Boys cross country: Scouting Northwest
MID-SUBURBAN EASTBuffalo GroveCoach: Zack Crandall (second year)
Last year: 13th in Class 3A, 3rd at Schaumburg Sectional, Libertyville Regional champs, 3rd in MSL.
Key losses: Steven Salvano .
Top returning runners: Kevin Salvano (jr.), Tom Cleary (jr.), Jake Wenzel (sr.), Montana Nimerfroh (sr.), Tripp Wallner (sr.), Eli Hinkle (sr.).
Top newcomers: Evan Schmidt (jr.), Jack Lenard (jr.) Arturo Bautista (so.), Josh Hellyer (so.), Mitchell Guittar (fr.), Matt Swiszcz (sr.).
Outlook: Buffalo Grove had it share of adversity last season. Top runner Steven Salvano, who finished ninth in Class 3A in 2012, battled a season long virus and the team had a coaching change in mid-season with Crandall taking control. But the Bison came on strong at the end of the season capping it with a 13th -place finish in Class 3A. Kevin Salvano led the charge and finished 20th in Class 3A.Cleary, Wenzel, and Hinkle did a nice job of packing up and pushing the Bison attack. BG enters this season as one of the favorites to win the MSL and also make some noise at state. Crandall believes this team may be the strongest in school history. Kevin Salvano will once again lead the attack and is one of top returning runners in state. Keep an eye on a Bison team that has plenty of talent and depth. BG is definitely a top 10 team and will push for a state medal.
Elk GroveCoach: David Dompke (eighth year)
Last year: 11th in MSL
Key losses: Mike Frintner, Joey Kraemer, Sam Marra
Top returning runners: Sean Frintner (so.), Campbell Kraemer (jr.), Mike Banasik (jr.), Matt Warrington, Chris Mertes.
Top newcomer: Ryan Casey.
Outlook: Elk Grove qualified for its first sectional meet in 10 years last season. The Grenediers will miss the contributions of Mike Frintner, Joey Kraemer and Marra, who pushed its attack. Dompke is optimistic that a group of young runners will step up and fill the void. Sean Frintner, Campbell Kraemer, and Banasik will give the Grens experience.
HerseyCoach: Jay Renaud (fourth year)
Last year: 11th in Class 3A, Schaumburg sectional champions, Hoffman Estate regional champions, MSL champions, MSL East Division champions.
Key losses: Andy Philipose, Jack O'Neil, Matt Stadnicki, Erick DeLoera, Matt Dini, Brendan Cunningham, Kevin Kovach.
Top returning runners: David Rodriguez (sr.), Grant Von Der Lippe (sr.), Kevin Ziegenhorn (sr.), Josh Plischke (sr.), Jacob Krupa (so.), Sam Svienty (so.), Brendan Stonequist (jr.), Seth Harden (sr.), Tom Schwaba (jr.).
Top newcomers: Jimmy Tinaglia (sr.), Quinn Cunningham (fr.), Sean Paton (fr.), Cole Rodgers (fr.), Ian Ziegenhorn (fr.).
Outlook: Hersey had a sensational season last year, including winning its first sectional title. The Huskies had a bit of a letdown at the state meet finishing in 11th place, but there was plenty to smile about, including an MSL title. Hersey lost quite a bit to graduation, including Philipose who finished 22nd in Class 3A. But the Huskies welcome back Rodriguez, who took 18th in Class 3A. Von Der Lippe will combine with Rodriguez giving the Huskies a powerful 1-2 punch. Ziegenhorn and Plischke add experience. Renaud has plenty of options for his fifth runner including Krupa. Hersey is on track to defend its MSL title and will be a contender at the state meet.
ProspectCoach: Mike Stokes (24rd year)
Last year: 19th in Class 3A, tied for 5th at Schaumburg regional, 5th in MSL.
Key losses: Blake Hallman, Max Daleiden, Ben Pederson, Max Gonzalez.
Top returning runners: Mike Anderson (sr.), Alec Heyde (jr.), Max Crowninshield (jr.).
Top newcomers: Matt Cozine (jr.), Karson LeComte (jr.), James Riordan (so.), Teddy Eckhardt (so.), Sean Sanaghan (so.), Javie Mouledous (jr.), Luke Filipic (jr.).
