3A Boys State XC Championship Preview
Date: 11/9/13
Location: Detweiller Park; Peoria, IL
Course: 3.0 miles
Race time: 2pm
Awards Ceremony: 3pm
The qualifying teams: #1 Elmhurst (York), #2 Hinsdale Central, #3 Arlington Heights (Hersey), #4 Orland Park (Sandburg), #5 Naperville (Neuqua Valley), #6 Chicago Lane Tech, #7 Winnetka (New Trier), #8 Wheaton-Warrenville South, #9 LaGrange (Lyons Township), #10 New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central), #11 Downers Grove North, #12 O’Fallon, #14 Palatine, #15 Edwardsville, #16 Naperville North, #17 Wilmette (Loyola Academy), #18 Chicago (St. Ignatius), #19 Buffalo Grove, #20 Naperville Central, #22 Lake Zurich, #24 Mt. Prospect (Prospect), Batavia, Hoffman Estates (Conant), Joliet Central, Normal Community, Wheaton North.
Quick thoughts: This Saturday’s final promises to be one for the ages. Although top ranked York and Hinsdale Central remain as the favorites to win the championship, there should be a log jam as 21 of the 25 ranked teams qualified for the right to compete in the state meet. There is a strong possibility that 10 teams could fight for a trophy on Saturday.
Elmhurst (York)-
Head Coach: Joe Newton
2012 state finish: State champions
Pre-state rank: #2
Final season rank: #1
Probable starting line-up: Nathan Mroz (Sr.), Kyle Mattes (Sr.), Alex Bashqawi (Sr.), Matt Plowman (Jr.), Max Denning (So.), Jon May (So.), Jeff Nosek (Sr.).
Road to state: Fenwick Regional- 1st, Lake Park Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: To say that York was surprised at the Lake Park Sectional would be an understatement. The Dukes were handcuffed from the opening gun and could not negotiate course or the competition.
Hinsdale Central
Head Coach: Jim Westphal
2012 state finish: 12th
Pre-state rank: #7
Final season rank: #2
Probable starting line-up: Billy Magnesen (Sr.), Kevin Huang (Sr.), Blake Evertsen (Fr.), Chris Brenk (So.), Emmitt Scully (Sr.), Matt McBrien (Jr.), TJ Caveney (Sr.)
Road to state: Lyons Twp. Regional- 1st, Hinsdale Central Sectional- 1st
Outlook: It would be rather unwise to pick against this supreme team based on their post-season run. First, it was the dominating performance at regionals in which the seventh runner hit 10:16 at the 2m mark and finished in the top 20. The sectional round was more of the same with a 24 second scoring split to destroy the competition. Magnesen is healthy and ready to run the race of his life. If the pack stays in contact with the same intensity, it will be curtains for the competition.
Arlington Heights (Hersey)-
Head Coach: Jay Renaud
2012 state finish: 19th
Pre-state rank: #5
Final season rank: #3
Probable starting line-up: David Rodriguez (Jr.), Andy Philipose (Sr.), Jack O’Neil (Sr.), Grant von der Lippe (Jr.), Erick DeLoera (Sr.), Kevin Ziegenhorn (Jr.), Matt Stadnicki (Sr.).
Road to state: Hoffman Estates Regional- 1st, Schaumburg Sectional- 1st
Outlook: The Huskies are a supreme team waiting for their moment in the sun. David Rodriguez led his mates in front of a swift 24 second split at the Schaumburg Sectional. If Hersey can duplicate this feat with their pack up near the front, they will be hard to beat.
Orland Park (Sandburg)-
Head Coach: John O’Malley
2012 state finish: 11th
Pre-state rank: #11
Final season rank: #4
Probable starting line-up: Tom Brennan (So.), Will Becker (Sr.), Greg Burzinski (Jr.), Harry Becker (Sr.), Sean Torpy (So.), Chris Torpy (So.), Dan Laskero (So.).
Road to state: Marist Regional- 1st, Hinsdale Central Sectional- 4th
Outlook: It was hard to tell whether this team was running on all cylinders at the Hinsdale Central after finishing a very distant 4th. Are the Eagles overrated as some pundits have suggested? Or did they just have a bad race? The scoring split was good (26 secs) but the problem occurred because it was too far away from the likes of Hinsdale Central and Downers Grove North.
