Scouting DuPage County boys track

Addison Trail

Coach: Bruce Kelsay (ninth season).

Last year: Fifth in the West Suburban Gold. Competed at the Class AA Fremd sectional.

Top athletes: Frank Cervantes, so. (sprints, triple jump); Rudy Esparza, sr. (sprints); Major Hillard, fr. (sprints, long jump); Rob Lyons, sr. (hurdles); Alberto Martinez, jr. (distance); Mark Thomas, sr. (middle distance).

Outlook: Lyons and Esparza are among a handful of seniors on a team looking ahead; the Blazers' freshmen placed third at the Gold Indoor. Cervantes and Martinez will aim for downstate berths, and speedy Hillard and freshman Jacek Augustyn may make a late push to join Esparza and Cervantes in a relay or two. But Kelsay mainly wants his youth to develop as a unit. "They're some very fast kids," he said, "and we want to have them have some success."

Benet

Coach: Pat Marshall (second season).

Last year: First in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Seventh at the Class AA Plainfield Central sectional. Tied for 78th in Class AA.

Top athletes: Kevin Cleary, sr. (distance); Paul Clifford, so. (middle distance); Alex Gasick, sr. (middle distance); David Gorenz, jr. (jumps, sprints, hurdles); Jack Jenkins, so. (sprints); Alex Krouse, sr. (middle distance, distance); Chris Reyes, sr. (sprints, jumps, hurdles); Max Rock, sr. (throws); Phil Schmidt, so. (sprints, jumps); Craig Tessiatore, sr. (pole vault); Dave Weiziorick, jr. (pole vault).

Outlook: A third straight ESCC title will be tough, but the Redwings have skill if not great depth. Gasick (10th in the Class AA 800), Krouse, Reyes, Gorenz must be bolstered by sophomores like Schmidt and Jenkins. Goals include Gasick's health, jelling relays and building the usually solid distance squad. Marshall's second season helps: "Through a full season I can assess them better."

Downers Grove North

Coach: John Sipple (first season).

Last year: Sixth in the West Suburban Silver. Third at the Class AA Lyons Twp. sectional. Tied for 53rd in Class AA.

Top athletes: Dave Acevedo, sr. (jumps, sprints); Cecil Barbato, jr. (throws); Jacob Brower, sr. (distance); Dave Driesier, jr. (sprints); Russell Katz, sr. (sprints); Mike Lifson, sr. (distance); Rob Lott, so. (sprints); Dan Phistry, jr. (distance); Kameron Rush, so. (jumps); Aaron Silver, sr. (distance); Ben Silver, fr. (distance); Bobby Turnholt, sr. (distance).

Outlook: Sipple, 28, the Trojans' fourth coach in four years, has a nice distance crew. Aaron Silver and Lifson ran on last year's 11th-place 3,200 relay and helped win the WSS Indoor 3,200 relay. Acevedo, Rush and Ben Silver are other pluses. In time the young sprinters may produce competitive 400 and 800 relays. "We're looking long term with some of our young kids," Sipple said.

Downers Grove South

Coach: Mark Wiggins (third season).

Last year: Third in the West Suburban Gold. Seventh at the Lyons Twp. sectional.

Top athletes: Tasean Jackson, so. (sprints); Marcus McNeal, jr., (sprints); Shane Molidor, so. (long jump); James Pinkston, sr. (sprints); Alan Porter, jr. (sprints, triple jump); Stevin Schmid, sr. (distance); Steve Slayden, sr. (throws); Tyler Vlna, jr. (long jump); Chris Wild, jr. (throws); Steve Zahrobsky, so. (sprints).

Outlook: The graduation of state qualifiers Dave Toomey, Phil Svetich and John Baleski leaves a mainly young group that retains top-three conference aspirations. Sprints should be strong with McNeal, Pinkston and Downers North transfer Jackson. Points also should come via Vlna's jumps and in pole vault as the Mustangs are one of the few Gold teams to vault. Count on throws coach Bud Mohns to groom a qualifier from a group including Slayton and Wild.

