Scouting DuPage County and Fox Valley boys track and field
The boys track and field season has moved from indoors to outdoors. Here’s a look at what to expect this spring from DuPage County and the Fox Valley schools in the Daily Herald coverage area.
DUPAGE COUNTY
Addison Trail The Blazers took 15th place at sectionals before opening their new season with a fourth-place finish at the WSC Gold indoor championships. Senior Daniel Lupa qualified for state in the 110 hurdles as well as the 300 hurdles. At the WSC Gold meet, Lupa won the 55 hurdles and placed second in the 400. Sophomore Nathan Gundersen placed third in the 1,600 while Lupa placed third in the 60-yard hurdles.
Benet Academy The Redwings placed third in the ESCC before senior Will Yacullo qualified for state in both hurdles events last year. Yacullo was also the leadoff leg for the school record-setting 4x100 with a time of 43.47. Senior Finn Richards (1,600/3,200) went to state in the 3,200. He became the first runner in school history to win the state cross country title last fall in Class 2A. Senior Griffin Schneid is a two-time state qualifier in the 800. Senior Val Cordova posted a mark of 20 feet, 2.25 inches last year at sectionals while Declan Diamond soared to a height of 12-7.5 in the pole vault.
Downers Grove North The sectional champion Trojans were only a point out of fifth place in Class 3A, and they took second at the WSC Silver indoor meet. Junior Philip Cupial is the returning state champion in the 1,600. Cupial, senior Grant Schroder, and junior Will Surratt were on the 4x800 team that won the state crown. Seniors Emanuel Murphy (400/4x200), Brady Travers (3,200), and Ethan Murphy (4x100/4x200) are among the many returning state qualifiers on the team. Vince Davero (fourth in long jump) graduated.
Fenton The Bison closed out their 2024 season with a 16th-place finish at the Glenbard North sectional meet. Key returning competitors are junior Curtis Cade (hurdles), junior Omar Diaz (high jump), and senior Jacob Kula (shot put).
Glenbard East The Rams placed 13th at sectionals before placing second at the UEC indoor meet. Senior Josh Roimicher made state in the 100 dash while Roimicher, Amonte Cook, and Michael Orive ran downstate in the 4x200. At the indoor meet, Cook won the 55-meter dash before he joined Roimicher, Orive, and senior Stevyn Fox in winning the 4x200. Senior Chris Renford won the long jump with a distance of 6.58 meters.
Glenbard North The Panthers took 12th at sectionals and tied for fourth at the DuKane Conference indoor meet. Senior Royce Krush went to state in the 400, and he also advanced to state in the 4x400 with junior Eduardo Gonzalez. At the indoor meet, Gonzalez and junior Zechariah Morris went 1-2 in the 55-meter dash. Morris also won the long jump. Seniors Gabriel Early (800), and Jeremiah Williams (55 hurdles) placed third.
Glenbard West The Hilltoppers placed third at sectionals and sixth in the WSC Silver indoor meet this season. Returning state qualifiers are Mason Ellens (100/200/4x200), Jordan Ademuyiwa (4x100/4x200), Chase Martin Scott (4x100/4x200/4x400), Jacob Blew (4x400), Spencer Melms (4x400), and Ollie Wintermute (pole vault). The team lost numerous state qualifiers to graduation, including Luke Benson in the triple jump and the high jump.
Glenbard South The Raiders won their own sectional, tied for fourth in Class 2A, and they only missed the third-place trophy by one point. They also won the UEC indoor and outdoor titles. Sophomore Thomas Jochum placed second in cross country and qualified for state in the 1,600. Junior Kyle Quaide-Bowman reached the state pole vault finals, and this year broke his school record with a mark of 4.88 meters (16-0). Junior Elijah Danguilan reached state in the high jump as did junior Henry Riley in the shot put and discus. Harper Bryan (DePaul), Tim Jochum (Valparaiso), Jaden Frederick (American University), and Michael Bailey (Elmhurst) are all competing in college.
Hinsdale Central The Red Devils took 12th in Class 3A, eighth at sectionals, and fifth in the WSC Silver indoor meet to open the new campaign. Returning state qualifiers are Braden Tingler (4x400), Smith Maxwell (4x400/4x800), and Cooper Revord (4x800). 2023 state cross country champion Aden Banduwala was among the many key athletes that the squad lost to graduation.
