Boys track: Scouting Lake County
Fox Valley Conference
Grayslake North
Coach: Brandon Boyd (2nd Year)
Last year: 10th in FVC
Key losses: Brandon Sackett, Destin Stecklein, Andrew Schmitt, Jimmy Johnson
Key returnees: Seniors Joe Zeedyk, Tim Borchardt, Tyler Barbacovi, Jose Martinez, Xavier Bataille, Andrew Mittan, Chris Harris, Sean McBrien; Juniors Kyle Kleinschmidt, Tyler Vincent, Ronnie Grazian, Jack Becker, Michael Lahera, David Anderson, Hayden Ford, Jeremy Escondo; Sophomores Dan Bazan, Cody Stephens, Kasen Christiansen, Zach Vincent, Matt Kedzior, Mitch Schrambeck, Josh Speer.
Top newcomers: Senior Moshay Arnold; Juniors Doug Mischke, Mark Fletcher; Sophomore Matt Zaverdas
Outlook: For the first time in the short four years that the Knights have been together, the entire coaching staff returns in tact. This can only benefit a young program that is still very deep and talented on the sophomore and junior levels. Vincent, Grazian and Lahera are a few of the juniors Boyd will look to this spring. Mittan and Harris figure to contribute from the senior group as North looks to ascend towards the top of the FVC.
Grayslake Central
Coach: Brent Pitt (7th Year)
Last year: 6th place Fox Valley Conference
Key losses: Brian Valdivia, Ryan Schapals, Kevin Reynolds, Kevin Dickson, Kendall Smith (State qualifier - Northern Michigan), Jeremy Bethke (State qualifier).
Key returnees: Seniors Chris Makey (State qualifier), Michael Katona, Ryan Sieffert, Matt Mohrfeld, Andrew Bryan, Jose Roman, Brandon Bork; Juniors Bryant Jennings, Vinnie Culhane, Jahard Nelson; Sophomore Will Brewster (8th in state 3,200), Joel Valdivia
Top newcomers: Juniors - Jordan Bustos, Donovan Moore, Will Reed; Sophomores - Luke Zygmunt, Devon Osborn
Outlook: The Rams have the best team they have had since Pitt took over seven years ago and it starts with the sprinters. Central is as deep as they have ever been in the sprints with Katona, Culhane and Valdivia all contributing. If Brewster returns from his injury, this is a team that could have multiple qualifiers at the state meet this spring. Last year was the best showing at state ever for Central, this year figures to be better. Makey is a medal favorite in the vault.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Carmel Catholic
Coach: Jim Halford (25th Year)
Last Season: 4th place ESCC
Key losses: Cameron Reiger (Iowa), Sean Madison, Jimmy Miller, Drew Van Manen, Pat Lyons, Matt DeFiore, Andrew Rapinchuk.
Key returnees: Seniors Nick Sturm, Connor Hughes, Xavier Davismckennie, Karl Horcher, Donnie Devitt; Juniors John Thumel, A. J. Gawin, Ryan Ruddell, James Prather, Tommy Miller; Sophomores Brian Kadowaki, Devin Becker, Anthony Paul, Jack Schoen, K. J. Matuszak.
Top newcomers: Senior Pat Cox; Junior Ed Banderowicz
Outlook: A top three finish in the ESCC has been common place for the Corsairs the last decade. Only three times in the last ten years has it happened and Carmel looks to change that trend this year. In order for that to happen in Halford's 25th year he will need good contributions from his talented young group of juniors and sophomores. Matuszak and Thumel look to lead the Corsairs back to the top. Benet, St. Patrick and Marian look to be the biggest threats to the top of the conference for Carmel.
North Suburban Lake
Stevenson
Coach: Andy Farrissey (14th year)
Last Season: 4th in NSC
Key losses: Tyler Bartlow (State qualifier - Notre Dame), Derek Chmielewski (State qualifier - Southern Illinois), Oliver Rose, Keli Liu.
Key returnees: Seniors Shane Walsh, Mark Weisman, Zach Rose, Adam Pauley, Stuart Almeleh, Bret Kaiman; Juniors Kevin Earl, Nathan Kolman, Kevin Wood, Brandon Stryganek (State qualifier), Joe Cassata, Jon Fajardo, Steve Salata; Sophomores James Vestuto, Michael Hu, Alex Goldberg, Jacob Yorntoob, Austin Scheu
Top newcomers: Juniors Tom Velev, Oliver Simes, Mike Crowley
Outlook: Depth in distance is never an issue for Stevenson, but depth in the sprints? Never happens right? Wrong. Led by Stryganek this could be one of the better sprint teams for Stevenson in some time. Stryganek will be a force in the 100 and 200 and will contribute to both sprint relays. Weisman is emerging as a capable replacement for departed state qualifier Chmielewski. Walsh, Wood and Earl also figure to be key contributors for the Patriots.
