Scouting DuPage County boys track

By David Oberhelman

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

Addison Trail

Coach: Bruce Kelsay (12th year).

Last year: Sixth in the West Suburban Gold; eighth at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional.

Top athletes: Joe Atria, so., middle distance; Robert Ellis, sr., sprints; Avion Fowler, sr., sprints, jumps; Dawid Kielbania, jr., middle distance; Joe Martinez, jr., middle distance; Conor Rowley, jr., middle distance.

Outlook: A year after graduated sprinter Matt Halberthal went downstate in the 3A 100- and 200-meter dashes, Kelsay hopes to qualify more than two events for the first time in his tenure. Central to the aim is the West Suburban Gold’s top returning 200 runner, Ellis, also anchoring the 400 and 800 relays with Fowler. Of the 60 athletes out, 15 throw shot put and eight broke 2:10 in the 800 on the school’s new 160-meter indoor track, quickly forging a decent 3,200 relay. “I think that shows how we’re continuing to try to grow the program,” Kelsay said.

Benet

Coach: Pat Marshall (fifth year).

Last year: First in the East Suburban Catholic Conference; fifth at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional.

Top players: Andrew Acuff, so., pole vault; Trevor Ells, sr., middle distance; E.J. Howe, sr., jumps, sprints; Hunter Miller, jr., sprints; Michael Lang, so., sprints, long jump; R.J. Taylor, sr., sprints, hurdles.

Outlook: Graduating 25 seniors from last year’s squad, fending off Carmel and St. Patrick for a sixth straight ESCC title will be a challenge. Howe, a four-year varsity athlete, aims for the school triple-jump record of 45-2½; he was close last year at 44-10. Traditionally strong in distance, the balance shifts to 800 on down. Acuff attended summer vault camps to hit the ground running. “I really like this bunch of kids,” Marshall said. “It can’t help but bode well for the future, but there’s some freshmen and sophomores that are going to step up this year.”

Downers Grove North

Coach: John Sipple (fourth year).

Last year: Fourth in the West Suburban Silver; third at the Class 3A Lyons Twp. sectional.

Top athletes: Tom Budnik, sr., sprints; Tom Doyle, sr., sprints; Tony Grippando, sr., discus; Brendan Koegel, sr., throws; Ryan Koegel, jr., sprints; Cody Lee, sr., middle distance; Brian Llamas, sr., middle distance; Mark Pfeiffer, sr., distance; Matt Pospisil, jr., sprints; Kevin Proffitt, jr., distance; Nate Sloan, jr., sprints; Will Stephens, sr., hurdles.

Outlook: Not as deep or fast as the 2010 squad that qualified all four relays with a Class 3A third-place 1,600 relay, the Trojans should still qualify at least two relays and select open events. Huge kicker Llamas and Pfeiffer head a solid distance crew, Stephens looks to go down in the 300 hurdles, and Doyle shoots for a 400 program record from 1985. “It’s all about personal records and having fun,” Sipple said.

Downers Grove South

Coach: Brian Caldwell (first year).

Last year: First in the West Suburban Gold; first at the Class 3A Lyons Twp. sectional.

Top athletes: Jon Aldrin, jr., sprints; DeMaine Bailey, jr., sprints; Zack Baleski, sr., jumps, sprints; Jake Czyz, jr., middle distance; Erich Eisenhart, jr., middle distance; Anthony Farinella, jr., middle distance; Danny Leach, jr., sprints; Jeff Lester, sr., distance; Tim Lieb, jr., throws; Harry Miles, jr., distance; Cory Mosiman, jr., distance; Adrian Rosete, jr., pole vault; Jeremy Ulrich, jr., throws.

Outlook: The Mustangs’ 189 points won the Gold indoor meet, momentum to repeat outdoors. Farinella’s 1:57.7 indoor 800 broke a 28-year school mark, Baleski’s 6-7 high jump set another. Aldrin, Mosiman, Eisenhart and others from a strong junior class lend multiple qualifying opportunities. “We’ve got a lot of pieces,” said Caldwell, cross country coach succeeding the recently resigned Mark Wiggins.

