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AA Boys Regional Preview
A look at the AA Boys Regionals happening this weekend.
Michael Newman
Belvidere Sectional
Antioch Regional at Fox River Park
#17 Richmond-Burton should be the favorite at this regional. This squad has a strong 1-2 punch in Ian Sanchez and Rocco Mazzetti. The runner up spot should be contested between Lake and Grayslake Central.
Aurora Central Catholic Regional at Oakhurst Forest Preserve
One of the strongest regionals in AA...No real favorite here, but some good teams will stay home after this race is completed. #9 Sycamore hopes to have star Matthew Gilmer back and running. A young squad has been carried by Tyson Kinsley and a tight pack. #11 Kaneland has kept a couple of runners down in lower class races during the season, but look for them to be running on Saturday. Has a tight pack that can cause some problems for opposing teams. #13 Wheaton Academy has been tough in the meets it has competed in, but their achilles heal may be their gap between their 1-3 and their 4-5 runners...it is too big. #16 Crystal Lake Central hopes to have Ryan Alvarez back. Alvarez was held out of the Fox Valley Conference last weekend because of illness. They will need him in their for advancement to Belvidere. Individual race shoube interesting with Mark Phillips of Wheaton Academy being the favorite.
Freeport Regional at Highland Community College
#1 Belvidere North should have no problems advancing here. North survived a shaky run from usual #1 man Paul Zeman, who was ill, and won the NIC-10 last Saturday. Anthony Gedwill, Jordan Kremer, and Cody Laseman have stepped up for Coach Troy Yunk. A good pack....this will be a tune up reace for this team. #14 Rochelle has no lead man, but they rely on a tight 1-5 split. They will advance.
Nazareth Academy Regional at Sundown Forest Preserve
Could have an interesting battle between #23 Fenton and previously ranked Glenbard South. Fenton relies on a powerful 1-2 runners in Nathan and Justin Smith. The problem is their split between the Smiths and their 3rd man, which could hurt them at Sectionals. Coach Andy Preuss has kept his sophomores down in big meets for Glenbard South, but watch for them to run on Saturday.
Centralia Sectional
Urbana Regional at Uof I Arboretum
A close team battle here. Watch for Danville, who beat Champaign Central and Champaign Centennial at the Big 12 conference Meet to emerge the winners in the team race.
Troy Triad Regional
#7 Troy Triad takes advantage of racing on their home course and should be the favorite here. #18 Highland and #20 Breese Mater Dei have been up and down all season, but both squads looked good at their respective conference meets last weekend. Brett Conway of Triad will be one of the favorites in the individual race. Also watch for Ryan Todd of Jerseyville.
Mt. Vernon Regional at Mt. Vernon Airport
#19 Mt. Vernon should receive a challenge from previously ranked Salem here. A good individual race should occur between Lucas Cherry of Carbondale and Campbell Walters of Mt. Vernon.
Jacksonville Regional at Community Park
#3 Springfield should be the big favorite here. The question will be if Coach Dan Devlin will rest several of his runners for Sectionals. He has a deep squad with the luxury of doing that. #24 Chatham Glenwood appears to be peaking at the right time after a strong race at CS8. #25 Sacred Heart-Griffin was close to the Redbirds and positions could switch from last weekend's conference results. Brad Walwer of Springfield Should be the favorite in this race.
Chicago Jones Sectional
Rich East Regional
The top regional in this sectional quartet. #15 Oak Forest has looked strong all season, winning last weekend at their conference meet. In their only face to face meeting, Oak Forest defeated #21 Illiana Christian. Illiana has no superstarts, but a solid pack. The favorite in this race should be Ed McDaniel of Oak Forest
Riverside Brookfield Regional at Sundown Forest Preserve, Countryside
Lemont has run primarily against AAA schools during the season, which should benefit them come state meet time. The favorites in this race individually should be the Lemont duo of Nick Casey and Tom Hoster. Watch for host Riverside-Brookfield to push Lemont in the team race.
Gordon Tech Regional at Horner Park
Not a rated team in this field so hard to figure how this race will turn out. Watch for Chicago Payton in the team race.
Chicago University Regional at Washington Park
Could have an interesting team battle here as host University should receive a challenge from Chicago Jones, who placed 6th at the city championships, and North Lawndale who placed 7th there.
East Peoria Sectional
Peoria Notre Dame Regional at Detweiller Park
Great tuneup meet for a rough sectional. #4 Peoria Notre Dame looked great in winning their conference meet. C.J. Elward has run 14:56 (at Peoria Invite 2 weeks ago), and will be the individual favorite here. #6 Metamora has been running better in the last few weeks. Juniors Kevin Kamm and Steven Rauh have traded off the top 2 spots for the Redbirds. Each team has been having issues with their 1-5 split...Watch for Peoria Richwoods and their standout Josh Battles. This squad started out slowly this fall, but has come on the last couple of weeks.
Galesburg Regional at Lake Storey Park
Good team battles here. #5 Dixon won a close battle with Geneseo last weekend at NCIC. With the emergence of Eric Dewey, the Dukes look as strong as they did at the beginning of the year. Kasey Ferrigan and Matt Logan give Dixon a solid 1-2. #8 Galesburg thought they had won the Western Big 6 against AAA#16 Moline, but fell 1 point short. Running on their home course will give them a psychological boost they may need to get by Dixon. Gabe Moreno and Greg Whittle will battle the Dixon duo. It will come down to if Galesburg can keep their split to 65 seconds. Geneseo and Rock Island Alleman will battle for the 3rd and 4th spot. Individual race will be fun to watch with Tim Hird of Alleman being the favorite, being pushed by Kasey Ferrigan of Dixon, Gabe Moreon of Galesburg, and Josh Lodge of Geneseo.
Normal University Regional at Maxwell Park
#2 Normal University has been a quiet force all season...jsut running their own race and winning. Same will be the case on Saturday on their home course. Sophomore James Clay has been outstanding all season and should be the individual favorite here. #12 Bloomington looked strong in placing 2nd to AAA#24 Normal West at the Big 12 last Saturday and could put some pressure on University.
Sandwich Regional
#10 Yorkville will be the team favorite here. A solid 1-2 with Jake Austin and Max Sliwa will push the Foxes over the top. The host school Sandwich, which was previously ranked, will push Yorkville. Good individual race between the duo from Yorkville chasing Jonathan Richards of Streator and Nick Wiseman of Oswego.
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