 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boys AA Top 25 Teams Preview
Michael Newman
2009 Dyestat Ilinois
Boys Cross Country AA Team Preview
Top 25 Teams
 1. Belvidere North
2008 Finish: 2nd AA State Meet
Coach: Troy Yunk
Returnees:
Paul Zeman JR (27, 15:43), Carl Rapp JR (31, 15:48), Logan Volkey JR (43, 15:53), Bruyn Yunk JR (66, 16:04)
Nathan Konen SR, Jon Cardenas SR, Erik Fielder JR, Will Crocker SO, John Ollman JR, Cole Considine SO,
James Linkenheld JR, Brandon Mack JR.
Newcomers:
TylerYunk FR, Garrett Lee FR.
This school has only been open for starting its 3rd year. For the cross country program in its first two years, Belvidere North has finished 3rd in 2007 and
last season they missed winning by 3 points. Will there be one more step up this season? Coach Troy Yunk welcomes back 4 runners back from last
season’s 2nd place team. With that, Belvidere North is rated #1 in our Dyestat Illinois AA Boys Preseason Ratings.
“This year we will count on our Junior class to step up and run more consistent now that they are older and very experienced,” said Coach Yunk. The guy to watch to lead this
season will be Junior Paul Zeman. This junior was hampered by injuries at the end of last season, but rebounded well in track. He should be among the elite in AA this fall. Junior
Carl Rapp ran well last year and state and has the capability of placing in the top 15 this fall. Logan Volkey, who’s father won the AA state title in 1978, will be another who will be
towards the front for North along with Junior Bruyn Yunk. “Paul, Bruyn, Logan and Carl have been together since middle school and will need to take on more leadership
responsibilities and work together to make our team a strong unit.”
Senior Nate Konen, who was in the top 7 two years ago, will be counted on more this season since there is not as much depth as they’ve had for the last two years. Also watch for
Sophomore Will Crocker, or two freshmen Tyler Yunk and Garrett Lee to contribute. This was a team that was beaten by a better squad last season. Even though there could be
only 1 senior in the top 7, there is more experience than most other schools. I don’t think I would want to bet against this school this time around. They could have 4 all state
runners by the time the race is over in November.
Paul Zeman will lead
Belvidere North this season
2. Metamora
2008 Finish: 6th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: Gene Jones
Returnees:
Stephan Rauh SR (18, 15:28), Ryan Van Fossem SR, Kevin Kamm JR, Ryan Donnelly SR, Chase Anderson SR, Clayton Gale SR,
Allen Schaidle SR, Greg Coffman SR, Michael Crotteau SO, Jordan Rauh SO, Michael Dawson SO.
In a loaded sectional last season where 6 out of the state’s top 11 teams competed, Metamora was the odd team out missing to run at Detweiller by 11 points. This will be a season
of redemption for the “Runnin’ Red”. This team will be senior oriented and will look to rebound from what happened last fall. Returning All-State runner Stephan Rauh returns to lead
Metamora. He plays tennis in the spring, but he has improved each of the last two seasons doing the same thing, we could see that kind of improvement this season. Ryan Van
Fossem has the capability of running with Rauh and will have to for success of this team. The lone junior in the top 7 will be Kevin Kamm, who was close to Van Fossem at the end
of last season. Coach Gene Jones has a talented group to work with. It they can keep their 1-5 split under 50 seconds this year, they could return from Detweiller with a trophy.
3. Springfield
2008 Finish: 6th AA State Meet
Coach: Dan Devlin
Returnees:
Matt Havey SR (26, 15:42), Justin Lee SR (53, 15:57), Michael Simon SO (68, 16:06), Tyler Pence JR (73, 16:12),
Michael Upperman JR (97, 16:26), Cameron Stuba JR, Tyler Gill JR, Eli Seidman JR, Jon Moore SO, David Thomas JR,
William Roberg SR, Seth Reggle SO.
