Scouting Lake County boys track teams
Fox Valley Conference
Grayslake North
Coach: Brandon Boyd (1st Year)
Last year: 10th in FVC
Key losses: Nick Lane (State qualifier - UW Milwaukee), Nick Nowak, Eric Halek, Brian Verwijst (State qualifier)
Returners: Seniors - Andrew Mittan, Brandon Sackett, Destin Stecklein, Andrew Schmitt, Jimmy Johnson, ; Juniors - Joe Zeedyk, Tim Borchardt, Tyler Barbacovi, Jose Martinez, Xavier Bataille, Sean McBrien, Mike Revord, James Landry; Sophomores - Kyle Kleinschmidt, Tyler Vincent, Ronnie Grazian, Jack Becker, Michael Lahera.
Top newcomers: Sophomores - David Anderson, Mike Culbertson, Hayden Ford, Jeremy Escondo, Quinton Foster, Ian Gwaltney, Troy Gwaltney; Freshmen - Dakota Lawson, Dan Bazan, Cody Stephens, Kasen Christiansen, Zach Vincent, Matt Kedzior, Mitch Schrambeck, Alex Nowling, Josh Speer,
Outlook: Boyd takes over the program and will do so with numbers - lots and lots of numbers. The Knights have a good young group to work with this spring and the impacts could be early with freshmen Christiansen, Vincent and Stephens looking to make early impacts. The veterans are pretty good too with Sackett, Mittan and Schmitt. The Knights are on the right track and could benefit from the three-class system this spring.
Grayslake Central
Coach: Brent Pitt (6th Year)
Last year: 8th place Fox Valley Conference
Key losses: Travis Curtis, Sean Bresnahan, Mark Giertych, Jarod Zygmunt (State qualifier), Richie Smith, Jah're Johnson, Joseph Quintero
Key returners: Seniors - Brian Valdivia, Ryan Schapals, Kevin Reynolds, Kevin Dickson, Kendall Smith; Juniors - Chris Makey, Bryant Jennings, Michael Katona, Ryan Sieffert.
Top newcomers: Senior - Jeremy Bethke; Junior - Matt Mohrfeld; Freshman - Will Brewster.
Outlook: Sprints will be the strongest area on the track for the Rams this spring. Mohrfeld figures to add good depth and Valdivia and Smith will add to the solid throwing tradition that the Rams have developed. Brewster is a young one to watch with his athleticism and Katona and Sieffert will contribute well.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Carmel Catholic
Coach: Jim Halford (25th Year)
Last season: 3rd ESCC
Key losses: Joe Jeka, Chuck Zern, James Halford, Socrates Kaitson, Jordan Nasenbeny, Alex Nazarian, Bret Roessler, Dan Meegan, Justin Campbell
Key returners: Seniors - Cameron Rieger, Sean Madison, Jimmy Miller, Drew VanManen, Pat Lyons, Matt Michel, Andrew Rapinchuk, Matt DeFiore; Juniors - Nick Sturm, Karl Horcher.
Top newcomers: Junior - Donnie Devitt; Sophomore - John Thumel.
Outlook: Graduation may have taken its toll on the Corsairs but plenty of talent still remains with the return of Iowa-bound Reiger, Madison and Miller. Lyons, Michel and DeFiore are also key returnees for Carmel. Reiger looks to close his brilliant four-year career with a distance medal. The 3,200 could be his best bet but don't count him out in the 1,600 as well. Madison is multi-talented and can score for Carmel in a number of ways.
St. Viator
Coach: Rodero Warren (6th Year), John Pavlik, Wayne Edelsman
Last season: 4th Place ESCC
Key losses: Derek Kielbala, Frank Urbanus (Illinois State), Matt Krzyzewski, Dan Kozicki (Purdue), Ryan Cortese, CJ Cesario.
Key returners: Seniors - Mike Krawzak, Nick Fratto, Mike Radcliffe, Dan Trehobl, Tom Timmerman, Mike Wickman; Sophomores - Justin Johnson, Patrick O'Malley.
