Clayton Mendez and Whitney Young will be making their case to the masses this season (Steve Bugarin photo)
20. Yorkville
Head Coach: Brian Long
Last year's finish: 24th- State Championship
Key returners: Zack Price (Sr.), Patrick Black (Sr.), Ben Summers (Sr.), Alex Loos (Jr.),
Eric Naumann (Sr.), Matt Cox (Sr.)
Outlook: Coach Chris Muth departs but leaves a cash cow for newly minted coach Brian Long. The Foxes return six state starters lead by Zach Price who placed 86th. He ran a personal best 15:10 last year and if he can improve another 15 seconds by the end of the season along with the team splitting another 35 secs on the scoring end, things will look mighty good.
19. Minooka
Head Coach: Kevin Gummerson
Last year's finish: 22nd- State Championship
Key returners: Cody Hoshell (Sr.), Jordan Freese (Jr.), Mark Dames (Jr.), Seth Joder (Jr.), Jason Hoffman (So.)
Coach Gummerson's outlook:
"The training went very well this summer. This group did what they needed to do, and some of the kids that we are looking to make a jump took advantage of the summer training. We had a group that was very consistent in their training and was able to string together 3 strong months of base building. Obviously, we are losing Soren [Knudsen], and things will be different. However, these kids are driven to get us back to Peoria, and improve upon last year's finish. It has been interesting to see who is going to step up and be that leader. Senior Cody Hoshell has done a great job with that this summer and we are looking for him to embrace his senior year and have his best season yet. Our key juniors of Jordan Freese, Mark Dames, and Seth Joder, and Sophomore Jason Hoffman are some of the most dedicated athletes we have had are leading this team as well."
18. Edwardsville
Head Coach: George Patrylak
Last year's finish: 19th- State Championship
Key returners: Roland Prenzler (Jr), Jack Pifer (So), Franky Romano (Sr), Zach Walters (So), Max Hartmann (Jr), Dan Powell (Jr), Tood Baxter (Jr), and Raleigh Brazier (Sr)
Outlook: One of the youngest teams in all of Illinois somehow found a way to advance to state and finish in the top 20. The 15:32 per man average in Peoria is a sign that the ceiling is high for the Tigers. Francesco "Franky" Romano returns as the top man followed by Roland Prenzler will give the team a much needed 1-2 punch. But it's the tight returning scoring pack that will get things done at the end of the day.
17. Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)
Head Coach: Kyle Nugent
Last year's finish: 6th- Skokie (Niles West) Sectional
Key returners: Stephen Moody (Jr.), Rory Cavan (Jr.), Cameron Benes (Sr.), Will O'Brien (Jr.), Ian Repking (Jr.), Teddy Borkowski (Sr)Outlook: After finishing 5th in the state in 2014, the Hilltoppers have fallen off of a cliff late in the season the past two years. But there is some hope at the bottom of the hill for this team. The return of six starters who ran on the sixth place team at sectionals. If continued growth can come out of a group that contains five juniors, then things should be looking up in a positive direction.
16. Downers Grove South
Head Coach: Brian Caldwell
Last year's finish: 7th- Chicago (Marist) Sectional
Key returners: Stephen Pipilas (Sr.),
Akhil Ghosh (Sr.),
Nick Dziedzic (Jr.),
Eddie Siuda (Jr.),
George Willer (Jr.),
James Weigel (Jr.),
Luke LaLonde (Sr.)
Outlook: Be on the prowl for the Mustangs who return all seven starters from last year. Coach Caldwell's bunch is no doubt battled tested after placing 7th in a tough Marist Sectional. Lead man Stephen Pipilas finished 55th in state running 15:05. He will be in the mix for an all-state finish and hopefully for the team it can stay within 45 seconds on the 5th man.
15. LaGrange (Lyons Township)
Head Coach: Mike Danner
Last year's finish: 4th- State Championship
Key returners: Danny Kilrea (Sr.), Colin Costello (Sr.), Andrew Tarasuk (Sr.), Charles Harders (Sr.), Patrick Kane (Sr.), Luke Van Kovering (Sr.)
