2020 Illinois High School Cross Country Individual Previews - Class 3A Boys

 

New faces this fall in Class 3A led by Wilson and Hill

 

By Michael Newman

[email protected]

 

 

The 2020 season will be different than the previous two years when we had familiar faces in the front. There is a changing of the guard in Class 3A with only eight runners of the 2019 top 25 that return.

 

The top returning runner from last year in this classification is Micah Wilson from St. Charles East. This could be similar to when Danny Kilrea and Dylan Jacobs graduated. Then stepped in Josh Methner and we know what happened after that. Wilson is only a junior. It is probable that we see him in the front for the next two years.

 

Then come West Suburban Conference Silver Division runners Colin Hill of York and Pierce Cousins of Glenbard West. Hill had the flu at last year’s state meet but still finished 51. He redeemed himself a month later when he placed 49 at the Nike Cross Nationals ahead of Wilson by a couple of seconds. Cousins had a breakout fall finishing 12th at state. Cousins and Hill will race against each other in WSC-Silver Meets. With the COVID-19 guidelines, it is doubtful that we will see these three racing against each other. We sure hope to see the three run at Detweiller Park.

 

The main thing is that these kids get to run with their friends and race. That is what this sport is all about. It might not be invitational meets. It might be just dual meets and that is okay with me.

 

The previews that have been written are focused on IF we have a state series and IF we have a state meet. As of this time, that is yet to be determined.

 

There was never the chance that these would not be written for the upcoming season. It is more of a tribute to the student/athletes that did not get a chance to compete this spring and now have that opportunity this fall. This preview is for all of you.

 

 

3A Boys Top Five Runners

 

 

1 Micah Wilson – JR – St. Charles East

 

Comments – The one runner to watch in Class 3A for the next two years. The top returning runner from the 2019 3A State Meet when he ran 14:31 to finish seventh. Wilson ran under 15-minutes for 3-miles five times last fall including running 14:38 at the Peoria Invitational. After state, helped the Saints to a fourth-place finish at the Nike Cross Nationals when he ran 15:53 to finish 57th as the team’s second runner. He used his spring and summer to good use running 9:17 for 3200-meters last June in Arizona. Humble off the course, great leader to the St. Charles East Boys XC team. He was busy with time trials during the time off this spring according to Coach Chris Bosworth. Wilson ran a 4:25 personal best for 1600-meters. He recently ran 9:23 on grass for 3200-meters on August 15.

 

 

 

2 Colin Hill – SR – Elmhurst York

 

Comments – Hill did not have his best race of the 2019 cross-country season when he ran 15:04 to finish 51st at state. He bounced back to run 15:50 to finish 49th at the Nike Cross Nationals. He was the top runner for York in that race. His time on the tough Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Ore. is equivalent to 14:27 at Detweiller Park. His inner toughness is his path to success.

 

“In 2018, Colin Hill and Micah Wilson battled for the win in the sophomore race at the Richard Spring Invite,” said York Coach Charlie Kern. “We believed that Colin would once again battle with Micah down in Peoria last fall.  While Micah had an outstanding race, Colin was sick with the flu.  Colin bounced back in Portland and finished a few seconds ahead of Micah.  If there is a state meet, we look forward to seeing Colin, Micah and others battling for the state championship over the last 300 meters.”

 

 

 

3 Pierce Cousins – SR – Glen Ellyn Glenbard West

 

Comments – Cousins had a breakout junior season after running 15:15 to finish 81st in his sophomore year of running in 2018. He ran a great race at state last fall when he ran 14:39 to finish 12th at Detweiller Park. Cousins finished 2nd in the WSC-Silver Race running 14:56 for 2.96 miles. It has been great watching him race the past couple of years. I am sure he will have more in store this fall.

 

“Pierce has looked great this summer and is eager to improve and achieve his personal goals,” said Glenbard West Coach  Kyle Nugent. “I think the cancellation of the track season put a chip on Pierce's shoulder. I can tell that he really misses racing, and I love to see that.  Now we need to focus on keeping him healthy.”

 

 

 

4 Fiker Rosen – JR – Quincy

 

Comments – There were so many expectations for Rosen when he entered high school after a spectacular middle school / club career. He did have a personal best his freshman year when he ran 15:15 at the Richard Spring Invitational. He followed that up by running 15:31 in the Class 3A state race. He started last fall running 15:13 again at Richard Spring. He won the Western Big Six Conference Championship for the second year in a row. Then came state where he ran 14:44 to finish 20. It is doubtful he will not get a chance to run at Detweiller Park this season or out of his region. Cannot wait to see how he responds to all of this the next two seasons.

