Boys cross country: Scouting sectionals, Northwest
Scouting boys cross country
Class 3A Waukegan sectionalWhere: Waukegan Sports Park
When: Saturday, 11 a.m.
What to know: The top five teams and top seven runners from non-qualifying teams advance to the Class 3A state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria on November 5.
Quick look: Waukegan Sports Park is the spot replacing Busse Woods as the host for this year's sectional race. The course will offer a unique challenge for area runners with three distinct switchbacks. The key to the race will be getting out fast as the runways are narrow and include an interesting bridge. Spectators will have to pick their spots at the Sports Park after a viewer-friendly experience at Busse Woods.
Team outlook: Lake Zurich rumbles into the sectional as the team to beat. The Bears along with Neuqua Valley, Lyons Township, and Downers Grove North have separated themselves from the Class 3A state field. Senior Brian Griffith, senior Matt Pereira, senior Kyle Griffith and junior Patrick Burns will push a Bears attack that is coming off a North Suburban Conference title and Grant regional title. LZ has its sights set on earning a state trophy this year and will be looking to make a mark on Saturday. But Hersey is closing hard and also has high state ambitions. Senior Jacob Krupa anchored Hersey's attack this season, finishing third and leading the Huskies to the Mid-Suburban League title. Freshman Josh Methner has provided Hersey with a jolt in taking fifth in the MSL. The wild card is sophomore Ryan Buch, who was running up with Krupa and Methner before being sidelined in late September. Buch returned to run at the Hoffman Estates regional and finished 21st. Senior Sam Svienty, junior Jack Fredian, junior Quinn Cunningham and junior Nate Mayo will also aid a Hersey team that finished third at the Hoffman Estates regional while resting a chunk of its starting lineup. Prospect is also peaking at the right time after finishing second in the MSL and rolling to the Hoffman Estates regional title. Seniors James Riordan, Jack O'Donnell, Sean Sanaghan, Nick Serio will combine with juniors Jack Terry, Jack Hempleman and sophomore Andrew Reimann to lead the Knights' effort. The key for Propsect will be to keep its pack together. Senior Brian Leonard has paced a resurgent Palatine group this season and has been aided by senior Ben Kontney, senior Nate Izewski and freshman Richard Jacobo as the Pirates finished third in the MSL and second at the Grant regional. Mundelein and Highland Park finished 1-2 at the Libertyville regional and will be in the mix at the sectionals. Fremd and Barrington are hoping to join the fun.
Top runnersBrian Griffith, Lake Zurich: Griffith has had a special season and is coming off a pair of titles at the North Suburban Conference meet and Grant regional. The Bear senior also took first at the Peoria Notre Dame Invite and second at the Palatine Invitational in September. He will be the one to beat on Saturday.
Matt Pereira, Lake Zurich: Pereira won the Schaumburg sectional title last year and then went on to finish fifth in Class 3A. The senior started slowly this year but has come on strong in taking second at both the North Suburban Conference meet and Grant regional. He will pair with Brian Griffith to give LZ a nice 1-2 punch.
Brian Leonard, Palatine: Leonard missed all of his junior year, but has really excelled this season, including a big win at the MSL meet. Leonard did not have the best regional, finishing in seventh place, but should be among the leaders on Saturday.
Nicholas Laning, Barrington: Laning has had a breakout junior season after finishing second in the MSL and then running to a sixth-place finish at the Grant regional. The Broncos junior is looking to continue his impressive year on Saturday.
Jacob Krupa, Hersey: Krupa also missed his junior season due to medical setback, but has returned strong, finishing third in the MSL. The Huskies' senior ran a relaxed regional race finishing fourth, but should be among the leaders on Saturday.
Jack Worman, Hoffman Estates: Worman has had a solid senior season, finishing fourth in the MSL and then winning the Hoffman Estates regional title. The Hawks senior is running with confidence and is geared for a big finish.
Don't overlook: Jack Becker (Crystal Lake South), Alex Ratkovich (Cary-Grove), Alex Tam (Libertyville), Kyle Griffith (Lake Zurich), Danny Peterson (Fremd), Marcos Garcia (Waukegan). Any one of these runners could puncture the top five in what is shaping up to be a competitive individual race.
Other runners to watch: Prospect: Sean Sanaghan, Jack Terry, Jack O'Donnell, James Riordan; Hersey: Josh Methner, Sam Svienty, Ryan Buch; Palatine: Ben Kontney, Nate Izewski, Richard Jacobo; Fremd: Ed Worthem, Charlie O'Brien, Luke Vogelgesang; Barrington: Greg Von Hollen; Hoffman Estates: Alex Makrounis, Ryan Greenwalt; Crystal Lake South: Jonathon Prus; Lake Zurich: Patrick Burns; Jacobs: Zachary Albrecht; Dundee-Crown: Anthony Hurgoi, Wheeling: Matt Hoffman; Mundelein: Ben Krauss, Robert St. Clair; Libertyville: Stephen Richardson; Zion-Benton: Collin Luell; Stevenson: Nikita Smyrnov; Highland Park: Jonathan Rosenfield; Buffalo Grove: Mitchell Guittar.
Other sectionalsAt Niles West: Elk Grove freshman Michael Johnson advanced individually out of the Lake Park regional for the Grenadiers. Leyden junior Brian Santos and sophomore Patrick Sarad also advanced as individuals out of the Lake Park regional, and Maine West junior Derek Pace advanced for the Warriors out of the Loyola regional.
At Fenton (Class 2A): St. Viator senior Sam Brey and junior Kevin Gross went 2-3 at their own regional in powering the Lions to their first-ever regional title. St. Viator will be seeking to advance to the state meet for the fourth time in five years on Saturday at Fenton.
At Lisle (Class 1A): Christian Liberty Academy senior Tommy Lowry took third at the Lisle regional in helping the Chargers to a fourth place team finish. CLA will be contending for a state berth at the Lisle sectional on Saturday.
- Michael Eaken