Lake Park The Lancers placed fifth in the DuKane Conference and sixth at sectionals. Junior Joey Michelini (throws) qualified for state in the shot put while sophomore Xavier Jones qualified in the triple jump. Key returning competitors are Rodrigo Gonzalez (throws), Joseph Juliano (high jump), Niko Menos (high jump), Kendan Ratini (100/200), Chris Flores (100/200), Anthony Orestano (pole vault), Zino DiFranco (pole vault), P.J. Anderson (long jump/triple jump), Nick Sheklarevski (distance), and Demari Richmond (jumps/hurdles).
Lisle The Lions placed third by one point behind Westmont at the Class 1A Seneca sectional. Senior John Darkoh (long jump) qualified for state in the 4x200 and 4x400. Junior David Skonieczny also ran downstate in the 4x200. Other athletes to watch in multiple events are Blake DeBuhr (sprinter), Asher Carson (hurdles), Zeke Gonzalez (distance), and Simon Klein (distance).
Metea Valley The Mustangs took second in the DuPage County championships, tied for fourth in the DVC, and took third at sectionals. The team lost many state qualifiers to graduation. But they will reload this season behind state qualifiers Jamari Hawkins (4x200), Akinyemi Igbalajobi (300 hurdles), and Ian French (cross country state qualifier). Sprinter Zion Felton is a huge contributor along with Henry Faber (relays), Kyle McCoskey (mid-distance), Ryan Day (mid-distance), Adrian Sanchez (throws), and Colin Gleason (pole vault).
Montini The Broncos finished 11th in the Chicago Catholic League and sixth at sectionals, but state qualifier Colin Angelakos (shot put) graduated. State qualifier Nolan Ferris (3,200) is back. Ferris placed 19th in Class 1A in cross country. Senior sprinters Santino Florio, Nick Irion, and Vince Irion are ready to go as are junior sprinters Nico Castaldo and Joey Gabreleski. Sophomore Nino Pesola placed 10th in cross country.
Naperville Central The Redhawks won the DVC indoor title and took second in the DVC outdoor meet. Senior Patrick Clune reached state in the 800, 4x400 (team placed eighth), and 4x800. Sophomore Chad Earl (4x400) also ran downstate. Junior Henry Kane qualified for state in the pole vault. Other key athletes will be Ben Blank (jumps/throws), Connor Marvin (jumps/sprints), Connor Cummings (sprints), and Lukas Probst (distance).
Naperville North The Huskies placed third in the DuPage County meet and third in the DVC. Returning state qualifiers are Edward Mumford (110/300/4x400), Justin Pegorsch (4x400), Andrew Hebron (4x400), and William Eloe (100). Seniors Ian MacConnachie (long jump/sprint relays) and Nico Gall (hurdles/sprint relays) will be counted on. Distance runners Braden Dunn and Jackson Truty both reached the state meet in cross country.
Neuqua Valley The Wildcats won the Joliet Central sectional, tied for 13th place in Class 3A, and took second in the DVC indoor meet. Zac Close (fourth in 3,200) was one of many state qualifiers to graduate. Returning state qualifiers are Edward Mason (400/4x400), Cooper McGinnis (110 and 300 hurdles), Daniel Robinson (4x100/long jump), Rajan Anthony (4x200/4x400), and Averi Smith (4x400). Senior David Taiwo won the triple jump at the DVC meet.
St. Francis The Spartans took 12th place at the Class 2A Sycamore sectional last year. Charlie Coyle (3,200) was one of many key senior contributors that St. Francis lost to graduation.
Waubonsie Valley The Warriors took fourth in the DVC indoor meet after placing ninth at the Metea Valley sectional. Senior leaders this season will be Lucas Jaime (hurdles) and Patrick Cassidy (throws). The junior trio of Jordan Rich (long sprints), Colin Ford (sprints), and Gavin Ali Hanlon (sprint/jumps) should be major contributors to the team. Waubonsie Valley hopes to build up and gain experience throughout the 2025 campaign.
West Chicago The Wildcats placed sixth in the UEC, and they will turn to seniors Judah McLean (3,200/1,600) and Robert Lee (sprinter/long jump) for leadership this season. Juniors Nicholas Roskilly (high jump/4x200), and Daniel Duran (400/800) are major contributors along with sophomore Noah Case (4x400/high jump/4x200). "My challenge to the team is to finish in the top half or higher in the conference, and we have several athletes who have a chance at qualifying for state," said coach Dan Greco.
