Boys track: Lake Co. preview
North Suburban Lake
Stevenson
Coach: Andy Farrissey (12th year)
Last season: 3rd place NSC
Key losses: Brad Fine, Bryan Smoot (state qualifier), Connor Wood (state qualifier), Rob Eckhardt (state qualifier, Illinois), Andrew Wolff, Andrew Weisman.
Key returnees: seniors Taylor Deloye (400), Barrett Wood (distance), Johan Laker (400/800), Ben Kluvers (400); juniors Tyler Bartlow (800), Oliver Rose (800), Ben Sampson (throws), Oliver Rose (distance), Michael Bilton (jumps/sprints).
Top newcomers: junior Derek Chmielewski (throws); sophomore Shane Walsh (hurdles).
Outlook: There was no question the Patriots went through a bit of a transition in 2007, but it still yielded a third place finish at the conference meet. This year, the Patriots have a bit more depth in some of the key spots to go with the traditionally solid distance runners Stevenson produces each season. Johan Laker and Ben Kluvers figure to both contribute heavily to the Patriots success this spring. Bilton, Bartlow and Deloye will also be counted on to score points.
Libertyville
Coach: Ray Albin (1st year)
Last season: 4th place NSC
Key losses: Tim Taylor, Max Bellmore (state qualifier), Nicco Terry, Ross Johnson, Doug True, Steve Branham, Aaron Wyatt.
Key returnees: seniors Mark Updegraff (sprints), Tom Nield (throws), Scott Rule (distance), Colin Quinn (400/800); juniors Pat Callan (400), Nate Johnson (jumps), Kyle Manolov (pole vault).
Top newcomers: juniors Jim Murnik (distance), Ben Grozier (distance); sophomores Chris Cacciatore (jumps), Tim Skurski (sprints).
Outlook: In his first season as the head coach, Albin is looking at a young, but very talented group of Wildcats. Updegraff and Callan are the most experienced returnees. But with a junior base and good under-level group, it won't be long before the Wildcats are back at the top of the NSC Lake. Look for Nield and Manolov to be two key contributors this spring.
Warren
Coach: Bill Dawson (13th year)
Last season: 5th place NSC
Key losses: Steven Kleine (state qualifier), Chris Burns (state qualifier, Carthage College), John Cody, Alex Kueny (state qualifier), Evan Johnson, Matt Rodick, Dandy Martin.
Key returnees: seniors Marcus Taylor (jumps), Waseem Ahmad (distance), Steve Walz (distance), Pierre Yapo (hurdles), Anthony Franklin (jumps); juniors Carson Greene (distance), Chet Michna (sprints), Kevin Fillebrown (hurdles), Leonard Brady (sprints), Chris Sizemore (800), Joe Florio (800); sophomore Greg Kennedy (sprints).
Top newcomers: sophomores Trevor Raupp (sprints), Jake Jerowicz (sprints)
Outlook: He electrified fans on the football fields of Lake County last fall and figures to do the same on the tracks around Lake County this spring. Kennedy is one of the fastest returning sprinters in the county and should be a contender in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Add good sprinters in Brady and Franklin to the mix and the Blue Devils could also feature one of the better sprint relays in the area. If Greene can return to health, Warren will be one of a host of teams that will try and chase down Zion.
Lake Zurich
Coach: Chad Beaver (2nd year)
Last year: NSC co-champions
Key losses: Keith Hair, Nate Nard, Dave Cholewa, Matt Zak, Ryan Metzler, Kyle Skarb (9th in state 400 relay), Matt Blanchard, Eric Jaffe, Luke Cherney, Dave Antczak (state qualifier), Kevin Johnson (9th in state 400/800 relays), Dan Kalcsics (9th in state 400/800 relays), Sean Jaeger.