Outlook: So... when was the last time Lyons Twp. been this low on a pre-season ranking poll? How about a piece meal squad with just two state performers back? It's been a long time and don't think for a minute that the Lions are going to accept it. A ton of graduation has hit the team hard and it may be a year or two before the solid freshmen group can restore order. In the meantime, look for the state's top returner Danny Kilrea to keep the faithful happy. Kilrea, the All-American, finished in the runner up spot last fall and is the favorite to win it all.
14. Batavia
Head Coach: Bronco Meeks
Last year's finish: 11th- West Aurora Sectional
Key returners: Shane Knanishu (Sr.), Sean Adams (Sr.), Damian Rodriguez (So.), Jack Gillerlain (Sr.), Joe Knanishu (So.), Adam Kennedy (So.), Chris Levario (Jr.)
Outlook: How does a team that finished 11th in a sectional be highly touted the next season? Well, consider the Bulldogs ran three freshmen in its varsity lineup throughout the post-season and state series. The big stakes pressure would finally get the best of them. Six of the sectional returners broke 16:00 last year and with the experience that they need, the best is yet to come.
13. Winnetka (New Trier)
Head Coach: Dave Wisner
Last year's finish: 14th- State Championship
Key returners: Patrick Norrick (Sr.), Ryan Struckman (Sr.), Kiran Baakkonen (Sr.), Charlie Forbes (Jr.), Ford Baker (Jr.), Ben Parkhill (Sr)
Coach Wisner's Outlook: "The New Trier Boy's Cross Country team had perhaps their best summer of training
since the 2010 season. In fact, we had more athletes train more consistently than
any New Trier team ever. They trained together mostly in two groups and
emphasized team before individual, quality over quantity, and made sure that
recovery days were just that and nothing more. Because of our consistent training,
our team summer mileage was still the highest ever, but it was attained gradually
with stepped back weeks built in every two to three weeks. Also, this year for the first
time, many of our athletes trained with heart rate monitors with the goal being to
minimize injuries from overtraining. None of these training milestones guarantee
success this fall, but I truly believe that our 2017 squad has done everything that
they could to prepare themselves for the tough workouts and racing that will begin
in September.
Our team has great depth in both the junior and senior classes, but we are very
inexperienced. Given that this is the most likely scenario, it's hard to predict where we will finish in the state meet come November. What I can count on is that we will train together, race together, and compete as well as any other past New Trier team. In terms of athletes that could make our Top 7 by the post-season, the list is too long to put in this preview. Only time will tell, but I believe that there are roughly 18 athletes with a legitimate shot at our Top 7."
12. Mt. Prospect (Prospect)
Head Coach: Mike Stokes
Last year's finish: 7th- State Championship
Key returners: Jack Terry (Sr), Nate Cozine (Sr.), Jack Hempleman (Jr.), Andrew Reimann (Jr.)
Outlook: The Knights return four runners from last year's team that finished 7th. While they lose some strong runners, there is a young and emerging crop ready level to show promise. Jack Terry is one of those strong runners that is ready to contend for an all state finish, and Nate Cozine returns from a 4x800 that took 5th in state. Along the journal are several notable additions to the Knights coaching staff. Jay Renaud comes over as the head track coach and assistant cross country country. He was previously head man at Hersey which has one of the state's top programs. Former distance great Matt Withrow also joins the staff. Look for Coach Stokes' program continue to progress as the season develops, and to be ready to qualify for state.
11. Aurora (Marmion Academy)
Head Coach: Dan Klatt
Last year's finish: 12th- State Championship
Key returners: Michael Ronzone (Sr), Sean Galle (Sr), Jack Brewster (Jr), Jake Harron (Jr)
Outlook: This is a team that doesn't seem to be getting a lot of recognition despite finishing 12th last year. Is it because they were blown out by Neuqua Valley at the West Aurora Sectional? But if that's the case so did many other teams throughout the season. The Cadets returns 4 runners from their top 7. If they can find a 5th, and build off of last year, you could see them contending for a top 10 finish this November.
