior Nate Sweitzer placed 25th in the NSC meet last year. After placing 40th in his first state meet as a junior last fall, Tam should definitely be a contender to make the all-state (top 25) team on November 4 in Peoria.
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Kurt Rutz (fifth season)
Last season: sixth in sectionals, regional champions, second in NSC
Top graduated runners: Ben Krauss
Top returning runners: seniors Carl Schoenfield, Kaleb Carlson, Kevin Garcia; juniors Robert St. Clair, Michael Parduhn, Dario Carrillo, Sean Finerty, Matt Olorvida; sophomore Dillon Blake
Key newcomers: freshmen Elian Salgado, Cale Sethna, Nathan Clapp
Outlook: The Mustangs made a serious push for their first trip to the IHSA state meet in school history as a team when they placed sixth at the powerful Waukegan Class 3A sectional last fall. And while Mundelein did lose an all-conference runner in Ben Krauss to graduation, it still has an outstanding trio of junior runners in Robert St. Clair (11th in NSC), Michael Parduhn (18th in NSC) and Dario Carrillo (27th in NSC) to help them qualify for that elusive trip to the state meet as a team. Highland Park's depth carried the Giants to fifth place at sectionals by 26 points over the Mustangs last year. "We expect to be in competition for conference and regional titles as well as a team trip to state for the first time in school history," said coach Kurt Rutz. "If we can get our one through five spread under 30 seconds we should be very competitive in our meets."
STEVENSON
Coach: Scott Sommers (10th season)
Last season: 16th in sectionals, fourth in regionals, fourth in NSC
Top graduated runners: Paul Udoni, Caleb Oh, Matt Klonowski, Zach Sprague, Adam Kody
Top returning runners: seniors Nikita Smyrnov, Brett Lucas, Jacob Sparreo, Ethan Simanek, Tim Green; junior Alex Beckerman
Key newcomers: senior Aaron Portman; sophomores Cameron Coffeey, Cameron Sprague
Outlook: With a state qualifier in Nikita Smyrnov (157th in Class 3A, 13th in NSC) and an all-conference runner in Brett Lucas (22nd in NSC) returning, the Patriots have some experienced seniors back and ready to lead their pack in 2017. Stevenson did lose many key seniors to graduation as well, but coach Scott Sommers is optimistic heading into the new campaign. Smyrnov captured the seventh and final individual at-large berth downstate with a 13th-place finish at the Waukegan sectional last season. Senior Jacob Sparreo placed 28th in the NSC meet last year. "We lost a lot of guys, but Nikita and Brett look like they are absolutely ready to go, and Brett is running with him (Smyrnov) every step of the way," said Sommers. "If our next three guys can close the gap and close the split we will be ready by the end of the season."
WARREN
Coach: Bill Dawson (36th season)
Last season: seventh in regionals, sixth in NSC
Top graduated runners: Andrew Miller, Julian Ruiz, Nathan Oommen, Raees Ahmad, Ray Sorge-Young, Jason Carrington
Top returning runners: seniors Eric Salgado, Matt Cote, Justin Elkiton; sophomores Hunter Subry, John Wiser
Key newcomers: senior Keyante Howard; juniors Sevario Hernandez, Bryan Holland, Cyrus Braza, Liam McArthur; sophomores Nathan Papierniak, Eric Metcalf, Sohom Dash, Collin Sorge-Young; freshmen Collin Jones, Carlos Villa, Griffen Pasha
Outlook: The Blue Devils have some talented athletes, but they are young and inexperienced heading into the 2017 season. In the early stages of the new campaign Warren newcomers Hunter Subry and Collin Jones have been its top runners, and Keyante Howard has looked good after not running last year, according to coach Bill Dawson. Bryan Holland and Cyrus Braza both ran track for the first time last season, and they both made the decision to run cross country late so they could become key contributors to the team as the season unfolds. If all goes well, Dawson hopes his squad can develop into a young contending team like Mundelein was last fall, but he said his squad is probably not as advanced as they were at this point.
NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY CONFERENCE
ANTIOCH
Coach: Chris Bailey (ninth season)
Last season: 13th in sectionals, third in regionals, fourth in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Pat Schoenfelder, Kevin Vettese
Top returning runners: seniors Joe Sculuca, Alex Besson, Max Barton, Andrew Johnson; junior Eric Hart; sophomores Charlie Smith, Josh Linck
Key newcomers: juniors Sebastian Scofield, Mike Volkmar; freshman Owen Lane
Outlook: After putting in a great summer of running with their mileage considerably up, the Sequoits and No. 1 runner Charlie Smith are already looking to be in better shape than last year, according to coach Chris Bailey. Smith and Max Barton should be the leaders of Antioch's pack running along with strong support from Joe Sculuca, Alex Besson, Eric Hart, Andrew Johnson and Josh Linck as the Sequoits should easily qualify for the sectional meet again later this fall. With Class 2A powerhouse Grayslake Central losing four runners from its second-place team at state to graduation, the chase for the NLCC championship should be much more competitive this season.
GRANT
Coach: Jeff Durlak (11th season)
Last season: 10th in regionals, fifth in NLCC
Top graduated runners: John Schmidt, Omid Navidzadeh, Cody Zajac
Top returning runners: senior Nathan Ehrenhofer; juniors D.J. Cardy, Nolan Bauer; sophomores Justin Splitt, Ryan Bishop
Key newcomers: junior Ethan Wagaman; freshmen Colton Romig, Jalen Rios, Emilio Figueroa
Outlook: After losing two of their top five runners from last year to graduation, the Bulldogs are definitely going to rely on some young runners throughout the course of the season. Grant hopes to improve on its fifth-place finish in the conference meet from last season, and the Bulldogs are hoping to advance some individuals out of the regional meet for the first time in two years.
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL
Coach: Jimmy Centella (ninth season)
Last season: second in Class 2A, sectional champions, regional champions, first in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Jack Aho (two-time Class 2A state champion, Michigan), Matt Aho, (second in 2016, seventh in 2015, Bradley), Mario Giannini, Ben Steinbeck, Noah Boelens
Top returning runners: seniors Eli Minsky (12th in Class 2A), Luke Reblin (84th in Class 2A); juniors Ty Sato, Matt Droessler, Roman Tovar, Justin Parmer; sophomores Dominic Giannini, Augustus Bankson, Logan Spaulding
Key newcomers: sophomore Craig Hundley; freshmen Sushil Suresh, Atticus Snow
Outlook: After winning the state title in 2015 and placing second in Class 2A last year, this will be somewhat of a rebuilding season for the Rams. Gone are two-time Class 2A state champ Jack Aho and his brother Matt, but Grayslake Central still has the luxury of trotting out two-time returning all-state runner Eli Minsky (12th in Class 2A). But the Rams' only other senior back this fall to provide leadership to the younger runners is Luke Reblin. Coach Jimmy Centella said he likes the pack that is developing among his three through nine runners and that as many as 12 athletes could be competing for a spot on the varsity lineup.
GRAYSLAKE NORTH
Coach: Anthony DeStephano (first season)
Last season: 12th in sectionals, fourth in regionals
Top graduated runners: Liam O'Connell (40th in Class 2A), Cameron Detweiler, John Mutter, A.J. Amadio
Top returning runners: seniors Marcus Sandroni, Blake Barreca, Connor Brennan, Seneca Lawson
Key newcomers: sophomore Brandt Batteau
Outlook: Not only did the Knights lose state qualifier Liam O'Connell to graduation, but No. 2-runner Cameron Detweiler's graduation means that Grayslake North will be searching for some new runners to lead the front of its pack this season. Sophomore newcomer Brandt Batteau could be one of the keys to the new-look Knights after he was their No. 3 runner in the sectional meet last fall. Grayslake North also has three experienced seniors to count in Marcus Sandroni, Blake Barreca and Connor Brennan in big meets. New coach Anthony DeStephano takes over the reigns of the Grayslake North program after Brandon Boyd held the post for 12 years.