 

“Fiker is running really well.  He has been consistent with his training, even with all the uncertainty, and it is showing,” said Quincy Coach Matt McClelland. “After a season last year that ended with him being All-State and running a PR, he is really focused on being even better this year.  Without being able to compete against the St. Louis area, Peoria area and Chicago area athletes, his main competition will come from our conference schools, which he has run really well against the past two seasons. We have also made sure to have a couple dates where he will run against Miles Shepard, another area standout.  These races are always more competitive because neither one of them want to lose, especially to each other.”

 

 

 

5 Jason Polydoris – SR – Highland Park

 

Comments – Had a breakout junior season after running 15:51 to finish 166th at state as a sophomore in 2018. His end of season last year was spectacular finishing second in the Central Suburban League Championships, fourth in a tough Lake Forest Regional race, and third at the Hoffman Estates Sectional. His final race was his best of 2019 when he ran 14:44 to finish 19th in the Class 3A race at the state meet. Before the track season was stopped, he ran 9:28.71 on February 21 for 3200-meters at a meet at Wisconsin-Parkside. Could be the one runner to be a surprise this fall and spring in Class 3A.

 

“Jason has had a very consistent summer of training,” said Highland Park Coach Steve Buti. “His mileage and most times in workouts are ahead of what he ran last summer. He is focused and determined to be successful this fall in whatever format of racing we are allowed to have. He wants to be able to compete against the other top runners in the State. We hope he will get the opportunity in some fashion to do so.”

 

 

Next Class 3A Runners (In Alphabetical Order)

 

Sam Ayers – SR – Elmhurst York

 

Comments – Avoiding injuries could be the main goal for Ayers this fall. When healthy, you can expect to see him running close to his teammate Colin Hill. He was in the top five for York for the first half of the season. His last race of 2019 was he ran 15:58 for 5k in Indiana at the beginning of October. He could be among the top runners in the state this fall. He is healthy having run 4:23 for 1600-meters in a time-trial at the end of July.

 

“Sam Ayers has struggled with injuries,” said York Coach Charlie Kern. “He was in our top 5 at the Nike Twilight race in Terre Haute and we had high hopes for the rest of his season.  Unfortunately, his growth spurt interfered with his athletic development and an injury prevented him from getting back into the lineup. Sam’s injury greatly impacted our lineup. He has trained very well this summer and recently ran 4:23 in a time trial, a 13 second PR! Our top priority will be to keep him healthy and limit his racing.”

 

 

 

Zach Benziger – SR – Aurora Waubonsie Valley

 

Comments – Benziger surprised some at the end of last season moving up to become Waubonsie Valley’s top runner. He finished 24th at state running 14:47. More of a team runner than thriving on individual accolades, Benziger will step up to lead the Waubonsie Valley team in his senior season. To show how much he improved from sophomore to junior season, he ran 15:35 in his sectional race in 2018.

 

“I had a great conversation with Benziger early in July,” said Waubonsie Valley Coach Kevin Rafferty. “He was worried about expectations, his discomfort for leading, and so on. We walked away from that meeting with an emphasis that running is supposed to be fun and he does not need to be anybody other than himself. Zach's a returning all-state runner but he rarely leads the run because that is just not who he is, and I am not trying to force him into a role that he is not comfortable with just because he raced well at the state meet. His role has been to stick in the pack, give the group confidence, and be a good teammate. Zach typically rises to the level of the competition so if we finish the season with a postal state meet that will be difficult for him, but I hope he enjoys the process of the season more than any number that gets printed next to his name.”

 

 

 

Matt Cull – SR – Park Ridge Maine South

 

Comments – Cull could be one of those runners that could make a big step up this season. If we have a state meet, he would be in position to finish amongst the top 10 runners in that race. Cull ran a personal best 15:02 to finish 48th in last year’s state meet.

 

“Matt Cull was set to have a break-out track season before the stay-at-home order took place,” said Maine South Coach Greg Nordahl. “His winter training had been phenomenal. I projected 1:55 and 4:15 from his January races. He has excellent endurance and truly outstanding top end speed.

 

Unfortunately, he added 2-a-days to his workload during quarantine and suffered a stress-reaction that set him back 6-weeks. We brought him back appropriately and he has been at full strength for about two months. He ran the Illinois Meet of Champions this summer (4:22.86 and 1:57.65) with minimal race related training or speed endurance work. He should begin the season around 15:00 and progress from there. If there were a state championship race, he would be an all-state candidate.”