Fenton

Coach: John Kurtz (43rd year).

Last year: Fourth in the Metro Suburban Conference; ninth at the Class 2A Glenbard South sectional.

Top athletes: Patrick Bowles, sr., middle distance; Frank DiLauro, jr., middle distance; Freddie Joyner, jr., throws; M.J. Harkins, jr., middle distance; Rob Howe, sr., distance; Lucas Linder, jr., pole vault; Michael Uhl, jr., middle distance; Fabiel Urzua, so., distance.

Outlook: The versatile Howe won the Metro Suburban indoor 1,600 with Urzua second, and the Bison trailed only blazing Glenbard South in the indoor sprint relay. Harkins, Howe, Fabiel, DiLauro and a 3,200 relay all have a shot at qualifying downstate, but they’ll need to make the time at a heated sectional. “Even though I’d say we’re low in numbers we have a chance of qualifying more guys than we’ve had in years,” said Kurtz, the hall of fame dean of DuPage County head track coaches.

Glenbard East

Coach: Jack Brady (27th year).

Last year: Fifth in the DuPage Valley Conference; sixth at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional.

Top players: Markell Brackett, jr., sprints; Javonte Burnette, so., jumps; Mike Fahey, jr., distance; Doc Hackney, sr., sprints, jumps; Antwon James, jr., jumps, sprints; Dreylon Jones, sr., sprints; Nathan Peterson, sr., distance; Darnell Robinson, sr., sprints; Billy Sipek, sr., high jump; Patrick Thornton, jr., sprints.

Outlook: The Rams’ strength may shift. Only Fahey returns from the 2010 Class 3A champion 3,200-meter relay. Robinson, Jones, Brackett and James won the DVC indoor 400 relay and if they stay cohesive have a shot at Glenbard East’s 42.8-second outdoor record, a couple perhaps approaching the 100 dash mark. The Rams finished fourth indoors and look to stay there, helped by Sipek and James in jumps. Rams’ sprints annually hold promise; maybe this is the year. “They really do have a good attitude,” said Brady, dean of the DVC.

Glenbard North

Coach: Mark Karwowski (first year).

Last year: Sixth in the DuPage Valley Conference; seventh at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional.

Top athletes: Deonte Fisher, sr., sprints; Kyle Flores, sr., distance; Wes Lam, jr., jumps, hurdles; Damione Lewis, so., throws; Alex Mendez, jr., sprints; Nigel Quick, sr., sprints, jumps; Mitch Siver, so., throws; Tyler Warner, sr., middle distance.

Outlook: Panthers alumnus Karwowski, succeeding 16-year veteran Eric Manuel, specialized in middle distance and distance as an assistant. That’s where the standouts are. Flores set a program record winning the DVC indoor 3,200; Warner won the 600 at Proviso West and moves to the 800 outdoors. Karwowski believes he’s got the makings of a good 800 relay, and Lam and Quick will score in jumps for this young team. “We have a really strong outlook on the frosh-soph side,” Karwowski said.

Glenbard South

Coach: Andy Preuss (29th year).

Last year: Third in the Western Sun Conference; first at the Class 2A Glenbard South sectional; tied for 10th in 2A.

Top athletes: Joe Boesso, sr., jumps; Nick Boesso, jr., throws; Robert Cary, sr., long jump; Grant Gibson, sr., middle distance; John Hentges, sr., long jump, sprints; Affan Khan, sr., hurdles; Lamar Johnson, sr., sprints; Kyle LaPointe, sr., throws; Garret Payne, sr., sprints; Wesley Sanders, jr., sprints; Elven Walker, jr., hurdles; John Wold, fr., distance.

