Palatine Boys

While this may not be the same team as last years state winning team, Palatine returns a pack of quality runners. With the loss of six of their top seven, the Pirates will be relying on some new faces this fall. Led by last years sixth place runner, Carlos Zambrano, Palatine has four more runners following close behind. Zambrano had a great spring where he ran 4:22 for 1600 meters. He is closely followed by Graham Brown who ran 9:50 on the track. Zach Stella has a 3 mile PR only 3 seconds behind Zambrano and their returning top five has a minimal spread of only 30 seconds ranging from 15:41 to 16:11.

Many of the runners that will make up the team this fall for the Pirate will be those who have waited their turn and put in the work for some time now to earn their shot at a varsity spot. With teams that dominated the MSL Fresh/Soph, and Open races, this team should reload well. Brown was second in the fresh/soph race and will be making the move up to varsity this year.

A couple of newcomers that should help Palatine will be Emil Kozakiewicz, a junior who ran 4:46 and 10:04 in the spring, Argeni Bailon, and Patrick Seeberger among others.

Coach Quick Says...

Key losses from last year's team: Anthony Gregorio (Univ. of Iowa), Peter Tomkiewicz (Grand Valley State), Tim Meincke (Eastern Illinois Univ), Tim Johnson (Univ of Missouri), Marcus Garcia (Univ of Illinois at Chicago), Noah Brown

Top returners (Top 5-7 runners): Christian Zambrano (Sr – 1:57, 4:22, 9:40), Graham Brown (So – 2:02, 4:29, 9:31), Andrew Clingerman (Sr – 1:57, 4:40), Zach Stella (Sr – 2:00, 4:31), Brian Smith (Sr – 4:37, 9:57), Tyler Squeo (Sr), Joe Mars (Sr)

Top newcomers: Emil Kozakiewicz (Jr – 4:46, 10:04), Argeni Bailon (Jr), Patrick Seeberger (So), Connor McGough (So – 2:05, 4:45), Adam Brauer (Jr), Eddie Graham (Jr – 4:39), Dean Kolar (Jr)

Outlook for this season: After losing our entire top five to college programs, we will reload behind guys who were on the varsity last year, but couldn't quite make the top seven. Many of these guys have waited their turn to run on the Palatine varsity, and they hope to continue our success on the MSL and state levels. As usual, our goals are to win the MSL and set ourselves up for a run at another state trophy. Christian Zambrano and Graham Brown look like the clear top two and the depth behind them will have to sort it out. This team has worked hard, but needs to master the emotional and leadership intangibles necessary to become a top team. Look for the inexperience and some current injuries to hold us back early on, but we should be ready late when the big meets roll around.

Other teams or athletes to watch: In the MSL, Prospect, Hersey, and Barrington all have chances to be in the top ten at state (along with us). Prospect is the clear favorite at this point and should have state trophy capability. Outside the MSL, York is the odds on favorite to win it all with O'Fallon and Naperville North pushing them closely. Behind York, it could be a very wide open year.

2012 Returner's Top Times

5K XC

Palatine High School
	1) Christian Zambrano	15:41.00
	2) Zach Stella	15:50.00
	3) Joe Mars	15:55.70
	4) Brian Smith	16:08.90
	5) Graham Brown	16:11.00
	Average Time: 15:57.32 -- Total Time: 1:19:46.60 -- 1-5 Split: 30.00
	6) Argeni Bailon	16:38.00
	7) Emanuel Rosales	16:48.00

3200 Meters

9:50.76	Brown, Graham	Mid Suburban League Boys Championship	2012-05-11
9:51.09	Zambrano, Christian	Red Granger Boys Invitational	2012-04-20
10:04.99	Kozakiewicz, Emil	Mid Suburban League Boys Championship	2012-05-11
10:07.80	Smith, Brian	Red Granger Boys Invitational	2012-04-20

1600 Meters

4:22.94	Zambrano, Christian	IHSA 3A Fremd Boys Sectional	2012-05-18
4:37.14	Brown, Graham	Mid Suburban League Boys Championship	2012-05-11
4:39.52	Graham, Eddie	Mid Suburban League Boys Championship	2012-05-11

More Coverage

Palatine HS Team Page