 

 

 

Evan Cummins – SR – Downers Grove North

 

Comments – I took notice of Evan Cummins at the Bob Cohoon Invitational 3200 Meter Run. It was horribly windy, yet here is the sophomore wanting to push the pace making the move at the right time. He won that race. Cummins had a strong 2019 season finishing in the top 10 at the First to the Finish Invitational, Naperville Twilight Invitational, and the WSC-Silver Championships. He ran a personal best 14:52 to finish 34 at the state meet. One of those runners I enjoy watching to run. He just goes out and competes.

 

“Evan had an excellent spring training block and it is a shame that he didn't get to showcase that more in competitions,” said Downers Grove North Coach John Sipple. “While some of the time trials we did this spring were solid, they didn't reflect the progress that he was making (that could be said about the majority of our top guys).  This summer Evan continued to push the envelope with his training and is more focused and committed than ever to his teammates. I am impressed with the growth of his leadership during this time.  He, along with our team, will be ready to compete with anyone this coming fall.”

 

 

 

Nicolas Dovalovsky – SR – Naperville Neuqua Valley

 

Comments – In his third of cross country running, Dovalovsky has found his element in this sport. In his first year of XC as a sophomore, he was his team’s third runner as he ran 14:50 to finish 28th. In his eight invitational races last fall leading up to the state meet, he finished in the top 10 in all of them His 14:38.9 time to finish fourth at the Richard Spring Invitational was one of his best races of the season. His season culminated when he finished 23 at the state meet running 14:46. He will be one of the elite XC runners in the state this fall.

 

“Nicolas is an amazing student and person,” said Neuqua Valley Coach Paul Vandersteen. “He has had a good summer, with a couple minor setbacks due to some calf strains.  He is a powerful runner and thrives when it counts the most.  We are learning together on what training systems work for him and what does not.  Nicolas has become very team oriented this summer and it is the type of leadership this team needed.” 

 

 

 

Jay Dworak – SR – Joliet Central

 

Comments – Dworak peaked at the right time last year running 14:49 at the state meet. He missed all-state by four places finishing 29. He will be among the top 20 runners in Class 3A this fall. He ended the season finishing fifth in the Southwest Prairie Conference, second in the Minooka Regional, and sixth in the Normal Community Sectional.

 

“Jay has consistently kept his mileage up throughout the spring and summer,” said Joliet Central Coach Doug Cherry. “He is looking fit and ready to tackle some harder workouts. He is anxious to race. Like everyone, we are hoping that we can have some meaningful races against quality competition.”

 

 

 

Nick Falk – JR – Winnetka New Trier

 

Comments – Falk stepped up as the team’s top runner as a sophomore. Falk showed his potential his freshman season when he ran 15:34 at the state meet. Falk finished in the top 10 last fall at the Palatine Invitational, Central Suburban League, the Niles West Regional, and the fifth at the Lake Park Sectional. He ran 14:51 to finish 31st at state. He will be one of the top juniors in the state in 2020. “Nick has had a great summer of training and I know he’s ready and excited to compete this fall,” said New Trier Coach Matt Sloan.

 

 

 

Andrew Flynn – SR – Winnetka New Trier

 

Comments – Flynn has been successful in both triathlons during the summers and then running cross-country in the fall. He was New Trier’s second runner at state last fall running 15:02 and finishing 47th. He ran 15:10 to finish 62nd as a sophomore at the state meet in 2018. “Andrew is a very talented tri-athlete,” said New Trier Coach Matt Sloan. “The COVID-19 pandemic meant that his normal summer racing circuit was greatly abbreviated. It has meant that his training for XC has been a little more consistant than in years past.”

 

 

 

Jack Gilboy – SR – Lake Zurich

Jacob Myers – SR – Lake Zurich

 

Comments – Gilboy and Myers traded off the team’s #1 spot last season. The two runners finished close together at the North Suburban Conference with Gilboy finishing sixth, Myers seventh. At the Palatine Regional, Myers finished second with Gilboy placed fifth. The race at the Hoffman Estates Sectional had Gilboy finishing seventh, while Myers finished 22nd. The order changed at the state meet with Myers running 14:45 to finish 21st while Gilboy placed 99th running 15:24. Both runners competed in the 2018 State Meet. Gilboy ran 14:57 to finish 37th; Myers ran 15:00 for 46th place.