LAKES
Coach: Travis Shepherd (fourth season)
Last season: eighth in sectionals, second in regionals, second in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Jeremy Wallace (22nd in Class 2A, College of Lake County)
Top returning runners: senior Kael Moran; juniors Jack Erwin, Charlie Halberg, Ethan Schommer, Owen Wenberg; sophomore R.J. Migas
Key newcomers: sophomore Talon Knauf
Outlook: The Eagles have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of all-state runner Jeremy Wallace. In spite of that, coach Travis Shepherd said his team has set some high expectations for this season with the goal of reaching the state meet at the top of Lakes' wish list. Kael Moran will be gunning for the Eagles' school-record time of 15:04, despite suffering an injury that sidelined him during track. Former soccer player Talon Knauf should be a huge addition in only his sophomore campaign. Lakes is coming off its best season ever.
ROUND LAKE
Coach: Kevin Brady (13th season)
Last season: 10th in regionals, 2-5 in NLCC
Top graduated runners: Brian Ortega, Moises Acosta, Edson Delarosa
Top returning runners: seniors Marco Hernandez, Sam Ruiz, Nathan Etherington, Daniel Lopez; junior Marco Barcenas
Key newcomers: junior Alex Urbina; sophomore Anthony Barajas; freshmen Diego Giron, Cody Arenas
Outlook: The Panthers should be an experienced team as they return numerous runners from last year's squad. But to be successful in the NLCC and the always-rugged Class 3A postseason competition, Round Lake will need some of its individuals to step up and become leaders as the new campaign progresses. Coach Kevin Brady is optimistic that his team will be more competitive overall this season with so many key runners returning to the Panthers' pack.
WAUCONDA
Coach: Jeff Helberg (third season)
Last season: eighth in regionals, sixth in NLCC
Top graduated runners: none
Top returning runners: seniors Adam Fox, Mike Messacar, Sam Rayzman; juniors Marcus Keller, Nick Brunn
Key newcomers: senior Mickey Landvick; junior Eli Wurster; freshmen Kai Keene, Pat Jenkins, Aidan Miller
Outlook: Senior Adam Fox looks to improve on his sectional-qualifying effort from last season, and the Bulldogs' depth is the best it has looked in years, according to coach Jeff Helberg. Wauconda should be much more competitive this year, and Fox could have some teammates joining him at sectionals if the training and race game plans are followed to a tee. The always-competitive Wauconda Invitational will be moved from Lakewood Forest Preserve to a new course in Island Lake when it is held on Sept. 9.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN LEAGUE NORTH DIVISION
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Mark Whitney (sixth season)
Last season: 10th at sectionals, fifth at regionals, third in CSL North (seventh overall in CSL)
Top graduated runners: Shane Williamson (four-time state qualifier, two-time all-stater), Tim Krashevsky, Nick Mohrdieck, Zak Baumann
Top returning runners: seniors Teddy Chen, Evan Webber, Bryan Shim, Jace White; juniors Matt Huse, Sean Kim, Antoni Okinczyc, Cameron Overbeck, Evan Peepo, Ethan Schuster; sophomores Chase Johnson, Dave Palmer, Carter Sherwin
Key newcomers: junior Jimmy McDonald; freshmen Oskar Jedynak, Alex Utsis
Outlook: The Cougars will miss the presence of longtime leader Shane Williamson, whose stellar career included four trips to the state meet, including an eighth-place finish as a junior. But a solid pack of runners will make Vernon Hills competitive in the CSL North, despite tough competition expected from Deerfield, Glenbrook North and Highland Park. Coach Mark Whitney said that success in the IHSA series will require some tremendous performances.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
CARMEL CATHOLIC
Coach: Jim Halford (31st season)
Last season: 17th in sectionals, sixth in regionals, third in ESCC
Top graduated runners: Steven Lacke, Zach Schneider
Top returning runners: seniors Jack Teehan, Alex Slack, Michael Salman, David Hoffman, Scott Haseman; junior Jack Bartz
Key newcomers: freshman Evan Ashley
Outlook: The Corsairs are hoping to finish in the top four in the ESCC this season, but a lack of depth could make that a difficult goal to reach. No. 1-runner Steven Lacke graduated, but senior Jack Teehan should be able to step into the role after putting together a strong junior campaign. With Teehan and Alex Slack leading the way, the Corsairs should be able to contend for another berth to the sectional meet after just qualifying in 2016 with a sixth-place finish at regionals.