Springfield High was rated as high as #2 last fall. But Coach Dan Devlin’s team could not escape the injury bug. Devlin welcomes back 5 runners from last season’s 6th place squad
that are looking for a higher place. Seniors Matt Havey and Justin Lee will battle it out for the top spot for Devlin. Havey just missed out making All-State; he should make it this time
around. Underclassmen Michael Simon, Tyler Pence, Michael Upperman, and Cameron Stuba have one more year of experience under their belt and will step up for the Senators.
This is a team that has been rated high the last couple of years. This could be the year for Dan Devlin and his team.
 4. Oak Forest
2008 Finish: 14th AA State Meet
Coach: Gary Andruch
Returnees:
Ed McDaniel SR (14, 15:24), Patrik Gandhi SR (25, 15:36), Alex Carey JR (98, 16:26), T.J. Ryan SR (111, 16:36), John Driver JR (120, 16:42),
Rick Rodriguez SR (136, 16:51), Ryan Wasielewski JR, Pat Steff JR, Tony Burke JR, John Kawulia SO, Brandon Ivans SO, Ryan Tavis JR.
Last season, Coach Gary Andruch and his Oak Forest entered uncharted water that no other Oak Forest team had entered. “Most of our guys did not know what to
expect and our inexperience showed,” said Andruch. Their 14th place finish was a natural step in the learning curve. Andruch returns his top 6 from that team that will
be hungry to get back to Peoria.
Andruch returns All-Staters Ed McDaniel and Patrik Gandhi to his team. McDaniel had a good summer of experience in Australia and will use that to help his racing
this fall. Gandhi had a good track season and his improvement will help him with his racing this season… He should be closer to McDaniel this fall. There is a good
supporting cast behind these two all-staters headed by Junior Alex Carey and Junior John Driver. With the state meet under their belt, this Oak Forest should not be
as intimidated this time around. There will be a gap between McDaniel/Gandhi and the rest of the team. If they can keep it to 35 seconds, this team may get a state
trophy. “The main thing is for us to stay healthy and continue our progression until November,” added Andruch.
The 2008 Oak Forest Cross Country team at the Jones Sectional
5. Maple Park Kaneland
2008 Finish: 8th AA State Meet
Coach: Chad Clarey
Returnees:
Matt Reusche SR (20, 15:31), Dominic Furco SR (52, 15:57), Logan Markuson SR (82, 16:16), Edgar Valle SR (95, 16:24),
Trevor Holm JR (100, 16:28), Tyler Howland SR (160, 17:33), Grant Alef JR, Joe Levita SR, Clayton Brundige SO, Jake Ginther SO,
Sean Pawlleck SR, Tom Whittaker JR
Coach Chad Clarey returns 5 from a squad that placed in the top 10 last year at the AA state meet. “Our summer training went very well, and our seniors seem very
well prepared,” said Coach Clarey. “ Matt Reusche, Logan Markuson, Edgar Valle, Dominic Furco, and Trevor Holm all ran together throughout the summer. They
have a nice base to build on.” Matt Reusche will be the lead man for the Knights. Reusche had a great state meet last fall placing 20th and should be in position to
place in the top 10 this season. One runner to watch is Logan Markuson. In the spring, he participates in the Pole Vault and the Hurdles…and quite good at it. He was
an all-state performer in the Pole Vault. Last fall, he started out slow and came on strong during the state series…watch for him to be even better this year.
This team will not sneak up on anyone this fall. Coach Clarey has a good bunch that is focused on being the best at the beginning of November. The potential of this
team having a 35 split on 1-5 is very possible. Reusche, Valle, and Furco all have a good shot to be all-state…and if this happens, Kaneland has a good shot of
bringing back a trophy to Maple Park.
6. Crystal Lake Central
2008 Finish: 7th AA State Meet
Coach: Bill Eschman
Returnees:
Ryan Alvarez SR (33, 15:49), Chris Sirridge JR (67, 16:06), Michael Bondi JR (69, 16:07), Eric Loria JR (90, 16:21)
Connor Sterchi JR, Kevin Scott SR, Bo Dellamaria JR, Elias Peters JR, Gabe Niemann SR, Paul Duntemann SR, Brandon Solarte SO.
