2A Boys State Cross Country Preview
Date: 11/9/13
Location: Detweiller Park; Peoria, IL
Course: 3.0 miles
Race time: 12am
Awards Ceremony: 1pm
The qualifying teams: #1 Lansing (Illiana Christian), #2 Mahomet-Seymour, #3 Vernon Hills, #4 Yorkville, #5 Normal (University), #6 Crystal Lake Central, #7 Chicago Jones Prep, #8 Dixon, #9 Metamora, #10 Rock Island (Alleman), #11 Springfield, #12 Lisle (Benet Academy), #13 Chatham-Glenwood, #14 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South), #15 Bensonville (Fenton), #17 West Chicago (Wheaton Academy), #19 Dunlap, #20 Waterloo, Chicago Lake View, Chicago (Mt. Carmel), Chicago (University), Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge), E. Peoria, Elmwood Park, Grayslake Central, Maple Park (Kaneland), Mascoutah.
Meet the key teams:
Lansing (Illiana Christian)-
Head Coach: Jim Piaskowy
2012 state finish: 6th
Pre-season rank: #1
Final season rank: #1
Probable starting lineup: Nick Fiene (Jr.), Tony Wondaal (Sr.), Colin DeYoung (So.), Austin Gibson (Sr.), Nick Wondaal (So.), Tom McGuire (Jr.), Kevin Vroegh (Sr.).
Road to state: Wheaton Academy Regional- 1st, Wheaton Academy Sectional- 1st
Outlook: Can the pre-season #1 squad go coast to coast and win the elusive state title? The Vikings had a scare at the Wheaton Academy Sectional tying Yorkville 44-44 through five men. However, it was the sixth man that saved this squad. Hopefully, the message of looking ahead to state is out of their system. The 37-second scoring split remained intact and that will help things along with a strong front runner Nick Fiene.
Mahomet-Seymour-
Head Coach: Neal Garrison
2012 state finish: 11th
Pre-season rank: #9
Final season rank: #2
Probable starting lineup: Alex Keeble (So.), James Williams (Sr.), William Wolf (Jr.), Gabe Pommier (Fr.), Andrew Walmer (Fr.), Jackson Powell (Jr.), Ethan Russell (Sr.).
Road to state: Champaign Centennial Regional- 1st, Decatur MacArthur Sectional- 1st.
Outlook: the second best team in the classification since a strong performance at the Richard Spring Invitational in mid-September. The Bulldogs have basically mauled their way through the second half of the season and will be waiting for Illiana Christian at the starting line high noon on Saturday.
Vernon Hills-
Head Coach: Mark Whitney
2012 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: #16
Final season rank: #3
Probable starting lineup: Kyle Whitney (Sr.), Shane Williamson (Fr.), Tyler Smith (Jr.), Rob Williams (Jr.), Ben Mohrdieck (Sr.), Nick Webber (Sr.), Eric Doerhoefer (Sr.).
Road to state: Burlington Central Regional- 1st, Belvidere Sectional- 1st
Outlook: Kyle Whitney had a taste of the state championship last year and it’s certain that he wanted to share some of it with his teammates this time around. The Cougars are a good team that many have only seen from afar due to their Northwest Chicago suburban locale.
Yorkville
Head Coach: Chris Muth
2012 state finish: 3rd
Pre-season rank: #5
Final season rank: #4
Probable starting lineup: Jake Hoffert (Jr.), Luke Hoffert (Jr.), Nolan Tweedy (Sr.), Richard Skogsberg (Sr.), Trevor Wills (So.), Jake Firrantello (So.), Thor Hester (So.).
Road to state: Wheaton Academy Regional- 1st, Wheaton Academy Sectional- 2nd.
Outlook: the difference between first and second place against Illiana Christian was the scoring split that separated the sixth man. The Foxes were a long way off and that could cost them a state trophy if the Hoffert twins don't live up their billing on Saturday.
Normal (University)
Head Coach: Lester Hampton
2012 state finish: 8th
Pre-season rank: #13
Final season rank: #5
Probable starting lineup: Alexander Bruno (Jr.), Eli Hill (Jr.), J.D. Lafayette (Sr.), Lucas Houska (Sr.), Andrew Walch (Jr.), Andrew Porter (Sr.), Aidan Vaughn (So.).
