Boys track: Northwest preview
MID-SUBURBAN EAST
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Jamie Klotz (fifth year)
Last season: Tied for 9th MSL
Key losses: Bart Dorman (state qualifier), Mike Fanelli (state qualifier), Clay Balko, Sam Lialios, JJ Hannigan, Sam English.
Key returnees: Seniors Eric Solberg (state qualifier), Clay Locke (state qualifier), Fred Cornely (400), Matt Erlichman (jumps); juniors Justin Darcy (sprints), Matt Newman (3rd in state high jump), Steve Miller (sprints), James Blackmon (sprints), Caleb Farina (sprints), Eric Maher (800), John Pischak (throws); sophomores Mike Galla (distance), Tim Marr (distance), Mike Cornely (jumps), John Angotti (hurdles), Juancho Dumayas (sprints), Mark Giannis (distance), Kevin Mulligan (400).
Outlook: Not many teams in the MSL have had better indoor seasons than the Bison, and if it translates to the outdoors, BG could be celebrating its first conference title in seven years. The Bison have all angles covered with the strengths equally in the sprints and distance. Solberg, Locke and Marr are the distance stars while Darcy, Miller and Erlichman are the ones that will be counted on in the sprinting events. Newman is a medal contender in the high jump after a surprising third a year ago.
Elk Grove
Coach: Jim Farrell (third year)
Last season: 12th place in MSL
Key losses: Dan Herzmann, Jon Olen, Joel Mertes, Pawel Karwowski.
Key returnees: Seniors Tim Mucha (800), Jason Zerfahs (state qualifier sprints), Matt Boudas (hurdles), Erik Ottosen (400/800), Eric Bergman (state qualifier), Julian Serrano (jumps), Michael Karwowski (jumps); juniors Charlie Ostman (hurdles), Ryan Loftas (distance).
Outlook: This will be the final year for Farrell at Elk Grove as he will move over to Buffalo Grove to be the head football coach. This team of Grenadiers figures to send Farrell out with a host of state qualifiers. Zerfahs will move from the 200 to the 400 this year and looks to be one of the top runners in that event already. Serrano and Karwowski are ones to watch in the jumps while Bergman is the top returning thrower in the shot.
Hersey
Coach: Ken Blazek (14th year)
Last season: 4th place MSL
Key losses: Mike LaTona (state qualifier), Dixon Palatty, Ross Gutzmer.
Key returnees: Seniors Kevin Havel (4th 3,200; 6th 1,600 state), Billy Wisser (state qualifier), Sami Khan (sprints), Mike Tisza (distance), Pat Crost (sprints), Adam Matos (hurdles), Alex Vasquez (throws), Mike Pajcic (state qualifier), Andrew Petro (throws), Taylor Stubbs (state qualifier), Kevin Trandel (800), Ibrane Juarez (400), Caleb Muir (jumps); juniors Anthony Maginity (hurdles), Peter O'Banion (hurdles), Kyle Mengarelli (jumps), Erik Stanton (distance), Alvin Augustine (jumps), Ben Zielke (distance); sophomores Sam Zielke (state qualifier), Kyle Pietro (sprints), Alex Min (jumps).
Top newcomers: Sophomores Steve Nelson (sprints), Nick Kautz (jumps).
Outlook: It only seems like Havel has been at Hersey longer than Blazek, but this will really be the final season for the Stanford-bound senior. Havel wants both the 1- and 2-mile events at state but could settle for the mile in hopes of earning his first state title. Wisser and Stanton look to join Havel at state. Stubbs is the top returning discus thrower and a top-12 finisher at state a year ago.
Prospect
Coach: Mike Kamedula (eighth year)
Last season: 3rd place MSL
Key losses: David Anczyk (6th in state 3,200 relay), Matt Leo (6th in state 3,200 relay), Kevin Hayek (6th in state 3,200 relay), John Munz, Arthur Baptist (state qualifier, University of Chicago), Alex Manois (state qualifier), Keith Renaud (state qualifier, Iowa), Dan Hamann.
Key returnees: Seniors Patrick Ziegenfuss (state qualifier), Pat Mack (sprints), Andrew Mercer (jumps/pole vault), Dan Hennig (pole vault/jumps), Eric Senft (sprints), Matt Kennedy (throws), Blake Wolfe (800), Nick Troutman (distance), Mike Styzek (distance); juniors Mike Prezpolewski (hurdles), Mason Pack (pole vault/sprints), Marcin Kwieck (sprints/hurdles), Chris Hayek (state qualifier), Matt Babicz (throws), Sean Wheeler (throws); sophomores Albert Ciolek (800).
Top newcomers: Sophomores Pat Ford (800), Joe Mack (sprints), Jason Manella (sprints).