Naperville (Neuqua Valley)-
Head Coach: Paul Vandersteen
2012 state finish: 7th
Pre-state rank: #10
Final season rank: #5
Probable starting line-up: Daniel Weiss (Jr.), Nick Bushelle (Sr.), Alec Monovich (Sr.), Michael Widmann (Jr.), Shiva Singh (So.), Colin Weidman (Jr.), Matt Horsley (Jr.)
Road to state: Hinsdale Central Sectional- 5th
Outlook: The Wildcats took fifth but looks are deceiving. Neuqua Valley will become a better team once they get back to team pack running and splits in the upper 20-30 second range.
Chicago Lane Tech-
Head Coach: Kris Roof
2012 state finish: 22nd
Pre-state rank: #14
Final season rank: #6
Probable starting line-up: Jon Vara (Sr.), Pavlo Hutsalyuk (Jr.), David Schmieg (Sr.), Christian Badillo (Jr.), Oswaldo Lorenzana (Sr.), Matt Haak (Sr.), Alex Rodriguez (Sr.) Road to state: Chicago Whitney Young Regional- 1st, Lake Park Sectional- 5th Outlook: The feeling after placing 5th at sectionals was "this was our worst race of the year." Hopefully, the boys got their bad race out of their systems and can get back to racing in a tight pack that produced some amazing performances this season. The goal is to get inside of the top five and the only way to do that is to run 15-20 seconds 1-5 and be aggressive throughout the race.
Winnetka (New Trier)-
Head Coach: Dave Wisner
2012 state finish: 14th
Pre-state rank: #3
Final season rank: #7
Probable starting line-up: Chase Silverman (Sr.), Peter Cotsirlos (Sr.), Tarek Afifi (Jr.), Austin Santacruz (Jr.), Om Kanwar (Jr.), Connor Trapp (Sr.), Luke Duros (Jr.).
Road to state: Niles West Regional- 1st, Lake Park Sectional- 1st
Outlook: A monkey wrench was thrown in the Peoria sweepstakes when the Trevians produced the season's top upset over York. New Trier defeated the top ranked Dukes 79-95 because they ran a great race from the gun and never lost contact amongst themselves- 30 second scoring split off of Chase Silverman's 3rd place run. It is clear that New Trier is after a state title on Saturday. The confidence is certainly there and it could happen.
Wheaton-Warrenville South-
Head Coach: Greta Havey
2012 state finish: 17th
Pre-state rank: #6
Final season rank: #8
Probable starting line-up: Nolan McKenna (Sr.), Luke Schroer (Sr.), Kyle Cepeda (Jr.), David Dillion (Sr.), Gabe Lightbody (Jr.), Drew Andersen (Jr.), David Santana (Sr.).
Road to state: West Chicago Regional- 1st, Waubonsie Valley Sectional- 1st
Outlook: The Tigers have been running solid all season with their top three of McKenna, Schroer, and Cepeda. No other team in the state besides York has a more formable trio. Now it appears that Dillion has stepped up as the fourth runner. But the key to a trophy will be fifth runner. Santana was improving in that role but he suffered a leg injury last weekend. Lighbody moved in to close the gap to 1:00. It might be enough to get the job done.
LaGrange (Lyons Township)
Head Coach: Michael Danner
2012 state finish: 3rd
Pre-state rank: #12
Final season rank: #9
Probable starting line-up: James Ryan (Sr.), Henry Hostettler (Sr.), Kevin Kilrea (Sr.), Dan Lupano (Sr.), Ed McCarter (Sr.), Vince Arata (Jr.), Dom Zona (Sr.).
Road to state: Lyons Regional- 3rd, Hinsdale Central Sectional- 3rd.
Outlook: Last year the Lions came on strong to finish third and earn a trophy. This year is supposed to be a rebuilding year but somehow the Lions have run well when called upon. Ryan led the team at sectionals in 14:58. The tight knit group needed 33 seconds over the past few weeks. They are certainly capable of running inside of a top 8 finish on Saturday.
New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)
Head Coach: John Taylor
2012 state finish: 23rd
Pre-state rank: #25
Final season rank: #10
Probable starting line-up: Chris Kaminski (Sr.), Tommy Kolacki (Jr.), Ben Zibricky (Sr.), Ian Peterson (So.), Jackson Waters (Jr.), Joey Nelson (Sr.), Andrew Robbins (Jr.).