Key returnees: seniors Jon Janus (9th in state 400, 800 relays), Mickey Stott (distance), Joe Fanta (sprints/hurdles), Steve Midday (throws), Chris Doust (jumps), Pat Gallagher (sprints); juniors Kyle Williams (9th in state 800 relay); sophomores Jack Rathe (sprints), Dan Randolph (sprints/jumps).
Top newcomers: sophomores Francisco Soto (distance), Jerry Perez (distance), Andrew Morrison (distance).
Outlook: Year two for Beaver and the Bears figures to be far different than year one. With Kalcsics and Johnson choosing to concentrate on football rather than track, the bulk of two medal winning relays is gone. Janus does return and with Williams joining him, the Bears do have sprinting threats. The loss of Jaeger to illness also hurts, but Morrison, Soto and Perez all appear able to fill the distance holes. Stott and Fanta will be looked to in the hurdles and distance events as well.
Mundelein
Coach: Kevin Shifley (1st year)
Last season: 14th place NSC
Key losses: Dexter Smith, Tom McCann, Jason Langslet, Tony Volpentesta, Mike Spillone, Tim Unger, Jason Khuen, Alskar Esquivel, Pat Olerich, Chris Hebert
Key returnees: seniors Alex Mena (800), Adam Avalos (sprints), Adam Bassett (jumps), Jamell Ross (jumps), Matt Hoffmeyer (distance), Mike Mata (sprints), Steve Avalos (sprints), Daniel Juoztis (distance); juniors Chris White (jumps), Devonte Lockett (hurdles), Osmel Acosta (sprints), Dan Franz (hurdles)
Top newcomers: sophomores Will Quabrado (sprints), Dan Richards (400), Will Gardner (pole vault), Tom Everding (hurdles), Tony Reyes (sprints), David Duvall (distance); freshmen Connor Boike (800), Julian DeGuzman (sprints), Martin Mena (distance).
Outlook: The focus this spring for Shifley and the Mustangs will be in the sprints where Mundelein figures to be at its strongest. Ross is one of the top sprinters in the county and add in the early successes this spring of Reyes and Quabrado and the Mustangs will have plenty of good depth. Bassett narrowly missed the cut in the high jump a year ago but should hit it this year. Hoffmeyer and Alex Mena will be counted on in the distance events.
North Suburban Prairie
Antioch
Coach: John Brumund-Smith (3rd year)
Last season: 10th place NSC
Key losses: Brad Fortney (state qualifier, Carthage), Mike Dussault.
Key returnees: seniors Lamarr Pottinger (state qualifier), Dan Larsen (sprints), Bryant Giorgi (hurdles); juniors Mike Cook (distance), Donnie Rowdon (pole vault), Tyler Woolard (throws); sophomores Sam Pimpo (distance), Steve Lorenzini (400).
Top newcomers: junior Brent Jones (jumps/sprints, transfer form Zion-Benton); sophomore DeVonte Miller (200/400).
Outlook: Ask Pottinger about his first experience at state and chances are his memories will not be sweet. Pottinger qualified in the hurdles but false-started in his prelim heat never getting the chance to race. If his indoor times are any indication, Pottinger will be back at state looking for redemption. The Sequoits will be deep in the sprints with Jones, a Zion-Benton transfer and Larsen, a strong 200 runner from a year ago.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Jeff Morello (4th year)
Last season: 7th place NSC
Key losses: Brennan Reed, Jesse Schaar, Luke Gorski.
Key returnees: seniors Mo Bahrani (distance), Josh Park (throws), Zach Wheeler (state qualifier), Adelmo Rodriguez (sprints), Aaron McMinn (throws); juniors Zeb Evans (sprints), Shawn Sullivan (jumps); sophomores Andrew Thompson (distance), Nick Piagentini (sprints)
Top newcomers: junior Jimmy Koukoulis (throws); freshmen Evan Spencer (jumps), Marcus Bradford (sprints), Tom Flynn (Distance).
