Scouting Northwest boys cross country
Boys cross country / Mid-Suburban League meet
Where: Busse Woods, Schaumburg
When: 10 a.m. Saturday Host: Fremd
2009 team champion: Palatine 2009 individual champion: Chris Spudic, Prospect.
What to watch: Palatine will be going for its eighth consecutive MSL title on Saturday, while Barrington junior Erik Peterson will be trying to win the first individual title for a Bronco runner.
Team forecast: Palatine is currently ranked No. 6 in the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches poll. Schaumburg and Prospect are tied for seventh. These three teams will battle it out for the MSL supremacy.
Palatine: The Pirates have had a roller-coaster season. They started out by defeating defending Class 3A champion Neuqua Valley to win the title at the Hinsdale Central Invite, then finished a disappointing eighth at the Peoria Notre Dame Invite, before rebounding to take third at the Palatine Invitational. Junior Anthony Gregorio has led the Pirates' attack all season and has been supported by senior Reuben Frey, senior A.J. Laskowske, junior Marcus Garcia, and junior Tim Johnson. Keep an eye on Johnson; the junior was slowed at the start of the season by mononucleosis, but has rebounded nicely. He could hold the key for the Pirates securing their MSL record eighth consecutive title.
“We're really proud of our record and I think the guys will be going for the jugular on Saturday, said Palatine coach Chris Quick.
Prospect: The Knights are coming off an impressive victory at the Peoria Invitational in early October. Senior Kellan Strobel and junior Mike Thill lead the attack, but the duo will be supported by junior Josh Campos, senior Greg Netols, senior Matt Ashton, and senior Rob Koertgen. Keep an eye on Ashton. Last year he finished 25th in the MSL and is due for a big race. “Everyone has to be on, if a couple guys are off it will hurt, right now we're committed to the plan and ready to execute, said Prospect coach Mike Stokes.
Schaumburg: The Saxons took first at the Sterling Invitational last weekend, using the sixth runner to break a tie with Minooka. Senior Travis Morrison has had a solid season and will lead Schaumburg, but sophomore Evan Prizy, junior Tyler Anderson, senior Pat O'Connell, and junior Pat Sweich give the Saxons plenty of firepower. O'Connell plays volleyball in the spring, so the senior is just rounding into form. Last year he took 17th in the MSL, don't be surprised to see him make a move on Saturday. “It's going to be a tight pack, we just need to see where we can fit in, said Schaumburg coach Jim Macnider, who is in his 38th and final season as head coach for the Saxons.
Others to watch: Barrington would be included in the hunt but the Broncos No. 2 runner senior Kyle Dockery is coming off his second ankle sprain of the season. Conant and Hersey also hope to make some noise.
Key runners
Erik Peterson, Barrington The junior finished fourth in the MSL last season and has had no let-up this season, taking fourth at very competitive Palatine Invitational in September.
Anthony Gregorio, Palatine The junior was held back at the beginning of the season to help the Pirates' pack. But Coach Quick is ready to turn the junior loose. Gregorio finished eighth at the Palatine Invitational.
Ryan O'Donnell, Hersey The senior finished 11th in the MSL last season, but has been helping the Huskies pack this season. Look for O'Donnell to challenge for the title on Saturday.
Kellan Strobel, Prospect The senior finished seventh at the Peoria Invitational and will be in the hunt on Saturday.
Jereme Atchison, Buffalo Grove The junior was disappointed with his 11th-place finish at the Wheeling Invitational last Saturday and is looking for a bit of redemption on Saturday.
Travis Morrison, Schaumburg The senior is finally healthy this season and it has shown. Morrison will challenge for the lead.
Evan Prizy, Schaumburg The sophomore has filled in nicely as the Saxons' No. 2 runner, he may be surprise of the meet.
Other meets
The East Suburban Catholic Conference meet will be held at Melas Park in Arlington Heights at 9 a.m. Saturday. St. Viator will be the host. Maine West will be competing at the Central Suburban North meet which at the Niles West Campus starting with the girls race 10 a.m. and followed by the boys race at 11 a.m. Leyden will be part of the field at the West Suburban Gold Conference meet with the girls race starting at 1 p.m, followed by the boys race at 1:30 p.m.