Outlook: Prospect closed hard at the end of the season qualifying for the state meet. Hallman and Anderson helped pace the Knights attack last year. Hallman graduated, but Anderson is back and is looking to pick up where he left off. Heyde and Crowninshield have big meet experience and Stokes will fill the holes with some promising newcomers. Once again look for the Knights to finish strong and be in the hunt for a state qualification.
Rolling MeadowsCoach: Frank Schweda (sixth year)
Last year: 9th in MSL
Key losses: Aaron Sanchez
Top returning runners: Tim Howley (sr.), Colin Piscitello (sr.), John Gerardi (so.), Joe Hume (so.), Trevor West (sr.), Robert Heck (so.).
Top newcomer: Tripp Turchik (jr.)
Outlook: Howley and Gerardi will pace the Mustangs' attack this season and both are hoping to make a mark in the MSL. Piscitello is also back and will add to the attack. Schweda is hoping to fill in the blanks with a strong sophomore class.
WheelingCoach: Tom Polak (15th year).
Last year: 10th in MSL.
Key losses: Edwin Arteaga.
Top returning runners: Cole Dammeier (sr.), Edwin Hernandez (sr.), Justin Loquercio (jr.), Elliot Nabatov (jr.), Matt Hoffman (so.), Drew Schwartz (sr.), Joe Swiech (jr.) Brian Hernandez (sr.), Steve Abrams (sr.).
Top newcomers: Anthony Gonzalez (jr.), Lewis Monaxious (so.).
Outlook: Wheeling qualified to the Schaumburg sectional last season and is hoping to build off its late season push. Dammeier, Hernandez, and Loquercio will push the attack. The Wildcats are coming off a strong summer and Polak is optimistic that this may be his best team in 10 year. With the core of the team back, the Wildcats are hoping to move up the ladder in the MSL.
MID-SUBURBAN WESTBarringtonCoach: Tom Root (first year).
Last year: 4th in MSL.
Key losses: Jake Herb, Ryan Perkins, Adam Phillips, Pitcher Seagrist.
Top returning runners: Konrad Eiring (sr.), Kyle Monahan (sr.), Ben Laning (sr.).
Key newcomers: Tate Fisher (sr.), Alex Maher (jr.), Kurtis Monahan (sr.), Andy Gensburg (sr.), Jack Coombs (jr.).
Outlook: Root is in, replacing Ty Gorman as head coach. Gorman was promoted to Assistant Principal at Barrington and will be missed on the course. But coach Root has plenty of talent coming back that should make his transition a bit easier. Eiring is a tough runner and will push an attack that will also feature Kyle Monahan. Last year the Broncos got hit by the flu bug at the wrong time and missed qualifying for the state meet. Laning and Maher will also contribute to the Broncos as they push for high finish in the MSL and a return to the state meet.
ConantCoach: John Powers (15th year).
Last year: 21st in Class 3A, tied for fifth at Schaumburg sectional, 8th in MSL.
Key losses: James Pesce, Rob Smolik, Hugh Hutchison, Jack Hutchison.
Top returning runners: Zach Dale (sr.), Shujaat Sultan (sr.), James Janczy (sr.), Chris Serrano (jr.), Joel Almodovar (sr.), Dominic DeMore (sr.).
Top newcomer: Chris DiGioia (so.).
Outlook: Conant returns six of its top seven runners from last year state team, including Dale, who finished third in Class 3A and is one of top runners in the state along with a No. 14 ranking nationally. Dale is a special runner and will challenge for a state title. Sultan and Janczy add talent and experience to the team. Conant was happy to make it to the state meet last season; this year the Cougars will be looking to do something more.
FremdCoach: Darius Sanchez (fourth year).
Last year: 6th in MSL.
Key losses: Harry Winter, Nick Vucovich, Nick Macius, Danny Johnson.
Top returning runners: Matt Fossing (jr.), Joe Smaga (jr.).
Top newcomers: Danny Peterson, Jack Buban.
Outlook: Fremd took a big hit to graduation and is in a bit of a transition stage. Winter and Vucovich both were state qualifiers last season and will be missed. Look for Fossing to pick up the slack, the junior had a strong track season and will push the Vikings attack this season.
Hoffman EstatesCoach: Brenden Mariano (fourth year).
Last year: 7th in MSL.
Key losses: Billy Thomas, Thomas Simac.
Top returning runners: Bryan Gamboa (jr.), Shiv Patel (jr.), Matt Petersen (jr.), Michael Sanfillippo (sr.), Nathan Otto (jr.)
