Boys track and field: Scouting Lake County
FOX VALLEY
Grayslake North
Coach: Shawn Murphy (1st year)
Last year: 11th in FVC
Key losses: Kyle Kleinschmidt, Tyler Vincent, Ronnie Grazian, Jack Becker, Mike Becker, David Anderson (state qualifier), Hayden Ford, Doug Mischke, Mark Fletcher
Key returnees: Seniors Cody Stephens, Kasen Christiansen, Carlos Gomez, Jake Geary, Ben Guhl, Josh Speer, Matt Zaverdas; Juniors Alex Rotter, Jake Smith, Charlie Pine; Sophomore Ryan Bruder
Top newcomers: Senior Andrew Soulis; Juniors Brendon Uribe; sophomore Tommy Nettleton; freshmen Gary Booker, Kevin Meyer
Outlook: Murphy brings a wealth of experience from Libertyville to give the Knights a boost this season. The strength for North lies with its seniors in Guhl, Geary and Christiansen. Soulis is a nice new addition and the freshmen will provide immediate depth. Look for the Knights to be strong in the throws this spring.
Grayslake Central
Coach: Brent Pitt (9th Year)
Last year: 2nd place Fox Valley Conference; sectional champions
Key losses: Bryant Jennings (7th in state 800 relay, 11th in state triple jump), Jordan Bustos (7th in state 800 relay), Connor Hirt, David Valko, Kyle Rehberg, Mike Sledz, Donovan Moore, Dan Hsu, Will Reed (7th in state 800 relay - North Park), Vinnie Culhane, Jahard Nelson (7th in state 800 relay), Darius Pearson (state qualifier).
Key returnees: Seniors Joey Valdivia (4th in state shot put), Luke Zygmunt (2nd in state 1,600), Brett Seaholm, Daniel Glenn, Devon Osborn (state qualifier), Deandre Nabriat, Will Brewster (10th in state 3,200 run), Ray Beckman; juniors Kevin Boyle, Jordan Swopes, Davonte Jennings; sophomores Casey Adams, Kevin Orosco, Kurt Dickson.
Top newcomers: Senior Casey Boyle; junior Luke Stancil; freshman Tommy Zygmunt
Outlook: How do you follow up the best season in program history? Easy, just do it again — and the Rams are ready. Brewster and the older Zygmunt make up one of the best distance running tandems in the state. Add in a returning medalist in the shot put, and the Rams are ready for bigger things in this year. Keep an eye on the rebuilt spring core led by Osborn, and Jennings.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
Carmel Catholic
Coach: Jim Halford (28th Year)
Last season: ESCC Champions
Key losses: John Thumel, A.J. Gawin (state qualifier) Ryan Ruddell (state qualifier), Jimmy Heid, Paul Madison, Matt Fromm, Tommy Miller (state qualifier).
Key returnees: Seniors Brian Kadowaki, Pat Gray, Anthony Paul, Jack Schoen (state qualifier), K. J. Matuszak, Jordan Yancey, Christian Horcher, Devin Becker; juniors Derrick McLean, Chase Reiger; Dillon Novak, Alex Warkenthien, Dan Santos, Max Johnson, Austin Fenger
Top newcomers: Seniors Kenny Miller, JP Blaida; freshmen David Biondo, Patrick Tastika, Collin Psenka
Outlook: During his 28 years at Carmel, the Corsairs have won the conference six times, including last year. This year’s team is in prime position to do so again led by a deep group of seniors in Matuszak and Horcher and a talented junior class led by Warkethein. Continuing to improve in the field events will help the Corsairs rise to the top of the ESCC again.
St. Viator
Coach: Rodero Warren (8th Year)
Last season: 5th place ESCC
Key losses: Justin Johnson (5th in state 110 high hurdles), Nick Fiore, Kevin Cascino, Jack Simpson, Nick Frett, Michael Murray
Key returnees: Seniors Elliott Hilgert, Michael Escarda, Jimmy Sexton; juniors John Balas (state qualifier), Adam Clark, Tyler Sammons, Will Beiersdorf, Kevin Schreiber; sophomores Jason Ziolkowski, Matt Beiswenger, Ryan Henry, Nick Brey
Top newcomers: Senior Steven Brey; freshmen Brian Peters, Yoon Chang, Jack Scanlon, Woojin Son
Outlook: Anytime a program loses a two-time state medalist in Johnson, the move to replace him will be tough. But the Lions have move depth than in the past and it starts up top with team captains Balas, Schreiber and Escarda. Viator looks to be deeper in the middle distance than before and the sprints are sold with four incoming freshmen ready to contribute.