Wheaton Academy The Warriors were second in the Chicagoland Christian Conference, and they are hoping to win the title this year. Senior Emery Eckert is a two-time state qualifier in the 100-meter dash, and he hopes to be all-state this year. After reaching state in the high jump as a freshman, junior Griffin Schlenbecker is hoping to make the state finals after he was injured last year. Sophomore Miguel Boney reached state in the 400, and he was on the 4x800 team at state with junior Luke Osterholm. Danny O’Carroll, Toby Morden, Michael Osielski (state cross country qualifier), and Gabe Wingard are contenders to run on the 4x800 team this season.
Wheaton Warrenville South The Tigers took second at sectionals, tied for 17th in Class 3A, and took eighth at the DuKane Conference indoor meet. The team has a returning state champion in senior Amari Williams, who won the 300 hurdles and qualified for state in the 110 hurdles. Junior Jacob Brocious went to state in the 4x100 and 4x200. Williams and sophomore Anthony Economos went to state in the 4x400. Senior Josiah Narayanan (1,600) took second at the indoor meet while junior Amar'e Williams (triple jump) took third.
Wheaton North The Falcons took 10th place at sectionals and seventh place at the DuKane Conference indoor meet. Seniors Aidan Murphy (1,600), Jonathan Hurst (shot put), and Carl Givens (shot put) all qualified for state in 2024. Senior Colin Voress took second in the 55 hurdles at the indoor meet while sophomore Levi Turner took fourth in the 800-meter run.
Willowbrook The Warriors placed second in the WSC Gold (outdoors and indoors), and ninth at sectionals. Senior Jaden Royal is a two-time state qualifier in the triple jump while senior Jaylin Miller has reached state twice in the 100 and the 4x100. Evan Weder (third in high jump, Marshall University) graduated. But the team still has solid depth behind Jordan Pate (sprinter), Otis (O.J.) Powell (jumps), Jake Koterba (throws), Kasen Blain (mid-distance), and Hayden Roscoe (hurdles/4x100).
York The Dukes took fourth at sectionals and fourth at the WSC Silver indoor meet. The squad lost Cash Langley (fifth in the state in the 100) to graduation. Seniors Bruno Massel (100), Emmett Bradford (1,600), and Luke De Simone (300 hurdles) all competed at state. Massel, Danny Karnatz, and Cole Hunter went to state in the 4x100. Senior Aaron Jobi went to state with that trio in the 4x200. York's 4x400 and 4x800 relays also went to state. Senior Reswin Kandathil (55 dash) took first place at the WSC meet.
FOX VALLEY AREA
Aurora Central Catholic The Chargers took eighth in Class 2A and they tied for fourth at the Sycamore sectional. But they lost a real superstar to graduation in Patrick Hilby (University of Wisconsin), who won both the 400 and 800-meter state titles. The team took seventh in the 15-team Chicago Catholic League indoor meet. The 4x800 team of Jack Swiatek, A.J. Viveros, John Reinbold, and Ben Bohr won the 4x800 at the CCL meet. Swiatek, Reinbold, Bohr, and Chris Ginocchio took fourth in the 4x400.
Bartlett The Hawks took fifth at the UEC indoor meet this season. Junior Micah Vargas won the pole vault at the UEC meet while freshmen Jesus Aguilar (400), and Joseph Bagnuolo (1,600) both placed second. The 4x800 squad of Aguilar, Bagnuolo, junior Elijah Yung, and senior Whalan Eid placed second. Junior Konrad Zabek (55 hurdles), and senior Ezekiel Carrillo (pole vault) both placed third.
Batavia The Bulldogs took fourth at sectionals and won the DuKane Conference indoor championship. Seniors Nathan Whitwell (100), Francesco Benelli (3,200), Thomas Woodard (300 hurdles), and Isaiah Brown (triple jump) are back from state. The 4x200 team of Whitwell, Joe Reid, Brett Berggren, and Jacob Jansey also went to state. Woodward, Whitwell, and senior Cole Howland ran in the 4x400 while senior David Bednarek and sophomore Edward Polaski ran in the 4x800. Juniors Gavin Pecor (shot put), and Ethan Tucker (high jump) took first place at the indoor meet.
