Scouting DuPage County boys track

Addison Trail

Coach: Bruce Kelsay (10th year).

Last year: Seventh in the West Suburban Gold.

Top athletes: Geo Archundia, jr., hurdles; Frank Cervantes, jr., sprints, jumps; Robert Ellis, so., sprints; Matt Halberthal, jr., sprints; Berto Martinez, sr., middle distance.

Outlook: Making it downstate in the 200 last year, Cervantes was the Blazers' first state qualifier since 1997. He's got serious competition from within from Halberthal and Ellis. Sprints are the strength of this young squad (3 seniors out of 58), which looks to finish fourth in the WSG and to qualify in the 200, the 800 relay, maybe Martinez in the 800. It'll be by time, not place at the tough Class 3A Lake Park sectional.

Benet

Coach: Pat Marshall (third year).

Last year: First in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top athletes: Chris Brom, jr., vault; John Cannova, jr., throws; Paul Clifford, jr., middle distance; David Gorenz, sr., jumps, hurdles; E.J. Howe, soph., jumps, sprints; Jack Jenkins, jr., sprints; John Kawka, jr., sprints, hurdles; Jerry Olp, jr., distance; David Weizeorick, sr., vault.

Outlook: Significant returners from a third straight ESCC titlist. The Redwings aren't deep with slim frosh-soph numbers and could use distance help, but the front-liners are solid. Individuals like Weizeorick and Gorenz and at least the 1,600 relay will aim downstate as Marshall hopes the juniors "come into their own."

Downers Grove North

Coach: John Sipple (second year).

Last year: Sixth in the West Suburban Silver.

Top athletes: Pete Claus, jr., throws; Rob Lott, jr., sprints; Colin MacArtney, jr., jumps; Dan Phistry, sr., distance; Kameron Rush, jr., jumps; Ben Silver, so., distance; MItch Witek, jr., hurdles.

Outlook: Silver, among the area's top 3,200 men and third at the WSS indoor meet, paces a distance corps that is the Trojans' strength. Field events should be strong, especially when state qualifying triple jumper Rush returns from injury. Up and coming in sprints and middle distance - and the entire squad, which took fourth at the WSS indoor.

Downers Grove South

Coach: Mark Wiggins (fourth year).

Last year: Fourth in the West Suburban Gold.

Top athletes: Tasean Jackson, jr., sprints; Jeremy McNeal, jr., sprints; Marcus McNeal, sr., springs; Shane Molidor, jr., jumps; Anthony Richardson, jr., jumps; Tyler Rocco, sr., throws; Andy Rosete, sr., vault; Scottie Williams, sr., sprints; Steve Zahrobsky, jr., 400.

Outlook: The most depth in years particularly in open sprints, sprint relays. Qualifiers Marcus McNeal (200), Molidor (long jump) return. Rosete's 13-6 indoor pole vault is a school record. Distance is not yet on pace but field events are - watch Rocco. The Mustangs won 6 of their 8 indoor meets.

Driscoll

Coach: Deirdre Archer (first year).

Last year: Sixth in the Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top athletes: Joey Calabrese, sr., jumps; Mike Labadessa, sr., throws; Justin Magbanau, sr., throws; John Schiller, sr., sprints; Andrew Strickland, sr., middle distance; Pierre Washington-Steel, jr., sprints; Jeremy Wilk, sr., middle distance.

Outlook: 2001 Driscoll graduate Archer succeeds Pat Ryan. She welcomes back Class A all-staters Washington-Steel (6th, 100) and Wilk (6th, 800). Repeat visits are the goal with a sleeker Washington-Steel adding the 200 and Wilk aiding sprint relays with vets Calabrese and Schiller. "It's an exciting year," Archer said.

Fenton

Coach: John Kurtz (41st year).

Last year: Second in the Metro Suburban Conference.

Top athletes: Mitch Ewert, jr., sprints; Justin Lobojko, jr., sprints; Dan Mikos, jr., vault; Francisco Ochoa, sr., shot put; Justin Smith, sr., distance; Nathan Smith, sr., distance.

