Boys track: Scouting the Mid-Suburban League
Mid-Suburban West
Barrington
Coach: Todd Kuklinski (seventh year)
Last season: MSL West champions
Key losses: Ryan Mangone (2nd place 800, 6th place 400 - Clemson), Kevin Crowley (state qualifier - Dartmouth), Billy Odell, Sam Ojuri (state qualifier - North Dakota State Football), Kurt Stanke (state qualifier), Jason Taylor (state qualifier - Colgate football), Adam Selner, Nick Chapoy, Jeff Robinson, Kevin Griffin, Cam Good, Steve Munoz.
Key returnees: Seniors Terrance Terry (state qualifier), Scott Kimes, John Forsyth, Brett Seeger, Chris Cogswell (state qualifier), Nick Tisani, Kenny Greer; juniors Dale Ino-Baptiste, Kyle Dockery, JL Etienne, Nick Graziano, Dan Voltz, Tim Jaderholm, Eric Schneider (state qualifier), Taylor Calacci, Terence Taylor, Robbie Wagner, Blake Landa, Pat Bolger, Alex Kuznicki, Paul Meesala, Jimmy Kristoff, Ryan Grower; sophomores James Pajich, Erik Peterson, Nolan Wajtowicz, AJ Scarbrough, Kevin Morton.
Top newcomers: Junior Nico Martinez
Outlook: Its nothing new for the expectations to be high at Barrington and with the recent success the Broncos have had, they have had little trouble living up to those expectations. This year is no different as Barrington has the depth to capture the MSL title this spring and make a big splash at state. The depth of this group is in the junior class with Schneider and Wagner among some of the standouts. But seniors Terry and Cogswell look good so far and ready to lead Barrington to big things.
Conant
Coach: John Powers (second year)
Last season: MSL champions
Key losses: Jeff Thode (state champion 1,600, 5th place 800 - Iowa), Kyle Reid (8th in state 300 hurdles - Iowa), Kendall Lane, Tyler Fuchs (state qualifier), Juan Ramirez (state qualifier), Ryan Moeller, Sean Goldern, Dan Akinola, Mark Kosrow, Pablo Ramirez (Robert Morris College), Ben Anderson
Key returnees: Seniors Kevin Reddington (state qualifier), Sean Chaudhari (state qualifier), Muhammad Tayyab, David Goings, Steven Gnoffo, Joe Mazurkiewitz, Steve Sufferdin, Ron Velasco; Junior Nikhil Byanna.
Top newcomer: Sophomore Ben Bowers
Outlook: Graduation always hits every team, but not quite like the hits that the Cougars suffered. Gone are repeat state medalists Reid and Thode, but back are talented seniors in Goings, Reddington and Chaudhari. Bowers has been a pleasant surprise indoors in the high jump and will be counted on there and in the hurdles this spring. A good young group will help the Cougars.
Fremd
Coach: Jim Aikens (21st year)
Last season: 6th place MSL
Key losses: Jeff Bobek (8th in state discus - Michigan State football), Alex Rourke (state qualifier - Illinois State), Mike Adamczyk, Taylor Kahldahl, Mike Cha.
Key returnees: Seniors Spiros Angelakos, Aaron Ferst, Phil Cano, Dan Ricketts, Yotaro Okuda, Blake Thompson, Ben Bodicott, Mike Varela (state qualifier); juniors Brian Bobek, Justin Wallace, Tyrone St. John, Isaiah Coleman, Tyler Mundt, Erik Wolski, Andy Mack, Jack Konopka; sophomores Christian Vail, Dave Mollado
Top newcomers: Freshman Nick Storm
Outlook: From sprint savvy to distance, deep is the direction the Vikings are going this spring. Angelakos and Ferst are another part of a deep distance group in the MSL this spring, but the Vikings aren't only strong there. Ricketts and Varela will provide depth and Bobek is another in a long line of excellent throwers for Aikens. After a couple of down years, the Vikings could be a threat.
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Tyrone Jones (third year)
Last season: 9th place MSL
Key losses: Matt Perez (5th place 3,200 - Oklahoma State), Cory Smith (state qualifier), Torrence Gardner, Steven Chin
Key returnees: Seniors Marlen Hamilton, Jerel Gabriel, Zain Khan, Kyle Gonzales, Jon Hunter, Steve Green; juniors David Gutierrez, Doni Ballahazi, Shawn Lascalles, Steve Grajek.
Top newcomers: Juniors Mike Denight, Michael Goers; freshmen Mike Deles, Jared Bruemmer, Brian Gonzales, Jason Palatty (transfer from Hersey).
Outlook: Every year the questions for Jones and Hawks are pretty much the same. But this year, so far it looks like the Hawks have been able to stay healthy and keep everyone together through the indoor. Hamilton and Gabriel are two seniors that could lift the Hawks into MSL contention for the first time since 1998. Denight and fellow juniors Lascalles and Grajek should provide big points for one of the real darkhorses in the MSL team race.