Burlington Central The Rockets took fifth at the FVC indoor meet. Senior A.J. Jenkins went to state in the 100 while senior Patrick Shell placed second in the 60 hurdles at the indoor meet. The 4x800 team of Brandon Pflug, Jayden Beecroft, Julian Onayemi, and Danny Burke took second at the indoor meet. Other keys are Aaron Jenkins (sprinter), Jason Davis (pole vault), Nathan Schilling (sprints), Haden Raders (sprints), Gavin Klingberg (hurdles), Henry Crumlett (throws), Brady Williamson (throws), and Collin Schmidt (high jump).
Cary-Grove The Trojans placed sixth at sectionals and sixth at the FVC indoor meet. Junior Logan Abrams took eighth in the state (shot put) and qualified in the discus. State shot put champion Reece Ihenacho graduated. Junior Jameson Tenopir (28th in cross country) took first place in the 800 at the indoor meet. Cary-Grove's 4x400 team of Tenopir, James Murdough, Jonathan Lima, and Grant Bond also placed first indoors. Bond qualified for state in the 300 hurdles last year. Junior Kishoorkumar Mahashankar took third (indoors) in the triple jump.
Crystal Lake South The Gators placed 16th at the Huntley sectional and eighth at the FVC indoor meet. They got a second place from senior Adam Strombom in the 800-meter run at the indoor meet with a time of 1:57.60. Junior Joseph Gonzalez (1,600) and senior Mark McClinton (shot put) both took third place at the indoor meet.
Dundee-Crown The Chargers took sixth at sectionals and third in the FVC indoor meet. The team took second in the state in the 4x100, and fourth in the 4x200. Senior Terrion Spencer and junior Oreoluwa Sobodu return from the 4x100. Sprinters Kali Freeman (University of Dubuque) and Torrion Bell graduated. Senior Eddie Bailey and sophomore Anthony Spain are ready for the sprint relays. Junior Kyle Brents (high jump state qualifier) and senior Anthony Jobe went 1-2 in the high jump at the indoor meet. Junior Rylan Schmidt was the pole vault champion. Brents also won the long jump.
Elgin The Maroons took sixth place at the 13-team UEC indoor meet to begin their 2025 season. Senior Cole Tupper is off to a great start as he won both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs at the indoor meet. The 4x200 relay team of Julian Hernandez, Lamaree Berry, La'Marin Powell, and Jiyion Holmes placed fourth. Junior Kam Adams (pole vault), and Hernandez (55 dash) also placed fourth.
Geneva The Vikings placed 12th at sectionals before placing sixth at the DuKane Conference indoor meet. Sophomore Bennett Konkey made it to state in the 100 while junior Lex Griffith went to state in the discus. State pole vault qualifier Warren Cooper was lost to graduation. The 4x800 team of Parsa Manafi, Cameron Schmidt, Luke Gaston, and Julian Hipp took first place at the indoor meet.
Hampshire The Whip-Purs took fifth at sectionals and seventh at the FVC indoor meet. But they lost Vince Scott (seventh in state triple jump), and state qualifier Gage Homola (shot put/discus) to graduation. Senior Joshua Maya reached state in the 400, and he placed second in that event at the indoor meet. Maya, Samuel Rens, Jack Sheets, and Nevelette Johnson took second at the indoor meet in the 4x400 relay while Sheets added a third-place finish in the 800-meter run.
Huntley The Red Raiders won the indoor and outdoor FVC crowns before winning their own sectional. Coastal Carolina-bound senior Tommy Nitz placed seventh at state in both the 1,600 and 3.200. UW-Milwaukee-bound Vinny Costa qualified for state in the 100, 4x100, and 4x200. Senior Dominic Giuseffi qualified in the 4x100 and 4x200 (team placed eighth) while senior Zach Rysavy (200/4x200/long jump/triple jump) qualified in the triple jump. Huntley's young team is looking forward to seeing who its new leaders will be going forward.
Jacobs The Golden Eagles placed seventh at sectionals as three state qualifiers graduated. Jacobs took second at the FVC indoor meet. Senior Max Sudrzynski reached state in the 800 and 4x800. Seniors Isaac Pepin (4x800), Prince Barnes (discus), and Khristos Oludimu (high jump) also went to state. Senior Matt Scardina won the 60 and 200-meter runs at the indoor meet. Senior Jackson Cook and sophomore Kieran Nally joined Scardina and Oludimu in winning the 4x200 at the indoor meet. Junior Carson Goehring (hurdles) is another key contributor.