The Tigers had a good possibility of placing in the top 5 last fall…until Ryan Alvarez came down with mono and was not firing on all cylinders. Nevertheless, Crystal lake
Central placed in the top 10. Carson Sterchi has graduated, but Alvarez is back and the hopes for Bill Eschman’s team are high. 4 runners return from last year’s state
team looking to improve on last year’s performance.
All eyes will be on Senior Ryan Alvarez this fall in Crystal Lake. Alvarez would have been in the top 5 if he had not gotten ill. At the Palatine Invite, he placed 7th 16
seconds behind Steve Sulkin of York, who ran 14:19 at the state meet a month later. The potential of this runner is limitless. If he can stay healthy, He will challenge for
the championship. After Alvarez, Eschman will rely on a junior squad led by Chris Sirridge, Michael Bondi, Eric Loria, and Connor Sterchi. This group ran close to each
other last year…which is the formula on how you win state meets. Also watch for Senior Kevin Scott to be in the mix for the top 5. This is a team that will be tested in a
tough Fox Valley Conference by AAA powers Cary-Grove and Dundee-Crown. Those tests will get them ready for the state series…and possibly coming back to Crystal
Lake with a state trophy.
7. Galesburg
2008 Finish: 3rd AA State Meet
Coach: Craig Hillier
Returnees:
Gabe Moreno SR (17, 15:27), Luke Junk SR (62, 16:01), Will Remmes JR (88, 16:19), Josh Link SO (130, 16:54).
Marty McNamara SR, Mike Darling JR, Rodney Camper SR, Josh Thomas SR.
The Galesburg Cross Country Team last fall was not in the spotlight of teams that could get a trophy at state meet. Nevertheless, Coach Craig Hillier’s team was at their best the
last 3 weeks of the year and they returned to Galesburg with a trophy for 3rd place. 4 runners from that squad return to try to go a little higher. “We have had an outstanding summer
in which we had great attendance during our contact days,” said Hillier. “ I would say that in my 5 years this would be the most kids I have had to put in some serious mileage over
the past couple of months.”
Senior Gabe Moreno placed 18th last fall to earn all state honors. His track season was not to his liking, which has spurred him on to train harder this summer. Moreno will be one of
those runners that will be in contention for the individual title. Senior Luke Junk and Junior Will Remmes have improved vastly over the summer; don’t be surprised if this duo is
flirting with positions in the top 25 come state meet time. Watch for Sophomore Josh Link and Senior Marty McNamara fighting it out for the next two spots. The Streaks have
improved on their performance at state meet each of the last 3 years. “We have made it to state 3 years in a row and obviously we have to get to the dance to take it,” said Hillier.
“Year 1 was to get there. Year two was top 10. Year three was a trophy. This year...to win it all!” They have the talent to do it…they will just have to stay healthy if they want to
have a shot of placing higher than last fall.
| | CJ Elward of Peoria Notre Dame
|
8. Peoria Notre Dame
2008 Finish: 9th AA State Meet
Coach: Mike Sullivan
Returnees:
C.J. Elward SR (23, 15:35), Matt Birkel SR (41, 15:53), J.D. Wynn SR (46, 15:54), Mike Birkel JR (135, 16:50), Tom Hanley JR (159, 17:31),
Carl Elward SO, Joe Gorman JR, Paul Fortin JR, Alex Roberts SR, Hank San German JR, Dan Snodgrass JR.
They did not run their best race of the season at the state meet and the place they got reflected that. 5 runners return from that squad that will be running with a chip on
their shoulder out to prove that last season was a fluke. The one runner that is driven by last fall’s performance is Notre Dame’s #1 returnee, Senior Clay Elward. Last
spring he was on a mission to show that his 23rd place finish should have not happened. Elward controlled the AA 3200 and won in 9:24. “Last Cross Country’s
performance drove me to train differently…I wanted this race so bad,” Elward said after that performance in May. His example has pushed his teammates to be their very
best. Senior J.D. Wynn had a great track season and will build off of that. Senior Matt Birkel might have been the one runner that ran up to his potential last fall. But his
training this summer will reflect how much he has improved. Coach Mike Sullivan has 4 solid runners but he will need to find a fifth to stay close to Mike Birkel. Watch for
Sophomore Carl Elward and Junior Tom Hanley to contend for that. This team has a lot of firepower up front..we will have to wait to see how their 5-7 guys develop
during the season. Nevertheless, Peoria Notre Dame should be in the hunt for a trophy at state.
