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Boys AA Team Preview
Teams To Watch
Michael Newman
The Next 10 (In Alphabetical Order)
Aurora Central Catholic
2008 Finish: 13th AA Belvidere Sectional
Coach: Troy Kerber
Returnees:
James Spencer JR, Don Kottamp SR, John Cisneros SR, Manuel Sauceda JR, Alex Duncan SO, Adam Miller JR,
John Jochum SR, Nolan McCue JR, Arnulfo Olivia SO, Max Sepulveda SO.
This could be the strongest Aurora Central Catholic in the last 10 years, which could give them a shot to advance out of whatever sectional they are assigned to. Coach Troy Gerber will look for Junior James Spencer and Senior Don Kottamp to lead this team.
East Peoria
2008 Finish: 11th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: Jim Dullin
Returnees:
Kevin Eades SO, Hugh Gill SR, Alex Gonzalez JR, Drew Thomas SR, Gage Van Order SO, Brant Wilson SR, Cody Margetis JR,
Cody Lacrosse SO, Alex Cortes SR, Evan Jenkins SO.
A team that is on the verge on rising to the next level. Sophomore Kevin Eades has enough talent to be in the top 25 individually. Watch for Hugh Gill and Alex Gonzalez to be
pushing Eades. A tight pack could lead to a higher sectional finish.
Grayslake Central
2008 Finish: 9th AA Belvidere Sectional
Coach: James Centella
Returnees:
Will Brewster SO, Ryan Seiffert SR, Kyle Rehberg JR, Jacob Schrempf SO, Brett Seaholm SO, Peter Bernacki JR, Jake Walker SR,
Aaron Wehde JR, Michael Hamilton JR, Ryan Delacruz JR, Scott Carpenter SR, Ben Pavlovich SR.
Coach James Centella has a very young squad returning that will look to make a difference in both their conference and their sectional. Sophomore Will Brewster had a
breakout year in track and will use that momentum this fall. This team could be a year away from being one of the best in their sectional.
Highland
2008 Finish: 8th AA Centralia Sectional
Coach: Doug Bradley
Returnees:
Landon Goldstein SR, Alex McCloud SR, A.J. Abert SO, Chris Widener SR, Nathan Oliveira SR, Dylan Gregg SO,
Jared Schmitz JR, Sam Pellock SR.
A strong nucleus returns for Coach Doug Bradley, who should improve on last season’s sectional performance. Senior Landon Goldstein is the leader of this team along with
Alex McCloud. Sophomore A.J. Abert could surprise people in Southern Illinois this fall.
Johnsburg
2008 Finish: 14th AA Belvidere Sectional
Coach: Chris Setzler
Returnees:
Dan Fox SO, Alex Krebs SO, Nick Krebs JR, Jake Szramek JR, Neil Moulis JR, Danny Schultz SR, Kyle Johann SR, James Ancel JR.
A young squad that may be a year away from being a power. Coach Chris Setzler welcomes back Sophomores Dan Fox and Alex Krebs, who should be two of the top
runners within their conference.
Richmond-Burton
2008 Finish: 12th AA State Meet
Coach: Keith Forth
Returnees:
Ian Sanchez SR (15, 15:26), Matthew Lytle JR (89, 16:20), Richard Kaht SR (125, 16:44), Sean Baker SR (156, 17:26), Ron Navlyt JR.
Coming off their best finish in school history, Coach Keith Forth returns 4 from his 12th place 2008 team. All stater Ian Sanchez will be one of the top runners in the state and
provide low numbers for Forth. Junior Matt Lytle has improved and will key off of Sanchez. This team will need to stay healthy if they wish to go far this fall.
Salem
2008 Finish: 19th AA State Meet
Coach: Geff Purcell
Returnees:
Cory Nix SR (58, 16:00), Thomas Goff SR (122, 16:43), Jacob Heser SO (157, 17:28), Bryce Meigs SO (173, 18:33),
Kolin Clark JR, Adam Hargis SR, Jared White JR, Grayson Purcell SR.
Coach Geff Purcell takes over as Coach for Salem. 4 runners return from last year’s squad that peaked at the right time to make it to Detweiller. Senior Cory Nix will surprise
some onlookers this fall and could be one of the top 30 runners in the state.