Outlook: Hurdling events and Prospect are pretty much becoming synonymous, especially with the recent success for the Knights. This year the Knights have a dominant pair in Ziegenfuss and Prezpolewski. Ziegenfuss is the top threat in the 110 highs and the 300 intermediate hurdles. Prezpolewski will also be a threat. Don't forget about the other strength at Prospect -- distance. Styzek, Ciolek and Hayek are all back and could form yet another state-contending 3,200-relay team.
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Jim Voyles (second year)
Last season: 2nd in MSL East, 15th at state
Key losses: Andy Ryan (3rd in state, pole vault), Jesus Escareno (Harper), Matt McFall, Tom Henders (state qualifier), AJ Adams.
Key returnees: Seniors Paul Hames (throws), Ty Kirk (2nd in state triple jump), Brandon Tojza (sprints), Kamil Okroj (state qualifier), Stan Pheteau (hurdles); juniors Mick Viken (state qualifier), Kevin Clark (state qualifier), Rusit Hallam (hurdles), John Stoesser (sprints); sophomores Angelos Karkalis (800), Jireh Louie (jumps), Darell Jones III (sprints), Mike Bobowski (800).
Top newcomers: Senior James Shawley (pole vault); junior Colin Walker (jumps).
Outlook: A narrow second-place finish to Wheeling last year has the Mustangs gunning for the top spot in the MSL, and Viken and Kirk look to get them there. Kirk is the best triple jumper in the state and is taking serious aim at 50 feet outdoors. Viken has the number 17 in mind -- as in 17 feet in the pole vault. Meadows should be a top-10 finisher in the team race at state. Hames, Tojza, Okroj and Pheteau all had solid indoor campaigns and could be state medal contenders outdoors.
Wheeling
Coach: Tom Polak (sixth year)
Last season: MSL East champs
Key losses: Tyler Austin, Derrick Moy (state qualifier), Mike Meier, Dan Diaz, Robert Kamentsev (state qualifier, Illinois State), Kevin Smith (state qualifier), Nick Bledsoe (7th in state shot put, Illinois State), Chris Mata, Peter Masalanka.
Key returnees: Seniors Phil Rifkin (sprints), Abel Rangel (state qualifier jumps), Ken Diedrich (distance), Toni Segura (state qualifier), Eric Gayles (800), Pat Splon (jumps), Ryan Whitecotton (sprints), Peter Rothbart (throws), Norbert Gajos (state qualifier), Matt Smith (800), Brian Mendoza (800); juniors Kevin Ward (sprints), Jarrett Austin (jumps), Shain Gill (jumps), David Martin (800), Mike Zimmer (sprints), Eric Rodriguez (distance), Carlos Salazar (hurdles).
Top newcomers: Junior Abraham Soto (400 hurdles); sophomore Weston Ross (jumps).
Outlook: The Wildcats sneaked up on the rest of the East, winning their first division title. But it didn't translate to the MSL meet and Wheeling is hungry for a top-three spot in the conference. To get there, Polak will rely heavily on Rifkin, Rangel and Splon. That doesn't mean the show ends there as Rothbart, Austin, and Segura will also be key contributors. How well the Wildcats fill the voids left by Bledsoe and Kamentsev will determine if they can hit the lofty top-three goal.
MID-SUBURBAN WEST
Barrington
Coach: Todd Kuklinski (fifth year)
Last season: MSL champions
Key losses: Andre Anderson (state qualifier, Michigan State), Nick Magiera (sixth in state, 1,600 relay, Fordham), Temi Ogunbedede (state qualifier, Wisconsin), Alec Truitt, Kyle Lurz, Sul Ahmad (state qualifier), Kenny Farleigh, Brian LeSeur (sixth in state, 1,600 relay), Pat Roberts (state qualifier), Doug Brown, Ryan Asta (third state discus), Deon Randle.
Key returnees: Seniors Andrew Cobb (throws), Dan Quarfoot (distance), Nate Wokoun (throws), Kevin McGowan (800), Mike Pfeifer (distance); juniors Kevin Crowley (sixth in state, 1,600 relay), Daniel Evers (sprints), Bruce Johnston (jumps), Ryan Mangone (sixth in state, 1,600 relay), Sam Ojuri (sprints), Jayson Taylor (400), Alex Smith (200/400), Jeff Robinson (distance), Kevin Griffin (distance), Adam Selner (throws), Nick Chapoy (800).
Top newcomers: Senior Derek Shelton (400); juniors Cam Good (400), Joe Zavoli (pole vault), Steve Munoz (sprints/jumps).
Outlook: No one is about to feel sorry for all the graduation losses the Broncos had from last season, including the Broncos themselves. Despite losing the base of three conference titles in four years, Barrington returns a solid core of juniors. Crowley and Mangone return with state experience and with the addition of Shelton plus major improvements from Taylor and Ojuri, Barrington will be a serious threat to win a third straight league title.