Outlook: The dean of DuPage track is optimistic about Ewert, the Smiths, Ochoa and Class 2A standing. Nathan Smith is the reigning MSC 3,200 champ and also led a winning 3,200 relay; the Smith brothers helped set an MSC indoor 2-mile relay record. New faces are untested but lift numbers. Fenton may challenge Riverside-Brookfield, a 37-point winner in 2008, in the finale of a four-team MSC.

Glenbard East

Coach: Jack Brady (25th year).

Last year: Second in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Luke Chvatal, jr., middle distance; Chris Corral, sr., jumps; Jason Eberle, sr., hurdles, high jump; Brad Magnetta, jr., middle distance; Clinton Omsburg, sr., sprints; Jim Peters, jr., mid-distance; Nathan Peterson, so., distance; Nate Young, jr., distance.

Outlook: The Rams graduated shot put school record-setter Bobby Kaputska; back are three-fourths of a qualifying 3,200 relay. Jumps and hurdles are point earners behind Corral, state-qualifier Eberle. Omsburg is quality at 400m on down but must stay healthy, an overall team need for a top-four DVC bid.

Glenbard North

Coach: Eric Manuel (15th year).

Last year: Fifth in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Mike Cosentino, jr., jumps, hurdles; Andrew DiStefano, jr., hurdles; Garrett Gingras, jr., distance; Devin Harkins, so., sprints, jumps; Barrett Parod, jr., jumps; Lloyd Smith, jr., jumps, sprints; Tom Stacey, sr., vault; Bobby Withington, sr., sprints.

Outlook: Gained momentum from a strong indoor finish. Class 3A pole vault contender Stacey has gone 15-6. A knee injury has sprinter/jumper Roger Weston's senior season in question but Manuel has a young, athletic group that even without Weston may continue the Panthers' sprint relay tradition while sending Gingras downstate in the 3,200.

Glenbard South

Coach: Andy Preuss (27th year).

Last year: Fifth in the Western Sun Conference.

Top athletes: Connor Douglas, jr., jumps, sprints; Zak Kammer, sr., throws; Andrew Payne, sr., sprints; Austin Teitsma, jr., throws; Jim Truong, sr., jumps; Austin Williams, jr., jumps; Luke Zanoni, sr., hurdles.

Outlook: A sixth WSC crown in seven years is optimistic, though the Raiders will develop. Talents listed join slew of underclassmen like Payne's younger brother, Garret; Wesley Sanders, set the program freshman 55-meter mark. Good jumps and relays but open distance may be a year away. Hosting its 2A sectional will help a building team Preuss says "has got that upside."

Glenbard West

Coach: Kurt Frazier (third year).

Last year: Fifth in the West Suburban Silver.

Top athletes: Imran Ahmed, sr., throws; Adam Bruere, jr., sprints, high jump; Niko Garchitorena, jr., sprints; Dylan Loch, sr., vault; Matt Pietrus, high jump, middle distance; Nick Sanders, sr., middle distance; Ken Wilhite, sr., distance.

Outlook: Loch, a 13-6 pole vaulter, Ahmed and '08 Hilltoppers MVP Pietrus head decent field events. Watch for more later in May; on the frosh/soph level field events accounted for 62 of 98 points in a third-place indoor WSS effort. Pietrus, Bruere head some success on the track. "We are being patient, continuing to build the program," Frazier said.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Jim Kupres (third year).

Last year: Seventh in the West Suburban Silver.

Top athletes: Arash Darbandi, jr., distance; Ivan Davis, sr., sprints; Chris Kiser, jr., sprints; Doug Moore, sr., distance; Mike Rogers, jr., throws; Victor Twardowski, jr., sprints; Matt Tweardy, sr., middle distance; Rich Zajeski, sr., sprints.

Outlook: Some 155 athletes participated indoors, a windfall from the Red Devils' first state cross country berth in 11 years and Kupres lending consistency. Relays are a focus - sending a 3,200 relay downstate, getting Davis, Zajeski and Co. back down in the 800 relay. Rogers, middle distance will add points to a team seeking a top-four Silver finish.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Dean Norman (fourth).

Last year: First in the West Suburban Gold.

