Scouting the Fox Valley area's boys cross country season
2009 Fox Valley area boys cross country at a glance
Returning team state qualifier: Cary-Grove
Returning team sectional qualifiers: Westminster Christian, Elgin, Bartlett, Cary-Grove, Dundee-Crown, Crystal Lake South
Returning individual state qualifiers: Clint Kleim (Burlington Central), Anthony Manfrin (Dundee-Crown), Tanner Holman (Hampshire)
Outlook: The Fox Valley Conference won't lack for any excitement this season, especially considering two of the loops kingpins in good friends Manfrin and Cary-Grove star Phil Fairleigh are back. Cary-Grove is the defending FVC champion while Fairleigh won the FVC individual title and a regional title en route to his second state berth. Seniors Eddy Gibbons, Ryan Gustafson and Matt Klein were all in the top 15 at conference.
Sophomore Cameron Chase and freshman Ryan Adams are key additions for the Trojans. "Our key to success will be finding a dependable and consistent number five guy," said Cary-Grove coach Layne Holter. "Our top four should be among the best in the area. The big question is can we produce a five guy that can push the team over the top from good to great. We expect to be in the hunt again at the end of the season for high finishes in the FVC, regional and sectional meets." D-C was second in the FVC last year.
Besides Manfrin, seniors Johnny Magnant, Mike Wiechmann and Nathan Prom, along with sophomore Jon Keable are all back. Senior Jon Clark and juniors Ryan Smith, Robert Medina and Kirk Hanselmann could also contribute. "We have a good core back and have guys with experience and the addition of a good junior class that could provide some depth and competition for spots," said Smith.
"We need to come together as a team to be our best. Cary-Grove is still the best team in the conference and several other teams have enough talent and guys back that there will be many good races among FVC teams this year." Crystal Lake South returns seniors John Ryan, Dave Lindine, Brian Keogh, Jason Liuzzi, Billy Flannagan and Matt Flannagan, along with sophomore Brian Roesslein, who will be the team's top runner as a sophomore. "The guys have been working hard," said South coach Rich Eschman.
"The mileage has been increased on them from the past year. We are hoping to finish in the top six in the FVC." Seniors Joe Mollica, Cody Claudio and Eric Wiedenfeld, along with junior Aaron Bengston return for Huntley. "This season should be very interesting for us," said Huntley coach Matt Kaplan. "We have four returning top 7 members, which gives us good experience and leadership. As a team we have a goal of placing better in the conference meet this year. Kaplan lauded Mollica's improvement over the summer.
"All of the boys have worked hard and are ready to start competing." Jacobs returns state track qualifiers in Dan Carey (junior) and Keith Schumacher (senior), as well as senior Erik Melchers and juniors Nick Ellingson and Jon Brenner. Senior Josh Kranz, juniors Greg Rodig and Alex Johnson and sophomores Trevor Tschosik and William Hennessy are new to the varsity. Jacobs coach Kevin Christian has high hopes for Ellingson and Carey.
"They are looking to break out this season and work their way to the top of the conference," said Christian. In the Upstate Eight Conference, Elgin had a strong showing in 2008 and will look to take things a step further. Senior Ricardo Mancha won a regional title last year. He'll be supported by a cast that includes seniors Jose Duarte, Rodrigo Flores, Tom Small and Scott Olsowski, along with juniors Rafi Soto, Matt Eck and Stephen Lokos and sophomores Jack Glowinski and Chris Taylor.
Freshman Chris Porras was third at nationals in the 3,000 meters over the summer. Elgin began the summer with a week of tough training at Little Talbot Island State Park in Florida. "Our strength this year is solid senior leadership," said Elgin coach John Devine. "We should put a good scoring package together throughout the season at the varsity level." Sophomores Cyrus French, Dan Runzel and Peter Lennard all return for Larkin, while senior Patrick Lipscomb and junior Anthony Moreno are key newcomers.
"We are still in the building stage of our program," said Larkin coach Jeremy Bloomberg. The athletes have shown a lot of determination this year and a willingness to get better." Sectional qualifiers Roger Klein and Fernando Collazo are back for Streamwood, along with junior Joel Pinto. Senior Tony Alvarez and sophomore Jhoan Lino will add depth. "We have some veterans returning that have been working hard all summer, have taken some leadership within the team and have been a good influence to others on the team which will add to our success," said Streamwood coach Weert Goldenstein. Eric Brechtel is the new boys coach at Bartlett (former coach Jeff Bral is now the school athletic director).
He welcomes back seniors Austin Crawford, Joe Cotton and Josafat Gonzalez, along with sophomore Joey Salatino. "Keep an eye on Joey Salatino," said Brechtel. "He doesn't realize how good he can be." Brechtel is also impressed with Cotton. "Joe Cotton has a work ethic that is unmatched," said Brechtel. "He could really be a sleeper this season." Senior Kevin Gianaris was two places away from being South Elgin's first individual sectional qualifier. He'll be supported this year by juniors Nick Natalizio and Rich Vient, along with sophomores Francisco Gonzalez and Nick Basham and freshman Nick LaMore.
"Last year our team ended the season with about 18 athletes and this year we have 33 on the team," said South Elgin coach Kari Turcan. "Having a larger group means a bigger pool to choose from and everyone is realizing they need to step up if they want to be in the top seven." Burlington Central will be led by returning state qualifier Kleim (45th in Class 2A). Seniors Nick Laggett and Sam Moose return, while senior Joe Russo and sophomores Mike Gulik, Joe Gannon and Mason Creal will also be key for the Rockets. "I think we will surprise a lot of teams," said Central coach Vince Neil.
"Last year we were still very young and inexperienced. These guys are hungry to be successful. They worked hard over the summer. We're excited about this season. State qualifier Holman is back for Hampshire, which also welcomes freshman Evan Woodbury. "We have about as much talent but not as much depth as last year," said Hampshire coach Dennis Wozniak. "Our key for success will be to stay injury free." Elgin Academy will be led by the likes of juniors Ifran Uraizee, Derrick DeMay, Sohail Alikhan and John Lucas. Westminster Christian, under the direction of new coach Ann Ruvalcaba, returns seniors Ben Benson, Chris Fruegiel and Nathan Suire. "We've got a lot of promising runners," said Ruvalcaba.