Kaneland The Knights won their seventh straight Interstate 8 Conference title, took sixth at sectionals, and had three all-staters. Senior Evan Nosek is a two-time returning all-stater in the 3,200. Senior Freddy Hassan is a two-time returning all-stater in the high jump. Senior Kyle Rogers (pole vault) and Gavin Smith (400/4x400) also reached state. Senior Dylan Sanagustin (sprinter/long jump), and Luke Gadomski (hurdles/relays) are big factors. Carson Kaiser (1,600/3,200) is currently the No. 1-ranked freshman in the USA for the indoor 3,200.
Larkin The Royals tied for 11th at the Upstate Eight Conference indoor meet this season. Senior Jonathan Wells took fifth in the 55-meter hurdles at the UEC meet to start off the new campaign. Sophomore Rafael Valdes set a personal record in the 800-meter run at the indoor meet as did senior Cruz Bravo in the 3,200.
Marmion Academy The Cadets took sixth in the Chicago Catholic League and eighth at sectionals. Ryan Anderson (third in pole vault) was among four state qualifiers that graduated. Returning state qualifiers are seniors John Daffenberg (4x800/800), Matthew Sullivan (3,200), and Patrick Fitgerald (300 hurdles in 2023). Juniors Michael Whitacre (4x800), and Joe Dorando (3,200) also went to state. Other top athletes are Jonah Sartain (distance), Matthew Sullivan (distance), Chimaobi Oguike (throws), Sam Carrera (jumps), Juan Liz (sprints), Henry Mikrut (jumps), Rudy Reitmann (sprints), Caleb Soulsby (sprints), William Acevedo (distance), and Lucas Galindo (distance).
South Elgin The Storm placed 11th at sectionals and third at the UEC indoor meet. Senior De'Angelo McCullough made state in the long jump and the triple jump. Senior Noah Callahan and junior Josiah Lindsey went 1-2 in the 800 at the indoor meet. The 4x400 team of Callahan, Lindsey, Daniel Dziekonski, and Hassel Colula took first place. Callahan, Lindsey, Gael Bibiano, and Aldrin Carlo Boongaling also won the 4x800.
St. Charles East The Saints placed eighth at sectionals and third in the DuKane Conference indoor meet. Returning state qualifiers are seniors Greyson Ellensohn (16th in 3,200), and Evan Lagana (pole vault). The 4x400 squad of Leo Bolsoni, Peter VanLue, Patrick Klasa, and Sam Wollak all return from state. Klasa, Wollak, and junior Michael Wilson hope to do even better at state in the 4x800 when it is held May 29-31 in Charleston.
St. Charles North The North Stars placed fifth at sectionals before senior pole vaulters Nathan McLoughlin (fourth) and Dimitri Rosales (seventh) earned all-state status. Juniors Cooper Kowalczyk (throws) and Wylder Smith (sprinter) will be big elements. Seniors Logan Hill, Owen Brown, Brogan Sons, Isaac Piper, and Noah Wagner are the heart of the sprint crew that look to uphold the team's success in the relays. Sophomore Sam Hill (distance) ran a 14:47 at Detweiller Park in cross country.
St. Edward The Green Wave closed out the 2024 season by placing seventh at the Chicagoland Christian Conference outdoor meet. The team was hit hard by graduation as their entire 4x100 relay team was lost to graduation along with 75% of their 4x200 squad. Sophomore Connor Englum was the only non-senior who competed on the sprint relay teams at the Class 1A Winnebago sectional last year.
Streamwood The Sabres began the new season by tying for 11th-place in the UEC indoor meet hosted by Glenbard East. Senior Aden Strong took home fifth place at the UEC meet with a distance of 12.60 meters in the triple jump. Junior Adel Delic is a strong competitor in the 1,600-meter run with a personal record (4:45.58) at the indoor meet.
West Aurora The Blackhawks took second at sectionals and won the UEC indoor meet. Senior state high jump champion Kewon Marshall is back as is senior Terrence Smith (sixth in high jump). Junior Nathan Gehrmann (800) reached state, as did both Sere Iranloye and Azuriah Sylvester in the 110 hurdles. Sophomore Elijah Pacheco (discus), Marshall (long jump), and Sylvester (triple jump) also went to state. Smith (200), Azuriah Sylvester (55 hurdles and triple jump), and Dionte Shaw (shot put) took first at the indoor meet.