9. Woodstock
2008 Finish: 6th AAA Woodstock Regional
Coach: Marty Szcobak
Returnees:
Phillip Meyer JR, Dan Howe SR, J.D. Fuller JR, Townshend Peters SR, Carl Peterson SR, Jake Bourassa SR, Tom Semmen SO,
Jake Leinweber JR, David Hess SR, Jon Larson JR, Cameron Fyfe JR
A squad that may benefit the most from moving to AA. Woodstock might have been a team in AAA this fall that would have been ranked anywhere from 26-50. But
with their move to AA, this team has enough talent to contend for a spot in the AA meet. Juniors J.D. Fuller and Phillip Meyer will battle for the top spot on this team.
He ran 10:05 last spring, but his summer was good and will be in the hunt for one of the top runners in the Fox Valley Conference. Meyer was injured early in the track
season. He is healthy again and running tough. He will be the one runner to push Fuller. Senior Carl Peterson is the “whip” and the leader of this team. His examples
during the summer have pushed others to a different level. Watch for Dan Howe, who is rounding into shape and Sophomore Tom Semmen to battle for a top 5 spot.
“If we run at our best this season it will be because Meyer and Fuller develop as consistent front-runners, and our pack follows Peterson's lead in keeping the split
low,” said Assistant Coach Bill Macauley. “Our team expects to place well in the Fox Valley Conference - we believe if we do that we will give ourselves an
opportunity to succeed in the state series.” Not a lot of fans know about this squad, people will by the time the state series begins.
10. Aurora Marmion Academy
2008 Finish: 6th AAA St. Charles East Sectional
Coach: Dan Billish
Returnees:
Ben Kanute JR, Zack Young SR, Chris Hebert JR, Bennett Marsh JR, Matt Wenzel JR, Matt West SR, Rich Parilla SO, Ryan Lifka SR,
Nolan Dickson SO, Todd Johnson JR.
Here is another former AAA school looking to make a statement in AA. Dan Billish is the new Marmion coach. This squad lost 3 “Division I athletes”, led by Andrew Larsen, to
graduation. The talent is there for Marmion to make a push in their new classification. 4 return from a team that just missed from making it down in AAA. This may have been rated
higher in this preseason rating but the status for Junior Ben Kanute is yet to be determined. Kanute has qualified for World Triathlon Championships and will return later in
September. Senior Zach Young and Juniors Chris Hebert and Bennett Marsh will pick up the slack until Kanute returns. Also watch for Junior Matt Wentzel, who was injured all of
last season, to contribute in the top 5. This school will challenge for a trophy this fall. “We have set high, yet attainable, goals for the fall. We look to win a Regional and
Sectional title and wind up the season with a trophy come November,” said Billish.”We will need to be hitting on all cylinders for this to happen, but in comparison of teams' I have
coached in the past, they are near the top in talent. We are a young team, but hopefully the experience from last year will pay dividends when championship season arrives.”
11. Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge
2008 Finish: 14th AAA St Charles East Sectional
Coach: Judd Shutt
Returnees:
Mitch Wilkins SO, Matt Neubauer SR, Alex Wagner SR, Marc DiVerde JR, Quinn Revak SR, Joe Behler SR, Matt Tunnicliffe SR, Nate Long SO,
A.J. Laska JR, Ben Chow SR, Tommy McMeekin SO, Michael Sladek SR.
Another school from AAA will push towards the top in AA. Coach Judd Shutt returns the majority of its squad that ran at sectionals last fall. There are no superstars on this team.
