It is actually still track and field season in the bigger picture as the peak of the summer has arrived. But at the same time in the high school distance world, there are many teams and individuals who are getting ready for the fall cross country season and the road to Peoria and Detweiller Park this November. All across the state, girls and boys are logging their miles in hope of reaching whatever goals they have set for themselves.
Coaches have the right to conduct practices during the contact days period. This hands-on timeline gives instructors the time to work on many aspects of coaching and teaching. They will not be allowed to have physical contact or participation with their respective teams two weeks prior to the official start of the season that begins August 14. The first team competition may be held on August 26.
Although the official season is still more than a month away from starting, yours truly has decided to get the sparks flying earlier than normal. The following opinions and views are subject to change before the full official team and individual previews come out in August.
Boys (top 5)
1. O’Fallon
2. Elmhurst York
3. Winnetka New Trier
4. Downers Grove North
5. Wheaton-Warrenville South
O’Fallon-
Head Coach: Jon Burnett
Top returners: Patrick Perrier (Sr.), Evan Wesslund (Sr.), Adam Becker (Sr.), Dustan Davidson (So.), Dorrian Gordon (Jr.), Brennan Koester (Sr.), Steve Chorma (Sr.).
Quick Outlook: This formable team has been knocking at the door for the top spot for several years and it appears they may finally have what it takes to finally reach the mountain top in November and beyond. Perrier will lead a squad that return six of its top seven runners from last year’s state runner-up squad. The Panthers have a solid support system behind Perrier with Davidson, Becker, Westlund, and Koester. The key to winning a state championship is always the 1-5 scoring split, but it may be overrated a bit with a national class runner Perrier in charge. So expect the 2-5 split fight to be air tight throughout the season.
Elmhurst York-
Head Coach: Joe Newton
Top returners: Nathan Mroz (Sr.), Matt Plowman (Jr.), Alex Bashqawi (Sr.), Kyle Mattes (Sr.), Nathan Dale (Jr.), Connor York (Jr.), John May (So.).
Quick outlook: This may not be the Dukes best team on paper but it will be very good of course no matter who lines up on the starting line. The old saying goes “winning breeds winning” and York does it better than anyone else. Despite the graduation of some fleet talent like Scott Milling, Alex Mimlitz, and Scott May, the Dukesters will continue to be a state championship and national qualifier threat. Mattes is the team’s top returner from state (23rd) but he missed the entire ’13 track season. If he can return in a similar position this fall then tremendous heat will be put on O’Fallon and other threats. Mroz enjoyed a solid track season as did the emerging Bashqawi in the middle-distance department. They both will be top 25 candidates. The supporting cast will need to follow the ‘Long Green Line’ way to reach another state title and beyond.
Winnetka New Trier-
Head Coach: Dave Wisner
Top returners: Peter Cotsirilos (Sr.), Chase Silverman (Sr.), Austin Santacruz (Jr.), Charlie Pearleman (Jr.), Bennett Levis (Sr.), Connor Trapp (Jr.), Ted Oh (So.), Om Kanwar (Jr.).
Quick outlook: The talk around Winnetka will be on the boy’s team this fall after the girls have garnered so much attention on the strength of the “Wonder twins” Courtney and Jessica Ackerman the past four years. The boys return a wealth of quality distance runners from finished 14th last fall in Peoria. Cotsirilos is still the heir apparent to former state champion Leland Later. After enduring so much time away due to injuries, Cotsirilos has finally showed the promise as evidenced by the 4:18.86 clocking during the track season. He could be a top 5-10 candidate by the end of the season. Silverman, Santacruz, and Trapp will be potent too. Of course, coach Wisner will have a lot to do with the success of his team’s progress. He is one of the great minds in the game.
Quick outlook: Smith and Clevenger will lead a deep team that will be aiming to reach Peoria after a disappointing 11th place finish at Marist Sectional. This time around things should be different with a more mature team. Smith enjoyed a monster track season that saw him produce 9:12/4:13 times. Clevenger was solid as well on the oval clocking 4:20. Role athletes such as Spilky, Craven, and Christensen should provide some top-notch support in the 3-5 spots.
