Lake County boys cross country preview
After qualifying for the state meet for the first time in school history last fall, the Lake Zurich boys cross country returns to the 3-mile course this season with even higher expectations under coach J.B. Hanson. The graduation loss of elite senior Gerardo Perez (ISU) will create a huge void for the Bears to fill, but they have an outstanding senior duo of Andrew Morrison and Francisco Soto ready to lead their pack back to Peoria on Nov. 7. Juniors Paul Geimer and Jordan Pavlovich gained plenty of experience running downstate in 2008, along with sophomore teammate Pat Juras. Junior Victor Delatorre is one of many newcomers to watch for, along with teammates Ryan Moncrieff, Shawn Picha, Alex Brend and Jon Smith. ... While Lake Forest once again looks like the Bears' main competition in the North Suburban Conference this year, 2008 third-place Warren will be hard-pressed to match its performance. The Blue Devils lost their top four seniors to graduation, including state qualifier Karsen Green, Spencer Simon, Mike Ricciotti and Paul Myles. ... Warren's inexperience could open the door for Stevenson to move up the NSC standings, but the Patriots will have a big task in replacing the graduated Tyler Bartlow (Notre Dame), and junior Renat Zalov, who transferred. Stevenson seniors Nathan Kolman and Adam Pauley are expected to be among the leaders along with teammates Kevin Wood, Justin Egert, Keith Madden and Greg Chavez. ... As was the case last fall, Libertyville will be trying to chase down Stevenson in the NSC, as the Patriots and Wildcats placed 4-5 in 2008. Seniors Mitch Neubauer and Ryan Burke are veteran runners for the Cats, with good support from sophomores Dan Ryan and Kevin Pfeil. Senior Chris Marr is expected to make an impact, along with teammates Kevin Heller and Mike Schmitz. ... NSC Prairie Division foe Lakes hopes to continue its push from sixth place in the conference last fall behind the leadership of junior Blake Franson, who placed 34th in the state in Class 2A. Seniors Kyle White, Grant Franson, Nick Lucy and Joe Doran give the Eagles great depth, with Danny McGrath and Josh Camp rounding out the top seven... After placing seventh in the NSC, Vernon Hills may have been hit harder by graduation than just about any other team. The Cougars lost their top three seniors, including Max Candocia (16th in Class 2A). ... Mundelein and Grant may be ready to close the gap on the Cougars. The Bulldogs will be led by all-conference junior Ryan Mamerow (16th in NSC). Seniors Titus Lotz and Josh Burch will try to push Grant to its first team sectional appearance in over a decade. ... Mundelein features two all-conference returnees in junior Martin Mena and senior David DuVal, while sophomore Nitesh Kumar should be among the Mustangs' top runners. ... Round Lake had an all-conference runner last fall when Juan Carrera took home 12th place... In the Fox Valley Conference, Grayslake Central will have its hands full competing with state-ranked Dundee-Crown, Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South and Jacobs. But the Rams have reason for optimism despite losing top runner Kevin Dickson to graduation. Grayslake Central placed second in Class 2A regional competition last fall under veteran coach Joel Peebles, and first-year coach Jim Centella hopes to keep that momentum going. Captains Ryan "Stanley" Seiffert and Jake Walker givd the Rams veteran leadership, along with junior Kyle Rehbert. Sophomore Will Brewster is coming off an excellent freshman campaign, while sophomore teammate Brett Seaholm should also be a big factor. ... Cross-town rival Grayslake North may not be able to match the Rams' depth, but the Knights do have two sectional qualifiers back in sophomore Matt Kendzior and junior Tyler Vincent. ... In the East Suburban Catholic Conference, Carmel is coming off a solid second place-finish as well as a trip to the Schaumburg sectional. The Corsairs have to replace an elite runner in state meet qualifier Cameron Rieger (Iowa), but they have a good nucleus back in senior Karl Horcher, junior Jimmy Heid and sophomores K.J. Matuszak and Pat Gray.