Top newcomers: Senior - Joe Perricone; Sophomores - Billy Krawzak, Phil Mesi, Kevin Kozeny.
Outlook: With this much talent its easy to see why the Lions have more than one coach. The times from the indoor season have been impressive and Viator could have its biggest contingent to state yet. The 3,200-relay and the sprints are deeper than ever and that is scary considering Viator comes off its best finish at the conference meet last year in school history. Krawzak is the leading veteran as is Timmerman. But Mesi, the younger Krawzak and Kozeny will contribute right away.
North Suburban Lake
Lake Zurich
Coach: Chad Beaver (3rd Year)
Last year: 4th place NSC
Key losses: Jon Janus, Mickey Stott (Wisconsin-Stout), Joe Fanta, Steve Midday, Chris Doust, Pat Gallagher
Key returners: Seniors - Kyle Williams; Juniors - Jack Rathe, Dan Randolph, Francisco Soto, Jerry Perez, Andrew Morrison; Sophomores - Jacob Brinlee, Christian Williams
Top newcomers: Junior - Kevin Gratys; Sophomores - Kiah McGee, Mark Tabaka; Freshmen - Chris Rantis, Mike Rantis, Mike Shield.
Outlook: They are young again this spring, but the Bears have plenty of talent again especially in the sprinting events with Brinlee, Kyle and Christian Williams, Randolph and Rathe. Perez is a medal contender in the distance events after a solid cross-country season. Another good group of sophomores also figure to contribute with McGee and Tabaka and watch for the Rantis brothers and Shield to add depth.
Libertyville
Coach: Ray Albin (2nd Year)
Last season: 12th Place NSC
Key losses: Mark Updegraff, Tom Nield, Scott Rule, Colin Quinn, Pat Filipek (State qualifier)
Key returners: Seniors - Pat Callan, Nate Johnson, Kyle Manolovic, Dan King, Jim Murnik; Juniors - Chris Cacciatore, Tim Skurski, Mark Siebert, Ryan Burke, Mitch Neubauer, Lucas Budden; Sophomores - Jeremy Birck
Top newcomers: Freshmen - Kevin Heller, Kevin Pfeil.
Outlook: Before the season even started Albin ran into a small problem - not enough uniforms. The numbers are so good at Libertyville this spring that the Wildcats had to order more uniforms to handle the overflow. Leading the way this year for the orange and black will be Callan in the hurdles, Manolovic in the pole vault and Birck in the jumps. Birck came out of nowhere last spring to nearly qualify in the high jump.
Mundelein
Coach: Kevin Shifley (2nd Year)
Last season: Tied for 10th NSC
Key losses: Alex Mena (State qualifier), Adam Avalos, Adam Bassett (State qualifier), Jamell Ross (State qualifier), Matt Hoffmeyer (State qualifier), Mike Mata, Steve Avalos, Daniel Juosztis (state qualifier).
Key returners: Seniors - Chris White, Travis Stoll, Emilio Rivera, Kevin Price, Phil Micek, DeVonte Lockett, Kenny Jernigan; Juniors - Will Quebrado, Dan Richards, David DuVall, Will Lardner, DeShea Frison, Giancarlo Vassalo, Wade Rykyto; Sophomores - Conner Boike, Julian DeGuzman, Martin Mena, Robbie Munnings, Tom Everding
Top newcomers: Sophomores - Alfanzo Arroyo, Brian Cushman; Freshman - Natish Kumar
Outlook: Shifley loves hard work and dedication and he has that this spring with a big and talented roster. The Mustangs that figure to make the biggest impact this season are Vassallo, Mena, Micek, Munnings and DuVall. Keep an eye on Everding as he continued to improve all season last year. Mena looks to continue from last years good season while the sprints should be covered by Lockett, Frison and DeGuzman. Frison and DeGuzman will also be big in the jumps.