Libertyville
Coach: Ray Albin (3rd year)
Last Season: 10th Place NSC
Key losses: Pat Callan (State qualifier - Augustana), Nate Johnson, Kyle Manolovic, Dan King, Jim Murnik
Key returnees: Seniors Chris Cacciatore, Ryan Burke, Heath Herchenbach, Chris Marr, Ali Farooqi, Mitch Neubauer; Juniors Jeremy Birck (9th in state high jump), Mike Schmitz, Nathan Yordy, Roger Michaelides, Pat Regan, Kevin Tavakoli, Matt Gilbert; Sophomores Kevin Heller, Erik Aksland, Kevin Pfeil, Sam Littlefield, Dan Ryan, Kevin Burke, Jamison Taff, Nathan Honold, Michael Parker, Kevin Chiou
Top newcomers: Sophomores Shane Reilly, Easton Huch; Freshman Nick Korhumel
Outlook: It looks like the three-plus year drought in the 3,200-relay could end for the Wildcats as Albin has a good group ready to make a charge at state. Neubauer, Schmitz, Burke and Tavakoli appear to be the foursome but that could change as the year rolls along. Birck is a returning medalist and has his sites set on a much higher height and finish this season.
Warren
Coach: Bill Dawson (15th Year)
Last Season: 3rd place NSC
Key losses: Karson Green (6th in state 800 - North Central), Chet Michna (State qualifier), Spencer Simon, Leonard Brady (State qualifier - Dubuque), John Marlow (State qualifier), Joe Florio, Chris Sizemore, Greg Kennedy.
Key returnees: Seniors Anthony Portinova, Trevor Raupp (State qualifier), Colin Toyra, Jake Jurewicz (State qualifier), Kendall Roach, Kevin Absil, Phazon Gray, Xavier Suarez, Dan Kleine; Juniors Kyle Ward (State qualifier), Troi Holley, Eddie Lopez-Villa, Matt Frank, Matt Message, Migeul Herrera, Kevin Vollrath, Kyle Berkhoff; Sophomores Dan Goad, Nick Moreno
Top Newcomer: Sophomore Brad Shearer; Freshman Martin Martinez
Outlook: The biggest issue that Warren faces at least in the early stages of this season is room. With 171 kids out for the sport, the only question is, where to put them all. Within that mix, Dawson and the Devils have some very good talent returning. Raupp, Jurewicz and Portinova all will be relied on for the Devils this spring. Ward is another returning qualifier that should add to the sprints.
Lake Zurich
Coach: Chad Beaver (4th Year)
Last year: 5th place NSC
Key losses: Kyle Williams, Gerardo Perez (7th place 3,200, 10th place 1,600 at state - Illinois State).
Key returnees: Seniors Jack Rathe, Colin Wanat. Francisco Soto (state qualifier), Andrew Morrison, Paul Geimer; Juniors Jacob Brinlee, Christian Williams, Kiah McGee, Andrew Lulis, Eric Porter, Shawn Picha, Ben Papke, Mitch Dudek, Jeffrey Winters, Alex Brend, Victor DeLaTorre, Mark Tabaka; Sophomores Chris Rantis, Mike Rantis, Mike Shield, Patrick Juras.
Top newcomers: Senior Braxton Klavins; Sophomore Chris Helgeson
Outlook: Very quietly, Beaver and the Bears have built themselves into contenders in the NSC Lake and for the NSC title. LZ will do their best to contend with a deep sprint group led by Brinlee and Williams. McGee is emerging as a contributor in the shot and discus and Soto is a medal contender at state in the 800 this spring. The sprints are showing signs of two years ago when the Bears dominated.
Mundelein
Coach: Kevin Shifley (3rd year)
Last Season: 12th place NSC
Key losses: Chris White, Travis Stoll, Emilio Rivera, Kevin Price, Phil Micek, DeVonte Lockett, Kenny Kernigan.
Key returnees: Seniors Kevin Price, Robbie Rivera, Will Lardner, Nick Franz; Juniors Oscar Garcia, David DuVall, Julienne DeGuzman, Martin Mena, Robbie Munnings, Dan Richards, Gian Carlo Vassalo, Tom Everding, Alfanzo Arroyo, Brian Cushman, Gian Carrallo; Sophomores Natish Kumar, Anthony Doretti, John Tazioli
Top newcomers: Juniors Kevin Drehobl, Brian Grant, Karl Hendricks, Dylan Glenner; Sophomores Joe Ryan, Nick Doretti, Anthony Adams.
Outlook: In his third year in the program, Shifley is seeing the cream rise to the top with veterans Lardner, Price and Rivera expected to contribute big. The juniors are a huge strength for the mustangs led by Vassallo, Everding and Mena. The goals for Mundelein this spring are big and with the talent coming back it's easy to see why. This could be a dark horse contender in the NSC this spring.