10. Orland Park (Sandburg)
Head Coach: John O'Malley
Last year's finish: 10th- State Championship
Key returners: Dylan Jacobs (Sr.), Robbie Sieczkowski (Sr), Nico Calderon (Jr), Sam Rodriguez (So)
Outlook: The Eagles lived the extreme high life in recent years with a state runner up and state championship trophy. Mixed in there was trips to Portland for NXN and a ton of individual accolades. After slipping to 10th at state last year, the Eagles may have to put in overtime work to stay among the giant slayers of Illinois. Even if they can't keep pace as a unit, look for Dylan Jacobs to run for big time glory throughout the state and national landscape.
9. Mundelein
Head Coach: Kurt Rutz
Last year's finish: 6th- Waukegan Sectional
Key returners: Robert St. Clair (Jr.), Dario Carrillo (Jr.), Michael Parduhn (Jr.), Dillon Blake (So.), Alan Salgado (Jr.), Carter Schorr (So)
Outlook: An emerging team that everyone in the game saw coming along well. The Mustangs progressed well last year enough to be taken seriously when they upset a few top ranked teams like eventual trophy winners Lake Zurich. They fell a few ticks of advancing to state and that should easily fuel them. This season they will be one of the hunted ones led by Robert St. Clair and a very strong junior class.
8. Chicago Whitney Young
Head Coach: Billy Poole-Harris
Last year's finish: 5th- State Championship
Key returners: Clayton Mendez (Sr), Sam Rivera (Jr), Charlie Nevins (Jr)
Outlook: 2016 was a dream season for the Dolphins who argueably became the second best team in Chicago Public League history. The 2012 Jones Prep team that won the 2A state meet holds the #1 CPL hod. But how could have Whitney Young been had leader Clayton Mendez been healthy in mind, body, and soul? Mendez is obviously back after a great track season which saw him break 9:00 for 3200m. Sam Rivera and Charlie Nevins are capable of being all-state runners this November. The rest of the pack will need to be door slammers if the Dolphins want to mimic what they accomplished in the past. That means the fifth runner is key to success here.
7. Hinsdale Central
Head Coach: Jim Westphal
Last year's finish: 6th- State Championship
Key returners: Sean O'Connell (Sr), Neil Cumberland (Sr), Sam Schiavitti (Sr), Alec Hill (Jr), Matt Kusak (Jr), Keegan Caveney (Jr)
Outlook: Finally... the great Blake Evertsen has graduated and moved on to Harvard University. Evertsen earned all state honors during his final three seasons. Among his time was two state team titles and numerous poundings on his opponent's heads. Though they lose 5 runners from their top 7 (including the great Blake Everston), their depth at different levels will help them fill holes. They won both the sophomore and JV races at the very competitive WSC Silver conference meet, and they won the sophomore level of the very competitive Red Devil invite. Look for these young runners grow under the leadership of Coach Westphal, and to make a splash this cross country season.
6. Park Ridge (Maine South)
Head Coach: Greg Nordahl
Last year's finish: 9th- State Championship
Key returners: Tommy Brady, Brandon Christopher, Ian Spears , Gavin Voris, Jake Mellema , Austin Tauber, Sean Dempsey, Ian Dempsey, Matt Schilling, Joey Kasch
Outlook:
Under coach Nordahl, Maine South has made the state meet 5 of the past 6 years. Last year, they finished 9th overall. This was their second best finish ever. This year they look to improve on their mark.
From the 2016 state squad, Maine south returns four runner. This group is lead by Tommy Brady and both Brandon Christopher. Both runners could contend for an all state spot this November. Despite a few injuries this summer, coach Nordahl reports a strong summer, with many runners making a jump. These offseason efforts could be what make the difference this November.
