Boys cross country/Scouting Class 2A and Class 3A state meets

Boys state cross country meet

Class 2AWhen: noon Saturday, 1 p.m. awards ceremony

Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria

Area teams:

• Lakes - Coach Travis Shepherd; seniors Jack Erwin, Owen Wenberg, Ethan Schommer, Charlie Halberg; juniors R.J. Migas, Talon Knauf; sophomore Jack Engel

Area individuals:

• Antioch junior Charlie Smith (two-time qualifier, 10th in 2017), Grayslake North senior Connor Riss, Vernon Hills senior Jimmy McDonald (two-time qualifier, 33rd in 2017)

Outlook: After coming close to qualifying for the state meet last fall, Lakes had a breakthrough season, as the Eagles qualified for the meet for the first time in school history by placing fourth in the powerful Woodstock North sectional. Senior leaders Jack Erwin and Owen Wenberg have been huge cogs to Lakes' successful run to state this fall. "I'm really proud of those two guys leading the way up front for us all year as seniors," coach Travis Shepherd said. "I'm definitely confident we can be a top-10 team. We're going to have to really pack it up and try to put five guys under 16 minutes."

After placing 10th in the state as a sophomore, Antioch junior Charlie Smith is poised for another great performance, despite missing part of the early stages of the season due to injury. "Charlie is ready to go," Sequoits coach Chris Bailey said. "He had a roller coaster of a season, but he is running his best right now. He feels great and is ready to run up at the front of the race with the leaders. He knows the competition and he always knows when to make a move to put himself in the best possible position."

After just missing state last year, Grayslake North senior Connor Riss has put together a fantastic senior season. Vernon Hills senior Jimmy McDonald should have a good shot at earning all-state honors.

Class 3AWhen: 2 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. awards ceremony

Where: Detweiller Park, Peoria

Area teams:

• Mundelein - Coach Kurt Rutz; seniors Robert St. Clair (two-time qualifier, 34th in 2017), Dario Carrillo, Aidan Afonso (two-time qualifier, 53rd in 2017), Matt Olorvida (two-time qualifier), Sean Finerty, Michael Parduhn (two-time qualifier, injured); juniors Dillon Blake (two-time qualifier, 41st in 2017), Carter Schorr; Trevor Werner

• Lake Zurich - Coach J.B. Hanson; senior Sam Guinta; junior Adam Cupples; sophomores Jake Myers, Jack Gilboy, Jack Mason; freshman Danny Burns

Area individuals:

• Libertyville junior Will Gordon

Outlook: After earning its first trip to the state meet as a team last year, Mundelein is hoping to put together an even better finish, as the Mustangs bring a lot of senior leadership and strong pack running into the pressure-packed meet. Junior Dillon Blake placed seventh at the sectional meet. "I expect us to be in the top 10 this year," Mundelein coach Kurt Rutz said. "It is so wide open after the top couple of teams. Who knows what will happen? If we follow our race plan, we'll be fine. The guys are running with a lot of confidence so I'm feeling really good right now." After missing most of the season due to a leg injury, Mundelein senior Michael Parduhn never got completely back to 100 percent healthy, so he will not be running at the state meet this year.

Lake Zurich's program continues to be a model of consistency as the Bears are making their 11th straight trip to the state meet even with only one senior in their top seven this season in Sam Guinta. Sophomores Jake Myers and Jack Gilboy have been great leaders. "It's always really competitive and we're looking forward to running in that race. That's our goal every season," coach J.B. Hanson. "I think we can run even better (than at sectionals), and our strength is fighting at the middle and end of the race."

Libertyville's Will Gordon looked great in easily qualifying for the state meet, and he could make a bid for all-state if he runs his best downstate. "I think he can make all-state. The sky is the limit," Libertyville coach Stuart Mendelsohn said. "He's never run on that course (Detweiller), but he knows what's expected at state and the competition, so he'll be ready."