Scouting: Northwest boys cross country
Teams to watch
Prospect: According to coach Mike Stokes, the Knights return one of the best teams in school history. Last year they finished sixth in Class 3A and return a solid core led by senior Chris Spudic. The senior had a breakthrough season in track and qualified in the 3,200. Seniors Albert Ciolek and Pat Ford also return with Kenny Halloran and Vince Tagare adding depth.
Palatine: Coach Chris Quick is optimistic about his defending Mid-Suburban League champions. Senior Chano Bernardo finished 21st at state and will lead the Pirates. Senior Alec Bollman will challenge for all-state honors. Senior Jeff Larson was also a key contributor last year as once the Pirates will be in the thick of things.
Hersey: Coach Tim Phillips' squad looks to be very solid. Senior Matt Cwiok finished 16th in the MSL last season and senior Sam Zielke, senior Garrett Vick, junior Ryan O'Donnell and junior Brian Havel will add depth.
Fremd: Coach Mike Bruce welcomes back a solid core for the Vikings. It starts with senior Aaron Ferst, who finished 34th at the state meet last season, with depth from seniors Spiros Angelakos and Daniel Ricketts.
Barrington: Coach Ty Gorman is optimistic about the Broncos chances. Senior Chris Cogswell and senior Scott Kimes will set the pace with Karl Eiring, Kyle Dockery, and Ryan Grave adding depth.
Individuals to watch
Pat Lesiewicz, Schaumburg: Lesiewicz is the defending MSL champion and the senior finished 13th in the Class 3A. This year Lesiewicz will be one of the top runners in state.
Chano Bernardo, Palatine: Bernardo capped a strong junior season by placing 21st at the state meet. Bernardo also took second in the MSL. The senior will be in the front of the pack this season.
Aaron Ferst, Palatine: Ferst finished fourth in the MSL last season and took 34th at the state meet. The senior will be among the frontrunners this season.
Alec Bollman, Palatine: Bollman finished fifth in the MSL last season and took 54th at the state meet. The senior is a talented runner and gives the Pirates a powerful 1-2 punch.
Angelos Karkalis, Rolling Meadows: Karkalis will be looking to lead the Mustangs this season. He finished 21st in the MSL last season and is looking to improve this season.
Albert Ciolek, Prospect: Ciolek is one of the many reasons why Prospect is expecting a big season. The senior finished ninth in the MSL last season.
Chris Spudic, Prospect: Spudic also finished strong for the Knights and is looking to build on a strong track season.
Matt Cwiok, Hersey: Cwiok has the Huskies thinking big. Last season the senior took 16th in the MSL.
Jereme Atchison, Buffalo Grove: Atchison finished 14th in the MSL as a freshman and is aiming for a higher finish this season.
Photis Karkalis, Rolling Meadows: A seventh-place finish in the MSL raises the hopes for the Mustang senior.
Kyle Gonzales, Hoffman Estates: The senior took 10th in the MSL last season and will be a threat this season.