Northwest boys cross country / State meet scouting
By Michael Eaken
Daily Herald Correspondent
Boys cross country
Class 3A state meet scouting report
Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria
When: Class 3A at 2 p.m.
Teams to watch: Palatine, Neuqua Valley, and York have been jockeying for the top spot all season. Palatine has had the most consistent attack, but Neuqua Valley definitely has the pieces to win the state title. York has been making a late charge with an infusion of youth. All three teams are coming off sectional victories in what has the makings of a close team race. O’Fallon also has had a very strong season, and will push for a trophy. Prospect and New Trier could pull off a surprise.
Area teams’ outlook
Palatine: The Pirates have been the most consistent boys Class 3A team in state. Coach Chris Quick made a few adjustments after finishing second to Neuqua Valley at the Hinsdale Central Invite in early September and the Pirates have been cruising since. Senior Anthony Gregorio and senior Peter Tomkiewicz give the Pirates a solid 1-2 punch. Senior Marcus Garcia is the glue that keeps the attack together. Senior Tim Johnson and senior Tim Meincke will need solid races for the Palatine to secure the title. Junior Christian Zambrano came through with a big sectional race. When Palatine’s top five is working together the Pirates are hard to stop. This could be the year the Pirates bring home the title.
Prospect: After finishing fifth at the Mid-Suburban League meet it would have been easy to write the Knights off. But coach Mike Stokes worked his late-season magic again, and Prospect responded by winning the Hoffman regional and taking second at the Schaumburg sectional. Junior Michael Leet has led the charge and will be a serious threat to make all-state. Junior Quentin Shaffer and senior Mike Thill definitely have been important pieces to the Knights attack. Senior Josh Campos could be a wild card for Prospect. If the Knights keep progress like they have the past two weekends, a state trophy is not out of the question.
Barrington: The Broncos have been a solid squad all year. Coach Ty Gorman has brought along a team that did not have much varsity experience entering the season. Senior Erik Peterson powers the attack and is definitely a candidate to win the Class 3A title. Junior Ryan Burgoon has emerged a solid No. 2 runner. Senior Nolan Wojtowicz and junior Mike Rappleye give the Broncos a nice tandem at the 3-4 spot. The biggest improvement at sectionals came from the Broncos 5-6-7 runners. Barrington is definitely a top ten squad.
Buffalo Grove: The Bison make their first state appearance and they are ready to make some noise. Coach Jamie Klotz team has had memorable season, winning its first MSL East division title, finishing second at the MSL conference meet, and the qualifying for state. Senior Jereme Atchison ignites the Bison attack and will be in the thick of things for the Class 3A individual state title. Senior Taras Didenko, senior Dan Roe, and sophomore Steven Salvano have helped elevate the Bison attack. No. 5 runner senior Ryan Degelmann will need to close the gap on the Bison No. 4 runner.
Individuals to watch: It’s a wide-open race with Edwardsville senior Garrett Sweat and Oak Park-River Forest senior Malachy Schrobilgen leading the charge. New Trier senior Leland Later will also be pushing the pace. Barrington senior Erik Peterson, Buffalo Grove senior Jereme Atchison, and Lake Zurich senior Pat Juras will also have a say in the individual title.
Area runners to watch:
Erik Peterson, Barrington: The Broncos senior is coming an impressive victory at the Schaumburg sectional where he out-kicked Lake Zurich senior Pat Juras. Peterson will definitely be in the mix on Saturday.
Jereme Atchison, Buffalo Grove: The Bison senior pushed the pace early in the final mile at sectionals before finishing in third place. Atchison has become an elite runner this season and will also be in a crowded title run.
Michael Leet, Prospect: The Knights junior has come on strong the past two weekends. An injury wiped out his sophomore season, but Leet has made up for it this season, including an impressive fourth place finish at the Schaumburg sectional.
Peter Tomkiewicz/Anthony Gregorio, Palatine: The Pirates duo has paced the top-ranked team all season. Gregorio will be seeking his second consecutive all-state honor, while Tomkiewicz will be looking for his first.
Tyler Schneider, Conant: he Cougar senior has made a late season charge with an impressive seventh place finish at the Schaumburg sectional.
Other area runners: Alex Miller (Conant), Fabrian Cabrera (Leyden).
Class 2A state meet:
When: Noon, Saturday
Teams to watch: St. Viator makes its first trip to the state meet after finishing fourth at the Fenton sectional. Junior Kevin Schreiber leads the Lions attack. Sophomore Nick Brey, senior Elliot Hilgert, junior Tyler Sammons, and sophomore Jason Ziolowksi have added a strong pack for Viator.
— Michael Eaken