Road to state: Tinley Park Andrew Regional- 1st, Edwardsville Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: There are some out there that think the Knights have overachieved this season after a fine season that ended with a thud at sectionals. Chris Kaminski led his team in fifth but the pack was too far back from O'Fallon to challenge them. They are going to have to get up front and establish position at Detweiller more aggressively if they want to keep the top 10 ranking look.
Downers Grove North
Head Coach: John Sipple
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: #4
Final season rank: #11
Probable starting line-up: Zack Smith (Sr.), Ryan Clevenger (Jr.), Marc Mathy (Sr.), Jeremy Craven (Sr.), Jared Spilky (Sr.), Zac Christensen (Jr.), Jack Diamond (Jr.).
Road to state: Lyons Regional- 2nd, Hinsdale Central Sectional- 2nd.
Outlook: The Trojans are finally looking like the team that was ranked very high during the pre-season after a terrific performance overall from Smith and Clevenger. The rest of the scoring pack pushed to get things under 40 seconds. This is an amazing combination that is going to work wonders on Saturday. The Trojans look like a legitimate trophy contender.
O’Fallon
Head Coach: Jon Burnett
2012 state finish: State runner up
Pre-state rank: #1
Final season rank: #12
Probable starting line-up: Patrick Perrier (Sr.), Dorrian Gordon (Jr.), Steven Chorma (Sr.), Evan Wesslund (Sr.), Erik McMillan (Jr.), Spencer Phillips (Jr.), Romeo Scagliarini (Jr.).
Road to state: Quincy Regional- 2nd, Edwardsville Sectional- 2nd
Outlook: The Panthers appeared to finally come together after a challenging season. They demolished Edwardsville and Lincoln-Way Central in the sectional round. Now it's on to state. Perrier ruled in his last race in a meet record performance. Gordon ran well too. Beware Illinois foes.
Palatine
Head Coach: Chris Quick
2012 state finish: 9th
Pre-state rank: #8
Final season rank: #14
Probable starting line-up: Graham Brown (Jr.), Argeni Bailon (Sr.), Emil Kozakiewicz (Sr.), Eddie Graham (Sr.), Adam Brauer (Sr.), Dean Kolar (Sr.), Brian Leonard (Fr.).
Road to state: Palatine Regional- 1st, Schaumburg Sectional- 3rd.
Outlook: Will the Pirates have what it takes to get in the top 10 again? It does not look good for a team that has been running over 1:00 all season on the scoring split. Aside from Brown, there is no other front runner. Someone else will need to step up and assist him on Saturday.
Edwardsville
Head Coach: George Patrylak
2012 state finish: 24th
Pre-state rank: None
Final season rank: #15
Probable starting line-up: Brydon Groves-Scott (Jr.), Ethan Townzen (So.), Fredrick Schoenthal (Jr.), Iain Perry (Sr.), Zain Pyarali (Jr.), Jimmie Mayfield (Sr.), Joe Shannon (Jr.).
Road to state: Quincy Regional- 1st, Edwardsville Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: The Tigers have enjoyed a wonderful season to date and certainly could finish inside the top 15 if all five scorers come together on Saturday. Grove-Scott will need to get up front and drag his mates with him to have a chance.
Naperville North
Head Coach: Dave Racey
2012 state finish: 10th
Pre-state rank: #9
Final season rank: #16
Probable starting line-up: Kerry Gschwendtner (Jr.), Kevin Drake (Sr.), Jake Pecorin (Sr.), Jon Klaiber (Jr.), Christian Moore (Jr.), Andrew LaDeur (Jr.), Ryan Hanselman (Sr.).
Road to state: West Chicago Regional- 2nd, Waubonsie Valley Sectional- 2nd.
Outlook: Another top 10 finish is certainly in reach if Gschwendtner can get back on track and lead the way. The Huskies have one of the leanest packs in the state when it comes to scoring splits. The group will need to move from the middle to the forefront late in the race in order to make their dreams a reality.
Wilmette (Loyola Academy)
Head Coach: Dan Seeberg
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: None
Final season rank: #17
Probable starting line-up: Jack Carroll (Jr.), Spencer Kelly (Jr.), Christian Swenson (Jr.), Matthew Randolph (Sr.), Teddy Brombach (Sr.), Matthew Scherer (Sr.), Paolo Tiongson (Fr.).
Road to state: Niles West Regional- 2nd, Lake Park Sectional- 4th.
