DyeStat


The Internet Home of Track & Field




Michael Newman

Dyestat Illinois
2008 IHSA Boys Class AAA Cross Country
Individuals Preview
Runners are listed in alphabetical order:
Greg Adelman*Senior*Geneva
Did Not Qualify – State
Will be one of the top runners for Geneva this fall…again. No track times for Adelman. He participates in 
Tennis in the spring. Powerful runner who gets up front early. His summer started out slow, according to 
Coach Bob Thomson, but has rounded into great shape.
Aaron Beattie*Junior*Naperville Neuqua Valley
13th – 14:45
3rd leading returnee from last season’s state meet. Ran 9:24 for 3200 meters and 2:00 for 800 meters last 
spring. A runner who has a strong drive to be the best. Has the willingness to do the little things 
according to his Coach Paul Vandersteen.
Chano Bernardo*Junior*Palatine
36th – 15:03
The next great Palatine runner. Ran 9:31 for 3200 meters last spring. There is more to this guy than 
running according to his Coach Chris Quick: “Chano is one of the most incredible people I have ever met.  
Not only does he run six days a week with the team, but he also runs a paper route seven days a week, 
363 days a year (with two days off for state CC and state track last year).  He gets up at 2:00 am each 
day to work, does his route, sleeps a couple of hours, goes to school, and then trains after school.” He is 
fit and ready to challenge the state’s best
Alec Bollman *Junior*Palatine
75th – 15:36
Another junior in the Palatine corral of talent. Ran 9:56 and 4:30 last spring. Improvement was vast last 
spring and looks to continue that this fall.
Jack Boyle*Senior*Oak Park Fenwick
72nd – 15:33
Ran 9:37 for 3200 last spring. Will be the leader on this deep Fenwick squad this fall. Should contend with 
Nico Composto for the Catholic League Championship.
Adam Cecil*Junior*Elmhurst York
63rd – 15:23
Ran 9:27 for 3200 last spring. Some people call it inconsistency…but he had a reason for it. Last fall, he 
had ankle problems in the fall that curtailed his training. Yet, he came back and helped York get 2nd. 
Extremely fit according to Joe Newton. He is mentally tough and could challenge for the top 5 in State. 
When he is healthy, he could be one of the best.
Max Clink*Senior*St. Charles North
DNC – injured
Injury took Max out of Cross Country last season, but evidenced by last spring’s track season, he is ready. 
Ran 1:56 and 4:28 last spring and anchored the North Stars 3200 meter relay to a state championship.
Nico Composto*Junior*Wilmette Loyola Academy
57th – 15:19
One of the top runners in the Chicago Catholic League and in the State. Ran 9:27 for 3200 meters last 
spring. Improvement was dramatic last fall. We have yet to see the best out of this young man.
Zach Dahleen*Senior*Orland Park Sandburg
68th – 15:30
Did not run his best race at state…in fact he was in the Top 5 at the mile last fall. His coach John O’Malley 
said about Dahleen: “I’d put him into a special category. He is really working hard and is one of the 
toughest competitors I’ve ever seen. I’d put it this way: I wouldn’t want to race him!  He is not easy to 
beat. He’s in good shape and is really motivated.”
Charles Dundy*Senior*East Moline United
58th – 15:20
In great shape according to his coach Russell Boore. He will be one of the top runners in the Western Six 
and should see him again in the State Meet.
Phillip Fairleigh*Junior*Cary-Grove
78th – 15:37
Ran 9:26 for 3200 meters last spring. Phil has been inconsistent in his racing the past year. The training 
approach for the summer has not been different according to his coach Layne Holter, but he has worked 
with Phil on his racing approach. He will be a tougher runner this fall.
Kyle Gibson*Senior*Naperville North
24th – 14:58
The 5th returnee from last season, but should have been higher. If it were not the state meet, he would 
have not run because he was so sick according to Coach David Racey. Ran 9:10 and 4:22 last spring and 
was all-state in the 3200. Will be one of the best this fall because of his mental approach towards 
racing…continues to get better with every workout and every race.
Bob Guthrie*Junior*Naperville North
77th – 15:36
Was one of the bigger surprises last spring for the Huskies…ran a 9:40 for 3200 by himself. “He is 
developing into a real great runner,” said his coach David Racey. Has consistently gotten better each 
season and I don’t see this trend changing.
Chris Hayek*Senior*Mt. Prospect – Prospect
32nd – 15:03
Will be the Front man for the Knights this fall and one of the top runners in the state. Anchor of a 
Prospect 7:50 3200 meter relay team last spring…also ran 4:22 and 9:39. Lots of speed if he can stay with 
the leaders…unheralded but will be one of the best this fall.
Jordan Herbert*Senior*Elmhurst York
30th – 15:01
The heart of this season’s York team. Loves to compete in everything he does according to Coach Joe 
Newton. His summer has showed great improvement and should be in the Top 10 individually this fall. 
Great race day performer…ran 4:31 and 9:41 in limited races last spring.
David Inczauskis*Junior*Lockport Township
59th – 15:20
We will see some great things form this Lockport Junior this fall. Ran 9:43 for 3200 last spring. Improved 
as the season went on last fall….we should see the same progress this time around.
Mike Janusek*Senior*LaGrange Lyons Township
Did Not Qualify – State
Could be the lead man for the Lions this fall. Ran 9:38 and 4:28 last spring. Driven by not making it to 
state last fall, could be a big surprise in the individual race.
Tyler Jermann*Junior*Naperville North
31st – 15:03
Has run step for step with Kyle Gibson all summer…in great shape. Ran 9:39 for 3200 last spring. “He 
looks like he is running at a higher level than he ever has before,” said Coach David Racey. Could be one 
of the top 15 individuals in state this fall.