Troy Triad
2008 Finish: 11th AA State Meet
Coach: Andy Brendel
Returnees:
Brett Conway SR (42, 15:53), Nathan Armes SR (56, 15:59), Justin Krause JR (126, 16:44), Garrett Grantom JR, Eric Madden JR.
The numbers will be low for Coach Andy Brendel, but they do have quality runners returning from a team that placed 11th in 2008. Senior Brett Conway is an extremely hard
worker and will be in the hunt to place in the top 20 this fall. Also watch for Senior Nathan Armes to push Conway.
Wheaton St. Francis
2008 Finish: 6th AA Aurora Central Catholic Regional
Coach: Scott Nelson
Returnees:
Joe Giamberdino JR, Matt Denny SO, Sean Montague SR, Trevor Holzman JR, Joe Germanos SR, Robert Delphin JR,
Andrew Nelson SR, Ben Graunke SR, Anthony Calderone JR, Mike Kwiatkowski SO, Jack Madigan SO, Ryan Shurski JR.
A young squad for Coach Scott Nelson that will look forward to getting back to Sectionals and eventually state. Senior Sean Montegue had a great track season and will be
one of the top guys for Nelson. This team is capable of having a 25-30 second split. Doing that with having Montegue towards the front could lead to big things for St. Francis.
Yorkville
2008 Finish: 10th AA State Meet
Coach: Chris Muth
Returnees:
Scott King SR (109, 16:35), Jake Callahan SO (140, 16:56), Danny Fish SR, Chris Kellog SO, Dan Schleitwiler SR,
Christian Rodriguez JR, Sam Rorie SO, Braden Clark JR.
Newcomers:
Karl Bomba JR, Kurt Bomba JR (transfers, Newark IL HS)
After running a great state meet, Yorkville will rebuild after losing their top 5 to graduation. Senior Scott King will be the lead man for the Foxes. Watch for Sophomore Jake
Callahan to be close to King. Junior brothers Karl and Kurt Bomba have transferred in from Newark HS, who does not have a running program. They have shown through the
summer that they have the talent to compete with King and will contribute to this young team.
Others To Watch (In Alphabetical Order)
Charleston
2008 Finish: 12th AA Centralia Sectional
Coach: Derrick Landrus
Returnees:
Aaron Smith SR, Jason Lord SR, Jay Daniels SO, Patrick White SO, Justin Kater SR, Colin Slabach SR, Nick Dale SR, Colin Preston JR, Justin Wright JR, Cam Luedke SO.
Newcomers:
Riley McInnerney FR.
Senior Aaron Smith will lead a veteran Charleston squad that will look to contend for their conference crown and to improve on their sectional finish.
Chicago Kenwood
2008 Finish: 9th AA Chicago Jones Sectional
Coach: Ivan Serudi
Returnees:
Omar Tall JR Joseph Laseter JR, Wilson Tan SR, Yusef Hood SO, Tariq Simpkins SR, Deon Morrissette SO, Terrell James JR, Dixon Romeo SO.
A team that could qualify for state, Coach Ivan Serudi has a good group led by Junior Omar Tall…could be one of the top 5 teams in the Chicago Public League.
 Chicago University
2008 Finish: 20th AA State Meet
Coach: Bud James
Returnees:
Robert Meyer JR (110, 16:36), Thomas Aquino JR (123, 16:43), Ben Buchem-Jurrisson JR, Jonathan Worchester JR,
Matt Soble JR, Andrew Palmer SO, Adrian Aldana JR, Shane Selig JR, Shufei Wang SR.
Coach Bud James welcomes 2 runners back from last season’s state qualifying team. A good junior squad will help the top 5 and could be rated towards the end of the season.
DeKalb
2008 Finish: 7th AA Aurora West Regional
Coach: Mike Wolf
Returnees:
Nick Schrader SR (91, 15:33), Hank McPartland SR, Jessie Royer JR, Dalton Bates SO, Matt Shamuluas SO, Justice Magaretto SO,
Justyn Magarotto SO, Jordan Wellman JR, Tom Johnson JR, Kinch Mizell JR.
Coach Mike Wolf will have a young team this year, could surprise some people in AA. Senior Nick Schrader ran well in track and has put himself into position to be one of the
best in AA.
