Boys cross country: Lake County previews
NORTH SUBURBAN LAKE
Lake Zurich
Coach: J.B. Hanson (fifth season)
Last year's record: NSC champions, 16th in state
Top graduated seniors: Andrew Morrison (Illinois), Jordan Pavlovich (North Central), Paul Geimer, Francisco Soto
Top returning competitors: seniors Ryan Moncrieff, Victor Delatorre, Alex Brend, Shawn Picha; juniors Pat Juras, Jon Smith
Key newcomers: sophomores Jon Ramirez, Jared Ripoli, Trevor Kuehr
Outlook: After losing four runner's to graduation from last year's 16th-place in the state team you would think the Bears would be rebuilding this fall. But Lake Zurich should have an even deeper squad than last season, and it hopes to return to state with an even better finish than 2009.
Libertyville
Coach: Mark Buesing (10th season)
Last year's record: fourth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Mitch Neubauer (Purdue), Ryan Burke (Carroll College), Erik Bergstrom (Illinois Wesleyan)
Top returning competitors: senior Mike Schmitz;juniors Dan Ryan, Kevin Pfeil; sophomore Nick Korhumel
Key newcomers: juniors Kevin Heller, Easton Huch
Outlook: The Wildcats did lose their top runner in Neubauer to graduation. But with sophomore Nick Korhumel coming off a great freshman campaign in 2009, Libertyville is still in a very good position to be competitive this fall in the NSC.
Mundelein
Coach: John Osmanski (seventh season)
Last year's record: Class 3A sectional qualifier, ninth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: David DuVall (North Park), Kevin Price (Aurora), Sung Mo
Top returning competitors: seniors Martin Mena, Alfonso Arroyo, Dylan Glenner; junior Nitesh Kumar
Key newcomers: seniors Robbie Munnings, Gian Carlo Vassallo, Oscar Garcia; sophomore Cooper Lohr
Outlook: Some new faces from the track team should provide a real boost to the Mustangs' squad as they hope to move up into the upper half of the NSC standings this fall.
Stevenson
Coach: Scott Somers (third season)
Last year's record: third in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Nathan Kolman, Adam Pauley
Top returning competitors: seniors Kevin Wood, Greg Chavez; juniors Konnor Cruse, Jonathan Kersky, Alex Goldberg, Michael Hu; sophomore Thomas Russell
Key newcomers: senior Ryan Weis;junior James Vestuto; sophomore Daniel Gardiner;freshman David Bredin
Outlook: The Patriots are coming off a very solid third-place showing in the NSC last year. But Stevenson appears to be in a bit of a rebuilding phase with a lot of young runners in the varsity lineup.
Warren
Coach: Bill Dawson (29th season)
Last year's record: fifth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Danny Kleine (George Washington), Xavier Suarez
Top returning competitors: seniors Matt Message, Kevin Vollrath, Matt Frank; sophomore Martin Martinez
Key newcomers: seniors Kyle Chung, Jake Dahl, Eddie Lopez-Villa, Miguel Herrerra, Coady Johnson; juniors Mike Harland, Nick Kreis, Joe Alexander, Taylor Carlile, Tyler Herman, Ken Johnson, Roberto Lara, Pat Ward; sophomores Jacob Butler, Joe Severini
Outlook: The Blue Devils should be competitive again, but they will need to establish their all-important fifth runner to really make an impact. Warren already has its top four runners clicking, but it is looking for at least one runner to join that top group.
NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIE
Antioch
Coach: Dave Judson (16th season)
Last year's record: 13th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Zach Swiercznski
Top returning competitors: seniors Anthony Rucker, Brian Kay; junior Travis Gantz
Key newcomers: juniors Matt Poss (from track, soccer), Cade England; sophomore Josh Conde; freshmen Jarett Baker, Tyler Thorn
Outlook: The Sequoits' lack of numbers and depth has been a real obstacle to overcome in the powerful NSC. But with key junior Matt Poss joining the squad from soccer this fall for the first time, Antioch should be a much-improved team with some solid returning runners.
Grant
Coach: Jeff Durlak (fourth season)
Last year's record: seventh in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Titus Lotz (Trinity Christian), Chris Oliver, Josh Burch
Top returning competitors: seniors Ryan Mamerow, Jay Wisniewski, Travis Jorgensen; juniors Justin Sanchez, Parker Simpson, Sam Dunlap; sophomore Trent Peters-Clarke
Key newcomers: Freshmen Dalyn Romig, Jorge Costilla
Outlook: With six of their top seven runners returning this season, the Bulldogs should have a great shot at reaching sectionals after just missing the cut in 2009. Two-time all-conference runner Mamerow is a great leader for the experienced Grant varsity squad.