Outlook: Immediately the Metro Suburban favorite — indoors the Raiders beat runner-up Riverside-Brookfield by 114 points — and perhaps top-five downstate. Defending 400 state champ Payne heads a stellar sprint group that will contend in Charleston and though a rookie, Wold might too. Joe Boesso is a two-time all-state high jumper. “Everybody’s got to stay healthy,” said new ITCCA Hall of Famer Preuss.

Glenbard West

Coach: Kurt Frazier (fifth season).

Last year: Sixth in the West Suburban Silver; 13th at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional.

Top athletes: Nick Burrello, sr., sprints, jumps; Johnny Caspers, jr., throws; Mark Hiben, sr., sprints; Ken Leaf, jr., distance; Mike Lederhouse, jr., distance; Derek Minkus, sr., middle distance; Josh Nibbe, sr., sprints; Justice Odom, jr., sprints; Tommy Schutt, jr., throws; Jordan Walsh, sr., throws; C.J. Watson, sr., jumps.

Outlook: Fourth-place indoors in a loaded Silver, these seniors scored 130 points as freshmen. Indoor 55 dash winner Nibbe and point machine Watson lead a team not especially deep except at shot put but especially fast. Sprint relays look good to qualify, and Lederhouse hopes to return at least in the 3,200 if not the 1,600. “Our goal is certainly to send a bus down a little more full,” Frazier said.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Jim Kupres (fifth year).

Last year: Fifth in the West Suburban Silver; fifth at the Class 3A Lyons Twp. sectional.

Top athletes: Ryan Callen, jr., throws; Ben Cherry, sr., sprints; Ryan Daleen, jr., hurdles; Azad Darbandi, sr., distance; Billy Fayette, sr., distance; Jack Feldman, jr., distance; Connor Furlong, jr., sprints; Max Von Mallinckrodt, jr., sprints; Bill Monat, sr., throws; Reed Wigley, jr., hurdles; Zach Withal, sr., distance.

Outlook: This sleeping monster may be stirring. Callen, Cherry and Wigley all won Silver indoor events, with Callen and Monat both over 51 feet in shot put. A horde of juniors might make the 1,600 and 3,200 relays work. The headliner is cross country all-stater Fayette, who broke program 1,600 and 3,200 indoor records. “We’re not really deep, but we have kids in individual events that can score some points,” Kupres said.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Dean Norman (sixth year).

Last year: Third in the West Suburban Gold; sixth at the 3A Lyons Twp. sectional.

Top players: Dominic Abiagom, sr., hurdles, sprints; Tavaris Binion, so., sprints; Chris Chacko, sr., jumps; Don DeSalvo, sr., distance; Joe Gangichiodo, jr., sprints; Dijon James, jr., high jump; Ryan Johnson, sr., jumps; Emil Kemp, sr., hurdles; D.J. King, jr., sprints; Bryson Pitts, sr., throws.

Outlook: Exciting sprinters include Binion, 400 man Gangichiodo and the 6-4 Abiagom, who should fly outside with fewer turns in the 300 hurdles and 200. Johnson and returning qualifier James head several 6-foot high jumpers. Despite DeSalvo (and hopefully ailing twin brother Matt) middle distance on up is thin. The Hornets trailed Downers South by 48 points at the Gold indoor, but another sprint relay and Pitts in discus may help. “Winning conference is our next goal,” Norman said.

Immaculate Conception

Coach: Bob Cronin (eighth year).

Last year: Tenth in the Suburban Christian Conference; eighth at the 1A Lisle sectional.

Top players: Loren Butler, sr., sprints; Danny Headley, sr., distance; Tim Hipskind, so., sprints, jumps; Patrick Kirby, jr., sprints, jumps; Cody Kotlow, sr., sprints; Vitino Labadessa, jr., throws; Dan Vatch, jr., high jump.

