Scouting Cook County boys track
Mid-Suburban West
Barrington
Coach: Todd Kuklinski (sixth year)
Last season: Fourth place MSL
Key losses: Dan Quarfoot, Andrew Cobb, Nate Wokoun, Derek Shelton (state qualifier)
Key returnees: Seniors Kevin Crowley (state qualifier), Bruce Johnston, Billy Odell (State qualifier), Kurt Stanke, Ryan Mangone (eighth state 800), Sam Ojuri (state qualifier), Jason Taylor (state qualifier), Jeff Robinson, Kevin Griffin, Will Chan, Adam Selner, Nick Chapoy, Cam Good, Steve Munoz; junior Chris Melone; sophomores Dale Ino-Baptiste, Kenny Greer, Chris Cogswell, Nick Tisani, Scott Kimes.
Top newcomers: Juniors Brett Seeger, Terrance Terry; sophomores Kyle Dockery, Alex Kuznicki, Robbie Wagner, Eric Schneider; freshman James Pajich.
Outlook: Championships are never won on paper nor are they determined before the snow melts. Even so, the Broncos are the deepest team in the league and one of the favorites to overtake Palatine for the MSL title. The depth is in the sprints and middle distance events with Crowley, Ojuri and Taylor. Throw in one of the top 800 runners in the state in Mangone and the Broncos will be tough to beat.
Conant
Coach: John Powers (first year)
Last season: 7th place MSL
Key losses: Vince Tortorici (state qualifier), Fuad Agoro, Tyler Hinkley (state qualifier), Andrew Mueller, Kevin Good.
Key returnees: Seniors Jeff Thode (second state 1,600), Kyle Reid (seventh state PV), Kendall Lane, Sean Goldern, Ben Anderson, Dan Akinola, Mark Kosrow, Tyler Fuchs, Pablo Ramirez (State qualifier); juniors Kevin Reddington, David Goings.
Top newcomers: Juniors Mark Krystinak, Steven Gnoffo.
Outlook: One of the best distance runners in the country will look to capture his first track title this spring in the Iowa-bound Thode. His 4:09 clocking at Top Times last weekend set the table for bigger and better things when the outdoor season starts. Three legs of one of the top 3,200 relays in the state last spring also return in Ramirez, Thode and Fuchs. Reid may be the most versatile athlete in the conference.
Fremd
Coach: Jim Aikens (20th year)
Last season: 10th place MSL
Key losses: Kevin Fallon, Joe Derkits, Desmond Ogoke, Ben Thomsen, John Wood (state qualifier), Matt Jacobsen, Mike Hoffman
Key returnees: Seniors Mike Cha, Jeff Bobek (state qualifier), Alex Rourke (state qualifier), Mike Adamczyk, Taylor Kahldahl; juniors Spiros Angelakos, Aaron Ferst, Mike Cha, Brian Bort, Justin Fujii, Christian Lombard, Ben Bodicott
Top newcomers: Sophomores Jack Konopka, Brian Bobek, Andy Mack
Outlook: Last season was a rare blip on the radar for the most successful program in MSL history. To get back up near the top the Vikings will rely on Rourke, Ferst, Bobek and a nice group of sophomores. Again the Vikings are loaded in the throwing events with the senior Bobek, Lombard and Konopka. Rourke will look to return to state in the sprints and maybe bring a relay with him.
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Tyrone Jones (second year)
Last season: 5th place MSL
Key losses: Emilio Saraga (North Central), Blake Heyman (state qualifier), Joey Baterdene (state qualifier), Matt Schwendinger, Terrance Jones, Chris Sutphen, Dan Hernandez, Ross Goers (Lewis)
Key returnees: Seniors Matt Perez (state qualifier), Cory Smith, Torrence Gardner, Steven Chin; juniors Marlin Hamilton, Jerel Gabriel, Shamar McFarland, Zain Khan; sophomores David Gutierrez, Ryan McGee.