North Suburban Prairie
Antioch
Coach: Chris Bailey (1st year)
Last Season: 7th place NSC
Key losses: Brent Jones (6th in state triple jump), Tyler Woolard (6th in state shot put), Cameron White (7th in state 200 - Eastern Illinois), Donnie Rowdon, Josh Schwenk, Jay Hagert, Nick McKenzie
Key returnees: Seniors Sam Pimpo, Eric Hibner, Steve Lorenzini, Rolando Ortiz, Brandon Ginter (State qualifier); Sophomore Matt Poss
Top newcomers: Sophomore Kyle Metzel; Freshman Nick Britto
Outlook: In his first year as head coach, Bailey inherits a team that was hit hard by graduation losing three medal winners. But the cupboard is hardly bare with the likes of Lorenzini, Ortiz and Ginter returning. Lorenzini just might be the best athlete in the conference and Ginter has already thrown the shot over 50-feet indoors. How well the young Sequoits gel will go a long way in determining the teams' fate.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Jeff Morello (6th year)
Last Season: 14th place NSC
Key losses: Alex Weinberg.
Key returnees: Seniors Andrew Thompson, Alex Lang; Juniors Evan Spencer, Marcus Bradford, Tom Flynn, Adnan Meskic, Michael Donofrio, Robbie Guerrero; Sophomores Jakub Jaskowski.
Top newcomers: Freshmen Mitch Campbell, Gabriel Cotton
Outlook: Only one way the Cougars can go this season is up and figures that to happen with the help of Thompson and Spencer. Thompson put up big indoor numbers in the mile and Spencer was dominant in the sprints. Those two should be busy the end of May at state and could have company in a relay or two.
Wauconda
Coach: Megan Zemanek (9th Year)
Last Season: 8th place NSC
Key losses: Garrett Dorsey (2nd in state 400, 4th in state 1,600 relay - Harper), Sean Lichterman (4th in state 1,600), Mike Malisheshki (4th in state 1,600 relay), Santiago Lopez (4th in state 1,600 relay), Scott Carlson.
Outlook: The Bulldogs enter the 2010 season off of one of their most decorated seasons in history. The senior class earned more medals at state last year than any other and a new group of juniors and sophomores look to lead the way this year. The numbers are up as are the expectations at Wauconda.
Grant
Coach: Kurt Rous (3rd Year)
Last Season: 6th place NSC
Key losses: Chris Mark (State qualifier), Tom Bychowski, Brandon Bushing, Garrett Olson, Gunther Rosentretter, Kevin Savage, Mike Zielinski, John King, Ken DePena, Jeff Szelewicki
Key returnees: Seniors Oneyd Bermeo, Nolan Hebein, Kyle Buckley; Juniors Steven Niewiedzial, Kyle Lombardino, Leo Minne, Ryan Mamerow; Sophomores Titus Lotz;
Top newcomers: Sophomores Brandon Lofthouse, Sean Wells, Matt Spears
Outlook: The tradition of good throwing and good sprinting appears to be in tact for this year's Bulldogs. Lombardino is showing signs of a potential state qualifier and Minne and Mamerow will make noise for Rous this spring. Bermeo Hebein and Lotz all figure to contribute to the Bulldogs success.
Round Lake
Coach: Kevin Brady (6th year)
Last Season: 13th in NSC
Key losses: Carlos Landa, Juan Roman, Juan Acosta, David Windham, Jim Pisarski, Lindon Martinez, Alberto Marquez
Key returnees: Seniors Isaiah Thomas; Juniors Juan Carrera, Christian Bayadares, Isaiah Brooks.
Top newcomers: Junior Terrell Davis; Sophomores Sergio Martinez, Victor Contreras-Gomez, Antonio Farley; Freshman Angel Carrera.
Outlook: Brady's bunch will be highlighted by one of the better sprinters in the area that no one knows about in Thomas. Brooks and Davis could also add depth to the sprints for the Panthers as that is where the strength for Round Lake will be this season. Distance is pretty solid led by Martinez, and Bayadares. Depth in the hurdles and throws will be areas that the Panthers will look to improve upon this spring.
Lakes
Coach: Kurt Rowells (5th Year)
Last Season: NSC Prairie champions
Key losses: Jeremy Neuman, Forest Clements, Mike Miller, Alex Calle, Andres Calle, Erik Stone, Drew Zimmerman
Key returnees: Seniors Marcel Kirkmanbey, Nick Lillig, Joe Degrave, Bill Brinser (State qualifier), Tyler Swindel; Juniors Mike Beckman, Blake Franson, Danny McGrath, Jon Pfeiffer (State Qualifier), Nick Tagnocchi, Brandon Washington
Top newcomers: Sophomores Mike Pfeiffer, Dante Arnold; Freshmen Justin Bergeron, Roland Luke, Max Savinkov, Ryan Prais, Shaun Beutilich.
Outlook: In just five short years Rowells has turned this program into one of the better ones in the county. This spring not only is the Eagles expected to defend the NSC Prairie which they have won three straight years, but this team is in prime position for the NSC title. A strong senior group led by Kirkmanbey and Brinser is complimented by great juniors in Pfeiffer and Beckman and a freshmen class that features one of the top runners in the state in Prais.