Driscoll

Coach: Pat Ryan (third season).

Last year: Seventh in the Suburban Catholic Conference. Competed at the Fremd sectional.

Top athletes: Joey Calabrese, jr. (jumps, sprints); Marco Guerrero, sr. (distance); Brandon O'Connor, jr. (sprints); Matt Strickland, sr. (distance); Pierre Washington-Steel, so. (sprints); Jeremy Wilk, sr. (distance).

Outlook: The switch to Class A from AA should benefit morale. Guerrero's work ethic, plus Wilk's and Strickland's experience could send the distance relays into the upper half of the SCC. Calabrese scores well in jumps but he'll need added distance to reach state. O'Connor, Calabrese and Washington-Steel -- a transfer also playing baseball in a "test case" -- head promising sprint relays. "If we stay healthy and every one sticks with it, we should be in good shape," Ryan said.

Fenton

Coach: John Kurtz (40th season).

Last year: First in the Metro Suburban Conference. Seventeenth at the Fremd sectional.

Top athletes: Tomas Cano, sr. (pole vault); Larry Garrett, sr. (hurdles); Eric Hermansen, so. (distance); Arnold Montenegro, sr. (distance); Francisco Ochoa, jr. (throws); Frank Postelnick, sr. (middle distance); Raul Rosas, sr. (distance); Shan Sabri, sr. (distance); Justin Smith, jr. (distance); Nathan Smith, jr. (distance).

Outlook: Kurtz, the dean of DuPage County coaches, saw his Bison score in each event for a second straight Metro Indoor title. They also look to repeat outdoors. In the finale of two-class track the hall of famer would like the orange and blue in Charleston despite a loaded Palatine sectional. Cano aims to succeed graduated vaulter Alex Mikos downstate. Sprinters aren't plentiful but Postelnick and Montenegro offer veteran distance and leadership. Molding multi-event potential and team unity, the spry Kurtz said, "It just gets better and better."

Glenbard East

Coach: Jack Brady (26th season).

Last year: Eighth in the DuPage Valley Conference. Eleventh at the Class AA St. Charles East sectional.

Top athletes: Luke Chvatal, so. (middle distance); Chris Corral, jr. (jumps); Jason Eberle, jr. (high jump, hurdles); Jim Fahey, sr. (distance); Bobby Kaputska, sr. (throws); Clinton Omsberg, jr. (sprints); Brian Peters, sr. (distance); Christian Trejo, sr. (jumps); Sean Vogt, sr. (sprints, jumps).

Outlook: Seeking an upper-half DVC finish and more than 2007's two state qualifiers, with strength afield. Kaputska's personal-best 53-9 shot put won the DVC Indoor. Vogt and Eberle are good in jumps and on the track, speedster Omsberg in open sprints and relays. Five Rams broke 2:05 in the 800 indoors; three are sophomores on a deep but relatively young squad. "Some of these young guys are going to have to keep progressing like they have because we are somewhat reliant on juniors and sophomores," Brady said.

Glenbard North

Coach: Eric Manuel (14th season).

Last year: Sixth in the DuPage Valley Conference. Tenth at the St. Charles East sectional.

Top athletes: Tim Bates, sr. (middle distance); Brian Hackett, sr. (hurdles); Paris Howard, sr. (sprints); Mike Matuszak, sr. (distance); Bryan Milan, sr. (sprints); Matt Ng, sr. (sprints, jumps); Devin Partee, sr. (sprints); Tom Stacey Jr., jr. (pole vault); Roger Weston, jr. (long jump, sprints); Bob Withington, jr. (sprints, hurdles).

Outlook: Also eyeing the DVC's upper half with a couple downstate candidates. Respectively, Hackett and Stacey Jr. tied school indoor records in the 55 hurdles and pole vault. Manuel hopes his sprint relays approach the form that helped earn an 11-year span of state finalists. Weston and Bates should score consistently and Matuszak can double in the distance races. The sophomores, third in the DVC Indoor, may help fill gaps. "I'm optimistic they'll move up and help," Manuel said.