The Wolves will rely on a pack to succeed. Sophomore Mitch Wilkins and Senior Matt Neubauer will be the two that Shutt will look towards to lead. “Our depth is decent, but like
every year, working through the day to day grind, staying healthy, and keeping a strong 5 man will decide what comes of our season,” said Shutt. Will challenge in the Fox Valley
Conference, but it will depend where they go sectional wise how far they will go.
12. Mahomet-Seymour
2008 Finish: 7th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: Neal Garrison
Returnees:
John Prillaman JR, Lucas Prather SO, Henry Wolf SR, John Butcher JR, Matthew Schapp SO. Caleb Johnson SR, Zach Rausch SR,
Evan Forbes JR, Alex Williams SR, Joe Nusbaum SR.
Placed in the tough East Peoria Sectional last fall, Mahomet Seymour had an individual, Jacob Mahaffey, qualify for the state meet but the team just missed out.
Coach Neal Garrison hopes that they can go a little higher in 2009. Garrison returns 5 from last year’s sectional team. Junior John Prillaman had a great improvement
last fall and will look to build off that momentum this fall. “This is the best group I have coached,” said Garrison. “They are extremely nice, hard
working and the most talented group I have coached. It will be a fun year for me as a coach.”
13. Peoria Richwoods
2008 Finish: 9th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: Todd Hursey
Returnees:
Thomas Harayda SR, Trevor Johnson SR, Skarren Cosse SR, Stephen Flippin SR, Trevor Holdham JR, Austin Howard SR,
Zak Lee-Richerson JR, Tyler Siegrist JR.
Even though they lost team leader Josh Battles to graduation, Coach Todd Hurley’s Richwoods team should be a force in Central Illinois this fall. Seniors Thomas
Harayda, Trevor Johnson, and Skaaren Cosse will all be in front leading the Richwoods pack. Hard to tell whether this team will have a front runner, so it will have to
depend on a tight 30-35 split on its pack to make it to the state meet.
14. Normal University
2008 Finish: 4th AA State Meet
Coach: Lester Hampton
Returnees:
James Clay JR (5, 15:09), Ryan Rutherford JR (54, 15:58), Ian Walling SR (105, 16:30), Wil Ward SR (130, 16:48).
Conrad Brown SR, Nathaniel Bass SR, Austin Butorac SO, Stephen Huska JR, Mitchell Houska JR, Alex Chavez SO.
Newcomers:
Jordan Kilhoffer JR, Alex Parlette JR (both played soccer last year.), C.J Hamilton (transfer from California).
Just missing out on a trophy last fall, Lester Hampton’s squad looks to improve on that finish. 4 runners return from the 2008 team. Junior James Clay will be among
the elite in AA this fall. Clay, who finished 5th in 2008, has the talent to push for the individual championship. Junior Ryan Rutherford had vast improvement towards
the end of last season. Watch for Rutherford to be in the hunt for the top 25 individually. The next pack led by Seniors Will Ward and Ian Walling will need to be within
20 seconds of Rutherford. Don’t worry about the 1-5 split on this team, keep an eye on the 2-5 split to see if this team succeeds. “If the leadership on this year's team
proves to be equal to last year,” said Hampton, “ then I would not be surprised to see this group running with the best by season's end.”
15. Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin
2008 Finish: 18th AA State Meet
Coach Ed Gaffigan
Returnees:
Sean Ryan SR (74, 16:12), Brian McMahon SR (87, 16:17), Eric Delvo JR (128, 16:45), Martin Fisher JR (141, 16:56),
Michael Ralph JR (162, 17:45), Mason Switzer SR (166, 18:05), Michael Schaddel SR, Sean Orlando SR, Ian Satler JR,
Michael Kelley SO, Pat Root JR, Harold Osborn SR, Joey Showtis SR.
Last year’s team was very young and some experts did not expect this team to make it to state. SHG did qualify to state, and will use last year’s experience to build
towards this season. Coach Ed Gaffigan returns 6 from the 2008 state team. Seniors Sean Ryan and Brian McMahon for Gaffigan. They had great improvement
during the season…it would not surprise me to see these two in the top 30 this season. “Our goals there are to compete hard every meet, go to State and give a good
account of ourselves,” said Gaffigan.