Palatine
Coach: John Nalley (19th year)
Last season: 5th place MSL
Key losses: Chris Norman (state qualifier), Dan LaRocca (state qualifier - Illinois Wesleyan), Ed Anderson (state qualifier - DePaul), Matt Wiggan, Brad Dorman, Lukasz Kierys, Tom Laskowske.
Key returnees: Seniors Kyle Marrison, Dan Schweikert, Chad Bobbit, Chano Bernardo, Eric DeBellis, Alec Bollman (8th in state 1,600), Mykyta Cheshko, Tyler Jones, Willie Filian, Dan Schweikert, Jeff Larson, Phil Howe, Steven Schalla, Trevor Peters, Alphonso Butera, Laquane Bailey, Adam Dreger, Manny Del Rio; juniors Ryan McGough, David DiCristofano, Zach Gates, Terry Halloran; sophomore Tim Meincke
Top newcomers: Juniors Nick LaRocca, Shawn Anderson, Will Stein; sophomore Tim Johnson
Outlook: Nalley really likes this edition of the Pirates and why not with stars like Bollman, Bernardo and Bobbit. The only question Nalley has about this team is, can they stay healthy? If they can get through the nagging injuries that lurked during indoors, this is a serious challenger for the top spot in the West and the MSL. Newcomers La Rocca, Anderson and Johnson will make immediate impacts.
Schaumburg
Coach: Jim Macnider (25th year)
Last season: 11th Place MSL
Key losses: Jeff Koutnik, Jesse DiSandro, Neal Fennell
Key returnees: Seniors Dionte Hackler (state qualifier), Richard Barnes, Jake Fritzler, Pat Lesiewicz (state qualifier), Mike Perry, TJ Akinola, Doug Thomas; juniors Connor Prizy, Tavis Morrison
Top newcomers: Juniors Shepard Little, Ryan King, Ben Gallis; sophomore Wyatt Kondras, Tyler Anderson, Pat Sweich, Greg Kulasik; freshman Evan Prizy
Outlook: It's the final year for the dean of coaches in the MSL and this could be one of Macnider's better squads. The Saxons haven't won the conference since they tied with Fremd in 1999 and haven't captured the outdoor crown outright since 1995. Lesiewicz is as good a distance runner as the Saxons have had and Hackler has been very strong indoors. The addition of Little and King could pay huge dividends later for the Saxons.
Mid-Suburban East
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Jamie Klotz (seventh year)
Last season: MSL East champions, second place MSL
Key losses: Matt Newman (second state high jump - Iowa), Steve Miller (state qualifier - Kansas State), James Blackmon (state qualifier), Caleb Farina, Tim Marr, Alan Baxter (7th in state shot put - Northern Illinois football), Josh Hampton (state qualifier), Eric Maher, John Pischak
Key returnees: Seniors Sam Alfano (state qualifier), Mike Galla (state qualifier), Mike Cornely, Kevin Mulligan (state qualifier), Jon Kernes, John Angotti (state qualifier), Ryan Pater, Or Gera, Mark Giannis; juniors Mike Garrity, Ryan Darcy, Eric Schiller, Ryan Bedingfield, Holger Kissner, Brian Akialis; sophomores Jereme Atchison, Taras Didenko, Mohammed Khan.
Top newcomers: Freshmen Kevin Newman, Julian Grills, Dan Saketos
Outlook: If not for an injury to Miller, we would likely be talking about the Bison as the defending MSL champions. This year, the Bison is again a contender for the top spot led by Garrity, Alfano and a solid middle-distance group. Darcy is one of the top sprinters returning and Mulligan should round out another very solid 1,600 relay for BG.
Elk Grove
Coach: Brian Bucciarelli (second year)
Last season: 12th Place MSL
Key losses: Dan Lark, Ryan Loftas
Key returnees: Seniors Matt McEnery, Nick Juhas, Brian O'Malley, Steve Pruim, Taylor Straube, Zack Husak; juniors Nick Meyer, Eddie Solorio, Mike Wary, Martin Kazecki, Eddie Stahl; sophomore Alex Mertes
Top newcomers: Juniors Jeong Yun, Joey Bishoff, Ryan Basic; sophomore Fernando Lozano.
Outlook: Year two under Bucciarelli sees the Grenadiers with a very good mix of juniors and seniors, which should translate into a pair of solid relays in the 1,600 and 3,200. The 1,600 relay has become a strong suit at Elk Grove of late and McEnery and Meyer figure to contribute to that success. Bishoff and Basic are a couple newcomers that should contribute right away.