Glenbard South

Coach: Andy Preuss (26th season).

Last year: First in the Western Sun Conference. First at the Class AA Palatine sectional. Tied for 10th in Class AA.

Top athletes: Connor Douglas, so. (jumps, sprints); Mike Oratowski, sr. (jumps, hurdles, sprints); Andrew Payne, jr. (sprints); Chris Sirota, so. (high jump); Sean Smith, sr. (throws); Nick Summers, sr. (sprints); Darius Wuanti, jr. (sprints); Luke Zanoni, jr. (hurdles, middle distance).

Outlook: Rebuilding from near-total graduation loss. Summers and Payne are back from state-qualifying relay teams. Add Oratowski. That's about it. Even top distance man Ben Miller is on student exchange in Israel. A sixth straight Western Sun title would be nice, but the real hope is for a state qualifier or two as kids like the impressive Zanoni develop from Preuss' biggest turnout (84, with four seniors). The challenge, he said, "is to get them reloaded."

Glenbard West

Coach: Kurt Frazier (second season).

Last year: Seventh in the West Suburban Silver. Competed at the St. Charles East sectional.

Top athletes: Imran Ahmed, jr. (throws); Jeff Anderson, sr. (middle distance); Jordan Cevaal, jr. (middle distance); Robert Cook, jr. (sprints); Robert Cooper, sr. (distance); Dylan Loch, jr. (pole vault); Chris Oberst, sr. (jumps); Matt Pietrus, jr. (high jump); Bryant Venson, jr. (sprints); Chris Watt, jr. (throws); Jamie Westergaard, jr. (jumps).

Outlook: Continuing to build behind a strong junior class and senior leaders Cooper, Oberst and Westergaard. Cross country improved Cooper's versatility, and he heads a 3,200 relay that ran third at the Silver Indoor, a conference loaded in distance. Field has an edge over the track with the jumpers and Loch -- who with Cooper may eye a downstate bid -- but the Hilltoppers should only get better. "This is really the year for us to improve," Frazier said.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Jim Kupres (second season).

Last year: Third in the West Suburban Silver. Tied for first at the Lyons Twp. sectional.

Top athletes: Eric Anden, sr. (hurdles); John Balsamo, sr. (sprints); Pat Clegg, jr. (throws); Thomas Fielder, sr. (distance); Robin Kalsbeek, sr. (middle distance); Gabby Morales, so. (throws); Alex Orton, jr. (middle distance); Pete Richard, sr. (middle distance); Matt Tweardy, jr. (middle distance).

Outlook: Atypical low numbers and a last-place finish at the Silver Indoor suggest it's a year for individual development over big-meet success. Thus, hurdler Anden hopes to peak late without triple jump to divide his time; Fielder is in 3,200 qualifying-time area and Morales will push it in discus. Richard and Kalsbeek head a promising 3,200 relay. "We're focusing on these individuals to qualify for state," Kupres said.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Dean Norman (third season).

Last year: Second in the West Suburban Gold. Fifth at the Lyons Twp. sectional.

Top athletes: Ben Adelphia, jr. (high jump); Jon Asimakopoulos, sr. (hurdles); Brian Denk, sr. (distance); Norman Frazier, sr. (high jump); Dan Herber, sr. (middle distance); Dan Hopp, sr. (hurdles); Brandon Hummer, sr. (middle distance); Darin Kidd, jr. (sprints); Devon Lee, so. (jumps); Max Rodrigues, jr. (distance); Lee Vlcek, sr. (distance).

Outlook: Four-time defending Gold Indoor champs -- a first for the Hornets -- hope to surpass Morton for their first outdoor title since 2005. Strengths include returning 3,200 qualifiers Denk and Vlcek, high jump qualifier Frazier and good hurdlers led by Hopp. Throws, 300 hurdles and young sprinters will develop. "I don't think this team really has a weakness," Norman said. "We just have some inexperience."

Immaculate Conception

Coach: Bob Cronin (fifth season).

Last year: Eighth in the Suburban Catholic Conference. Eleventh at the Class A Lisle sectional.