16. Sycamore
2008 Finish: 5th AA State Meet
Coach: Michael Lambdin
Returnees:
Tyson Kinsley SR (7, 15:17), Steven Konwinski SR (59, 16:01), Ryan Fraedrich SR (103, 16:29), Brett Harto SR (148, 17:01),
Riley Powers SO, Mitchell Aase SR, Chris Hammes SR, Kristian Kates SR, Matt Loelike SR, Zach Aase SO, Jason Clayson SO,
Jacob Brundies SO, Stephen Grimson JR, Aaron Klein SR.
4 runners return from last year’s fifth place team for Coach Michael Lambdin. Senior Tyson Kinsley, who is the 3rd returnee from last year’s state meet, is determined
to be the best in the state. Senior Steven Kowinski has improved from last fall and he too could be in the top 25. One runner to watch is Sophomore Riley Powers.
Lambdin considers Powers the best runner on this team that no one knows about. Powers could be running with Kowinski this fall. Sycamore has gained the
reputation of peaking at the right time…expect that to happen again in 2009. “We believe we can be better than last year’s team,” said Lambdin. “ Based on the
returning runners from 2008’s top teams, we are going to have to be better. The 2009 state series will be extremely competitive.”
17. Chatham-Glenwood
2008 Finish: 6th AA Centralia Sectional
Coach: Mike Johnson
Returnees:
Brian Dixon SR, Aaron Enteman SR, Michael Zink JR, Luke Harness SR, Pat Gray SR, Ryan Anderson JR, Connor Jones JR,
Whitt Kinley SO, Tyler Landess JR, Nick Fuchs SR, Brandon Kicher SO.
Coach Mike Johnson returns 5 from a squad that just missed qualifying for the state meet in 2008. Senior Brian Dixon should be one of the top runners in the Central
State 8 and one of the better runners in Southern Illinois. Glenwood usually depends on a tight pack and I believe that this will not change this year. Look for Junior Ryan
Anderson, who was injured last season, to be in the top 5 to push this squad back into the state race.
18. Champaign Centennial
2008 Finish: 9th AA Centralia Sectional
Coach: Greg Walters
Returnees:
Ryan Root SR (35, 15:50), Blas Garcia-Conga SO, Anooj Avashia SR, David Kessler SO, Jackson Shodelbower SO, Pedro Hernandez SO,
Todd Robinson SR, Jack Zhao SR, Andrew Allen JR, Tony Wort JR.
A team that was not ranked at all last fall, make it into our preseason ratings. Coach Greg Walters welcomes back 5 who ran a great sectional race and finished in the
top 10. This time around could be different. Senior Ryan Root finished 35th last fall. He had a good track season and will look to build off that momentum. Centennial will
have to rely on a tight pack behind Root. One thing that might be an advantage is the sectional moving to Decatur from Centralia, which will be less stress of travel
this team.
19. Glen Ellyn Glenbard South
2008 Finish: 7th AA Belvidere Sectional
Coach: Andy Preuss
Returnees:
Grant Gibson JR, Kyle Berenschot JR, Collin White JR, Mike Howard JR, Dave McGrath JR, Jon Woldman SR, Arsal Shareef JR,
Nathien Cerda SO, Nick Rosetti JR, William Van Eijk SR.
A young squad with loads of experience, Glenbard South looks to return to the state meet. Coach Andy Preuss welcomes back 5 runners from a team that placed 7th in a
tough Belvidere Sectional. 5 juniors will be in the top 5 led by Grant Gibson and Kyle Berenschot. The loss of sophomore Andrew Mole, who moved to Alaska, will hurt
this team. If this team can keep its split under 45 seconds, its chances will grow to get to the state meet.
20. Dunlap
2008 Finish: 13th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: Joe Weskus
Returnees:
Johnny Crain SR, Ryan Vahle JR, Brandon Anderson SO, Mark Gilles SR, Randy West SR, Nick Gonwa SO, Drew Angerkine SO,
Zach Reed SR, Zach Sadler SR, Noah Vance SO, Nick Bjerke SO.