NORTH SUBURBAN LAKE
Stevenson
Coach: Andy Farrissey (16th year)
Last season: 2nd place NSC
Key losses: Kevin Earl, Jon Fajardo (state qualifier), Joe Cassata, Tom Velev (state qualifier), Oliver Simes, Mike Crowley, Kevin Wood (9th in state 3,200 run), Brandon Stryganek (5th in state 200 – Illinois), Jaffar Mascoll (state qualifier)
Key returnees: Seniors James Vestuto (state qualifier), Tommy Barnes, Michael Hu, Alex Goldberg, Carl Miller (state qualifier), Jacob Yomtoob, Austin Scheu, Diego Chavez; juniors Alan Velev (state qualifier), Stephen Johnson, Brian Lee, Thomas Russell; sophomores Ki Hwan Kim (state qualifier), Parker Deloye
Top newcomers: Juniors Brendan Wood, Jordan Fobbe; freshman Sammy Ho
Outlook: One of the finest sprinters Lake County has ever seen in Stryganek has moved on to Illinois. But the cupboard is rarely bare at Stevenson and that is the case again this spring. Kim and Deloye are the building blocks that will bring the Patriots back to the top of the conference. Wood is another in a long line of good distance runners and Vestuto and Miller will provide strength at the top.
Libertyville
Coach: Jason Schroeder (1st Year)
Last season: 9th Place NSC
Key losses: Jeremy Birck (8th in state high jump - Dartmouth), Sam Littlefield, Cam Hauri, Steve Stanis, Mike Schmitz, Eric Aksland, Pat Regan, Matt Gilbert (state qualifier), Dan Guerrero, Teddy Kelly
Key returnees: Seniors AJ Wilson, Luke Carlson, Mike Babowice, Dan Ryan, Kevin Burke, Jamison Taff, Nathan Honold, Jake Rezell, Kevin Chiou, Cameron Gillen, Patrick Wlodarski, Shane Reilly; juniors Nick Korhumel, Jojo Amdur, Charlie Payant, Matt Dziedic
Top newcomers: Sophomores Patrick Birck, Ilya Federovich; freshman Max Roberts
Outlook: Distance events are again a major strength and a major building block for Schroeder who comes over from Warren. Korhumel and Ryan were two of the Wildcats cross-country standouts and will lead the pack for Libertyville. Roberts is a freshman to watch in the hurdles while Dziedic was over 50 feet indoors in the shot, which should help overcome the loss of Gilbert.
Warren
Coach: Bill Dawson (17th Year)
Last season: 5th place NSC
Key losses: Kyle Ward (state qualifier - Loras), Troi Holley, Eddie Lopez-Villa, Matt Frank, Tony Severini, Matt Message (state qualifier – UW Stout), Miguel Herrerra (Carthage), Zach Lowe, Kevin Vollrath (University of Chicago), Kyle Berkhoff, Isaac Jean-Paul (11th in state long jump - Harper), Kyle Chung, Sam Neal
Key returnees: Seniors Nick Moreno, Aklex Vandenberge, David Hidrago, Wisam Abunimeh, Tyler Herman, Mike Harland, Roberta Lara, Brad Shearer, Pat Ward, Mike Hoeflinger; juniors Martin Martinez, Jacob Butler, Andrew Berman, Joe Severini, Miles, Ganer, Tra Hall, Tony Severini, Mike Biondo, Terrel Jones; sophomore Reese Brady
Top newcomers: Senior Kyle Gregory; junior Arthell Rosquist; sophomores Marcus Shamberg, Adam Shurson, Michael Kliene
Outlook: For the longest time the Blue Devils have been a program deep in the sprinting events. This season that might change. A strong distance grouping led by Martinez, Butler and Herman should make the Devils strong from the middle distance events up. Gregory is a do it all newcomer this year which will help Warren contend for a Lake title and the NSC crown.