Top athletes: D.J. Abuy, sr. (sprints); Miguel Cavazos, so. (distance); Nick DiBrito, sr. (sprints); Jonathon Ellis, sr. (sprints); Joshua Fenton, jr. (throws); Danny Garcia, sr. (sprints); Michael Howlett, sr. (sprints); Andy Larem, sr. (sprints); Marco Medina, jr. (throws); Brendan Ryan, sr. (sprints).

Outlook: The sprint-heavy Knights hope to revisit 2006 glory when Ellis, DiBrito and Larem led the 400 relay to eighth in Class A. Ryan returns experience in the event to help the cause. Others like Medina and Fenton will be developed for future payoff. Ellis and Larem, potential qualifiers in the 100 and 200, respectively, will keep mileage low to benefit down the stretch. "If they stay healthy," Cronin said, "they're formidable."

Lake Park

Coach: Jay Ivory (eighth season).

Last year: Fourth in the Upstate Eight Conference. Sixth at the Fremd sectional. Seventh in Class AA.

Top athletes: Mike Adcock, jr. (pole vault, sprints); Dan Block, jr. (throws); Pat Brambert, jr. (hurdles); Mike DellaPenna, sr. (distance); Greg Haugh, sr. (pole vault); Bryan Heppner, sr. (sprints); Chris Jasinski, so. (sprints); Kevin Hausfeld, sr. (sprints); Jake Killmer, jr. (hurdles); Rob Kowalski, jr. (jumps); Alex Rummelhart, sr. (middle distance); Kevin Thomas, jr. (shot put); Craig Watson, jr. (distance).

Outlook: Reigning discus champ Block is also a favorite in shot after a 62-6 indoor throw, 13th in the nation. (Haugh also cleared qualification height indoors.) Ivory believes the Lancers may test Neuqua Valley in the UEC. They're faster on the track with Rummelhart, Watson, improved sprints, hurdles and relays. It's hoped the runners hold their own while the field guys score huge. "This could be a big year for Lake Park if our juniors step up," Ivory said.

Lisle

Coach: Ken Jakalski (23rd season; 33rd overall).

Last year: Seventh in the Interstate Eight Conference. Fourth at the Lisle sectional.

Top athletes: Josh Andrzejewski, sr. (distance); D.J. Cook, sr. (pole vault); Anthony Kisla, jr. (throws); Joe McCarthy, sr. (sprints); Mitch McCarthy, fr. (sprints); Matt Rafacz, sr. (distance); Jack Stephens, so. (sprints); David Storme, so. (sprints); Anthony Ventrella, fr. (jumps).

Outlook: Looking to get their "MoJo" back. That is, potential downstate sprinter Joe McCarthy, the defending IEC 100 dash champ coming off a football knee injury. To achieve the Lions' goal of a top-three league finish they'll use strength in open sprints -- Storme and Stephens were the only teammates in the IEC Indoor 55 dash finals -- and relays, plus Cook in vault, and chip away for points. Lisle's decent-sized roster still lacks depth and the standout multi-event athletes it's had in the past. "A healthy Joe could change things around," Jakalski said.

Montini

Coach: Chris Andriano (fourth season; 19th overall).

Last year: Third in the Suburban Catholic Conference. Twelfth at the St. Charles East sectional.

Top athletes: Johnny Borsellino, sr. (sprints); Dan Grace, jr. (middle distance); Dex Jones, sr. (sprints); Andrew Larsen, jr. (distance); Matt Sloan, jr. (jumps, sprints); Brian Zirko, jr. (jumps).

Outlook: Rather than stress upper-half finishes the young (four seniors) Broncos will target the downstate chances of Larsen and Zirko. Larsen, 10th in 2007 Class AA cross country, is ahead of last spring when he set Montini's 3,200 record and placed 35th in state. Zirko returns the area's best triple jump mark but needs to add distance to get downstate. Jones and Borsellino will mainly run relays, training for college football. "We've always had our share of individuals who've been pretty good," Andriano said, "so we'll see if we can build on that."