Top newcomers: Sophomores Shawn Lascelles, Steve Grajek.
Outlook: "What if?" is a common term Jones uses when he refers to his team this year and last season. The biggest "if" will come if the Hawks can stay healthy and keep everyone together. If they can, this is a scary good team in the MSL West. The sprints are real good with Gardner and McFarland, Perez just captured the 3,200 indoor title last week and Smith is a big point scorer in the jumps.
Palatine
Coach: John Nalley (18th year)
Last season: MSL champions, sectional champions
Key losses: Mat Smoody (state champion 800, Illinois State), Tim Williams (seventh state 1,600 relay), Nick Busch (state qualifier), Telly Halloran, George Faber (state qualifier), Gerald Hutton, Dan Sutton (state qualifier), Joe Schweikert (state qualifier), Andre Higgs (state qualifier), Kevin O'Brien (state qualifier).
Key returnees: Seniors Ed Anderson, Dan LaRocca, Lukasz Kierys, Chris Norman (seventh state 1,600 relay), Brad Dorman, Matt Wiggan (seventh state 1,600 relay); juniors Kyle Marrison, Chad Bobbit, Chano Bernardo (state qualifier), Alec Bollman (State qualifier), Mykyta Cheshko, Tyler Jones, Willie Filian, Dan Schweikert, Steven Schalla.
Top Newcomers: Juniors Alphonso Butera, Terry Halloran, LaJuane Bailey; sophomore Ryan McGough.
Outlook: The best team in the MSL a year ago is still very talented with the likes of Norman, Anderson, Bollman and Bernardo leading the way. The throws will again be very good with Jones leading the way. Wiggan is adding the 800 to his repertoire, but will still be a valuable component for the Pirates. Good young speed will need to contribute if Palatine will defend its title.
Schaumburg
Coach: Jim Macnider (24th year)
Last season: 11th Place MSL
Key losses: Brian Burkhardt, Nathan Rutz (North Central), Shareef Chandler-El (state qualifier, Harper), Alex Basdekis, Adrian Vergara
Key returnees: Seniors Jeff Koutnick, Jesse DiSandro, Neal Fennell; juniors Diante Hackler (state qualifier), Richard Barnes, Jake Fritzler, Blake Breda, Pat Lesiewicz (state qualifier), Victor Anderson, Mike Perry, TJ Akinola;
Top newcomers: Sophomores Connor Prizy, Andrew Cardoza.
Outlook: Lesiewicz is another in a long line of great distance runners at Schaumburg. This year, the depth in distance is younger with Prizy in line to be the next Saxon standout. The sprints are deeper than in past years with Hackler leading the way, If Fennell and Koutnik can come around, the Saxons could send multiple qualifiers to state.
Mid-Suburban East
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Jamie Klotz (sixth year)
Last season: 9th place MSL
Key losses: Eric Solberg (State qualifier, North Dakota State), Clay Locke, Fred Cornely, Matt Erlichman (state qualifier), Sawyer Goldberg
Key returnees: Seniors Matt Newman (third state high jump), Steve Miller (state qualifier), James Blackmon (state qualifier), Caleb Farina, Eric Maher, John Pischak, Alan Baxter; Juniors Mike Galla, Tim Marr, Mike Cornely, John Angotti, Juancho Dumayas, Mark Giannis, Kevin Mulligan; Sophomores John Delaney, Ryan Darcy
Top newcomers: Seniors Josh Hampton, Ryan Pater; sophomore Or Gera; freshman Jereme Atchison.
Outlook: An early look at the Bison roster reveals the deepest and most talented team Klotz has had in his six years. The sprints are as good as anyone in the area led by Miller, Delaney, Blackmon and Farina. The field events are deeper and better with Baxter, Pischak and two-time state medalist Newman. If the Bison can develop consistency in the distance events, this is a legit contender for the conference crown.