Top athletes: Ben Adelphia, sr., high jump; Jeff Francisco, jr., hurdles; Devin Lee, jr., jumps; Kevin Miller, jr., sprints; Shane O'Donnell, sr., sprints; Max Rodrigues, sr., distance; P.J. Trbovic, jr., hurdles.

Outlook: In the Hornets' third-place WSG indoor finish (snapping four straight titles), Rodrigues and 2008 long jump qualifier Lee each won two events. The junior hurdlers made the finals. Adelphia is a returning high jump qualifier. Repeating outdoors means establishing sprints, mid-distance, depth. "That's our biggest goal in pretty much all events," Norman said.

Immaculate Conception

Coach: Bob Cronin (sixth year).

Last year: Eighth in the Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top athletes: Will Cronin, jr., sprints; Anthony Garcia, jr., sprints, hurdles; Marco Medina, sr., throws; Rob Peachey, jr., sprints, long jump; Antonio Taylor, sr., sprints.

Outlook: Newcomers (and 2A football champs) Cronin, Peachey, Taylor infuse speed and work ethic after the Knights graduated all members of state qualifying 400 and 800 relays. Medina looks to return downstate in discus and maybe add the shot. The new talent is raw, but the whole group looks for steady improvement that peaks in the postseason, an IC trait.

Lake Park

Coach: Jay Ivory (ninth year).

Last year: Fourth in the Upstate Eight; seventh in Class AA.

Top athletes: Mike Adcock, sr., vault; Dan Block, sr., throws; Jake Killmer, sr., hurdles; Rob Kowalski, sr., jumps; Demetrios Layne, high jump, hurdles; Steve Krauss, jr., distance, Craig Watson, sr., middle distance.

Outlook: What's crazy is the Lancers could vie for Class 3A without winning UEC or sectional titles. Unmatched two-time state champ and Illinois discus record-holder (201-8) Block heads a horde of throwers while Watson placed 12th in the AA 800. Lost to Neuqua Valley's frosh/soph 164-163 in 2008. Ivory said, "It's at least four, five years since we've been as strong on the track."

Lisle

Coach: Ken Jakalski (24th year).

Last year: Fifth in the Interstate Eight Conference.

Top athletes: Greg Danner, jr., distance; Steve Doyle, sr., sprints; Anthony Kisla, sr., throws; Mitch McCarthy, so., sprints; Mike Reeves, jr., middle distance; David Storme, jr., sprints; Anthony Ventrella, so., jumps.

Outlook: Nearly doubling last year's IEC indoor points, Hall of Famer Jakalski looks top-three with across-the-board strength highlighted by good short sprints. Reeves brings speed to the Lions' middle distances; Ventrella's just an athlete. Three return from a downstate 800 relay. "We pride ourselves in getting a sprint relay down on time," Jakalski said.

Montini

Coach: Chris Andriano (fifth year, 20th overall).

Last year: Fourth in the Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top athletes: Ryan Gorrell, jr., sprints; Dan Grace, sr., middle distance; Alan Milarski, jr., middle distance.

Outlook: The Broncos are young, small in number (15 varsity, 25 frosh/soph) and hurt by distance runner Andrew Larsen transfering to Marmion, vaulter James Martin choosing rugby. Grace, however, is close to qualifying downstate in the 800. Despite a lack of depth particularly in hurdles, the 3,200 and experienced pole vaulters, Andriano believes he could still assemble a top-half SCC finish.

Naperville Central

Coach: Steve Wiesbrook (sixth year).

Last year: Sixth in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Mitch Gilbert, jr., distance; Dan Halleck, sr., middle distance; Zach Latham, jr., sprints, hurdles; Kevin Lind, sr., vault; Kevin Murphy, sr., distance; Kalen Petty, sr., jumps; Russell Petty, sr., jumps, hurdles.

Outlook: Strength lies in the field events led by Flying Petty Brothers - Russell, a 2008 all-stater who's gone 6-9 in high jump; and Kalen, a 45-foot triple jumper. Distance is not deep but should approach qualifying times by season's end. A top-half DVC finish "would be awesome," Wiesbrook said, with the Redhawks' usual five to seven state qualifiers.