Road to state: Metamora Regional- 1st, Normal West Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: the Pioneers were on track for very big things before slipping up at the Normal West Sectional. They will have an opportunity to rite themselves on Saturday if the pack runs better than last week. Bruno is a certain all-state candidate.
Crystal Lake Central
Head Coach: Bill Eschman
2012 state finish: 4th
Pre-season rank: #4
Final season rank: #6
Probable starting lineup: Ryan Pitner (Sr.), Nick Amato (Sr.), Zach Gemmel (Sr.), Cole Barkocy (Fr.), PJ McKay (Sr.), Jake Cannizzo (Jr.), Michael Penza (Jr.).
Road to state: Burlington Central Regional- 2nd, Belvidere Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: Ryan Pitner is Crystal Lake Central cross country. The success and failure of this team will begin with him. The goals will be to get the scoring split under 45 seconds and back on the gravy train.
Chicago Jones Prep-
Head Coach: Andrew Adelman
2012 state finish: State Champions
Pre-season rank: #3
Final season rank: #7
Probable starting lineup: Peter Schaible (Sr.), Mark Protsiv (Jr.), Kyle Maloney (Jr.), Anthony Solis (Jr.), Will Sarchet (Jr.), Nikolas Merten (So.), Daryl Cordova (Jr.).
Road to state: Chicago Lake View Regional- 1st, Chicago (University) Sectional- 1st
Outlook: The defending state champion is going to have their say in determining the state title. Schaible and Maloney are the main hold overs from last year's title. They will be ready on Saturday.
Dixon-
Head Coach: Evan Thorpe
2012 state finish:10th
Pre-season rank: #8
Final season rank: #8
Probable starting lineup: Simon Thorpe (Sr.), Cody Sondgeroth (Sr.), Austin Trevino (Sr.), Skylar Mitchell (Sr.), Evan Grady (Jr.), Kylian Lally (Sr.), Blain Masterson (Fr.).
Road to state: Sterling Regional- 1st, Belvidere Sectional- 1st
Outlook: Simon Thorpe's positioning will be the key here.
Metamora-
Head Coach: Gene Jones
2012 state finish: 18th
Pre-season rank: #15
Final season rank: #9
Probable starting lineup: Joel Anglin (Sr.), John Mangold (Jr.), Jake Gillum (Fr.), Travis Scheirer (Sr.), Keaton McClure (Jr.), Matt Wipfler (Jr.), Jason Argo (Jr.).
Road to state: Metamora Regional- 2nd, Normal West Sectional- 1st
Outlook: Anglin will lead a team destined to finish in the top 10.
Rock Island (Alleman)-
Head Coach: Doug Burke
2012 state finish: 4th- competed in 1A.
Pre-season rank: #19
Final season rank: #10
Probable starting lineup: Zach Hird (Sr.), Kienan Otto (Jr.), Matthew Mallary (Sr.), Aaron Golding (So.), Wesley Graham (Jr.), Alec Ewers (Sr.), Connor Darrow (Jr.).
Road to state: Peoria Notre Dame Regional- 2nd, Normal West Sectional- 4th
Outlook: Hird will be a top 3 individual candidate; nice jump for Alleman in their first season in 2A.
Springfield-
Head Coach: Dan Devlin
2012 state finish: 7th
Pre-season rank: #6
Final season rank: #11
Probable starting lineup: Tyler Owens (Sr.), Pat Fitzgibbon (Sr.), Eric Wise (Jr.), Heath Warren (So.), Logan Besalke (So.), Amir Rasmussen (Sr.), Mike Neposchlan (Jr.).
Road to state: Jacksonville Regional- 1st, Decatur MacArthur Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: Owens will lead a team that is capable of finishing in the top five. But in order for that to occur all five runners will need to run to their abilities on Saturday.
Lisle (Benet Academy)-
Head Coach: Kevin Renicker
2012 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final season rank: #12
Probable starting lineup: Brady McLaughlin (Jr.), Sean Harnik (Jr.), Kelly Crombie (So.), Max Tuttle (Jr.), John Stoppelmen (Sr.), Phillip Parisi (Jr.), Ryan Wolfe (Sr.).