 

“Jack Gilboy is an outstanding leader,” said Lake Zurich Coach JB Hanson. “He is the toughest kid I have ever coached.  Jake Myers is probably on the short list of potential state champs this year, but he has a hard time keeping up with Gilboy in training.  These two balance each other out so well – Jack is the training leader and Jake chases him.  Jack provides the toughness, but Jake has that rare, unteachable ability to change gears and win races.  Their training is not at Pereira/Griffith/Juras levels, but they are not far behind and they are doing it all on their own.  I am hopeful these two get a chance to race among the state’s best this year.”

 

 

 

Arthur Graham – SR – Naperville Central

 

Comments – Graham did not have his best race at state last year when he ran 15:18 to finish in 78th place. He had good races preceding the state meet including finishing fourth at the DuPage Valley Conference Meet, seventh at the Oswego East Regional, and sixth at the St. Charles East Sectional. When talking to Graham after his race at the NXR Midwest Regional, Graham said that maybe it was not a good idea to go out that fast. He was next to Josh Methner at 800-meters running 2:06! Graham started to bounce back during indoor track as he ran 4:25.68 for the 1600 Meter Run at the Huntley Invitational. He will learn from that experience and have a great senior season.

 

 

 

Owen Hays – SR – LaGrange Lyons Township

 

Comments – It was an up and down season for Hays. If he finds that consistency in health during the fall, he could be one of the top 15 runners in the state. He finished ninth at the First to the Finish Invitational. An illness sidelined him for the next month until the WSC-Silver Championships. He was with the leaders for most of the race before finishing in 15. He ran 15:37 at the state meet. He ran 15:22 at state as a sophomore in 2018. Hays appears ready to go for this fall. He ran 9:32 for 3200-meters in a time trial on August 17.

 

 

 

Byron Jones – JR – Belleville East

 

Comments – It will be interesting to see how Jones progresses in his junior season. He did not have his best race in the state meet as he ran 16:15 at the state meet. His meets previous to the state meet were eye-catching. Jones finished eighth at the Southwestern Conference Meet, second in the Quincy Regional behind Fiker Rosen, and fourth at the Normal Sectional. Jones ran twice at Detweiller Park before running at state. He ran 15:08 at the Richard Spring Invitational, then two weeks later 15:13 at the Peoria Invitational. A runner to keep an eye on this fall.

 

 

 

Zach Loomis – SR – St. Charles East

 

Comments – Loomis should be a runner to watch for in his senior season. He has run in the state meet twice. Loomis ran 15:20 his sophomore year in 2018. In St. Charles East’s championship season, Loomis was the team’s fourth runner for most of the season. He was the team’s fifth runner at state finishing 39 and running 14:56. He had run 14:54 at the Peoria Invitational the month before. He also helped his team finish fourth at the Nike Cross Nationals running 16:16 for 5-kilometers to finish 96th. He has been productive during this down time running time-trials according to St. Charles East Coach Chris Bosworth. This included achieving a personal best of 4:24 for 1600-meters and 9:37 on grass for 3200-meters on August 15.

 

 

 

Tommy Paltzer – SR – Naperville North

 

Comments – Paltzer could be one of four runners that could step into the #1 spot now that all-state runner Jake Allen has graduated. Paltzer was the team’s second runner at state when he finished 52nd (15:05). Paltzer also had top 10 finishes at the Locktoberfest Invitational and the Oswego East Regional.

 

“Tommy has had such a solid summer of running,” said Naperville North Coach Tim Brown. “Consistent and dedicated like always but has really stepped up in a leadership position as one of the captains. What I love about him most is his character and personality on team.  He is encouraging throughout drills, cores, workouts, etc. He leads by example and makes sure all teammates feel welcome.  He will go out of his way to make sure that newcomers or freshmen or whoever have someone to run with on distance run days. His training this summer has really stepped up, too, and he is at the point where he physically is making that transition from looking like high school runner to looking like college runner. Much like last year, his personal goals are all focused on his teammates and the team, not just him. He is one of the most self-less and humble athletes I have worked with.”    

 

 

 

Luke Schildmeyer – SR – St. Charles East

 

Comments – Schildmeyer will be one of the top runners for St. Charles East and one of the top runners in Class 3A this fall. He did come on strong at the end of last year. He ran under 15-minutes twice at Detweiller Park last year. Schildmeyer ran 14:52 at the Richard Spring Invitational and then 14:56 at the Peoria Invitational two weeks later. He earned all-state honors as the team’s fourth runner placing 25th with a 14:47 time. The team ran time trials during the off time. Schildmeyer achieved three personal bests. He ran 1:56 for 800-meters and 4:24 for 1600-meters. He also ran 9:27 in a 3200-meter time trial on grass on August 15.