Dixon
2008 Finish: 1st AA State Meet
Coach: Mark Nelson
Returnees:
Zach Payne SO (50, 15:56), Ross Kavanaugh SR, Aaron Grady JR, Blaine Greenwalt JR, Spencer Hill SR, Nile Baker SR, Keenan Corning JR, Dexter Hill JR.
The defending state champs will rebuild after losing 6 to graduation. Sophomore Zach Payne could be one runner that could place in the top 25. There is a good group of runners that ran JV last fall that will be tested in the big meets. Watch for Senior Ross Kavanaugh and Juniors Aaron Grady and Blaine Greenwalt to step up.
Jacksonville
2008 Finish: 11th AA Centralia Sectonal
Coach: Breck Van Bebber
Returnees:
Matt Newton JR (38, 15:52), Levi Haley JR, John Jacobs SO, Jordan Lewis SR, Thomas Bartow SR, Shane Blackley SO,
Micah Fender SO, Ethan Coonce SO, William Cockrell JR.
Jacksonville has a strong group returning led by Junior Matt Newton, who could be one of in the top 15 individually in AA. Will have a good pack after Newton; will need to
keep their 2-5 split to 40 seconds and stay within a minute of Newton this season to place higher in the sectionals.
Jerseyville-Jersey
2008 Finish: AA Centralia Sectional Qualifier
Coach: Harold Landon
Returnees:
Ryan Todd SR (3, 15:05), Troy Pace JR, Dan Wendell JR, Eric Renquadt SR, Brendan Kimble SR, Xane Peters SO
Newcomers:
C.J. Kiel SO, Grant Currie SR, Tyler Lacey JR. (all ran track last season).
This team could surprise in Southern Illinois this fall. Coach Harold Landon returns state #1 returnee Ryan Todd. The senior stated that he would like to make it back to state
this year, but with his teammates. Junior Troy Pace was a member of the state 3200 relay qualifying team along with C.J. Kiel and Grant Currie, and could push this team to
another level.
 Lansing Illiana Christian
2008 Finish: 15th AA State Meet
Coach: Jim Piaskowy (pictured left)
Returnees:
Matt DeJong SR (114, 16:37), Nate Rarick SO (118, 16:38), Paul Tyler SR (142, 16:57), Joey Dystra JR, Ty Hillegonds JR,
Ryan Piaskowy JR, Craig Toren SR, Jason Vanderaa JR, Dave Vandrunen JR, Matt DeVrues SO, Matt Hall SO.
3 runners return from a team that placed 15th in state. A team, if placed in the sectional as last year, will rely on the continued development of Senior Matt DeJong and Sophomore Nate Rarick to return to the state meet.
Lemont
2008 Finish: 17th AA State Meet
Coach: Tim Plotke
Returnees:
Tim Hoster SR (51, 15:57), Matt Lemming SR (117, 16:37), Lee Koepke SR (134, 16:50), Pat Hopkins SR,
It will a rebuilding year for Lemont and Coach Tim Plotke. Senior Tim Hoster has the talent to place in the top 25. This team will grow as the season goes on and could be in
the mix qualifying for state.
Midlothian Bremen
2008 Finish: 21st AA State Meet
Coach: Bill Griffith
Returnees:
Bremen qualified for the state meet for the first time last fall since 1988. Coach Bill Griffith and team would like to repeat that feat again in 2009. The Senior duo of Skylar
Ficht and Luke Bronson will lead this team to possibly back to Peoria.
Mt. Vernon
2008 Finish: 7th AA Centralia Sectional
Coach: Clint Turner
Returnees:
Jared Wilemon SR, Victor Durham SR, Adam Hurst JR, Adam Brookman SR, Aaron Dunn JR, Dustin Ferguson SO, Trace Turner SO, Joe Capps SR.
The Rams and Coach Clint Turner will have to rebuild after losing All State Runner Campbell Walters and Caleb Cross to graduation. Senior Jared Wilemon looks to lead this
Southern Illinois squad to a higher performance in 2009.
Oswego
2008 Finish: 14th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: Dan Whipple
Returnees:
Nick Wiseman SR, Jared Konardy SO, Adam Hiemenez SR, Rafael Goitia JR, Tom Dale JR, Troy Schwerin SO,
Chris Gischler JR, Jake Hampson JR, Mike Marrell SO, Nick Gerlan SO.
Oswego and Coach Dan Whipple look to better last season’s sectional performance. Watch for Senior Nick Wiseman to step up and again lead this team on the course.