Road to state: Wheaton Academy Regional- 4th, Wheaton Academy Sectional- 5th
Outlook: Not a ton is known about this team except they continue to run well when counted upon.
Chatham-Glenwood
Head Coach: Mike Garber
2012 state finish: 20th
Pre-season rank: #18
Final season rank: #13
Probable starting lineup: Landon Skelly (So.), Chris Durr (Fr.), Grant Kaiser (Sr.), Grant Luebkeman (Jr.), Jonathan Durr (Jr.), Jason Olson (Sr.), Tyler Jones (Sr.).
Road to state: Jacksonville Regional- 2nd, Decatur MacArthur Sectional- 5th
Outlook: The Titans are a team capable of finishing in the top 10 if the scoring split can remain intact.
Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South)-
Head Coach: Doug Gorski
2012 state finish: 5th
Pre-season rank: #2
Final season rank: #14
Probable starting lineup: John Wold (Sr.), Joe Singleton (Sr.), Joe Meade (Sr.), Ibrahim Jawad (Jr.), Michael King (So.), Jon O’Rourke (So.), Colin Meade (Jr.).
Road to state: Wheaton Acadmey Regional- 3rd, Wheaton Academy Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: Wold and Singleton are the two names that Raiders fans are happy to see in the lineup. They may not have enough to earn a top 3 team finish but it will be fun watching them go for it.
Bensonville (Fenton)-
Head Coach: John Kurtz
2012 state finish: 14th
Pre-season rank: #14
Final season rank: #15
Probable starting lineup: Danny Wiggin (Sr.), Jose Perez-Vasquez (Fr.), Cristian Silva (Sr.), Joseph Rivas (Jr.), Axel Nava (Jr.), Cosme Bailon (Sr.), Rodrigo Estrada (Sr.).
Road to state: Fenton Regional- 1st, Chicago (University) Sectional- 2nd.
Outlook: Getting back to state has been a goal in itself.
West Chicago (Wheaton Academy)
Head Coach: Jim Spivey/Chris Felinski
2012 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final season rank: #17
Probable starting lineup: Jacob Robleski (So.), Brandon Lach (Jr.), Noah Van Dyke (Jr.), Jonah Jones (Fr.), Michell Smith (So.), Jimmy Ridge (Fr.), Chris Jones (Jr.).
Road to state: Wheaton Academy Regional- 2nd, Wheaton Academy Sectional- 4th
Outlook: Nice job by first coaches Spivey and Felinski in getting a relatively new team to the big leagues. Can they get in the top 20?
Dunlap
Head Coach: Chris Friedman
2012 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final season rank: #19
Probable starting lineup: Anthony Holshouser (Sr.), Phillip Copeland (Jr.), John Eberle (Sr.), Carson Potts (Fr.), Drew Fick (Fr.), Thomas Skeels (Jr.), Dotun Taiwo (Fr.).
Road to state: Peoria Notre Dame Regional- 1st, Normal West Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: If this team can run in the top 15 it would be wonderful.
Waterloo
Head Coach: Larry Huffman
2012 state finish: None
Pre-season rank: None
Final season rank: #20
Probable starting lineup: Cole Rodenberg (Jr.), Lance Mueller (Jr.), Weston Liefer (Sr.), Dustin Schrieber (Sr.), Jake Schwartz (Fr.), Will Zeisset (Jr.), Evan Arenes (Sr.).
Road to state: Highland Regional- 1st, Decatur MacArthur Sectional- 4th
Outlook: The Bulldogs are a solid team led by Rodenberg and Mueller. They are a definite top 20 team.
Individual look: The consensus pick is John Wold now that he is healthy. The prospect of going under 14:10 is slim but winning another state title is real. Zach Hird will have an opportunity to challenge Wold as does Ryan Pitner. Jake Hoffert and Luke Hoffert will also be in contention for a top five spot. Don't forget about Danville senior Johnny Leverenz.. He may not have the strength to go with Wold beyond two miles.