Boys track sectional preview
Boys track and field
Class 3A sectionals
A berth in the state meet next weekend at O'Brien Field at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
At Buffalo Grove
When: 4:45 p.m. today
Featured teams: Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Fremd, Palatine, Stevenson, Warren, Lake Zurich, Carmel, Wheeling, Mundelein and Libertyville.
What to watch: Karsen Green of Warren has been quietly putting up some impressive numbers this season and should be one to watch Friday. The 800 has been Green's race in the past, and he figures to be part of the best race at the sectional. In what should be a very crowded final, Green will square off with Ryan Mangone of Barrington and Alec Bollman of Palatine in a race that could feature three state medalists.
Barrington looks to lick its wounds from the recent Mid-Suburban League meet and will do so with Mangone, Kevin Crowley and Sam Ojuri leading the way.
The Bison are still crossing their fingers that injured sprinter Steve Miller will be ready to go. If he is, keep a close eye on the 200-meter dash. This field is as good as any other sectional, with Stevenson's Brandon Stryganek, Leonard Brady of Warren and Fremd's Alex Roark expected to challenge Miller.
The throwing events will be fun to watch, with BG senior Alan Baxter and a host of Fremd throwers being joined by Derek Chmielewski of Stevenson. Baxter is among the states elite in the shot, but Chmielewski is not far behind. Jeff and Brian Bobek along with Christian Lombard will all vie for state spots for the Vikings.
Wheeling and Lake Zurich should add to very closely matched sprint relays.
At Loyola
When: 2 p.m. today
Featured teams: Hersey, St. Viator, Prospect, Elk Grove and Maine West.
What to watch: One of the best distance and middle distance sectionals in the state is set for an early afternoon start. Prospect was impressive last week at the conference meet and figures to fire up the engines on another medal-contending 3,200 relay. Prospect's Chris Hayek also figures to be busy as he should be a qualifier in either the mile or the 800. Matt Babicz is a returning state medalist in the discus and should earn a spot at state in both events. Hersey figures to contend in the 3,200 relay led by Sam Zielke. Juan and Martin Chavez lead an explosive Maine West 1,600 relay while St. Viator and senior Tom Temmerman leads a Lions team that comes in off its best-ever finish at the East Suburban Catholic meet last week.
At St. Charles North
When: 3:30 p.m. today
Featured teams: Conant, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows.
What to watch: While the stakes for the 1,600 battle between Jeff Thode of Conant and Andrew Nelson of Geneva aren't as high this week as they will be next week, the race should still produce a great battle. Thode should also earn a state berth in the 800 and likely will help the Cougars 1,600 relay as they try and get back to state. Kyle Reid will be busy with his usual four events. This time he has a chance to medal in all four as the 2009 MSL champs have designs on winning a state meet trophy. Pat Lesiewicz and Dionte Hackler are Schaumburg's best bets to qualify. Rolling Meadows should fill the state meet quite nicely with pole vaulter Mick Viken, senior Colin Walker and a host of good relays. Hoffman Estates and senior Cory Smith look to earn a medal in the jumps. Smith is the only long jumper in the area over 23 feet so far this spring.
- Jeff Newton