Naperville Central

Coach: Steve Wiesbrook (fifth season).

Last year: Fourth in the DuPage Valley Conference. Fourth at the Plainfield Central sectional. Tied for 78th in Class AA.

Top athletes: Steve Couch, sr. (distance); Harrison Daniels, sr. (jumps); Nick Danzy, sr. (middle distance); Joel Ferm, sr. (throws); Dan Martynowicz, sr. (throws); Stephen O'Donnell, sr. (distance); Riley O'Toole, jr. (sprints); Aaron Petty, jr. (jumps, hurdles); Kalen Petty, jr. (jumps, hurdles); Mike Schmitz, sr. (sprints); Evan Thayer, sr. (distance).

Outlook: The horses for an upper-half DVC finish and several state qualifiers after a year's improvement by Martynowicz and Aaron Petty, a 6-6 high jumper indoors. Thayer and Couch return from an all-state 3,200 relay; O'Donnell is another potential distance qualifier. Hurdles and sprints are deeper than usual if not huge point scorers; relays are sound. Field events may lead the Redhawks early until this exciting squad jells. "They're going to step on the track and give 100 percent," Wiesbrook said.

Naperville North

Coach: Jack Wright (sixth season).

Last year: Fifth in the DuPage Valley Conference. Eleventh at the Plainfield Central sectional.

Top athletes: Paul Boyer, sr. (distance); Sean Denard, sr. (throws); Kyle Gibson, jr. (distance); Dan Harper, sr. (distance); Mike Herbert, jr. (distance); Tyler Jerman, so. (distance); Jimmy Lee, sr. (jumps, hurdles); Nick Mlady, jr. (sprints); Jon Newman, sr. (distance); Tom Quevillon, sr. (throws); David Schuman, jr. (sprints, hurdles); Austin Weiss, sr. (hurdles).

Outlook: Will challenge for the DVC title. Flush in quality distance runners led by the Marquette-bound Newman. Deep through the sprints (Mlady won the DVC Indoor 55 dash) with good prospects in relays and hurdles. Besides good weight men Denard and Quevillon, the Huskies are a little light in the field, but Wright said, "I feel like we have the potential to cover all areas with good athletes."

Neuqua Valley

Coach: Mike Kennedy (fourth season).

Last year: Second in the Upstate Eight Conference. Eighth at the Palatine sectional. Tied for 20th in Class AA.

Top athletes: Aaron Beattie, so. (distance); Pat Cross, sr. (sprints); Chris Derrick, sr. (distance); Robert James, jr. (middle distance); Desmond Nolen, jr. (sprints); Danny Pawola, jr. (distance); Jim Riddle, sr. (distance); Mike Ruff, sr. (middle distance); Marshall Stewart, sr. (middle distance); Sam Wildeman, jr. (pole vault); Chris Youngstrom, sr. (hurdles, jumps).

Outlook: Top-five state potential. The six-time defending UEC Indoor champs offer four all-staters, led by Stanford-bound phenom Derrick, from Class 3A and Nike Team National cross country champs. Payoff depends on scoring in relays and open-event success of Nolen, Youngstrom, Stewart, etc. Field help is a bonus. Rife with talent, numbers and options. "We're going to do a ton of experimenting," Kennedy said.

St. Francis

Coach: Scott Nelson (20th season).

Last year: Second in the Suburban Catholic Conference. Fourteenth at the St. Charles East sectional.

Top athletes: Dave Cox, sr. (sprints); Phil Diamond, sr. (distance); Mark Kachmer, jr. (sprints, jumps); Garrett McKnight, sr. (distance); Dillon Murray, sr. (middle distance); Ryan O'Donnell, jr. (sprints); Mike Sahs, sr. (throws, sprints); Mark Schmidt, so. (middle distance); David Sufranski, jr. (sprints).

Outlook: The Spartans' goal is to dethrone two-time defending SCC champ Marmion and win the league for the first time since 2003. McKnight and Kachmer are headliners among a youthful blend that also aims to send a sprint relay downstate. Double-scoring ability depends on continued development. "What we have for the first time in four, five years," Nelson said, "is a nice, well-rounded team."

