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Boys 2009 AAA Individuals Preview
A look at some of the top runners in AAA this season.
Michael Newman
Dyestat Illinois
2009 Boys AAA
Individual Preview
| Lukas Verzbicas will don the Blue & Gold of Sandburg this season, but will he compete?
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Lukas Verzbicas
Sophomore
Orland Park Sandburg
Many questions will come about this talented sophomore…if he does run after the World Triathlon Championships, he will
be considered the man to beat. Last season after a busy triathlon season, he was injured after his conference meet and
was not able to run in the state series. Will the same thing happen again? He has the most talent of any runner in Illinois
this season. His 14:18 5k indoors and his 8:54 at the Midwest Distance Gala are proof of that. If he does run, it will be
interesting to see whether he will go after 13:50.
Aaron Beattie
Senior
Naperville Neuqua Valley
His 2008 Cross Country season was a bit bumpy. Injured early in the season, Beattie came back to place 30th at the state
meet. He confirmed he was back by having a good track season running 4:22 and 9:19 outdoors. “Aaron is extremely
knowledgeable about the sport and keeps guys from deviating from the purpose of the workout,” said his coach Paul
Vandersteen. “ I have trained him very similar to how I trained Chris Derrick in the summer of 2007.” Very talented, he will
be one of the runners to be up front at state.
Nico Composto
Senior
Wilmette Loyola Academy
His 2009 state track meet has already been documented on Dyestat Illinois. The #1 returnee from last year’s state cross
country meet, Composto ran 9:24 and 4:13 in track. The leader of a Loyola team that has a goal of placing high in the
state meet, Composto will be one of the guys to watch in Illinois this fall.
Phil Fairleigh
Senior
Cary-Grove
Will be one of top runners in the state this fall. Fairleigh was with the leaders at the mile, but faded and ended up in 108th.
He has the talent as evidenced by his 9:04 at Prospect in April. A tough competitor who will fight to be in the front pack of
every meet he runs this fall.
Jack Driggs
Junior
Elmhurst York
He only ran 3 varsity races last fall. He ended up placing 40th at state. The reason he will be up towards the front is the
track season he had. Running 4:14 at the Midwest Distance Gala, 9:21 in the 3200, and running a 1:56 split on the
Dukes’ 4x8 relay puts him towards the top this fall. Extremely driven according to his coaches, watch Driggs to be
challenging in state.
Anthony Manfrin
Junior
Carpentersville-Dundee Crown
It was a season that he probably would like to forget. He was towards the front towards the end of the state meet last fall
and completely ran out of energy. At state track, he was disqualified in the 1600 on a “phantom” infraction of running out
of the lane. Nevertheless, he is back and looking to being back towards the front. “Anthony just gets better each step of
the way. From cross to track to summer back to cross... he showed how good is the way he ran at the Midwest Distance
Gala coming off the heartbreak of the State Meet,” said Coach Tom Smith. “He has had a solid summer and looks
forward to taking a step up as a junior. He has some clear cut goals, he knows guys from all around the state and looks
forward to the chance to compete throughout the season, especially the stretch run. He is very gifted, very dedicated to
his running, and has the opportunity to really lead this team.”
Pat Lesiewicz
Senior
Schaumburg
He will open some eyes this fall. The #3 returnee from last year’s meet, Lesiewicz will lead an underated Schaumburg
team back to the State Meet. Running 9:14 and 4:21 last spring, Pat has the determination to be towards the front and
had a good summer of training to back that up. “He has stepped it up as I always expect of seniors and looking forward
to a very good year,” said Schaumburg Coach Jim Macnider.
Tyler Jermann
Junior
Naperville North
A guy that will come out of graduated Kyle Gibson’s shadow this year. Jermann kind of stepped out of that during track
last spring running 9:17 and 4:26. “Tyler looks stronger than ever,” said Coach David Racey.”His finishing the track
season on a high note should propel him to a good xc season.” Will be the main guy to push his teammates to a higher
level this fall.
Martin Grady
Senior
Oak Park Fenwick
Some fans have already written this senior off, but Grady will be in the mix for the individual championship. Not noted as
a track runner, Grady still ran 9:30 for 3200 meters. He had an excellent summer, especially at Wisconsin Summer Camp
of Champions, where he was in the lead group. His grittiness is one of the attributes that will lead him to the front in November.
Kevin McDowell
Junior
Geneva
Like Verzbicas, we had to include this junior in here. Did not run track but concentrated on the triathlon where he will
compete in the World Championships in September. He has confirmed that he will be running with Geneva after the
Championships…he will be in good shape and in the mix of the top 10 in November.
Other top runners to watch in AAA
(in alphabetical order)
Chano Bernardo
Senior
Palatine
An extremely hard worker, this returning all state runner will be the key to the Palatine success this fall.
Alec Bollman
Senior
Palatine
Had a breakout season in track running 1:56 and 4:16, Alec will be on the verge of greatness this fall for Palatine
Donald DeSalvo
Junior
Darien Hinsdale South
Along with his brother Matthew, will be in the hunt for all-state honors this fall.