Lake Zurich
Coach: Chad Beaver (6th Year)
Last year: NSC Champions
Key losses: Jacob Brinlee (4th in state 1,600 relay), Andrew Lulis (Augustana), Eric Porter (Harper), Ben Papke, Mitch Dudek, Alex Brend (State champion 800, 4th in state 1,600 relay - Minnesota), Victor DeLaTorre (state qualifier – Eastern Illinois), Mark Tabaka (6th in state shot put), Jason Tiedmann, Cody Cameron (Illinois State), Ryan Moncrieff (11th in state 3,200)
Key returnees: Seniors Chris Helgeson, Jimmy Bohn, Mark Weber, Chris Rantis (4th in state 1,600 relay), Mike Rantis (4th in state 1,600 relay), Jon Smith, Patrick Juras (9th in state 1,600), Isaac Honegger (state qualifier), David Smith (state qualifier), Adam Polywka; juniors Jon Ramirez (state qualifier), Bobby Klett (state qualifier), Connor Schrader; sophomore Ryan Fitzgerald
Top newcomers: Junior Robert Rossdeutcher; sophomores Dan Abboud, Adam Griffith, Justin Wright
Outlook: No program in Lake County got his as hard by graduation than the Bears. It’s much easier to replace those stars when you return state meet veterans in the Rantis brothers, Juras and Ramirez. Schrader will be counted on in the sprints. Finding depth in the field events will help lead the Bears back to the top in the NSC.
Mundelein
Coach: Kevin Shifley (5th year)
Last season: 10th place NSC
Key losses: David DuVall, Martin Mena, Robbie Munnings, Dan Richards, Gian Carlo Vassalo, Tom Everding, Alfanzo Arroyo, Brian Cushman, Kyle Hendrickson, Dylan Glenner
Key returnees: Seniors Natish Kumar, Anthony Doretti, John Tazioli, Joe Ryan, Nick Doretti, Adam Fell, Gable Leppert; juniors Kevin Wilk, Dominic Paliani, Tim Del Castello, Kenny Pechtl, Tyreese Hurdle, Damien Perry, Juan Carlos Miguel, Cooper Lohr
Top newcomers: Junior Steve Slaughter; freshman Bryce Richard
Outlook: No track? No problem for the Mustangs. While their track is being refurbished, the Mustangs will be on the road this spring. They will bring plenty of talent along with them led up top by Kumar and Tazioli. Replacing the distance depth of the past will be tough but Fell should provide consistency in the mile and 2-mile. Overall this Mundelein team may be the deepest Shifley has had in his five years.
NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIE
Antioch
Coach: Chris Bailey (3rd year)
Last season: 13th place NSC
Key losses: Brian Read (North Central), Connor Chelmecki, Colin Bennett (Carthage), Brian Kay, Delante Keys
Key returnees: Seniors Lee Shannon, Travis Gantz; juniors Nick Brito, Leroy Chapman, Jacob Craft, Jordan Butler; sophomore Dan Lonski.
Top newcomers: Sophomore AJ Marsiglio; freshman Bogdan Anghel
Outlook: Strengths for the Sequoits this season will be found in the middle distance events for sure. Lonski and Chapman figure to be the two biggest point producers going forward for Antioch. The health of Shannon will be a big key for the Sequoits going forward in Bailey’s second season. Marsiglio and Anghel will provide immediate depth.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Al Janulis (1st year)
Last season: 12th place NSC
Key losses: Adnan Meskic (state qualifier), James Baek, Tom Flynn
Key returnees: Seniors Kyle Schrems, Ian Hough; juniors Mitch Campbell, Gabriel Cotton (state qualifier), Jacob Hallendorff, Nick Foley, Oleg Babin, David Kucharz, Dan Galinovskiy, Morgan Lichtenstein, Drake Randall
Top newcomers: Sophomores Ben Mohrdieck, Don Lee, Randy Veloz, Jonathon Veloz, Kyle Whitney, Nick Webber, Chris Lannan.
Outlook: It never hurts to have a legend take over the reigns of your program and the Cougars have that in Janulis. He will have plenty of talent at his disposal led by Cotton in the sprints and one of the top returning vaulters in the area in Babin. A very strong group of sophomores and juniors could sets this team up for big things in the future.
Wauconda
Coach: Megan Zemanek (11th year)
Last season: 11th place NSC
Key losses: Tyler Gick, Shane Bogner, Louis LaRose, Jake Stronz, Cameron Ciesil, Travis Walczynski, Brandon Dorsey (state qualifier), Carlos Loya, Robert Brunn; Juniors Jazz Saldivar, Parker Faust.
Key returnees: Seniors Jazz Saldivar, Parker Faust, Gerard Ledova, Thomas Webb, Erik Summerville; Juniors David Carter, Will Danner, Jack Weber, Chris Bednarski; sophomores Nick Ledova, Kacper Kulesza
Outlook: As has become tradition for the Bulldogs, hard work and senior leadership will lead the way for Wauconda this spring.