Timothy Christian

Coach: John Vander Kamp (21st season).

Last year: Fourth in the Private School League. Seventh at the Lisle sectional.

Top athletes: Justin Barak, so. (throws); Brandon Buikema, sr. (jumps); Jon Denny, so. (distance); Kris Liefeld, sr. (throws); Justin Peeples, so. (sprints, jumps); Kordel Smith, so. (jumps, sprints); Rob Stein, so. (throws); Jeff Vander Kamp, so. (distance); Mark Zylstra, sr. (distance).

Outlook: Feel-good stories will hopefully end happily. PSL shot champ Stein finished 24th in Class A as a freshman; Buikema tries to overcome knee surgery in the unforgiving horizontal jumps. Strength is in distance, jumps and throws, but there's potential for solid sprint relays with Smith, Peeples. A very young team with lower numbers, it'll take time to jell. Still, Vander Kamp said, "I'm telling my guys, set high goals."

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Brian Beyers (second season).

Last year: Third in the Upstate Eight Conference. Tenth at the Plainfield Central sectional. Tied for 20th in Class AA.

Top athletes: Tre Clark, so. (sprints, jumps); Brett Einbecker, sr. (throws); Dwight Harris, sr. (throws); Matt Havlik, jr. (middle distance); Emmett Lorenz, jr. (middle distance); Michael Lorenz, jr. (middle distance); Randy Magnuson, sr. (jumps); Scott Mankivsky, sr. (hurdles); Marc Presley, sr. (sprints); Mark Schumacher, sr. (distance); David Schumacher, sr. (distance); Tony Tucker, jr. (sprints); Sean Wiggan, sr. (middle distance).

Outlook: Like the Warriors' two pairs of twins, all-state Illinois-bound weight man Einbecker may have company downstate in Harris and a middle-distance group, both of which exploded indoors. Plenty deep from 800 on up with a potential ace in Wiggan; field events will add points. Tucker heads a thinner sprint corps. Goals? "The sky's the limit," Beyers said.

West Chicago

Coach: Paul McLeland (18th season).

Last year: Seventh in the DuPage Valley Conference. Eighth at the St. Charles East sectional.

Top athletes: Trent Amey, jr. (sprints); Eder Gonzalez, jr. (hurdles); Tucker Hauptman, sr. (throws); Jason Kovanda, sr. (high jump, pole vault); Neil Luka, sr. (sprints); Zach Mowen, jr. (sprints); D.J. Muzzy, so. (distance); Kyle Nichol, jr. (middle distance); Ryan Scheck, sr. (middle distance); Josh Tikka, sr. (high jump, sprints).

Outlook: McLeland said he's got seven 4.0 students, but they can't figure out how to stay healthy -- several ailed indoors, including senior David Musick, the area's top returning long jumper whose pulled hamstring still needs 6-7 weeks of rehab. Goals include upper-half meet finishes and a first-ever downstate 1,600 relay. "We're telling the guys they could have a legacy," McLeland said.

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Bill Bickhart (14th season).

Last year: Sixth in the Private School League. Competed at the St. Charles East sectional.

Top athletes: Matt DeRenzo, sr. (distance); Mike DeRenzo, so. (middle distance); Tyler Friedl, jr. (throws); Peter Heidlauf, fr. (distance); Jake Jones, jr. (sprints, high jump); Anthony Lamantia, jr. (distance); Mark Phillips, jr. (distance); Ryan Seager, sr. (middle distance); Shai Weinstein, jr. (distance).

Outlook: Bickhart said this distance squad is among his best ever. The Warriors' 3,200 relay in particular could impact in the PSL and at the sectional, though the 24-man squad joins teams several times its size. The goal will be to keep the DeRenzo brothers, Weinstein, etc., healthy and peaking late. "I want my distance team to shine," Bickhart said. A bonus from Wheaton Academy's first football season is thrower Friedl.

Wheaton North

Coach: Don Helberg (16th season).

Last year: Second in the DuPage Valley Conference. Third at the St. Charles East sectional.