5. Arlington Heights (Hersey)
Head Coach: Kevin Young
Last year's finish: 17th- State Championship
Key returners: Josh Methner (So), Nate Mayo (Sr), Jack Fredian (Sr),
Ryan Buch (Jr), Quinn Cunningham (Sr), Ryan Thiesen (Sr)
Outlook: Big changes in the MSL: exit Jay Renaud and enter Kevin Young for the head coach staffing moves. Renaud took a teaching and coaching position in the Prospect school district. The progam that he helped build is stocked and ready to go on a big run toward a state championship. Last year, it was injuries that cut into the success of the Huskies. Josh Mether is still very young but he appears ready to lead a strong team this season. If the scoring pack can compliment him, things will be very exciting in Arlington Heights this fall.
4. Wheaton-Warrenville South
Head Coach: Chris Kuntz
Last year's finish: 8th- State Championship
Key returners: Sean Maison, Scott Maison, Aleksei Sorokin, John Keys, William Hauenstein
Outlook:
The Maison twins lead a strong group returning for WWS. Last year the tigers finished eighth at state. They have four back from their top 7, 3 of which finish in the top 100. They finished a strong second in the Dupage Valley conference behind the future state champions, Neuqua Valley.
This team has one of the best four returning in the state. That strong pack could lead the way to a trophy in November. A lot of that depends on how their 5th runner performs. While this is a question mark today, there are many promising candidates looking to fill this roll. Do not be surprised to see this team at the top of the rankings come fall.
3. Elmhurst (York)
Head Coach: Charlie Kern
Last year's finish: 16th- State Championship
Key returners: Charlie Kern Jr. (Sr), Sean MacGregor(Sr), Ethan Kern (Sr), Danny Hohnquest (Sr), Jackson Bode (Sr), Joe Evely (Sr), Tim Stevenson (Sr), Daniel Klysh (So)
Outlook:
Last year finishing 16th in the state was very un-York like. Perhaps, the changes and stress of transition of outgoing legend coach Joe Newton was the reason. With that being said York is not short on talent. The Dukes return all 7 runners from their state squad last year. This includes Charlie Kern and Sean McGregor. Both finished in the top 8 at last year's state meet. No other team has two all state runners returning. No doubt go into the season they have the best 1-2 punch in the state.
For York it is not a question of their top 2, but their next three. How much of a jump can the rest of their returning runners make. Look for Jackson Bode and the rest of the returning group to make a strong jump under the training of Coach Kern
Said Coach Kern:
"We expect to challenge ourselves in practice knowing that doing so will prepare us for the challenges of competing with the best teams in Illinois. If we can stay healthy and consistently train, we will improve. Time will tell how much better we will be than last year. We were 16th last year and we have a long way to go to get near the front."
2. Naperville (Neuqua Valley)
Head Coach: Paul Vandersteen
Last year's finish: State Champion; NXR Midwest Regional- 1st place; NXN- 5th place
Key returners: Zach Kinne (Jr),
Ryan Kennedy (Sr),
Danny Winek (Sr),
Tyler Bombacino (Sr),
Chris Keeley (Jr),
Dakota Getty (Sr),
Michael Madiol (Jr)
Outlook:
Yes, they only have one returning runner from their top 7, but don't rule them out. Paul Vandersteen has created something special at Neuqua Valley.
Since their first state championship in 2007, during that decade of dominance the Wildcats are the only team to be in the top 10 each year, with 8 of them being in the top 4. 6 times the wildcats have come home with a trophy including three state championships. Just going by the numbers, it is more likely than not they make it on the medal stand, but that is only part of the story.
While everyone will remember the 2016 top seven of Neuqua, both their JV and Varsity squad were dominant as well. After the Red-Devil Invite, Neuqua valley did not lose a race on any level. Their dominance was highlighted at their conference meet when they swept all three levels with 33, 36, and 16 points. That amazing level of depth will help fill in the holes left by seniors last year, and the legendary coaching of Paul Vandersteen will take those runners to new levels.