Grant
Coach: Tom Evans (1st Year)
Last season: 4th place NSC
Key losses: Steven Niewiedzial, Kyle Lombardino (10th in state shot put – Southern Illinois Edwardsville), Leo Minne (state qualifier), Ryan Mamerow, Vic Muntu (state qualifier), Jason Capps, Ricky Paz, Joe Lake, Justin Campbell
Key returnees: Seniors Brandon Lofthouse, Sean Wells (7th in state 300 hurdles), Chris Orc, Justin Sanchez; juniors Peter Audrain (state qualifier), Trent Peters-Clark, Keion Miller, Kris Smith, Kyle Whittman, Brandon Lombardino (5th in state discus); sophomore Jonathan Wells.
Top newcomers: Senior Gabriel Velarde; sophomores Kyle Hatton, Dalyn Romig
Outlook: On paper, if there is one team that is ready to dethrone the Eagles at the top of the NSC it just might be the Bulldogs. Grant has the conferences top hurdler in Wells, one of the top high jumpers in Jonathan Wells and the top returning discus thrower in the area in Lombardino. A little depth in the distance events may be the one ingredient needed to rise to the top of the NSC.
Round Lake
Coach: Kevin Brady (8th year)
Last season: 8th in NSC
Key losses: Juan Carrera (Southern Illinois), Terrell Davis, Cristian Bayadares, Nick Lange (state qualifier – Carroll College), Isaiah Brooks
Key returnees: Seniors Sergio Martinez, Juddon Carter, Deangelo Lockett, Danny Ceja, Erick Cortez, Tony Arenas, Enrique Sanchez, Victor Contreras-Gomez, Antonio Farley (state qualifier); juniors Angel Carrera, Robert Paz, Manual O’ Connor, Jorge Villa; sophomores Robert Pisarski, Chris Washington
Top newcomers: Freshmen Kevin Perez, Joel Pinajero, Joey Greenhill
Outlook: Winning the NSC Prairie in cross country figures to lead to a strong distance grouping outdoors this spring for the Panthers. Paz, Arenas and Carerra will lead the distance group for Round Lake. The sprints are loaded with Illinois State-signee Farley and basketball standout Carter. The Panthers are one of a host of teams ready to challenge Lakes.
Lakes
Coach: Kurt Rowells (7th year)
Last season: NSC Prairie champions, 6th in NSC
Key losses: Mike Beckman (state qualifier), Blake Franson (state qualifier – UW Whitewater), John Pfeiffer (3rd in state shot put, 4th in state discus – Brown), Nick Tagnocchi (state qualifier), Scott Hemmely, Parker Blain (state qualifier).
Key returnees: Seniors Josh Camp, Hans Hunecke, Turner Bradshaw, Alan Gomez, Darius Tuminello (state qualifier); juniors Ryan Prais (state qualifier), Jake Degrave, Shaun Beutlich, Justin Bergeron, Ahman Reffat (state qualifier), Trevor Ray (state qualifier), Ty Summers
Top newcomers: Juniors Dirrell Clark, Jay-Jay Elvir; sophomore Tyler Lohrmann; freshman Jacob Balliu
Outlook: Will this be the year that someone finally dethrones the Eagles in the NSC Prairie? They are going on five straight and number is more than a possibility with the likes of Prais, Ray and Beutlich leading the way. Good depth from the basketball floor to the track comes in the form of Clark and Elvir which can only help. Finding a replacement in the throws for Pfeiffer is a key to the Eagles’ success.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
Maine West
Coach: Andrew Trotter (19th Year)
Last season: 4th place Central Suburban League North Division
Key losses: Kevin Britt, Tim Bugajsky (Illinois Benedictine), Ryan Mangoni (Bradley), Haider Sheikh (Oakton), Jake Kellerhals
Key returnees: Seniors Felipe Garcia, Alec Polovchak, Aaron Williams, Collin Schiavone, Rogelio Rodriguez, Nathan Schiavone; juniors Alex Gasca, Matt Romano, Chayane Trejo
Top newcomer: Junior Richard Leon
Outlook: Another year and another good group of middle distance runners for the Warriors. Garcia should lead a group that will aim to get the 3,200 and 1,600 relays back to the state meet again. Gasca and Nathan Schiavone will contribute to the depth of the Warriors from 800 meters on up. Closing the gap from between West and Niles North and Deerfield in the conference is a goal.