Wheaton-Warrenville South-
Head Coach: Greta Havey
Top returners: Nolan McKenna (Sr.), Luke Schroer (Sr.), Kyle Cepeda (Jr.), Dave Dillon (Sr.), David Santana (Sr.), Gabe Lightbody (Jr.).
Quick outlook: The Tigers have been knocking at the door for a state trophy since McKenna was a sophomore. But they never had all the pieces a complete team needs. Now they have a supreme front runner in McKenna who is a threat for the individual title. The Tigers will also have several key parts in Schroer and Cepeda to back up a low score. The remaining scorers will have to meet the challenge that awaits them this fall.
Individuals-
1. Patrick Perrier (Sr., O'Fallon) – The top returner back from cross country (3rd) and the 3200m (3rd) makes him the odds on favorite. Perrier is a tall, lanky trouble maker front runner when it comes to distance running. He will take over the spot that his mentor Alex Riba left for him- making things incredibly hard for his foes to beat him. Don’t forget that he a smoking 4:12.66 for 1600m.
2. Jesse Reiser (Jr., McHenry)- His 7th place finish in the harrier finals was backed up with another 7th place placing on the track (9:05.40). This kid is for real as three sub-9:12 clockings proved. Should Perrier fall apart, Reiser will be there to pick up the pieces.
3. Nolan McKenna (Sr., Wheaton-Warrenville South)- Never mind his 30th place finish in last year’s state xc meet. That was a pure fluke. McKenna is one of the best distance runners in the Midwest and he will prove it again after running 9:03.96 on the track. Although he will have team trophy implications on his mind, he will be up front battling the likes of Perrier, Reiser, and whoever else is in the lead packs of big races.
4. Zach Smith (Sr., Downers Grove North) – The third fastest returner from last year’s state cross country meet will have a strong say in who wins this fall. Smith (pictured below) did not run many 3200s during the spring but was still able to run a swift 9:12. Instead he spent an ample amount of time honing his leg speed in the 1600. Smith’s 4:13.23 is only second to Perrier making him a marked man this fall.
5. Steven Salvano (Sr., Buffalo Grove)- Salvano was 9th at state last year and will be after more this fall. He should be the top runner in the mighty Mid-Suburban League this fall. The battles that he will face week after week should be good enough seasoning for Peoria.
6. Zach Dale (Jr., Hoffman Estates Conant)- The diminutive Dale should not be taken likely despite not running at state last year. He rebounded with a monster spring that produced 4:17 and 9:12 marks. The MSL and Salvano will have their hands full first before the rest of the state gets a taste of Dale’s fury.
7. Dan Lathrop (Sr., Plainfield South) – His team placed a surprised 6th last year at state. Was he holding back then to help the team out instead of running with the top guns? It is uncertain in determining that fact, but what is certain is he will be with the top brass this fall. Lathrop turned a few heads after winning the “slow heat” of the 3200 at state in 9:17.
8. Peter Cotsirilos (Sr., Winnetka New Trier)- It is not personal against anyone in particular when Cotsirilos lines up this fall. He has a waited a long time in getting his due. His coach Dave Wisner feels that his emerging star pupil will be among the best in the state this fall barring any further setbacks. Cotsirilos showed a glimpse of promise two seasons ago when he won the tough Hinsdale-Hornet frosh-soph race. His first race this fall will be the Hinsdale-Hornet Invite. He will get an opportunity to face off against Nolan McKenna.
9. Nathan Mroz (Sr., ElmhurstYork)- It is always prudent to add at least one Dukester among the elites. Mroz may not be as potent as former teammate Scott Milling was, but he will be very good.
10. Andrew Philipose (Sr., Arlington Heights Hersey)- This young man has an opportunity to make a big name for himself if he completes a monster summer of training and stays injury free. He will need to fight off attackers from his own team in David Rodriguez and some other standouts in the MSL.