Riverside-Brookfield
2008 Finish: 6th AA Chicago Jones Sectional
Coach: Larry Forberg
Returnees:
Justin Porney SR, Erwin Kahrt SR, Chris Schomer JR, Dave Melone SR, Charlie Rock SR, Joey Melone SO, Peter Lyson SR,
Ryan Consadine JR, Chris Reyes SR, Kevin Roman SR.
It has been 30 years since the storied cross country program at Riverside Brookfield has qualified for the state cross country meet. This may be the season. Coach Larry
Forberg welcomes back all 7 from last season’s sectional squad. Senior Justin Porney will lead the Bulldog push towards Peoria.
Rock Island
2008 Finish: 6th AA Galesburg Regional
Coach: Dave Terronez
Returnees:
Cameron Leiby JR, Tyler Wagener SR, Aubrey Barnes SR, Dominique Leone JR, Josh Downing JR, Marcus Gaffney JR,
Eddie Heimbeck JR, Inyase Hakizmana SO, Devontea Young SO, Owen Pomije SR, Jerracho Johnson SR.
Rock Island will have a young but veteran squad returning and hopes to return to the sectionals after just missing out last fall. Junior Cam Leiby is their number 1 returnee and
will look to lead the Rocks.
Rochelle
2008 Finish: 10th AA Belvidere Sectional
Coach: Bruce Anderson
Returnees:
Tim White SR, Ruben Mur King SR, Garrett Carlson SR, Kevin Smith SO, John Wendling SR, Tim Bass SO, Jonny Miller JR,
Israel Belmonte JR, Danny Walsh JR, Devin Hansen SR.
Senior Tim White will be the front man for Coach Bruce Anderson and Rochelle. Watch for Ruben Mur King to push his teammate. The split for this team will have to be
under 90 seconds if they want to place higher in sectional compeitition.
Sandwich
2008 Finish: 15th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: Jeff Smith
Returnees:
Colton Hulen SR, Stephan Clark SR, Dustin Pellegrini SR, Darron Hansen SR, Matt Lundeen SO, Mike Stone SR, Matt Pfaff SR, Jeff Sites SR, Paul Lambert SO.
Coach Jeff Smith returns 2 from last year’s sectional qualifying team. Seniors Stephan Clark and Colton Hulon will lead this team…they have the potential to qualify
individually at the state meet.
Tinley Park
2008 Finish: 8th AA Chicago Jones Sectional
Coach: Scott Frigo
Returnees:
Matt Jemillo JR, Andrew Sebastian JR, Tim O’Brien SO, Max Lapthorne JR, Sebastian Markle SR, Josh Diaz SO,
Adam Sumner SO, John Bellott JR, Ryan Adamski SO.
This is a team that could sneak up on people in the Chicago area sectional. Coach Scott Frigo returns 5 form last year’s 8th place sectional squad. Juniors Matt Jemillo and
Andrew Sebastian will lead this team.
Vernon Hills
2008 Finish: 12th AA Belvidere Sectional
Coach: Michael Roberts
Returnees:
Andrew Thompson SR, Nick Garpow JR, Steven Spieser SR, Spencer Alexander SR, Alex Lang SR, James Baek JR, Kyle Schrems SO, Krishna Mundula SO, Richard Nathaniel SR,
Matthew Langer JR, Daniel Cho SO, Jordan Horwitz SO, Thom Flynn JR.
A tight pack will dictate how far this team goes this year. Coach Michael Roberts lost all-state performer Max Candocia to graduation, but returns the other 6 runners who ran
at sectionals. Senior Andrew Thompson will lead the Vernon Hills pack.
West Chicago Wheaton Academy
2008 Finish: 8th AA Belvidere Sectional
Coach: Bill Bickhart
Returnees:
Kent Smith SR (65, 16:04), Mike DiRenzo SR, Jeremy Mitchell JR, Anthony Lamantia JR, Peter Heidlauf JR, Jerry Budriaz SO, Corbin Sallis JR, David Fisher SO.
All state runner Mark Phillips has graduated, but Coach Bill Bickhart will have two runners that will have a shot of making it to state individually. Senior Kent Smith placed 65th in
2008 and looks to go back; Senior Mike DiRenzo just missed last fall and should be right on Smith. The rest of the squad is young according to Bickhart and will grow competitively
during the season. |
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