Cross country / Scouting Saturday's MSL meets
Mid-Suburban League cross country meets
Where: Melas Park, Mount Prospect
When: Boys race 10:30 a.m.; Girls race 11 a.m.
Host: Prospect
Parking: There will be no parking allowed in Melas parking lot; all parking will be in the Bosch parking lot southwest of Melas Park.
Last year's team champions: Hersey (boys), Barrington (girls
Last year's individual champions: Boys: Nick Laning (Barrington); Girls: Maddie Marasco (Schaumburg).
Boys race: Hersey looks to be the pick. The Huskies are currently ranked No. 3 in the Illinois Cross Country Coaches Poll and will be seeking their fifth MSL title in six years. It starts with junior Josh Methner, who has cemented himself as one of the top runners in Class 3A after running to titles at the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational and Palatine Invitational in September. Junior Max Svienty has come on strong this season and senior Ryan Buch has been steady in helping push the Huskies' attack. Junior Colin Stafford and senior Thomas McCarthy round out a deep Huskies team. Barrington and Rolling Meadows will form the chase pack. Senior Gregory Van Hollen and junior Patrick Furlong have given the Broncos a nice 1-2 punch. Meadows senior Eddie Lennon has not missed a beat in his final season and will combine with sophomore Stephan Barretto to pace the Mustangs. Palatine junior Richie Jacobo, Prospect junior Eric Snell, and Wheeling senior Tyler Polak will also be part of a tough field.
Girls race: Barrington, Palatine, and Prospect will battle it out for the girls title. Barrington's Molly Fitzpatrick finished third in the MSL last year, but this year the Fillies sophomore has her eyes set on the title. Junior Alyssa Norris and sophomore Anne Berquist will also contribute to a Fillies attack that will be looking to defend their title. Palatine sophomore Anne Marie Jordan will pace the Pirates. She has been running up front all season. Palatine seniors Kate Lechowicz and Liz Lechowicz also will look to keep the Pirates' line moving. Prospect senior Julia O'Grady has set the pace for the Knights this season with senior Marissa Valentini and senior Jenna Baltas also aiding the push. Barrington, Palatine, and Prospect are currently ranked 9-10-11 in the ICCP and it should be a tight race. Fremd junior Rebecca Markham and junior Julia LaDuke will look to help push the Vikings to the front. Hersey junior Katie Fredian, Wheeling senior Christini Pierini, and Hoffman Estates senior Nikki Rong will also be looking to make a mark on Saturday.