Elk Grove
Coach: Brian Bucciarelli (first year)
Last season: 12th Place MSL
Key losses: Tim Mucha, Jason Zerfahs (seventh state 400), Matt Boudas, Erik Ottosen (state qualifier), Eric Bergman (state qualifier), Julian Serrano, Michael Karwowski (state qualifier)
Key returnees: Seniors Dan Lark, Ryan Loftas; juniors Matt McEnery (state qualifier), Steve Pruim, Zach Husak.
Top Newcomers: Juniors Kevin Zelaya, Brian Battaglia; sophomores Nick Meyer, Eddie Solorio, Mike Wary.
Outlook: While some of the faces at Elk Grove have changed, the spirit developed under former coach and current Buffalo Grove football boss Jim Farrell still remains. Fremd grad Bucciarelli will look to build behind returning qualifier McEnery and will rely on a good young and hard working group of sophomores in Meyer, Solorio and Wary. Zelaya is one to watch for the Grenadiers this spring.
Hersey
Coach: Ken Blazek (15th year)
Last season: 4th Place MSL
Key losses: Kevin Havel (state champion 3,200, fourth 1,600, Stanford), Billy Wisser (state qualifier, Augustana), Mike Tisza (state qualifier, Augustana), Adam Matos, Mitch Pajcic (state qualifier), Andrew Petro (state qualifier, Illinois Wesleyan), Taylor Stubbs.
Key Returnees: Seniors Peter O'Banion, Lloyd Davis, Kyle Mengarelli, Erik Stanton (state qualifier), Alvin Augustine, Ben Zielke; juniors Sam Zielke (state qualifier), Kyle Pietro, Alex Min, Steve Nelson, Martin Diaz, Nick Kautz, Carmen Maiorano, Garrett Vick
Top newcomers: Juniors John Mijal, Ryan Powell, Matt Cwiok, Grant Reed.
Outlook: It seemed like Havel was in the Huskie brown and orange seemingly forever so it will be an odd sight not to see the Stanford freshman around this spring. Plenty of talent remains in Stanton and the Zielke brothers. Mengarelli is a contender in the jumps and particularly the triple. A nice group of juniors highlight good depth.
Prospect
Coach: Mike Kamedula (ninth year)
Last season: MSL East Champions
Key losses: Patrick Ziegenfuss (state qualifier), Pat Mack, Andrew Mercer, Dan Hennig, Eric Senft, Matt Kennedy (fourth state SP), Blake Wolfe (fourth state 3,200 relay), Nick Troutman, Mike Styzek (fourth state 3,200 relay)
Key returnees: Seniors Mike Przespolewski, Mason Pack, Marcin Kwieck, Chris Hayek (fourth state 3,200 relay), Matt Babicz (eighth state discus), Sean Wheeler, Ryan Lynch, David Gorak; juniors Albert Ciolek (fourth state 3,200 relay), Pat Ford, Joe Mack, Jason Manella, Chris Spudic.
Top newcomers: Juniors Jeremy Davis, Ken Halloran; sophomore Nick Batcha
Outlook: No matter who the Knights lose to graduation, all they do is just win. Prospect earned the East title last year and is again in contention this year. As usual the Knights are strong in the distance led by returning state medalists Hayek and Ciolek. The top returning thrower in the area returns in Babicz. The depth here looks to be as good as always and with Babicz and Hayek leading the way, the Knights are in good shape again.
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Frank Schweda (first year)
Last season: 3rd place MSL
Key losses: Paul Hames (Western Illinois), Ty Kirk (second in state triple jump, New Mexico), Brandon Tojza, Kamil Okroj (state qualifier), Stan Pheteau, James Shawley (state qualifier, Southern Illinois), Trevor Fritz (state qualifier), Joe Klein.