Outlook: Numbers are up by more than a third, mainly on the frosh-soph levels. Perhaps it’s enough for Cronin to assemble a state-bound relay, where much of the Knights’ recent success has been. Kirby and Hipskind lead the way. Labadessa needs a few feet to qualify in shot put, but he and Vatch should score in any meet IC competes in. Cronin doesn’t see an upper-half SCC finish, for now. “I don’t know if the quality is there yet,” he said, “but the enthusiasm sure is.”

Lake Park

Coach: Jay Ivory (11th year).

Last year: Third in the Upstate Eight Conference; third at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional; 3A state champion.

Top athletes: Demetri Alimissis, jr., sprints; Greg Block, sr., throws; Scott Filip, so., jumps, hurdles; Kevin Jorgensen, jr., middle distance; Jeremy Kline, sr., throws; Jermaine Kline, sr., throws; Sean Lang, so., pole vault; Larry Matthies, sr., hurdles; Kevin Spejcher, jr., high jump; Zach Ziemek, sr., pole vault, jumps.

Outlook: Lake Park won the 3A title without any track points, and with the South Carolina-bound Kline twins plus Wisconsin recruit Ziemek returning, the Lancers enter as everyone’s Class 3A favorite. Jeremy Kline already has exceeded 67 feet in shot put, Illinois’ all-time best. Spejcher, 16th in 2010 high jump and 6-10 indoors, should add to the bounty. Filip will be a consistent scorer if not qualifier as will veteran Matthies and newcomers Jorgensen and Alimissis. Staying healthy is the key. “All state point winners are back,” Ivory said, “so we are looking to repeat as state champ.”

Lisle

Coach: Ken Jakalski (25th year, 36th overall).

Last year: Sixth in the Interstate Eight Conference; fourth at the Class 1A Lisle sectional.

Top athletes: Terrance Allen, jr., throws; Alex Begley, sr., distance; Jon Ferrari, sr., sprints; Grant Fitzgerald, sr., sprints; Zach Lange, jr., distance; Mitch McCarthy, sr., sprints; Andy Populorum, jr., sprints; Levi Smith, sr., sprints; Anthony Ventrella, sr., jumps, sprints.

Outlook: The Lions have the bulk of their experience returning in sprints, which could mean a state-qualifying sprint relay or two. ITCCCA Hall of Famer Jakalski believes soccer star Fitzgerald, a track newcomer, will be an “eye-opener.” Perhaps now’s the time for McCarthy, a varsity 400-meter veteran. The main man is Ventrella, a returning 1A qualifier aiming for Lisle’s 26-year school long jump record. Overall, numbers (40) are good, and in a large I8 field Jakalski seeks a top-five finish. “I think that is very realistic for us,” he said.

Metea Valley

Coach: Aaron Lewis (second year, fourth overall).

Last year: Third in frosh-soph at Upstate Eight Conference.

Top athletes: Lloyd Glass, jr., jumps; Mike Hennessy, jr., distance; Ben Hulett, jr., sprints; Tre’sean Mackey, jr., sprints; Jake Murawski, so., high jump, throws; Jake Pajakowski, so., hurdles, throws; Raysean Parker, jr., jumps; Joe Stewart, jr., distance; Matt Stewart, jr., distance; Richard Waller, jr., sprints; Alan Williams, jr., sprints.

Outlook: Metea’s first varsity campaign, Lewis’ second straight startup after Grayslake North. Metea offers twice the number of athletes, many of whom competed in varsity events in 2010. Sprints are jelling, while ready to roll is Joe Stewart, second in the UEC indoor 3,200. Pajakowski and Murawski, a 6-2 high jumper and 40-plus shot putter, are nifty hybrids. “This season we want to transition our program to a full, two-level program,” Lewis said.

Montini

Coach: Pete Connelly (second year).

Last year: Fifth in the Suburban Christian Conference; 11th at the Class 2A Glenbard South sectional.