Conant
Coach: Mike White (second year)
Last season: Tied for 9th MSL
Key losses: Rob Lawson (state qualifier), Kevin Happ, Derek Reid, Todd Strauch, Mike Coleman, Cortez Lloyd, Justin Au, Cliff Suigsawa.
Key returnees: Seniors Vince Tortorici (state qualifier 400), Fuad Agoro (jumps), Tyler Hinkley (distance), Andrew Mueller (distance), Kevin Good (sprints); juniors Jeff Thode (state qualifier, 1600), Kyle Reid (pole vault/hurdles), Kendall Lane (sprints), Sean Goldern (throws).
Top newcomers: Junior Dan Akinola (sprints); sophomore Kevin Reddington (sprints).
Outlook: Arguably the top junior miler in the area and maybe even in the state resides at Conant in Thode. This year, he will not run alone as Hinkley has come on strong. With seven of the top eight finishers in the mile at state gone from a year ago, Thode will be a serious threat for a medal in the event. Tortorici is another solid 400 runner in a family that has produced its share over the years. Moving into the upper half of the MSL is the goal for the Cougars.
Fremd
Coach: Jim Aikens (19th year)
Last year: 5th place MSL, 3rd MSL West
Key losses: Darius Voss (state qualifier, Harper College), Andrew Jacobi (Illinois), Tyler Perna (state qualifier, Illinois State), Joe Golota (state qualifier, Drake), Jordan Walker, Mike Ballschmiede.
Key returnees: Seniors Kevin Fallon (throws, state qualifier), Joe Derkits (jumps), Nick Hurley (distance), John Wood (pole vault), Desmond Ogoke (sprints), Tim Quinn (400), Matt Jacobsen (distance); sophomores Spiros Angelakos (800), Aaron Ferst (distance)
Top newcomers: Senior Ben Thomsen (400); juniors Justin Fujii (sprints), Jeff Bobek (throws), Alex Rourke (distance).
Outlook: Each year it looks like it will get tougher for the Vikings to replace key components, and, without fail, they keep doing just that. This year won't be any easier, but a good foundation remains with Wood, Derkits, Ogoke and Bobek. If Bobek can replace the heavy losses in the throws, and Derkits can stay healthy, the Vikings will be in the hunt with Barrington and Palatine in the West.
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Tyrone Jones (first year)
Last season: Sixth in MSL
Key losses: Jon Makowski (state qualifier), Daramola Ojo, Anthony Scannicchio, Isiah Holcombe (state qualifier, Harper College), Jim DeSalvo, Pat Kathan.
Key returnees: Seniors Emilio Saraga (Distance), Blake Heyman (hurdles), Joey Baterdene (state qualifier), Matt Schwendinger (throws), Terrance Jones (sprints), Dan Hernandez (800), Chris Sutphen (distance); juniors Matt Perez (state qualifier), Cory Smith (jumps), Ross Goers (distance), Danny Alvarado (pole vault), Torrence Gardner (200/400); sophomores Marlin Hamilton (400/800), Shamar McFarland (sprints).
Top newcomers: Juniors Arion Gross (hurdles), Jerome Henderson (sprints).
Outlook: Jones beams when he talks about his young sprinters and the potential they have, but injuries and other issues have slowed the Hawks' progress to date. If Jones can keep everyone healthy, this could be the best team in the sprints in the league. Look for Hamilton and Henderson to be key pieces to the sprint puzzle. Perez is one of the top returning 800 runners in the area and could also be a threat in the mile. Heyman and Baterdene are the leaders for the Hawks and both will be looking for state berths.
Palatine
Coach: John Nalley (17th year)
Last season: MSL West champions, 2nd place MSL
Key losses: Sager Patel (state qualifier), Rob Morris, Brandon Peters (state qualifier), Terrance Thigpen (state qualifier), Matt Detloff (state qualifier), Matt Anderson, Dan O'Brien, JT Bobbit.
Key returnees: Seniors Mat Smoody (state champion 800), Tim Williams (6th place long jump), Nick Busch (jumps), Telly Halloran (state qualifier), George Faber (hurdles), Jim Rudd (throws), Alex Mourousias (distance), Andre Higgs (throws), Gerald Hutton (400), Dan Sutton (state qualifier), Joe Schweikert (sprints); juniors Ed Anderson (jumps), Dan LaRocca (hurdles), Lukasz Kierys (800), Chris Norman (state qualifier); sophomores Kyle Marrison (sprints), Chad Bobbit (throws), Chano Bernardo (distance).
Top newcomers: Sophomores Alec Bollman (distance), Mykyta Cheshko (jumps), Diego Cortez (400), Tyler Jones (throws), Willie Filian (sprints), Steven Schalla (sprints), Dan Schweikert (sprints).