Key returnees: Seniors Mick Viken (fifth state pole vault), Kevin Clark (state qualifier), Virias Alexopoulos, John Molley, Jon Stoesser (state qualifier), AJ Adams, Erick Louis-Charles, David Volgarakis, Matt Hayden, Andrew Smaida, Max Hong, Colin Walker (state qualifier); juniors Angelos Karkalis (state qualifier), Photos Karkalis, Jireh Louie (jumps), Mike Bobowski (800); sophomores Mark Burns
Top newcomers: Junior Matt Kawalek; sophomores Pat Luxem, Andrew Peters.
Outlook: The East division is loaded and the Mustangs are one of many teams that will be in contention for divisional and conference title consideration. Starting at the top, the Wisconsin-bound Viken will be looking for his first state title in the pole vault. Stoesser is a returning 100 qualifier and Walker should fill the void in the jumps left by Kirk. Throw in one of the best 3,200-relays in the conference and it's easy to see why this team will make noise this spring.
Wheeling
Coach: Tom Polak (seventh year)
Last season: 8th place MSL
Key losses: Phil Rifkin (state qualifier), Abel Rangel (state qualifier), Ken Diedrich, Toni Segura, Pat Splon (state qualifier), Peter Rothbart (state qualifier), Norbert Gajos, Ryan Whitecotton, Al Chery (state qualifier)
Key Returnees: Seniors Kevin Ward, Jarrett Austin, David Martin, Mike Zimmer, Eric Rodriguez, Kevin Richardson, Henry Kirby, Wade Anderson, Lucas Bledsoe, Abraham Soto; juniors Weston Ross (state qualifier), Matt Splon
Top newcomers: Juniors Nick Rodriguez, Brad Miller, Max Osipov, Kevin Koranda, Jack Hurley.
Outlook: Graduation hit the Wildcats hard, but hardly emptied the cupboard. Austin is one of the most versatile athletes in the conference and has already been over 6-6 in the high jump. Ross is an emerging star while Zimmer, Ward and the younger Splon add nice athletic depth. The distances are covered with Nick Rodriguez and Osipov will contribute in the Wildcats staple - the 800 relay.
CSL North
Maine West
Coach: Andrew Trotter (16th year)
Last season: 5th place CSL North
Key losses: Dan Hardt, Alex Dimitriu, Brian Kattamay, Eric Nash, Jared Golojuch
Key returnees: Seniors Juan Chavez, Pawel Mirek, Martin Chavez, Andy Kunzer; juniors Tony Fitzpatrick, Stephan Marrone, Mike Conneely, Kevin Schaeffer.
Top newcomers: Junior Carlos Trejo; sophomores Tim Bugajski, Ryan Magnoni.
Outlook: Middle distance and distance events will again be strong as the Warriors try and chase down Deerfield and Niles North in the CSL North. Martin and Juan Chavez are two solid pieces in what should be good Warrior relays. Bugajski and Fitzpatrick will also be looked to as key contributors this spring.
WSC Gold
Leyden
Coach: Tom Cartwright (second year)
Last season: 6th in WSC Gold
Key losses: Miguel Aldana, Rob Carli, Nico Gonzalez
Key returnees: Seniors Jordan McMillan, Rafael Crisosto, Vince Aiello, Ethan Rivera, Tom Cartwright, Ivan Ortega, Michael Dietrich, Kevin Kriston, Ray Rivera, Michael Carrera; juniors Mike Ellis, Kevin Lewis, Dave Rose, Michael Casanave.
Top newcomers: Juniors Fernando Ramirez, Harold Alvarez, Amaury Michel, Ricardo Ascencio; sophomore Angel Garcia
Outlook: If early returns from the indoor season are any indication, the Eagles will have solid depth in the distance events this spring. Crisosto, Michel and Carrera will make up a portion of the relay group. McMillan looks solid in the throws and the sprints look to be well-covered with Aiello, Rivera and Cartwright. Ellis and Lewis will also be counted on for the Eagles.
ESCC
St. Viator
Coach: Rodero Warren (sixth 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 returnees: Seniors Mike Krawzak, Nick Fratto, Mike Radcliffe, Dan Drehobl, 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.