Top newcomers: Ryan Greenwalt (so.), Jose Espinoza (so.), Jack Worman (so.), Alex Makrounis (so.), Shreekar Patel (fr.).
Outlook: Hoffman is coming off one of its better seasons, but the Hawks will miss the contributions of Thomas, who finished 21st in Class 3A. It will be a challenging season for the Hawks, with Gamboa pushing the attack. Gamboa is hoping to build off a strong sophomore season. Petersen is also coming on strong and will aid the Hawks' attack.
PalatineCoach: Chris Quick (ninth year).
Last year: 14th in Class 3A, third at the Schaumburg sectional, regional champion, second in MSL, West Division champion.
Key losses: Argeni Bailon, Adam Brauer, Emil Kozakiewicz, Eddie Graham, Dean Kolar.
Top returning runners: Graham Brown (sr.), Brian Leonard (so.), Zack Michael (jr.), Dean Roehrborn (sr.), Ryan Kissane (sr.), Dan Trejo (jr.).
Top newcomers: Nate Izewski (so.), Ben Kontney (so.), Koby Theobald (jr.), Justin Zambrano (jr.).
Outlook: Palatine qualified for its 28th consecutive state meet last season and the Pirates are looking to continue that impressive legacy. The effort starts with Brown, one of the top runners in the state - he finished eighth in Class 3A last season and is primed for a huge season. Leonard and Michael will lead the second wave, and Quick will fill in the spaces with a hard-working senior and junior class. Izewski could make some noise for Palatine, which narrowly missed earning a 10th straight MSL title but did manage to claim a 12th straight MSL West crown while keeeping its league dual record alive and counting at 74 straight.
SchaumburgCoach: Scott Lilley (fourth year).
Last year: 12th in MSL.
Key losses: Omar Alhayek , Dhru Shah.
Top returning runners: Nick Olvera (jr.), Jonah Kaufmann (jr.), AJ Vetter (sr.), Eddie Lamas (sr.), Toru Yagi (jr.), Tom Young (jr.), Isaac Rogenski (sr.).
Top newcomer: Zach Merkendorfer (jr.).
Outlook: Schaumburg will continue the rebuilding process, and Lilley is looking for improvement from last season finish. Lamas and Vetter will add experience to the Saxons' attack.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHMaine WestCoach: Andrew Trotter (24th year).
Last year: 5th in the CSL North.
Key losses: Geoff Rozo, Alec Logan, Tom Biju.
Top returning runners: Alex Liston (sr.), Lucas Martin-Ranft (sr.), DJ Meyers (sr.), Adam Hill (sr.), Ashur Visperas (sr.).
Outlook: Liston is looking for a big season and will pace the Warriors. He finished 11th at the Central Suburban Meet and also qualified for the Lake Park sectional.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICSt. ViatorCoach: Wayne Edelman (eighth year).
Last year: 2nd in the ESCC
Key losses: Nick Brey.
Top returning runners: Drew Mortan (jr.), Jacob Bononotte (jr.), Sam Brey (so.), Nick Spanier (jr.), Naill Stanczak .
Top newcomers: Richard Rinka, Kevin Gross.
Outlook: St. Viator will miss the contributions of Nick Brey, who finished 20th in Class 2A and was the ESCC champion. Mortan and Bononotte will look to pick up the slack and keep the Lions in contention in the ESCC.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLDLeydenCoach: Bradley Henning (first year).
Last year: 5th in WSG.
Key losses: Roberto Garcia, Danny Vilchez, Pedro Solis.
Top returning runners: Matt Szelazek (jr.), Alan Prado (jr.), Josh Pitts (sr.), Juan Castaneda, David Morales, Kris Carredano.
Top newcomers: Nathan Deazleal, Jorge Sanchez, Ivan Chaidez, Michael Nambo, Isaias Saucedo.
Outlook: Henning is looking to build off a strong foundation, and it helps having Prado and Szelazek back. Prado finished 17th and Szelazek finished 19th at the WSG conference meet last season.
NORTHEASTERN ATHLETICChristian Liberty AcademyCoach: Bradley Wells (second year).
Top returning runners: Tommy Lowry (so.), Daniel Kosinski (sr.).
Top newcomers: Luke Walder (so.), Alex Kania (sr.).
Outlook: Lowry will lead the Chargers' attack this season. The sophomore is looking to build on a strong freshman season and will be shooting for a state qualification. CLA keeps building, and the Chargers are hoping to taken another step forward this season with a sectional berth.