Outlook: The Ramblers are back in the fold on the strength of Swenson, Carroll, and the entire scoring crew that ran 38 seconds on five guys at Lake Park. They will need to continue that roll in order to reach the top 10 on Saturday.
Chicago (St. Ignatius)
Head Coach: Ed Ernst
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: #17
Final season rank: #18
Probable starting line-up: Dan Santino (So.), Chris Korabik (Sr.), Kallin Khan (Jr.), Andy Weber (Jr.), Patrick Manglano (Sr.), Taylor Dugas (Sr.), Brian Santino (Jr.).
Road to state: Whitney Young Regional- 3rd, Lake Park Sectional- 3rd
Outlook: The Wolfpack are running well right now and should continue their surge this Saturday if Santino can lead the way up front. Korabik is finally healthy enough to provide a great second man. The fourth and fifth runners will be the key in fighting for a top 5-10 position.
Buffalo Grove
Head Coach: Zach Crandall
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: #13
Final season rank: #19
Probable starting line-up: Kevin Salvano (So.), Jake Wenzel (Jr.), Tom Cleary (So.), Steven Salvano (Sr.), Tripp Wallner (Jr.), Arturo Bautista (Fr.), Eli Hinkle (Jr.).
Road to state: Libertyville Regional- 1st, Schaumburg Sectional- 2nd.
Outlook: This team has gotten back some of its swag after a strong finish in the MSL, regionals, and now sectionals. Kevin Salvano continues to lead the team in front of his older brother Steven. Hopefully, the rest of the crew can respond and reach their goals on Saturday.
Naperville Central
Head Coach: Dave Ashton
2012 state finish: 18th
Pre-state rank: #15
Final season rank: #20
Probable starting line-up: Scott Hicks (Jr.), Ryan Auld (Sr.), Jon Ashley (Sr.), Geoffrey McCullogh (So.), Alec Siwek (Sr.), David Kennedy (Jr.), Kevin Wandke (Jr.).
Road to state: West Chicago Regional- 3rd, Waubonsie Valley Sectional- 4th.
Outlook: The Red Hawks rebounded nicely from a mid season lull to advance to state. They certainly can improve on their 18th place from a year ago if Auld and Hicks can run to season best performances on Saturday. As well the pack will need to do their job and close things down under 35 seconds.
Lake Zurich
Head Coach: JB Hanson
2012 state finish: 4th
Pre-state rank: None
Final season rank: #22
Probable starting line-up: Matt Pereira (Fr.), Will Llanos (Sr.), Dave Brown (Sr.), Austin Kuehr (Sr.), Matt Reninger (Sr.), Justin Shim (Jr.), Matt Milner (So.).
Road to state: Palatine Regional- 2nd, Schaumburg Sectional- 4th
Outlook: Cudos to coach Hanson and his coaching staff for getting his team back to the state championship. It has started slowly throughout the season and into the post season where the Bears finished second to Palatine in their regional and finally a strong fourth place at Schaumburg. Why not keep running until they stop in the top 15?
Mt. Prospect (Prospect)
Head Coach: Mike Stokes
2012 state finish: None
Pre-state rank: None
Final season rank: #24
Probable starting line-up: Mike Anderson (Jr.), Blake Hallman (Sr.), Ben Pederson (Sr.), Max Daleiden (Sr.), Alec Heyde (So.), Will Lussenhop (Sr.), Max Crowninshield (So.).
Road to state: Hoffman Estates Regional- 4th, Schaumburg Sectional- 5th
Outlook: Competing in the mighty MSL has its perks and the Knights took full advantage of a tough schedule. Hallman will try and lead his team in a quest for a top 15 spot. This would be a good send off for next year's group.
Individual look: The weather is suppose to be favorable for a great run. Patrick Perrier is the heavy favorite and he will be going for it. The question of late has been can he run 14:00. This feat is always a tall order considering that means averaging 4:40 per mile. He definitely is capable of getting inside of 14:10 like St. Ignatius Jack Keelan did last year. Zach Dale of Hoffman Estates Conant is one to watch. He finished second to his nemesis Jesse Reiser of McHenry last week. The two juniors have some serious goals on Saturday. They will be joined by a fleet of runners from multiple schools. Watch out for the York quartet as well as Downers Grove North's sensational duo of Smith and Clevenger. There could be as many as 35 runners under 15:00 on Saturday.