Outlook: To say Morello is excited about his young team is an understatement. But that doesn't mean he isn't just a little excited about seniors Bahrani and Wheeler. Both figure to be contending for medals at state as the Cougars will try and win a pair of medals at state for the first time since 2003. McMinn has had a solid indoor campaign and a large contingent of freshmen and sophomores figure to make the Cougars deeper than in past years.
Wauconda
Coach: Megan Zemanek (7th year)
Last season: 12th place NSC
Key losses: Rob Champion (state qualifier), Jim Tobin
Key returnees: seniors Marc Anders (distance); juniors Garrett Dorsey (sprints), Sean Lichterman (hurdles), Colin McKenzie (jumps), Charlie Balfour (throws), Mike Anselmo (distance), Nick Eiserman (throws).
Top newcomers: sophomore Josh Fugle (pole vault); freshman Louis LaRose (jumps).
Outlook: Champion was a champion in many ways for the Bulldogs last year, but now that he has graduated, Anders, Dorsey and Lichterman will have to pick up the leadership role. Dorsey is a 400 contender as the leader of the Bulldog football team last fall looks to lead the team to similar success this spring. LaRose and Fugle look to be immediate contributors. Fugle spent time at a pole vault camp in the offseason which could lead to a state berth this spring.
Grant
Coach: Kurt Rous (1st Year)
Last season: 11th place NSC
Key losses: Frank Putzell (state qualifier), Joe Claver.
Key returnees: seniors Pavel Zurkowski (throws), Justin Souza (800), Jose Flores (400/800), Derek Hall (distance); juniors Chris Mark (pole vault), Brandon Bushing (jumps), Tommy Bychowski (sprints), Gunther Rosentreter (hurdles), Kevin Savage (throws), Mike Zielinski (throws).
Top newcomers: junior Ken DePena (sprints); sophomore Titus Lotz (800).
Outlook: Success from the record-setting football season is already carrying over to Rous' first year as the boys coach. Rous replaces longtime coach Sam Spasojevich and does so with a talented group led by Zurkowski, Bychowski, Flores and Hall. The Bulldogs haven't been just breaking indoor records this spring; they have been shattering them, which should bode well in the NSC Prairie this spring.
Round Lake
Coach: Kevin Brady (4th year)
Last season: 3rd in NSC Prairie
Key losses: Jaquan Glover (state qualifier), Greg Brefeld, Oscar Montoya, Victor Gomez, Kyle Jakubisan, Brent Stafford, Chris Larson.
Key returnees: seniors Chris Blake (distance), Ray Bryant (sprints), Lyndon Martinez (400), Eric Green (sprints), Shane Mainer (throws); juniors Carlos Landa (distance), Jim Pisarski (hurdles), Lindon Martinez (throws); sophomores Isiah Thomas (sprints), Lennox Davis (sprints), Cameron Gillespie (sprints).
Top newcomers: sophomore Chris Pitts (sprints); freshmen Keith Martin (jumps), Cristian Castro (distance).
Outlook: As the successes keep coming, the overall numbers of the program keep growing for the Panthers. The sprints will be a major strong-suit for the Panthers with Gillespie, Davis, Thomas and Pitts leading the way. If Bryant can shake off a nagging sore knee, Brady could have his best sprinting group yet. Finding replacements for Brefeld and Glover will be tough this spring, but Martin and Green look to be ready to step in.
Lakes
Coach: Kurt Rowells (3rd Year)
Last season: NSC Prairie champions
Key losses: Bill Quade, Lorenzo Gomez, Will Givens, Frank Soto, Matt Styx, Nick Ilich
Key returnees: seniors Kyle Gallagher (400/800), Greg Prendergast (sprints), Ethan Hahn (distance), Alex Hawkins (throws), Andrew Stein (jumps), Jon DeGrave (state qualifier), Eddie Xiao (jumps), Tony Bean (800), B.J. Fuller (distance), Bill McGrath (distance), Josh Beckman (pole vault), Brian Baldino (distance), Josh Gaido (sprints), Alex Calle (sprints); sophomore Marcel Kirkmanbey (state qualifier, hurdles)
Top newcomers: juniors Mike Scott (sprints), Jeremy Newman (sprints), Billy Brown (sprints); sophomores Erik Stone (throws), Nick Lillig (800), Joe DeGrave (400); freshman Mike Beckman (sprints/jumps).
