Last year's 3A boys final was like the "The Thriller in Manilla!" You can re-live here
The final destination has arrived! Check out the final ten teams in our 3A boys preseason preview
The team camaraderie that the Downers Grove North program has portrayed has been unmatched
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10. Edwardsville
Head Coach: George Patrylak/Keri Burmester, Alexis Keller, Adam McClean
Last Year's Finish: State Championship- 15th Place
Key returners: Hugh Davis (Sr), Gavin Rodgers (Jr), Colin Thomas (Jr), Colin Luitjohan (So), Jackson Amick (Sr), Taylor Davis (Jr), Cooper Wittek (Jr), Jack Paty (Jr), Max Horton (Jr), Parker Weaver (Sr), Jackson Elliot (Jr).
Outlook: The Tigers return a wealth of talent and depth from a year ago, which should set them up for another successful season. "Our summer training session went well," said coach George Patrylak. The boys have been together on most days and typically try to stay together, which has been impressive."
Notably, Patrylak pointed out that his team's highlights were inconsistent because of youth and growing pains. Team leader Colin Luitjohan will command the ship. With him in charge, the goal is to win the conference, followed by a high placement at sectionals and ultimately a top-10 finish at state.
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Charlie Kern/Patrick Sheridan, Niko Karavolos, Ron Hedman
Last year's finish: State Championship- 24th place
Key returners: Zach Saltiel (Sr), Sam Kehoe (Sr), Max Zangan (Sr), Emmett Bradford (Sr), Harrison Manternach
(So), Dylan Golomb (So), Ignas Zemaitaitis (So), Joseph Zbiegiel (Jr), Patrick McGrail (Sr).
Outlook: After several seasons of ups and downs, the Dukes appear to have turned the corner and are ready for an outstanding fall. "I am very pleased with our summer training," stated coach Charlie Kern. Our athletes continued to improve their aerobic capacity. We were able to stay healthy and focused on self-improvement in a team setting."
The Dukes return most of their top seven from last year, led by Zach Saltiel. He ran 15:11, followed by five more mates under 16:00 on a 43-second scoring average. This is a very good sign, especially with the summer improvements that Kern mentioned earlier. The Dukes will be fighting for a top-10 outlook at the minimum this fall.
Co-Head Coaches: Chris Kuntz, Craig Lawrence
Last year's finish: State Championship- 17th place
Key Returners: Josiah Narayanan (Sr), Aiden Noel (Sr), Samuel Purdue (Sr), Atticus Cunningham (Sr), Jack Ruswick (Sr), Ethan Farrell (Jr), Jonah Hatzinger (Sr).
Outlook: It was predicted two years ago that the Tigers would be a team in a position to challenge for a trophy. It appears now on paper that that is true. The development of Josiah Narayanan has come to fruition. He placed 12th last fall and followed it up with a 9:08 (3200m) on the track for high all-state honors. As good as he has been, Coach Kuntz still stresses the team aspect. "We've always stressed being a pack team," he stated. "The key to our season will be how well we can
pack up our three through seven runners."
7. O'Fallon
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Jon Burnett/Anna Munie/Craig Munie
Last year's finish: State Championship- 5th place
Key returners: Zach Thoman (Sr), Brayden Kloeppel (Jr), Jackson Gherardini (Jr), Robert Wocking (Sr)
Outlook: The holdovers from a year ago are good enough for another top-10 run. According to coach Jon Burnett, Zach Thoman, and Brayden Kloeppel will be the go-to guys: "We should be a solid team. We will have a good 1-2 punch and a pack."
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Matt Zaluckyj/Dan Hays
Last year's finish: State championship- 12th place
Key returners: Rory Gaan (Sr.), Jack Jennings (So.), Cooper Hewson (Sr.), Arjun Shah (Sr.)
Tom Johnston (Sr), Joe Johnston (Sr.), Trent Odachowski (Jr.) David Moore (So.)
Outlook: Rory Gaan should be given half credit for getting the Vikings program back on the map. He has grinded himself into one of the top runners in the state, and his teammates have followed in line. "The team had a lot of growth during the track and this summer
season." said coach Matt Zaluckyj. "We return five runners from last year's state team and have 5-10 more who will challenge to find their way into the lineup." An upper classmen-laden squad is ready to challenge for a trophy in November.
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Matt Sloan / Mike Richardson, Jamie Klotz, Mike Stokes, Brian Loring, Shawn Lucas, Greg Harper and Erik Saszik.
Last year's finish: State Championship- 7th place
Key returners: Ben Crane (Sr), Walter Garrett (Sr), Joey Papanicholas (Sr), Evan Shu (Sr), Jonah Swanson (Sr), Jordan Kreiner (Jr)
Newcomers: Nico Hampton (Fr)
Outlook: The Trevians will be battling for a top-five finish and a trophy chase once again. If there is a time to do it, it will be this year. "Our program returns a senior-dominated squad with five athletes who have experience racing in the IHSA state series," proclaims coach Matt Sloan. The athletes had a great summer of consistent, productive, and healthy training to set the table for the season ahead. We are very pleased with the current state of our individual and collective fitness!"