Top athletes: Joe Allen, jr. (throws); Colin Christensen, sr. (distance); Kenny Collier, sr. (sprints); Matt Covall, jr. (throws); Graham Farnsworth, sr. (distance); John Frano, jr. (sprints); Chase Kadlec, sr. (distance); Ryan Mademann, sr. (distance); Mitch Moore, jr. (sprints); Jeff Rosenwinkel, sr. (jumps); Ivan Tamba, so. (sprints); Mike Trumpy, jr. (hurdles, sprints).

Outlook: Top-five state potential. The Falcons broke more school indoor records than ever before. Possible all-staters run in nearly every track event, relays included, and they're flush in distance with Kadlec, Farnsworth, Mademann, etc. Trumpy looks to break through in hurdles/sprints, while Collier is bona fide from 100-400 meters. Field events are not yet as strong, but as new Hall of Famer Helberg said: "It's exciting. I think the kids know the potential's there."

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Ken Helberg (20th season).

Last year: First in the DuPage Valley Conference. Fifth at the Plainfield Central sectional. Tied for 31st in Class AA.

Top athletes: Randall Babb, sr. (distance); Peter Casa, sr. (distance); Kevin Credille, jr. (sprints); Alex Devers, jr. (hurdles); Dan Hohenstein, so. (jumps); Dan Kim, sr. (jumps); Dave McHale, sr. (distance); Matt Mitchell, jr. (distance); Chris Schweighardt, sr. (hurdles); Phil Traynor, sr. (sprints); Will Traynor, sr. (hurdles); Kent Yamane, sr. (jumps).

Outlook: The Tigers graduated a slew of talent and versatility, but Helberg & Co. thrive on crafting state-caliber units out of "movable parts." Standout Babb could qualify in the 800, 1,600 and as 1,600 relay anchor, depends on the best fit. Short sprints are a little down, field events up. "I think we've got a pretty good, solid team all the way around," Helberg said.

Willowbrook

Coach: Braden Kass (first season).

Last year: Fourth in the West Suburban Gold. Seventh at the St. Charles East sectional. Tied for 31st in Class AA.

Top athletes: James Annunziata, sr. (sprints); Ryan Chapin, sr. (middle distance); Mike Kane, jr. (sprints); Dan Rispens, jr. (throws); Emilio Salinas, sr. (throws); Jawon Smith, sr. (sprints), Jeff Stapleton, sr. (middle distance); Rob Urie, sr. (jumps).

Outlook: Former Benet hurdler Kass follows the successful two-year stint of Romelle Taylor. Kass hopes his sprint and distance groups mature, but he's strong in middle distance with Chapin and returning state qualifiers Smith and Stapleton. The Warriors' 1,600 relay should also return downstate, but at press time high jump qualifier Milton Colbert was a no-show. "I'm hoping to try to build up a strong program where kids are more inclined to come out," Kass said.

York

Coach: Stan Reddel (eighth season; 18th overall).

Last year: First in the West Suburban Silver. First at the Fremd sectional. Fourth in Class AA.

Top athletes: Tom Achtien, sr. (distance); Carl Carbonell, sr. (middle distance); Steve Cripe, sr. (sprints); Neal Deiters, sr. (throws); John Fox, jr. (sprints); Kyle Khary, sr. (middle distance); Nicco Perrino, sr. (sprints); Steve Sulkin, jr. (distance); Jimmy Sullivan, jr. (jumps, sprints); Mark Talbot, sr. (distance); Rojin Thomas, sr. (middle distance); Khara Williams, jr. (triple jump, sprints); Jimmy Zars, sr. (pole vault).

Outlook: Top-five state potential. Sulkin, Achtien return from Class 3A's No. 2 cross country team, but Illinois-bound runner-up Achtien is being coddled after a late-fall stress fracture. The Dukes should win a sixth straight Silver title with quality depth, but the question remains what Williams, Fox, Thomas, Talbot, etc., do at sectional, mainly state. "We're training for a particular reason," Reddel said, "and that reason is all in May."