Top athletes: Pat Barrett, jr., pole vault; Jim Harrington, sr., sprints; Mitch Hoem, jr., pole vault; Mitch Lydon, jr., sprints; Tim Perlowski, sr., sprints; Josh Reznicek, so., sprints; Michael Spangler, so., sprints; Anthony Taylor, jr., sprints.

Outlook: Sprints, namely sprint relays, rule the roost. At a tough sectional football star Taylor, Harrington and Co. will need to run qualifying times to get downstate. Reznicek and Spangler both ran at sectionals as freshmen, Spangler taking fifth in the 200. The Broncos should place in the SCC’s upper third. They must remain healthy, and Perlowski and Barrett have been hampered. Field events have improved. “I think we’re going in the right direction,” Connelly said.

Naperville Central

Coach: Steve Wiesbrook (eighth year).

Last year: Eighth in the DuPage Valley Conference; 16th at the Class 3A West Aurora sectional.

Top athletes: James Dirth, sr., hurdles; David Goodalis, jr., throws; Brad Kouchoukos, jr., middle distance; David Storino, jr., sprints; Sam Welu, sr., distance.

Outlook: The sunny Wiesbrook isn’t shaken by a few key seniors failing to return. He aims to piece together qualifying 1,600 and 3,200 relays, headed by Kouchoukos and cross country regional winner Welu. Kouchoukos could grab an 800 slot after missing 2010 qualification by less than a second. Storino and Goodalis may also have a shot with steady improvement for the Redhawks, who host the DVC outdoor meet. “Last year we were young and thought we would grow out of it,” Wiesbrook said, “but it turns out we’re still incredibly young.”

Naperville North

Coach: Tim Brown (first year).

Last year: Third in the DuPage Valley Conference; eighth at the Class 3A West Aurora sectional.

Top athletes: Sam Ceruti, so., distance; Kevin Gibson, sr., middle distance; Marvin Harris, jr., sprints; Garrick Lim, sr., pole vault; Nick Lyon, jr., pole vault; Jeff Marta, sr., hurdles, jumps; Charlie McKeown, sr., middle distance; Antonio Owens, sr., sprints; Jimmy Qiao, so., distance; Brian Schmult, so., sprints.

Outlook: Brown succeeds the two-year term of Mike Ellberg. Reigning DVC 400-meter champ Owens is a versatile sprinter who may also challenge for a state long jump berth. Gibson and McKeown return from a qualifying 3,200 relay, and Qiao looked good at the DVC indoor meet. Depth is an issue particularly in field events. Seventh in the varsity DVC indoors but second in frosh-soph. “We’re a young team and looking to get some experience,” Brown said.

Neuqua Valley

Coach: Jaime Janota (first year).

Last year: First in the Upstate Eight Conference; first at the Class 3A West Aurora sectional; third in 3A.

Top athletes: Jake Bender, jr., sprints; Vincenzo Dal Pozzo, sr., middle distance; Mark Derrick, jr., distance; Josh Ferguson, sr., middle distance; Eric Metoyer, jr., sprints; Chad Prescher, sr., pole vault; Kevin Skrip, jr., middle distance; Taylor Soltys, sr., distance; Ryan Tomasi, sr., sprints; Matt Wytiaz, sr., sprints.

Outlook: The Wildcats’ fourth-place UEC indoor finish snapped a string of eight straight titles. Janota, relieving Mike Kennedy, who’s serving a year in Washington, D.C., as an Einstein Fellow, graduated a ton of talent that snared all-state finishes in each downstate relay. Still, Bender, Dal Pozzo and 2010 qualifier Prescher could have a downstate presence, and though less deep or well-rounded the Wildcats may again qualify all four relays. “We’re going to have to reload,” Janota said.

St. Francis

Coach: Scott Nelson (23rd year).

Last year: Fourth in the Suburban Christian Conference; 10th at the Class 2A Glenbard South sectional.