Lakes
Coach: Andrew Schroeder (sixth season)
Last year's record: Prairie Division champions, Class 2A sectional qualifiers, sixth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Kyle White
Top returning competitors: seniors Blake Franson (2008 state qualifier), Danny McGrath, David Kosman, Ryan Hergott; juniors Josh Camp, Wesley Gonzalaz; sophomores Ryan Prais (16th in Class 2A), Tanner Morgan
Outlook: 2010 could be the season that the Eagles take their running to the next level. And with sophomore standout Prais and veteran Franson leading the way, Lakes should be a very formidable squad this season in the NSC and beyond.
Round Lake
Coach: Kevin Brady (sixth season)
Last year's record: 11th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: none
Top returning competitors: seniors Juan Carrera (Class 3A state qualifier), Cristian Bayadares; juniors Tony Arenas, Victor Contreras-Gomez; sophomore Angel Carrera
Key newcomers: junior Sergio Martinez;sophomores Manuel Ocana, Roberth Paz, Jorge Villa
Outlook: With everybody, including 2009 state qualifier Juan Carrera back, the Panthers are very optimistic heading into the new campaign. Round Lake's success will depend on the leadership of Carrera and many key runners trying to emerge this season from the shadows.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Michael Roberts (fourth season)
Last year's record: eighth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Andrew Thompson
Top returning competitors: seniors James Baek (captain), Tom Flynn, Nick Garpow; juniors Kyle Schrems, Krishna Mundada; sophomores Morgan Lichtenstein, Duncan Kessler
Key newcomers: senior Adnan Meskic (from track); freshmen Kyle Whitney, Ben Mohrdieck
Outlook: As was the case last year, the Cougars will probably be trying to chase down Lakes for the Prairie Division crown. But with many key seniors back and ready to make a major push, Vernon Hills could surprise some teams this fall.
Wauconda
Coach: Al Willhoit (32nd season)
Last year's record: 10th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Nick Hansen
Top returning competitors: seniors Robert Brunn, Cam Ciesil, Dustin Montoya, Jake Stronz, Josh Webb; juniors Connor Rueb, Erik Summerville
Outlook: The Bulldogs' veteran team has a lot of experience to fall back on this fall, and they hope to show some dramatic improvement on the 3-mile course this season under the guidance of long-time coach Willhoit.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
Carmel
Coach: Jim Halford (24th season)
Last year's record: fourth in ESCC
Top graudated seniors: Karl Horcher (Vanderbilt), Paul Ring, Chris Brezinski, Pat Quinn
Top returning competitors: seniors Brian Waldron, Jimmy Heid; junior K.J. Matuszak; sophomores Alex Warkenthien, Chase Rieger
Key newcomers: juniors Gabe Brouillette, John Housner, Pat Gray; freshmen Dillon Novak, Anthony Gattuso, Ian O'Connor
Outlook: The Corsairs are aiming for a top-two finish in the powerful ESCC with a trip to the sectional meet as another major team goal for Halford's squad. Matuszak is the top returning runner in the conference with a lot of potential as Carmel's leader.
FOX VALLEY CONFERENCE
Grayslake Central
Coach: Jim Centella (second season)
Last year's record: Class 2A sectional qualifier, 12th in FVC
Top graduated seniors: Ryan "Stanley" Seiffert (Marines)
Top returning competitors: senior Kyle Rehberg (captain); juniors Luke Zygmunt, Brett Seaholm, Will Brewster; sophomore Kevin Boyle
Key newcomers: junior Brent Rische; freshman Ben Shwaiko
Outlook: While the Rams did reach the sectional meet as a team last season, they should be even stronger in 2010 with a full season of varsity experience under their belts. Rehberg is a veteran leader for Grayslake Central while teammate Brewster hopes to bounce back strong from injury.
Grayslake North
Coach: Brandon Boyd (sixth season)
Last year's record: Class 2A sectional qualifier
Top graduated seniors: Tim Borchardt
Top returning competitors: senior Tyler Vincent; juniors Matt Kendzior, Zach Vincent
Key newcomers: junior Tim Rollings, sophomore Brett Brown
Outlook: The Knights have a great duo in Kendzior and Vincent back to lead their pack in 2010. But the development of the rest of the squad will probably hold the key to Grayslake North's success in the rugged FVC this fall.