Mark Donohue
Senior
Wilmette Loyola Academy
Just missed making all state last fall, he should not miss this season. One of the reasons why Loyola will challenge for
the state championship this fall.
Adam Cecil
Senior
Elmhurst York
Injuries hampered his junior season. Now healthy and running with Smith and Driggs, he forms a strong trio that hopes to
bring a state championship back to Elmhurst.
Jake Ferris
Senior
Plainfield South
Had a good track season, is on the verge of having a breakout year in Cross Country.
Aaron Ferst
Senior
Palatine Fremd
Placed 34th last fall, a runner that will be noticed in the MSL and statewide this fall.
Noah Graboys
Senior
Winnetka New Trier
After a season where he recovered from a stomach illness, Graboys is healthy and will be challenging in the Top 25 in 2009.
David Groeber
Junior
Aurora Waubonsie Valley
Extremely hard worker that could surprise some people at the end of the season.
Bob Guthrie
Senior
Naperville North
The migraine that he had at state meet last fall was not enough to stop Naperville North from wining the state team title.
He is fit and ready to challenge for an all-state spot for the Huskies.
Angelos Karkalis
Senior
Rolling Meadows
Had a breakout season in track, his summer training indicates he will be towards the top of the state this fall.
Photis Karkalis
Senior
Rolling Meadows
Along with his brother, this Rolling Meadows senior will surprise some this fall.
Drew Kerscheiter
Junior
Normal Community West
A key to Normal West’s hopes in state meet this fall. Kerscheiter’s injury hampered their hopes in 2008. Back, fit, driven
are 3 words that describe this runner, he will be pushing towards the front in 2009.
Tommy King
Junior
Winnetka New Trier
Had a breakout season in track running 9:37, 4:21, and a 1:56 for the Trevians 4x8 relay. Will be one of the reasons for
New Trier’s success this fall.
Kevin Jacobs
Senior
Rockton Hononegah
Had a breakout performance of 9:21 at the Midwest Distance Gala, Jacobs will lead a talented Hononegah squad to the
state meet this fall.
Steve Loran
Junior
Aurora West
May step out in the spotlight in the DVC this season, this Aurora West Junior will be one of the top runners in suburbs this year.
Dan Mazar
Junior
Edwardsville
Almost did not run for Edwardsville but his family decided to stay in Edwardsville this season. Talented runner that will
push his teammate Sweatt.
Andrew Morrison
Senior
Lake Zurich
Has the talent to place high, will the guy guaranteed to score low points for Lake Zurich this year.
Henry Mynatt
Senior
Lake Forest
One of the most improved runners in the state, Mynatt placed 69th last season. He will lead a tight pack towards a
championship this fall.
Andrew Sandoval
Junior
Plainfield North
A runner who completely came out of the woods last year to place 18th, Sandoval will not be overlooked this year.
Matt Schacht
Senior
Elmhurst York
Very underrated, he ran 15:12 at Detweiller early last season before getting injured. He is healthy…and out to prove last
year’s performance was no fluke.
Malachy Schlobhagen
Sophomore
Oak Park-River Forest
Out for cross country for his first time, he opened eyes by running 9:31 in track as a freshman. Will challenge the top
guys in the West Suburban Silver and State.
Michael Scolarici
Junior
O'Fallon
Had an outstanding track season running 4:23 and 9:25, will lead a tough O’Fallon team back to state.
Jack Seeberg
Senior
Wilmette Loyola Academy
Part of a tough trio that will be the cornerstone for success for Loyola this fall.
Ben Silver
Junior
Downers Grove North
Placed 17th last fall in the state meet, Silver will be in the mix as one of the top runners in the state.
Andrew Smith
Senior
Elmhurst York
Had a great summer of training and is running step by step with Driggs. Truly underrated in Illinois, he should be in the top 10 this fall.
Kevin Sparks
Senior
Geneva
Will be one of the leaders of a Geneva squad that looks forward to challenging this fall at state.
Garrett Sweatt
Sophomore
Edwardsville
Looks to be one of the strongest runners in the South, Sweatt had a great track season and will push to be in the top 10 this fall.
Sam Telfer
Junior
LaGrange Lyons Township
Will be one of the runners to watch for Lyons this fall, he will improve on his 22nd place finish of last year.
Luke Verbus
Senior
Naperville Neuqua Valley
The leader of the pack in Naperville, Verbus will emerged as the leader of the group that will challenge for a state championship.
Jake Waterman
Senior
Wheaton North
Along with his brother James, he is out for cross country for the first time. Both of them should be in the hunt for the top
25 in the state.
James Waterman
Senior
Wheaton North
His first year out for cross country, James , along with his brother Jake, will be the main reason why Wheaton North will
surprise people this fall.
Cody Webster
Junior
East Moline United
Will one of the top runners in Western Illinois, ran 4:22 in track, should improve on last season’s performance.
Nate Young
Senior
Lombard Glenbard East
After a subpar track season, Young is looking towards a successful cross country season where he will be among the elite in Illinois. |
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