Andrew Karas*Senior*Plainfield North
47th – 15:15
Keeps improving year by year…ran 9:54 and 4:29 last spring. Will be the top runner in the Suburban 
Prairie Conference. In good shape according to my sources…he will be tough tough tough this fall.
Andrew Larson*Senior*Aurora Marmion Academy
10th – 15:10 AA
Ran 9:24 last spring. Would have been the #2 returnee at the AA level this fall, but he transferred to 
Marmion. Coach Bob Rebenstoff has coached all-staters David Grange and Josh Stein and has put Larson 
under his wing. Should be pushed in the AAA classification, watch for great things from Andrew this fall.
Pat Lesiewicz*Junior*Schaumburg
Did Not Qualify – State
Coach Jim Macnider has set a goal of the Top 25 for Lesiewicz…I think he may be a little higher. Ran 9:29 
and 4:21 last spring. Pat was very disappointed not making Cross Country State last fall and his State 
Track performance according to Macnider. The mileage in training for a Schaumburg runner increases 
from sophomore to junior season, so we should see some good times by this Saxon. He will be driven this 
fall. 
Emmett Lorenz*Senior*Aurora Waubonsie Valley
37th – 15:04
Will be one of the top runners for Kevin Rafferty’s Waubonsie squad. The ultimate team man…he will do 
whatever it takes to help his team. Had a setback this summer with a bout of strep throat, but his 
training mileage has increased over the last few weeks. He may not be up front early in the year, but at 
state, we should see him with an All-State Medal.
Anthony Manfrin*Sophomore*Carpentersville-Dundee Crown
51st – 15:16
Ran 4:18.47y for 1600 meters as a freshman. Won the Nike Outdoor Nationals Freshman Mile in North 
Carolina. Coach Tom Smith says of his Sophomore stud: “Anthony is very motivated to lead our team, to 
hang a low number every meet out, and does realize he has the opportunity to be among the top 15 in 
the state if he stays healthy, motivated, and continues to run as competitive as he has in the past.” Just 
realizing how good he can be, Manfrin will be a force this fall. Will be fun to watch him run at the 
Palatine Invite at the end of September.
David McWilliams*Senior*Naperville North
48th – 15:15
Does he have time for anything else? During the summer, he plays baseball, competitively swims, and 
runs. In fact, Coach David Racey thinks he could be all-state in all 3 sports. He is very fit according to 
Racey, he will be one of the keys as Naperville North goes for a state title.
Andrew Nelson*Senior*Geneva
Did Not Qualify – State
One of the victims of the Schaumburg Sectional bloodbath, Nelson responded by having a great track 
season. He anchored his school in the 3200 meter relay and ended up running 4:14.43 at the Midwest 
Distance Gala. Came into his own towards the end of last cross country season, he now has the 
confidence to step it up. “He has plans to end his high school cross country career on a positive note and I 
believe he will,” said Coach Bob Thomson.
Danny Pawola*Senior*Naperville Neuqua Valley
8th – 14:34
#2 returnee from last season, Danny has showed that he is up for the challenge. Ran 9:13 and 4:25 last 
spring. Has learned so much from the examples Chris Derrick set. Leads by example, he will lead one of 
the deepest squads in attempt to repeat. He’s had a great summer training and is confident about the 
upcoming season.
Ryan Shea*Senior*Aurora Waubonsie Valley
53rd – 15:17
Part of a great 1-2 punch with teammate Emmet Lorenz, Shea’s times were not spectacular this spring 
(4:33, 9:47), but his summer has been good and will be in the hunt for a great finish. Experience will 
help…he is starting his 3rd varsity season.
Ben Silver*Sophomore*Downers Grove North
Did Not Qualify - State
Ran 9:33 as a freshman last year in track.  Did not run great last year in regionals, but he does have the 
ability to take it to the next level, especially the top 10.
Erik Stanton*Senior*Arlington Heights Hersey
26th – 14:59
Just missed out at All-State last fall, he is in great shape and  ready to go much higher this fall. His 
training this summer has been great, but has a lingering shin injury and will not race until Mid-
September according to his Coach Tim Phillips. Ran 4:17.37 in the state prelims.
Steve Sulkin*Senior*Elmhurst York
5th – 14:26
Watching him run a 25x400 workout in July, Sulkin looked like a machine. He kept churning out 69 
second quarters until he ran 62 and 58 on his last two. #1 returnee from last season, ran 9:12 and 4:18 
last spring earning all-state honors in the 3200. Mental toughness of a champion, he has the potential of 
running 14:00 according to Joe Newton.
Jeffrey Thode*Senior*Hoffman Estates Conant
15th – 14:48
Had a breakout season in Track. After a leg injury in indoor track, Jeffrey responded by running 4:10 in 
the MSL Meet and followed up with a 2nd place finish in the 1600. “He’s not afraid for going for it”, said 
his Coach John Powers. After last track season, he has the incentive of going after the individual 
championship.
Lukas Verzbickas*Freshman*New Lenox Lincoln-Way Central
1st – 10:10 IESA State Meet
When a Freshman is mentioned as one of the top runners, there has to be a mistake or a reason why. No 
mistake here, this kid could be one of the best. He won the IESA Cross Country Championship last fall, 
and swept the 800 and the 1600 in the spring (2:02, 4:33). To top at a National Meet, he ran 8:49 for 
3000 meters (9:24 3200 meter equivalent). There are concerns that he has over raced this summer, but 
he has the talent to be one of the best this fall.
Aaron Werths *Senior*Granite City
46th – 15:12
Best runner in Southern Illinois, he will be one of the top runners in the state this fall. Ran 4:26 and 9:37 
last spring. A great strength runner, he will shine on the cross country course this fall.
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