 

 

 

Charlie Siebert – SR – Winnetka New Trier

 

Comments – One of the runners that could surprise some in 2020. He ran 9:31 for 3200-meters as a sophomore in 2019.Last fall, Siebert was the team’s second runner at the Lake Park Sectional when he finished 10 running 15:30. He was New Trier’s third runner at state finishing 70 running 15:17. Siebert finished fourth in the Central Suburban League Championships.

 

“He ran 9:31 as a sophomore at the Niles West Track Sectional in 2019,” said New Trier Coach Matt Sloan. “He has been up at the front leading the boys in workouts. He is ready for a great fall.”

 

 

 

Vincent Van Eck – SR – Minooka

 

Comments – We saw great improvement from Van Eck during his junior season. That should just continue this fall. He ran 15:19 to finish 80 in the state meet. He had good meets leading up to state including finishing second in the Southwest Prairie Conference Meet, third in the Minooka Regional Meet, and ninth at the Normal Sectional. His track times indoors this past winter caught some eyes including 1:26 for 600-meters, 4:29.8 for 1600-meters, and 9:37.96 for 3200-meters.

 

“Vincent had a strong Junior XC season, after being injured from April to July 1 of last year,” said Minooka Coach Kevin Gummerson. “Despite all that, he started to show us what he could do in the fall.  He was able to train consistently over the winter and was looking at putting together a strong track season.  The last time I saw Vincent race was at the Mustang Relays and he looked incredible running a 1:57.4 split.  There is no doubt he can carry that confidence he showed in that race over to the 3 mile.  He has put together a strong summer and is awfully excited and motivated for the upcoming season.  I really hope he gets an opportunity to compete in a state series, because I know he has some high goals for that.   No matter what, I know Vincent is going to compete at a high level this season.”

 

 

 

Mickey Vreeland – SR – Elmhurst York

 

Comments – If there is one word to describe Mickey Vreeland, it could be the word “perseverance”. He was injured at the start of last season and worked his way into position to challenge for a spot on York’s state meet roster. He did not make the top seven and did not run in state. He still continued to train and continued to hope against hope that he would get his chance. He did when he was put on the top seven for the Nike Cross Nationals. He responded by running 16:27 for 5k and finishing 116 as his team’s third runner. Was part of York’s 4x800 Meter Relay as a sophomore in 2019 that finished fifth in the IHSA Class 3A State finals. In the final race before the shutdown, Vreeland ran 9:46.96 for 3200-meters.

 

“Mickey Vreeland has been a major contributor throughout his career,” said York Coach Charlie Kern. “He has faced a great deal of adversity, but his commitment to improving never waivers. Mickey has been a stellar performer in big races.  In his sophomore year, he gained state series XC experience and ran in the finals of the 4x800. Last year he worked himself back into the lineup by Nike Cross Nationals and was our 3rd man in Portland.” 

 

 

 

Spencer Werner – JR – Wilmette Loyola Academy

 

Comments – I would keep an eye on Werner this fall. He has the potential to run some fast times in the next two seasons. He missed all-state by one spot as a sophomore last year but still ran 14:47. He did not run on the Varsity level last fall until the Peoria Invitational. He ran 15:11 to win the Chicago Catholic League Championships. He finished sixth in the Niles West Regional as well as finishing seventh at the Lake Park Sectional. Werner ran a personal best of 9:18.74 for 3200-meters as a freshman. He showed he was in good shape when he ran 9:27.78 in the 3200 Meter Run at the Illinois Meet of Champions at the end of July.

 

“Spencer has had a true summer of training the past couple months,” said Loyola Academy Coach Dan Seeberg. “Last year as a sophomore he missed All-State by a place despite a late start due to summer track meets and an injury that followed. This summer he has hit the roads and is much sounder in his aerobic fitness and power. He should be in the front pack of any race on our schedule, including a state final.”

 

 

 

Ivan Wescott – SR – Yorkville

 

Comments – Westcott again should be the top runner for the Foxes. He finished 44th at state last running 15:00 which was a personal best for 3-miles. He was tough during the state series finishing fifth at the Minooka Regional and seventh at the Normal Sectional. Wescott has run in the state meet all three years at Yorkville. He ran 15:35 as a freshman in 2017 and then 15:31 as a sophomore in 2018. His improvement was dramatic last year. He should even better this fall.

 

“Ivan has put his most consistent summer to date, is healthy and motivated for the season,” said Yorkville Coach Chris Muth. “There is still untapped potential that we hope to put on display this year but has had a few decent summer races that I hope are a sign of great things to come this season.”