Hersey
Coach: Ken Blazek (16th year)
Last season: 10th Place MSL
Key losses: Erik Stanton (Illinois State), Peter O'Banion, Lloyd Davis, Kyle Mengarelli, Ben Zielke, Alvin Augustine
Key returnees: Seniors Sam Zielke (state qualifier), Nick Mathopoulos, Kyle Pietro, Peter Brown, Chris Naranjo, Alex Min, Adam Reese, Nick Kautz, Carmen Maiorano (state qualifier), Garrett Vick (state qualifier), Matt Cwiok, John Mijal; juniors Steve Tubergen, Nick McKee, Ryan O'Donnell, Teddy La Tona, Tony Borelli, Brian Havel, Austin Francis, Sam O'Neil, Nate Knautz (state qualifier); sophomore Chris Coletto
Top newcomers: Senior Ted Papadopoulos; juniors Kishin Patel, Nick Kellerhals, Patry Szady, Ted Bosi; sophomore Mark Balmes; freshman Jim Olsen
Outlook: On paper, maybe the best 3,200 relay group returning belongs to the Huskies. Led by Vick and Zielke, Hersey looks to return to state and bring back a medal this year. Cwiok is back and will contribute to that group and Nate Knautz figures to round out a very solid foursome. Pietro, Brown and Maiorano will also be counted on to help the Huskies contend in the MSL East.
Prospect
Coach: Mike Kamedula (10th year)
Last season: 3rd Place MSL, 9th Place State
Key losses: Mike Prezpolewski, Mason Pack, Marcin Kwieck (state qualifier), Chris Hayek (4th in state 3,200 relay, 4th in state 1,600 - Illinois), Matt Babicz (5th place shot, 3rd place discus - De Paul), Sean Wheeler, Ryan Lynch (4th in state 3,200 relay), David Gorak.
Key returnees: Seniors Albert Ciolek (4th in state 3,200 relay), Pat Ford (4th in state 3,200 relay), Joe Mack, Leo Clark, Pat Meyers, Victor Rhee, Jason Manella, Vince Tagare, Chris Spudic, Ken Halloran, Jeremy Davis; juniors Nick Batcha, Greg Netols; sophomores Josh Campos, Anthony Babicz
Top newcomers: Junior Matt Ashton; sophomores Nick Meersman, Ted Ford
Outlook: After a year of not winning the MSL East, Prospect is loaded again and looking to regain the top spot there and its first conference crown outright since 1970. In order to do that, Batcha, Ciolek and Meyers will need to do what they do so well. Batcha can do it all in the jumps and add nice depth to the sprints. Ciolek looks to medal again in the 3,200-relay with Ford again and Meyers has a good start to his year in the vault having cleared 14-2. Halloran and Spudic could be keys to the Knights finishing up top.
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Frank Schweda (second year)
Last season: 7th place MSL
Key losses: Mick Viken (State champion pole vault - Wisconsin), Kevin Clark (state qualifier), AJ Adams (state qualifier), Colin Walker (state qualifier), David Volgarakis, Matt Hayden, Andrew Smaida, Jon Stoesser, Max Hong, John Molley, Erick Louis-Charles (fourth in state shot put - injury)
Key returnees: Seniors Angelos Karkalis (state qualifier), Photis Karkalis (state qualifier), Jared Diaz, Mike Bobowski (state qualifier); Juniors Pat Luxem, Andrew Peters.
Top newcomers: Seniors John Sullivan; sophomores Garrett Peterson, Jeramie Okoh, Chase Larson; freshman Josh Smith
Outlook: If you think you are seeing double, you are probably right. Is that Photis with the white shoes or Angelos with the green ones? Whichever Karkalis you are seeing for the Mustangs this spring, you can bet that they are going fast. Angelos has big things in his sights after winning the indoor title in the mile. Photis will look to double medal for Meadows. Luxum could be the next in a long line of great vaulters for the Mustangs.
Wheeling
Coach: Tom Polak (eighth year)
Last season: 8th place MSL
Key losses: Jarrett Austin (state qualifier), James Kurtz (state qualifier), Mike Barton (state qualifier), Kevin Ward, David Martin, Mike Zimmer, Eric Rodriguez, Wade Anderson, Lucas Bledsoe, Abraham Soto, Henry Kirby, Kevin Richardson
Key returnees: Seniors Weston Ross (state qualifier), Matt Splon, Kevin Koranda, Brad Miller, Joel Rangel, Tim Schalz, Victor Gonzalez, Jack Hurley; juniors Ivan Dovbak, Jesus Gonzalez; sophomores Andrew Jensen, Jordy Arriaga, Peter Kim
Top newcomers: Junior Mike Chmiel; sophomore Jose Ortiz
Outlook: The Wildcats have probably the best overall athlete in the conference in Ross and good athletes around him in Splon and Koranda. That should make for good sprint relays. Ross is also the top returning high jumper in the conference and a serious medal threat in that event and the long jump as well. Rangel and Gonzalez will also be factors for the Wildcats.