Newcomers:
Zach Plank FR.
A team that was hurt with injuries last fall, this team will be vastly improved in 2009. Joe Weskus has a good group returning led by Senior Johhny Crain and Junior Ryan
Vahle. Crain was hurt most of last fall, but rebounded to have a strong track season. He will build off of that. High praise from Weskus came towards Freshman Zach
Plank, who could be a part of the top 7 by the state series. This team will challenge in the Mid Illini Conference…making it out of a tough Peoria area sectional may be
tough but not improbable.
21. Geneseo
2008 Finish: 8th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: Don Fredericks
Returnees:
Thomas Sigwalt JR, Carlisle Evans-Peck SR, Kyle Reiling SO, Chad Ford SR, Brandon Smith JR, Ian Mattan SR, Tyler Timmermann SR, Andrew
Kellogg SR, John Mullin JR.
Newcomers:
Paul West SR (from soccer), Jordan Starky FR, Marcus Gaynon FR.
22. Lake Villa Lakes
2008 Finish: 11th AA Belvidere Sectional
Coach: Andrew Schroeder
Returnees:
Blake Franson JR, Grant Franson SR, Jim Doran SR, Nick Lucy SR, Danny McGrath JR, Josh Camp SO, Kyle White SR,
John Sieracke SR, Nick Lillig SR.
Newcomers:
Ryan Praise FR.
Coach Andrew Schroeder will look to improve on last season’s sectional performance. Junior Blake Franson should be the key man for Schroeder. His brother Grant should
be up there pushing Blake. Sophomore Josh Camp had a great summer and will look to be one of the top 5. Freshman Ryan Praise looks to be in the top 5 by the end of
September. Watch for this team to be in the top half of the North Suburban Conference…if they can keep their gap below 75 seconds, they will improve their sectional performance.
23. Morton
2008 Finish: 16th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: Joel Zehr
Returnees:
Joe Zeller JR, Dale Domnick SR, Austin Bradford SO, Nathan Smith SR, Nick Piper JR, Tate Houhlin SR, Isaac Ackerman JR, Nick Kaiser JR.
Coach Joel Zehr welcomes back a group that looks to challenge in a tough Mid-Illini Conference. Junior Joe Zeller will look to be the lead man for Zehr. Watch for this
team to improve on their sectional finish of last season.
24. Bensenville Fenton
2008 Finish: 13th AA State Meet
Coach: John Kurtz
Returnees:
Rob Howe JR (55, 15:58), Michael Harkins JR (99, 16:28), Jonathan Torres SO (144, 16:57), Eric Hermansen SR (154, 17:08),
Christopher Hernandez SO, Horacio Gomez SO, Basil Huang SR, Miguel Rosas SO, Greg Sparacio JR, Jonathan Schwengler JR.
Veteran Coach John Kurtz lost his top two runners to graduation, but has a good cast back and will look to make it back to Peoria. The junior duo of Rob Howe and
Michael Harkins gained a ton of experience last season that should parlay into a good year this fall. Kurtz has a good group of sophomores returning. They will need to
step up quickly for this team to rise in the ratings and on to state.
25. Bloomington
2008 Finish: 10th AA East Peoria Sectional
Coach: John Szabo
Returnees:
Kyle O’Daniel JR, Brian Meyer SR, Joe Roig JR, Luc Dinkins JR, Reid Golowski SR, Sam Redd SR, Coleman Mullenix SO,
Chance Leathers SO, Alex Niemann SR, Aaron Schneider JR.
4 runners return for Coach John Szabo and will look to bounce up higher in their sectional. Junior Kyle O’Daniel will be challenged by Senior Brian Mayer as the lead
men for Szabo. Junior Joe Roig has a minor ankle injury and will look to be in the top 5 by the middle of September. This team has the talent and capability to have a
tighter pack this season. If that happens, they could have a shot to make it to Peoria in November as a team. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