Top athletes: Matt Denny, jr., middle distance; Jake Fahey, jr., jumps, sprints, pole vault; James Ferguson, jr., hurdles; Joe Giamberdino, sr., distance; Trevor Holzman, sr., middle distance; Kevin McShea, so., jumps; Ryan Monroe, jr., sprints; Danny Payne, jr., sprints, hurdles, Jeff Rutkowski, jr., sprints.

Outlook: This somewhat green squad could have given Marmion and Aurora Central more fits had several starters not taken up lacrosse. Giamberdino and Denny return off a qualifying 3,200 relay, and both will challenge for open 1,600 and 800 slots, respectively. Ferguson has a shot in 300 hurdles, said Nelson, who thinks these hard workers will jell. “We’ll make some noise before it’s all said and done,” said Nelson, who has won 296 boys and girls meets.

Timothy Christian

Coach: John Vander Kamp (25th year).

Last year: Fifth in the Metro Suburban Conference; seventh at the Class 1A Lisle sectional.

Top athletes: Chris Biesboer, sr., distance; Brody Bilthouse, jr., sprints; Jake Hooker, so., hurdles; Alex Sweatman, jr., middle distance; Luke Washington, jr., sprints, jumps.

Outlook: Only 24 athletes (and a sole freshman thrower for this usual shot put power) means slim chance for relays and difficulty scoring in the larger-school Metro Suburban. Biesboer and Washington, who ran the third-fastest 55 indoor preliminary time then tweaked a knee jumping will be solid when/if healthy. Vander Kamp says the numbers aren’t necessarily low for this program, but experience is. “Next year we’ll be better and this year we are a developing squad,” he said.

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Kevin Rafferty (fourth year).

Last year: Second in the Upstate Eight Conference; second at the Class 3A West Aurora sectional; tied for 8th in 3A.

Top athletes: Austin Amare, jr., sprints; Jamaal Bearden, jr., throws; Joe Brant, sr., distance; John Burke, so., sprints; Jon Cuzzone, sr., distance; Amare Greene, sr., jumps; David Groeber, sr., distance; Riley Kittridge, so., throws; Jeff Markham, so., sprints; Bornell Nicholson, sr., distance; Eric Pembrook, jr., distance; Owen Saldana, sr., throws; Kyle Schafer, jr., hurdles; Danny Tucker, sr., sprints; Bryant Wabomnor, jr., throws.

Outlook: Returning state qualifiers Tucker, Greene, Saldana and 3,200 relay returnees Brant, Pembrook and Cuzzone hope to peak in the 3A finals in Charleston. Groeber has downstate potential after an all-state cross country season and a group of promising young sprinters will fill relays. As usual, throws coach Roger Einbecker will deliver one or two guys downstate. “We have a lot of athletes with a lot of ability,” Rafferty said.

West Chicago

Coach: Paul McLeland (21st year).

Last year: Fourth in the DuPage Valley Conference; fifth at the 3A Streamwood sectional.

Top athletes: Matt Bannon, sr., jumps; Louie Boers, jr., sprints; Roberto Campos, jr., distance; Jose Cortes, so., middle distance; Jeff Foreman, sr., high jump, hurdles; Jon Hernandez, jr., distance; Mack Mowen, jr., sprints; Derrick Pietrobon, sr., middle distance; Gunnar Sterne, sr., distance; Nate Sudnick, jr., throws.

Outlook: Graduated all-state sprinter Matt Kubik led a top-four outdoor DVC finish for the first time since 2001, but more is in the tank. At the DVC indoor meet Drake-bound Foreman improved upon his 3A eighth-place high jump of 6-7, and Sterne kicked to win the 800 and 1,600. Bannon and Sudnick will be major contributors and 1,600 and 3,200 relays could surprise. “We’re hoping to do that again (top half of the DVC) or better,” McLeland said.

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Bill Bickhart (16th year).

Last year: Eighth in the Suburban Christian Conference; 12th at the Class 2A Glenbard South sectional.

