Scouting Northwest sectionals

By Michael Eaken

BEGIN_ATTRIBUTIONDaily Herald CorrespondentEND_ATTRIBUTION

Class 3A Schaumburg sectional

Where: Busse Woods, Schaumburg

When: Saturday, 11:30 a.m.

Host: Schaumburg

Teams to watch: Palatine and Prospect will battle it out. Palatine took the Mid-Suburban League title by 4 points over Prospect two weeks ago at Busse Woods and the two teams should be locked in an intense battle on Saturday. Palatine won its own regional last Saturday with Alec Bollman and Chano Bernardo finishing 2-3. A.J. Laskowske was not too far off pace for the Pirates, finishing in sixth place. Prospect was just as impressive in winning the Hoffman regional. Chris Spudic, Albert Ciolek and Kellan Strobel went 2-3-5 in leading the Knights. Lake Zurich also looks to be in the mix. The Bears took first at the Libertyville regional and were led by Andrew Morrison, who won the individual title. Things should get interesting after the top three. Barrington, Fremd, Schaumburg, Maine West, Lake Forest, and Cary-Grove will all be battling it out for the final two spots.

Individuals to watch:

1. Pat Lesiewicz (Schaumburg) - The Saxons senior seemed to be back on track winning the Hoffman regional.

2. Chris Spudic (Prospect) - Knights senior will be in another classic duel with Lesiewicz.

3. Alec Bollman (Palatine) - The Palatine senior finished second at the MSL meet and regional; can he take first this week?

4. Albert Ciolek (Prospect) - Knights senior has had two solid weeks.

5. Photis Karkalis (Rolling Meadows) - The Mustangs' senior came back strong after finishing 10th at the MSL meet.

6. Chano Bernardo (Palatine) - The Palatine senior should be right with teammate Bollman to aid the Pirates' charge.

7. Aaron Ferst (Fremd) - The Vikings senior is gearing up for a big finish and will be looking to make his mark.

8. Kellan Strobel (Prospect) - Strobel gives the Knights three runners that could finish in the top 10.

9. Eric Peterson (Barrington) - The Broncos soph has put himself in the conversation with his performance the past two weeks.

10. Kevin Schaefer (Maine West) - The Warrior senior is looking to break the top 10.

Class 3A Niles West sectional

Where: Schiller Woods

When: Saturday, 11 a.m.

What to watch: Leyden advanced five individual runners out of the Lake Park regional. Senior Herald Alvarez led the charge for the Eagles with a 15th place finish.

Class 2A Belvidere sectional

When: Saturday 10 a.m.

What to watch: St. Viator advanced out of the Fenton regional with a third-place finish. Eric Loy and Nick Fiore led the charge for the Lions.