Naperville North

Coach: Mike Ellberg (first year).

Last year: Fourth in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Riley Breese, sr., sprints; Kyle Gibson, sr., distance; Mike Hogan, sr., middle distance; Tyler Jermann, jr., distance; Nick Mlady, sr., sprints; Antonio Owens, so., sprints; Matt Schirk, sr., hurdles; David Schuman, sr., sprints.

Outlook: Eight-year assistant Ellberg succeeds Jack Wright and returns speed and distance headed by Gibson, fourth in both 2008 AA 3,200 and 2009 3A cross country. Muscular Mlady, Schuman and Owens - winner of last year's DuPage County frosh-soph 100 - have sprints, relays in good stead. Hurdles, field events yet to be solidified.

Neuqua Valley

Coach: Mike Kennedy (fifth year).

Last year: Second in the Upstate Eight Conference.

Top athletes: Aaron Beattie, jr., distance; Brandon Boyce, sr., sprints; Cale Brown, jr., sprints; Brian Griffith, sr., middle distance; Kevin Long, sr., hurdles; Brian Morenus, sr., distance; Jamere Morrison, jr., sprints; Danny Pawola, sr., distance; Sam Wildeman, sr., vault.

Outlook: The names listed above merely scratch the surface of this 3A contender. The Wildcats won their seventh straight UEC indoor meet, by 79 points. With 14-9 pole vaulter Wildeman, Pawola & Co. from a fourth-place 3A cross country team, this relay-ready outfit has "definitely the deepest sprints group" in Kennedy's term.

St. Francis

Coach: Scott Nelson (21st year).

Last year: Second in the Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top athletes: Joe Giamberdino, jr., distance; Mark Kachmer, sr., sprints, jumps; Sean Montague, jr., distance; Andrew Nelson, jr., middle distance; Ryan O'Donnell, sr., sprints, jumps; Mark Schmitt, jr., throws, sprints; David Sufranski, sr., sprints.

Outlook: A beneficiary of the new three-class system especially with school relay record setters Kachmer, O'Donnell, Sufranski returning after qualifying the 800 relay against Class 3A schools. Sprints, jumps, some distance events head a young cast aiming to jell and challenge Marmion, Aurora Central at the SCC meet. Nelson: "We'll give them a run."

Timothy Christian

Coach: John Vander Kamp (23rd year).

Last year: Tied for fourth in the Private School League.

Top athletes: Justin Barak, jr., throws; Jon Denny, sr., middle distance; Xavier Owens, sr., sprints; Taylor Slager, sr., high jump; Rob Stein, jr., sprints, throws; Jeff Vander Kamp, jr., middle distance.

Outlook: Stein is the rare person who in 2008 qualified for state in the 100 and, for a second time, the shot put. He'll focus on shot but may still be the Trojans' fastest. Out of 33 athletes 16 are first-timers, so outside of throws and first-tier distance runners there are many unknowns. "We're kind of experimenting," coach John Vander Kamp said.

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Kevin Rafferty (first year).

Last year: First in the Upstate Eight Conference; eighth in AA.

Top players: Bobby Collins, sr., sprints; Matt Havlik, sr., middle distance; Alex Kampf, jr., throws; Emmett Lorenz, sr., middle distance; Michael Schmelzel, hurdles, vault; Andrew Szott, jr., throws; Tony Tucker, sr., sprints; Ricky Walls, jr., jumps.

Outlook: The Warriors lost a lot, including AA discus champ Brett Einbecker, but program veteran Rafferty returns a lot including versatile Schmelzel and Lorenz, Top Times Indoor 800 champ. Oswego East transfer Walls is a great bonus. WV's coaching will improve its weight men. Only the Warriors and York qualified each relay in '08. Look for a WV repeat.

West Chicago

Coach: Paul McLeland (19th year).

Last year: Seventh in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Jeff Foreman, so., high jump, hurdles; Matt Kubik, sr., vault; Brian Mateas, sr., middle distance; Doug Mateas, sr., middle distance; Zach Mowen, sprints; D.J. Muzzy, distance; Kyle Nichol, sr., sprints.