Top athletes: Andrew Duncan, so., distance; Wes Killian, sr., middle distance; David Leffler, fr., sprints; Widi Moestopo, so., distance; Justin Sargeant, so., sprints; Ben Spoelhof, so., distance; Joel Swick, sr., sprints; Matt Weirsma, sr., middle distance; Matt Wen, sr., middle distance; Baxter Wennlund, so., distance.

Outlook: Bickhart’s outlook is “optimistic but guarded” due to inexperience mainly in distance; Moestopo was the top cross country runner. Middle distance is more tested, and there’s a decent 800 relay. Large meets at Kaneland, Seneca and Lisle’s Carlin Nalley provide good competition that could aid an upper-half SCC finish. “They really are working hard,” Bickhart said.

Wheaton North

Coach: Don Helberg (19th year).

Last year: Second in the DuPage Valley Conference; fourth at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional.

Top athletes: Eric Altimari, jr., sprints, jumps; Jason Dowell, sr., distance; Tyler Ester, sr., jumps; Christian Hollinger, jr., throws; Rafe Kiely, sr., throws; Brett Kohler, jr., sprints; Stephen Norregaard, sr., distance; Stephen Papierski, jr., high jump; Caleb Philbrick, sr., middle distance; Anthony Rocco, sr., sprints; David Rudman, jr., pole vault.

Outlook: A nice problem awaits Helberg: when/if to add to this solid squad with speedy youngsters who won the DVC indoor frosh-soph level by 114 points? As is, the Falcons are a top-three DVC team that should produce new qualifiers like Rocco and Dowell to join such downstate returnees as Kiely and Ester. In the end a youth movement could help qualify all four relays and prepare for the future. “In a year or two we might be a team to be reckoned with,” Helberg said, “but I think we’re a year away.”

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Ken Helberg (23rd year).

Last year: First in the DuPage Valley Conference; first at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional.

Top athletes: Christian Adams, sr., middle distance; Carl Anderson, jr., middle distance; Alec Brazeau, jr., high jump, pole vault; Phabian Clark, jr., hurdles, sprints; Digba Coker, sr., hurdles, sprints; Andrew Dabisch, sr., sprints; Titus Davis, sr., jumps, sprints; Will Davis, sr., jumps; Dan Franke, sr., middle distance; Collin Fedor, sr., distance; Keenan Havey, sr., distance; Max Heyden, sr., sprints; Peter Karahalios, sr., sprints; Charlie Pinedo, sr., sprints, long jump; Brian Welker, sr., throws.

Outlook: All those athletes are why the Tigers could land a 3A trophy. Thirty-two seniors provide work ethic, leadership, some downstate chops. WW South is versatile, can score in every event and will double-score in many. Not flush with superstars besides Titus Davis, whose 23-7 indoor long jump was 12th nationwide, the Tigers still won the DVC indoor by 43 points. The question is, can they score in Charleston? Helberg knows Lake Park is favored in 3A. “After that,” he said, “who knows?”

Willowbrook

Coach: T.J. Artman (fourth year).

Last year: Fifth in the West Suburban Gold; ninth at the 3A Lake Park sectional.

Top athletes: Kevin Aguilera, sr., middle distance; Craig Benner, jr., sprints; Jibril Jones, sr., sprints; Pat Niyork, jr., distance; Warren Schenk, sr., middle distance; Wes Umano, sr., middle distance; Ian Welsh, jr., throws.

Outlook: A little thin, but Artman has some horses. Like Aguilera, one of the area’s top returning 400 runners just a half-second off qualifying time in 2010. Jones, Schenk and Benner are other candidates for a downstate 1,600 relay. Artman also praises Niyork, who finished second in the Gold indoor 3,200, fifth in the mile. Help will be needed elsewhere to improve an indoor tie for sixth place. Positives should follow the new fieldhouse and outdoor track. “We have some new things to take advantage of,” Artman said.

