Neuqua eyes repeat title

The final preliminary to the state cross country finals promises no shortage of compelling storylines this Saturday.

In the boys Class 3A division defending state champion Neuqua Valley, with local aspirants Hinsdale Central, Downers Grove North, Hinsdale South and Downers Grove South also in the mix, headlines the field at Lockport.

Despite losing six-sevenths of their starting lineup to graduation, the Wildcats have been near the top of the coaches' poll all season behind a mentally tough and seasoned crew.

“We weren't as interested in times and places (in winning the Bolingbrook regional) as much as team dynamics in terms of running together and running strong,” Neuqua Valley coach Paul Vandersteen said. “We're looking forward to see what happens in the next two weeks.”

Neuqua Valley had five athletes Taylor Soltys, Mark Derrick, Josh Ferguson, Josh Antonson and Vincenzo Dal Pozzo in the top seven at Bolingbrook.

The defending state champion could very well be upstaged this weekend by Sandburg individual state medalist Lukas Verzbicas, who is seeking to break one of the most hallowed individual records in the state: the time of former Lebanon great Craig Virgin set in the early 1970s.

“He's the nation's very best runner in high school,” Vandersteen said. “I do feel if the weather is right (at the state meet in Peoria, Verzbicas) will break the record.”

In the girls Class 3A race at Lockport, Downers Grove North is the team to beat after a dominant performance at Lyons last week.

“I think the top four teams (North, Hinsdale Central, Lyons and Downers Grove South) will get out of the sectional,” predicted Downers North coach Tim McDonald.

The Tigers are roaring to go: The Wheaton Warrenville South girls program will seek another state trophy via the St. Charles East sectional.

The regional champion Tigers have a solid nucleus with McKenna Kiple, Mikayla Kightlinger, Lauren Mordini and Hope Schmelzle.

Glenbard West was equally brilliant at Naperville North as the Hilltoppers' revitalized program seeks its first state appearance in 13 years.

“I couldn't be happier with the way the girls have been running,” Glenbard West coach Paul Hass said.

Glenbard West has been tested all season in the stacked West Suburban Silver, which features three state-ranked teams in the Hilltoppers, Downers North and York.

“I tell the kids that we have seen the best the state has to offer,” Hass said.

WW South coach Rob Harvey has long maintained all season that Geneva, which dominated the West Aurora regional, could very well be the wild card with the return of Kelly Whitley, who anchored back-to-back Geneva state championships her freshman and sophomore year.

At this time of the season, there are no guarantees.

“I look at every race as a tall order,” Wheaton North girls coach Ron Piro said. “There is so much talent in this area. We've gone to many sectionals over the years. Confidence, resolve and trust that's the nature of the sport.”

Naperville Central junior Amanda Fox will seek a return to elite status after placing fourth at Naperville North.

“Naperville Central is always going to be dangerous with Fox,” Harvey said.

Wheaton North is one of the main contenders in the boys division after its DuPage Valley Conference championship with the regional title at Naperville North last week.

The Falcons are led by Caleb Philibrick, Aiden Askin and Jason Dowell.

Among the area at-large competitors, West Chicago senior Gunnar Sterne is a main threat for the individual championship at St. Charles East.

Waubonsie Valley boys coach Kevin Rafferty is certain team leader Kevin Groeber, who led the Warriors' runner-up finish at West Aurora with a 24-second victory, is the finest runner in program history.

York and its historically unrivaled boys program will seek another sectional championship at Niles West.

Jack Driggs, third in state last fall, Ron Hedman and Nick Gornick are the Dukes' latest standouts.

In the girls division in Skokie, the York team and Lake Park sophomore Kaylee Flanagan are poised for big performances.

Tough run: There is a consensus among the local coaches headed the Class 2A Belvidere sectional.

“Obviously, it's the toughest Double-A sectional in the state,” Glenbard South boys coach Andy Pruess said.

“It's a loaded sectional for both boys and girls,” St. Francis coach Scott Nelson said.

Nelson is confident his girls team can make the grade Saturday.

“I think we can make the state finals and I think we can make some noise in Peoria,” Nelson said. “We have some pretty lofty goals. (The boys) are going to have a perfect race (to advance).”

St. Francis' Kelly McShea, the Wheaton Academy regional champion, has been the Spartans' stalwart her entire four-year career.

“She has been a really strong leader for us this year, both physically and mentally,” Nelson said.

The Glenbard South boys, who upended St. Francis and Fenton for top team honors at Wheaton Academy, also boasted the individual champion in freshman John Wold.

“To have Collin (White, third at Wheaton Academy after missing a month) back is good for us,” Preuss said. “We have a real solid 1-2 punch.”

Joe Giamberdino is St. Francis' leader, while Fabiel Urzua performs a similar role for Fenton.