Outlook: Bolstered by fresh assistants and newcomers from other sports. Physically stronger three-year sprinters and 400-meter basis lend optimism. Foreman's hit the 6-4 qualifying height indoors, and McLeland hopes the Mateas twins can spark a 3,200 relay. After qualifying no one for state in 2008, "that's a goal," McLeland said.

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Bill Bickhart (14th year).

Last year: Eighth in the Private School League.

Top athletes: Mike DeRenzo, jr., distance; Tyler Friedl, sr., throws; Jake Jones, sr., high jump; Kyle McCordic, jr., sprints; Ian Moses, sr., middle distance; Kent Smith, jr., distance; Shai Weinstein, sr., distance.

Outlook: Bickhart's 35 total boys and girls won't have to deal with York, WW South, etc., at sectional. Still, he said, running in 2A "doesn't make it clear for us." Supported by the shorter lengths, distance is the strength: Weinstein, Smith and DeRenzo will have to push to qualify in open races or a relay. If Friedl can get his 550-pound squat into throws, good things may happen.

Wheaton North

Coach: Don Helberg (17th year).

Last year: First in the DuPage Valley Conference; ninth in AA.

Top athletes: Joe Allen, sr., throws; Sean Bomher, sr., middle distance; Jon Frano, sr., sprints; Dayton Henricksen, sr., sprints; Jason Marocchi, sr., sprints; Matt Shatswell, sr., hurdles; Ivan Tamba, jr., sprints; Mike Trumpy, sr., hurdles, sprints; Jake Waterman, jr., distance; James Waterman, jr., distance.

Outlook: Sprint-happy power too deep and varied to list all key components. Helberg graduated three all-staters yet hints at a top-10 state finish behind sprints, relays, Trumpy's 110 hurdles. All events will be handled nicely, but bulking up distance and the field will aid the Falcons' DVC defense.

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Ken Helberg (21st year).

Last year: Third in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top athletes: Chris Cortopassi, jr., throws; Kevin Credille, sr., sprints; Jarrett Ferguson, sr., sprints; Dan Hohenstein, jr., high jump; Joe Jaeschke, sr., vault; Matt Mitchell, sr., middle distance; Aaron Peck, sr., distance; Kevin Piraino, jr., jumps; Dan Walsh, jr., vault.

Outlook: Countering that rare third place last year, versatile WW South won a tight DVC indoor meet with balance, 400 warrior Credille, double scoring. Qualifiers Piraino and Hohenstein look to sustain their late '08 explosion. Helberg praises these Tigers as "flexible" and "team-oriented."

Willowbrook

Coach: T.J. Artman (first year).

Last year: Third in the West Suburban Gold.

Top athletes: Kevin Aguilara, so., sprints; Ben Chantos, sr., sprints; Deen Farooq, sr., hurdles; Mike Kane, sr., sprints; Dan Rispens, sr., throws; Jesse Sanchez, jr., middle distance; Mike Stachowicz, sr., throws; Isaac Trostle, jr., distance; Chris Unseth, sr., distance.

Outlook: The Warriors' third coach since 2005 (also the son of Glenbard South's former distance coach) aims to add consistency. A seven-year assistant, Artman sounds up to the task. "Building a program from the ground up," he said. Kane heads sprint/mid-distance strength that graduated AA 800 runner-up Jeff Stapleton.

York

Coach: Stan Reddel (ninth year, 18th overall).

Last year: First in the West Suburban Silver, second in Class AA.

Top athletes: John Fox, sr., sprints; Jordan Herbert, sr., distance; Patrick Morgan, sr. middle distance; Steve Sulkin, sr., distance; Jimmy Sullivan, sr., sprints, jumps; David Way, sr., middle distance; Khara Williams, sr., sprints, jumps; Tarrence Williams, sr., sprints, jumps.

Outlook: 3A favorite with East St. Louis. The Dukes have state potential in all track events starting with Sulkin, Fox (top-three in '08 100 and 200), Herbert. Decision: Put Sullivan, Williamses in jumps or relays (three top-five in '08)? Solution? Wait till Charleston. "Where we're strong," Reddel said, "we're pretty strong."

- Dave Oberhelman