Stevenson
Coach: Andy Farrissey (13th year)
Last season: 6th in NSC
Key losses: Taylor Deloye, Barrett Wood, Johan Laker (State qualifier), Ben Kluvers (State qualifier)
Key returners: Seniors - Tyler Bartlow (State qualifier), Oliver Rose (State qualifier), Keli Liu, Derek Chmielewski; Juniors - Brian Walsh, David Hirsch, Adam Pauley; Sophomores - Renat Zalov.
Top newcomers: Junior - Mark Weisman; Sophomore - John Fajardo.
Outlook: Rose and Bartlow provide one of the best 1-2 middle distance and distance combinations in the conference this spring. Bartlow may be best suited for the mile but don't count out another Patriot 3,200-relay team making an impact. Chmielewski has been impressive in the throws indoors and could give the Patriots another thrower at state. Weisman is new to the scene buy shows promise.
Warren
Coach: Bill Dawson (14th Year)
Last season: Tied for 8th place NSC
Key losses: Marcus Taylor, Waseem Ahmad, Steve Walz, Pierre Yapo, Anthony Franklin
Key returners: Seniors - Karson Greene (State qualifier), Chet Michna, Spencer Simon, Leonard Brady, Chris Sizemore, Joe Florio; Juniors - Greg Kennedy, Trevor Raupp, Jake Jerowicz; Sophomores - Kyle Ward, Eddie Lopez-Villa
Top Newcomer: Junior - Anthony Portinova
Outlook: A lot of the success the Devils figure to have in the sprints this spring center around one of the most talented sprints in the state in Kennedy. If Kennedy contributes Warren could be looking at relay medals in May. Brady will be a major factor in the sprints as well while Greene is a medal contender in the 800-meter run. Sizemore and Florio could contribute to a solid 3,200-relay while Michna should help in the sprints.
North Suburban Prairie
Antioch
Coach: John Brumund-Smith (4th Year)
Last season: Tied for 8th NSC
Key losses: Lamarr Pottinger (State qualifier - Eastern Illinois), Dan Larsen, Bryant Giorgi
Key returners: Seniors - Donnie Rowdon, Tyler Woolard (state qualifier), Jay Hagert, Josh Schwenk, Brent Jones, Nick McKenzie, Cameron White; Juniors - Sam Pimpo, DeVonte Miller, Dylan McCurry, Kevin Collings
Top newcomers: Juniors - Rolando Ortiz, Brandon Ginter, Marius Valiokas; Sophomore - Oscar Segura.
Outlook: Despite the loss of Pottinger and Larsen, this is a very deep and talented Sequoit roster this spring. White terrorized opposing football teams this past fall, now he is tearing up the track. Jones has been terrific in the jumps and should be in medal contention at state this spring. Woolard is a returning qualifier in the throws and has been over 50-feet in the shot indoors already. Antioch will look to challenge two-time prairie champ Lakes.
Grant
Coach: Kurt Rous (2nd Year)
Last season: 7th place NSC
Key losses: Pawel Zurkowski (State qualifier - Drake Football), Justin Souza, Jose Flores, Derek Hall (State qualifier - Carthage)
Key returners: Seniors -Chris Mark, Brandon Bushing, Garrett Olson, Tom Bychowski, Gunther Rosentreter, Kevin Savage, Mike Zielinski, Ken DePena, John King, Jeff Szelewicki; Juniors - Robert McDonough, Kyle Buckley; Sophomores - Titus Lotz, Steven Niewiedzial
Top newcomers: Junior - Nolan Hebein; Sophomores - Leo Minne, Ryan Mamerow.
Outlook: Records were nothing new for the Bulldogs last spring and early returns from the indoor season show that some of the records set last fall are in jeopardy this spring. Mark is a legit contender in the pole vault for a state berth. Bushing and Bychowski are talented athletes that should contribute in about any event they are entered in. Grant should be right there with Lakes and Antioch in the battle for the divisional crown.