Outlook: In a very short period of time, three years to be exact, Rowells and the Eagles coaching staff have put together a very solid program - highlighted by the Eagles first division crown last spring. Repeating this year is the number one goal and with seniors like Stein, DeGrave and Gallagher, Lakes should do just that. Kirkmanbey was a surprise in the hurdles last spring and should make a threat at a medal this time.
Fox Valley Conference
Grayslake North
Coach: Kevin Collins (1st year)
Last year: 10th in FVC
returnees: seniors Nick Lane (state qualifier), Nick Nowak (distance), Eric Halek (jumps), Brian Verwijst (hurdles); sophomore Chris Harris (sprints).
Top newcomers: junior Peter Henze (jumps); sophomore Glenn Mizowek (200/400); freshmen Dan Barden (throws), Shone Topper (pole vault).
Outlook: It took only one year for the Knights to earn their first state qualifier, and now, in year two, Grayslake North wants more. Lane may add the mile to his already strong 2 mile. Halek will have his work cut out in the jumps but has been over 20 feet on several occasions and should hit that plateau again. Collins brings plenty of experience to the Knights, having coached successful programs at Huntley and St. Charles East.
Grayslake Central
Coach: Brent Pitt (5th year)
Last year: 8th place Fox Valley Conference
Key losses: Jason Becker, Tom Dernick, Stephan Jarideau, Kevin Chesney, Joe Pawlak
Key returnees: seniors Travis Curtis (sprints), Sean Bresnahan (800), Mark Gertych (distance), Jarod Zygmunt (800), Richie Smith (sprints), Jahr'y Johnson (sprints); juniors Doug Pate (400), Brian Valdivia (throws), Dan Wood (jumps), Ryan Schapals (800/1,600).
Top newcomers: senior Joseph Quintero (distance); juniors Kendall Smith (throws), Cassiday Melton (throws); sophomore Michael Katona (400).
Outlook: Not to be outdone by its counterpart to the North, Central also earned a qualifier last year and wants to send a much bigger group in 2008. Zygmunt comes in off a very successful basketball stint and is looking to return in the 800. More new faces could also make an impact in Qunitero, Smith and Katona. Look for Curtis, Johnson and Smith to help bolster the sprints while Bresnahan and Schapals should bolster the distance corps.
East Suburban Catholic
Carmel Catholic
Coach: Jim Halford (24th year)
Last season: 3rd ESCC
Key losses: Nate Stetzler, Dan Madura, Mike Pirih, Jon Otto, Garrett DeGross, Sean Lees, Jimmy Potempa, Adrien Dodds, DJ Fairfield.
Key returnees: seniors Joe Jeka (800), Rob Sheehan (sprints/jumps), Chuck Zern (throws), James Halford (400), Frank Huschitt (distance), Socrates Kaitson (sprints), Jordan Nasenbeny (400), Alex Nazarian (hurdles), Bret Roessler (sprints), Dan Meegan (400), Justin Campbell (400); juniors Cameron Rieger (distance), Sean Madison (jumps), Jimmy Miller (sprints), Jake Sinkovec (throws), Matt Michel (400).
Top newcomers: juniors Andrew Rapinchuk (sprints), Matt DeFiore (800).
Outlook: If Carmel is to challenge Marian Catholic, Benet and St. Patrick in the ESCC, they will need the type of balance that the Corsairs had when they dominated the league four years ago. Good seniors and good depth can be found starting with Jeka and Sheehan and Rieger and Kaitson. Look for Rieger to get the Corsairs back to state in the distance events and a solid 1,600-relay could also send multiple Corsairs back to state.