The Trevians will no doubt lean on superstar Ben Crane to lead the charge. He is the ultimate #1 stick, but he has desperately wanted to win a trophy with his teammates in past discussions. Walter Garrett will lead the pack that runs about 25 seconds 2-5. If they can get the second runner within 45 seconds of Crane in big meet situations, only the sky will be the limit for New Trier.
4. Barrington
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Tom Root/Matt Medansky and Al Sekulic
Last year's finish: State Championship- 13th place
Key returners: Seniors Joe Bregenzer (Sr), Ethan Scott (Sr), Justin Hurtado (Sr), Mark McGinn (Sr), Haru Nagaoka (Sr), and Avery Erickson (Sr), Jonathan Curbelo (Sr)
Newcomers: Will Schneider (Fr), Ryan Scott (Fr)
Outlook: Not many people talked about Barrington as gate crashers until Joe Bregenzer came through with a state title in the 3200m last spring. From there, with the returning talent the Broncos possess, they will only have themselves to blame if they don't get the job done this year. "The one team most capable of stopping this group from greatness is ourselves," indicated coach Tom Root. "If the guys can prioritize loving one another and staying committed daily to our program goals, we will see some magic in November."
Head Coach/assistant coaches: Jason Crowe/Ryan Thompsen, Carson Vittorio
Last year's finish: State Championship- 3rd place
Key returners: Dylan Maloney (Sr), Riley Fink (Sr), Alex Batsala (So), Dylan Buturusis (So), Austin Cory (Jr), Tyler Miller (Jr), Cole Maranowicz (Sr), Kellan Hernandez (So), KC Coleman (Jr), Ivan Schultz (Jr), Brandon Hoffman (Sr), Brady Prokop (Jr), Nick Valenciano (So), Ethan Ensign (So), Aron McCormick (Sr).
Outlook: The past two seasons have been very fruitful for the Cougars, who won a title and earned a third-place trophy. This year's edition is in line to chase another one. Which model (Gold, Bronze, or Silver) will depend on the corps group's ability to get it.
According to coach Jason Crowe, the Plainfield South camp has plenty of optimism. "We are excited to have Dylan Maloney back one more year as our front-runner. Dylan has taken on the role of our senior leader and wants to lead his team to more championships." Behind Maloney will be a strong cast that all have broken 16:00: Dylan Buturusis, Alex Batsala, Riley Fink, and Austin Cory. This is as formable a pack as you will find in the state. Adds Crowe: "As the season goes on, I am confident that we will gel together and find our rhythm during the championship season."
Head Coach/assistant coaches:
Andy Derks/Sam Barranco, Roxanne Hall, Emilie Hatzl
Last year's finish: State Runner Up; Nike Cross Nationals- 15th place
Key returners:
Thomas Czerwinski (Jr), Quinn Davis (Sr), Aidan Connors (Jr), James Maso (Jr), Gavin Hall (Jr), Logan Dodson, Dominic Frigo (So), Aidan Kyrychenko (Jr), Sean Jansen (Jr)
Newcomers: Stone Kaczmarek (Fr), Hector Landeros (Fr), Ryan Czerwinski (Fr), Mitchell Rudland (Fr), AJ Hartmann (Fr), Chase Hemmers (Fr), Blake Thill (Fr), Zach Gaszak (Fr), Troy Wilson (Fr), Ben Gatlin (Fr), Oliver Smith (Fr), Liam Sulo (Fr), Luca Sulo (Fr), Alex Silva (fr)
Outlook: Like it or not, the Tigers will be near or on top of Mt. Everest for more years to come. The 2024 season hasn't even started yet, and you can feel the greatness of the junior-laden crew. "I really love this team," said coach Andy Derks with glee. "We bring back a strong core group with championship race experience and a desire to place even higher this year."
According to Derks, top dogs Thomas Czerwinski and Quinn Davis are in excellent shape based on sound workouts. "They are ready to race with anyone in the state," he added. The supporting cast is potent. Aidan Connors, Gavin Hall, and James Maso are also putting in very solid and consistent summers and will be great for us."
We haven't even touched on the fringe team runners yet. "I've been pleased with some of our other guys who were not on our state team last year that have worked their way into contention, including sophomores Dominic Frigo and Logan Dodson, Aidan Kyrychenko, and Sean Jansen, among others," says Derks. "Most importantly, in my opinion, these guys just love being together, whether training or hanging out." These are the kinds of remarks that grow championship programs for years to come. Stay tuned!