Lakes
Coach: Kurt Rowells (4th Year)
Last season: NSC Prairie champions, 3rd in NSC
Key losses: Kyle Gallagher, Greg Prendergast, Ethan Hahn, Alex Hawkins, Andrew Stine (state qualifier - Tri-Valley State), Jon DeGrave (State qualifier - Drake), Eddie Ziao, Tony Bean, B.J. Fuller, Bill McGrath, Josh Beckman, Brian Baldino, Josh Guido.
Key returners: Seniors - Jeremy Neuman, Forest Clements, Mike Miller, Alex Calle, Andres Calle, Erik Stone, Drew Zimmerman; Juniors - Marcel Kirkmanbey, Nick Lillig, Joe Degrave, Bill Brinser; Sophomore - Mike Beckman, Blake Franson, Danny McGrath, Jon Pfeiffer.
Top newcomers: Junior - Tyler Swindel; Sophomore - Josh Oppenheim
Outlook: Two of the most decorated Eagles in DeGrave and Stine have moved on, but plenty of talent remains. Kirkmanbey looks to get over the hump in the hurdles and the high jump this spring. Miller Neuman and Stone also will provide depth and scoring the two-time defending Prairie division champs. Beckman has had a good indoor campaign and should contribute outdoors. Lillig, Degrave and Franson will also be key contributors this spring.
Round Lake
Coach: Kevin Brady (5th year)
Last season: 14th in NSC
Key losses: Chris Blake, Ray Bryant, Lyndon Martinez, Eric Green, Shane Mainer
Key returners: Seniors - Carlos Landa, Juan Roman, Juan Acosta, David Windham, Jim Pisarski, Lindon Martinez, Alberto Marquez; Juniors - Isaiah Thomas; Sophomores - Juan Carrera, Ted Hultman.
Top newcomers: Sophomores - Cristian Bayadares, Isaiah Brooks.
Outlook: The numbers may be a bit down, but the talent is still vibrant at Round Lake. Pisarski had a solid, albeit short indoor season and should contribute big points in the hurdles and jumps. Martinez is back in the throws and Landa provides good distance depth. Thomas is the top returning sprinter for the Panthers and will be counted on to contribute after graduation and moving losses have thinned out the sprint corps.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Jeff Morello (5th Year)
Last season: Tied for 10th NSC
Key losses: Mahmoud Bahrani (State qualifier - Chicago), Josh Park, Zach Wheeler (State qualifier), Adelmo Rodriguez, Aaron McMinn.
Key returners: Seniors - Alex Weinberg; Juniors - Andrew Thompson, Alex Lang; Sophomores - Evan Spencer, Marcus Bradford, Tom Flynn, Adnan Meskic
Top newcomers: Sophomores - Wayne Didier, Michael Donofrio, Robbie Guerrero; Freshman - Jakub Jaskowski.
Outlook: The bulk of the talent on the Cougars roster lies in the sophomore class led by Spencer. The son of Chicago Bears running backs coach Tim Spencer shined brightly on the football field and should do just as well on the track. Thompson is improving in the distance events and Donofrio and Guerrero will add nice depth in the sprints. Jaskowski is one to watch for the Cougars.
Wauconda
Coach: Megan Zemanek (8th Year)
Last season: 13th place NSC
Key losses: Marc Anders
Key returners: Seniors - Garrett Dorsey (state qualifier), Mike Malesheski, Sean Lichterman, Scott Carlson; Juniors - Josh Fugle, Nick Hansen; Sophomores - Louis LaRose, Brandon Dorsey, Shane Bogner.
Top newcomers: Sophomores - Cameron Ciesil, Dustin Montoya; Freshmen - Brian Kent, Erik Summerville.
Outlook: Young depth highlights this years Bulldog roster, but it's the veterans at the top in Dorsey and Carlson that will press for state berths. Dorsey is a returning qualifier and looks to take a few teammates with him in a relay this spring. The freshmen tandem of Kent and Summerville should provide points in the distance events while Lichterman will be a contributor in the hurdles.