Outlook: On paper, this is the most talented team in the area and maybe one of the best in the state. Palatine is the heavy favorite to bring home the first trophy for an MSL school in 11 seasons. To do that, a lot will be expected of Smoody and Williams. Smoody, who will attend Wisconsin in the fall, will aim to repeat in the 800 but might try for the 1,600 title as well. Don't discount the value of Norman and Sutton as the Pirates will try and win the MSL for the first time in 35 years.
Schaumburg
Coach: Jim Macnider (23rd year)
Last season: 11th place MSL, 4th MSL West
Key losses: Mike Spain (9th 3,200), Joe Myszka, Carlos Carabajal, Dan Young, Jon Roberts (state qualifier), Nick Torresso (state qualifier, Bowling Green), Alex Fernandez, Jim Link.
Key returnees: Seniors Brian Burkhardt (distance), Nathan Rutz (distance), Shareef Chandler-El (hurdles), Alex Basdekis (sprints), Adrian Vergara (400); juniors Jeff Koutnick (400), Jesse DiSandro (hurdles), Neal Fennell (800); sophomores Dionte Hackler (sprints), Warren Brewer (jumps), Rich Barnes (throws), Jake Fritzler (sprints).
Top newcomers: Sophomores Blake Breda (400), Pat Lesiewicz (distance); freshman Travis Morrison (distance).
Outlook: Balanced is the best way to describe the Saxons. For the first time in a while, Macnider has solid depth in the sprints in Hackler and Basdekis and a potential darkhorse in the hurdles in Chander-El. If the name Lesiewicz sounds familiar, it should. His brother Brian finished ninth in the state in the 3,200 in 2004. Lesiewicz should contend for that spot this season.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
Maine West
Coach: Andrew Trotter (15th Year)
Last Season: Tied for 3rd in CSL North
Key losses: Marino Jozic (State qualifier), Andre Wilson (State qualifier), David Lopez, Tim Whisler (Augustana).
Key returnees: Seniors Dan Hardt (state qualifier), Alex Dimitriu (throws), Brian Kattamay (distance), Eric Nash (400), Jared Golojuch (throws); juniors Juan Chavez (state qualifier), Pawel Mirek (400), Martin Chavez (distance).
Top newcomer: Junior Andy Kunzer (hurdles); sophomores Tony Fitzpatrick (hurdles), Stephan Marrone (400).
Outlook: The base for future success is in place for the Warriors, which may mean they are a year or two away from taking back the crown in the CSL North. Glenbrook North, Niles North and Deerfield all will challenge for the title this spring. The cupboard is not bare this year with Juan and Martin Chavez leading the way in the distance events and Hardt a returning qualifier in the 1,600 relay. Dimitriu could also challenge for a state berth in the throws.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
St. Viator
Coach: Rodero Warren (fifth Year)
Last season: 9th place ESCC
Key losses: Peter Martin, Peter Straka, Trey Young, Craig Benedict
Key returnees: Seniors Derek Kielbala (jumps), Frank Urbanus (800), Matt Krzyzewski (sprints), Dan Kozicki (800/1,600), Ryan Cortese (jumps), CJ Cesario (sprints); juniors Dave Shaneen (400), Mike Krawzak (800), Tom Timmerman (hurdles), Mike Wickman (throws), Dan Schatz (throws).
Top newcomers: Freshmen Justin Johnson (sprints), Patrick O'Malley (sprints).
Outlook: Still no place to run for the Lions as the track issue hasn't gone away, but that won't stop the likes of Urbanus, Krawzak and Kozicki from trying to send the Lions' first 3,200-relay team to state. Not since Tim Phillips in 1984 have the Lions had a state medalist but that could change, especially with Urbanus in the 800. The throwing events are also better and with Wickman and Schatz, a qualifier there could also be had.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
Leyden
Coach: Tom Cartwright (first year)
Last season: 6th WSC Gold
Key losses: PJ Cajigas, Zach Pligge, Ray Marchlewicz, Emilio Villela
Key returnees: Seniors Miguel Aldana (sprints), Rob Carli (jumps), Nico Gonzalez (200/400); juniors Jordan McMillan (throws/sprints), Rafael Crisosto (distance), Vince Aiello (sprints), Ethan Rivera (400), Tom Cartwright (jumps).
Top newcomers: Sophomores Mike Ellis (jumps/sprints), Kevin Lewis (sprints).
Outlook: Trying to establish a winning attitude is one of the first steps Cartwright is taking in rebuilding the Eagles track team. It worked for the girls program at Leyden and with young sprinters in Lewis and Ellis, the Eagles are pointed in the right direction. McMillan and Carli are two of the backbones for the Eagles as Leyden looks to be competitive in the brutally tough West Suburban Gold.