York

Coach: Stan Reddel (11th year, 19th overall).

Last year: First in the West Suburban Silver; second at the Class 3A Lake Park sectional; second in 3A.

Top athletes: Kevin Adamik, sr., sprints; David Byerly, jr., sprints; Jack Driggs, sr., distance; Paul Golen, jr., throws; Nick Gornick, sr., middle distance; Ron Hedman, sr., distance; Tom Hedman, sr., distance; Matt Manderino, jr., pole vault; Alex Mimlitz, so., distance; Kris Romancyzk, sr., sprints; Nick Sgarbossa, jr., pole vault; Matt Simo, sr., middle distance; Will Sullivan, sr., sprints; Mo Watkins, sr., sprints; Matt Winans, sr., sprints.

Outlook: Third place indoors in a loaded Silver for the first time since the 1980s did not surprise Reddel, coming without injured Mimlitz, Byerly and Sullivan, who should return. The Dukes have more solid sprinters than those listed above, and North Carolina-bound superstar Jack Driggs leads the 3A cross country champ’s usual pool of talent. The combination should equal four downstate relays. Field talent lags, but track is why York has won trophies five of the last six years. “The goal is to be in the top three, always,” Reddel said.

— Dave Oberhelman

Back in action:

Marks in parentheses are 2011 fully automated state-qualifying standards for Class 1A, 2A and 3A, respectively.

*** — 2010 Class 3A state qualifier

** — 2010 Class 2A state qualifier

a — hand-time converted to fully automated time (FAT) by adding .24 seconds

100 meters (11.14, 11:04, 10.84)

*** Danny Tucker (Waubonsie Valley, sr.) 10.64a

200 meters (22.94, 22.54, 22.24)

** Wesley Sanders (Glenbard South, jr.) 21.82

400 meters (51.74, 50.84, 49.94)

(1st-2A) Garret Payne (Glenbard South, sr.) 48.25

800 meters (2:01.24, 1:59.04, 1:56.84)

Jack Driggs (York, sr.) 1:57.24a

Brian Llamas (Downers Grove North, sr.) 1:57.24a

1,600 meters (4:37.24, 4:30.44, 4:21.84)

(3rd-3A) Jack Driggs (York, sr.) 4:15.10

3,200 meters (10:03.04, 9:49.24, 9:29.04)

(2nd-3A) Jack Driggs (York, sr.) 9:06.13

110 hurdles (15.44, 14.94, 14.74)

*** Digba Coker (WW South, sr.) 14.85

300 hurdles (41.24, 40.44, 39.84)

Larry Matthies (Lake Park, sr.) 40.09

400 relay (44.64, 43.74, 42.84)

(6th-3A) Neuqua Valley 42.04

800 relay (1:33.74, 1:31.74, 1:29.64)

(3rd-3A) Neuqua Valley 1:27.15

1,600 relay (3:31.74, 3:27.44, 3:23.74)

(1st-3A) Neuqua Valley 3:17.05

3,200 relay (8:22.24, 8:15.24, 8:00.04)

(1st-3A) Glenbard East 7:47.22

Pole vault (13-0, 13-3; 13-9)

(1st-3A) Zach Ziemek (Lake Park, sr.) 15-0

High jump (6-3; 6-3; 6-5)

(8th-3A) Jeff Foreman (West Chicago, sr.) 6-7

(16th-3A) Kevin Spejcher (Lake Park, jr.) 6-7

Long jump (21-3; 21-8; 22-3)

*** Titus Davis (WW South, sr.) 23-0

Triple jump (42-3; 43-8; 45-0)

(2nd-3A) Zach Ziemek (Lake Park, sr.) 47-3¼

Shot put (49-3; 50-11; 52-11)

(1st-3A) Jermaine Kline (Lake Park, sr.) 63-11

Discus (143-0; 148-0; 155-0)

(2nd-3A) Jermaine Kline (Lake Park, sr.) 195-7