This weekend, it will be crunch time for some of the schools running in the sectional races. All of a summer's work will come down to just one race. For some of the other schools, this meet serves as a tune-up for the race at Detweiller on November 7. Here is a brief preview of what to look for this weekend at each of the Boys AAA Sectional sites.

Lockport Sectional

Sandburg's Lukas Verzbucas

Individuals

Let's see where we should start at. Well, it starts and ends with Sophomore Lukas Verzbicas of Sandburg. Even though he rested his achilles last weekend while not running at the Marist Regional, Verzbicas should be at full steam on the rugged Dellwood Park course. It will be interesting which runners will go with him. Two weeks ago at his conference meet, Verzbicas came within 2 seconds of Chris Derrick's course record. And we all know how Mr. Derrick ran at state.

After Verzbicas, the individual race should be interesting. Aaron Beattie of Neuqua Valley is among the elite in the state should be up in the front pack along with teammate David Wing. Sam Telfer of Lyons Township could be close to Beattie. Other runners to watch include Brian Corcoran of Brother Rice, Jake Ferris of Plainfield South, and Ben Silver of Downers Grove North

Teams

#2 Neuqua Valley - One of the favorites for the team title at the state meet next week, this squad has lived and died with the pack all season. Case in point the perfect 15 they scored at their conference meet two weeks ago. Aaron Beattie is the lead man for the squad. After that, Coach Paul Vandersteen has 6 runners who at any time can be the #2 man. The one runner who has stepped up has been Senior David Wing. The one thing to watch for in this race is how close their split between their 2 and 5th man.

#6 Lyons Township - This team is running with more and more confidence over the last few weeks. Last week they rested Junior Sam Telfer as they won their own regional. One thing to watch for here is how this team runs. Will Telfer challenge the lead pack or will he stay with his teammates in a pack. Lyons runs a good pack race. How they fit in against Neuqua Valley's pack will determine who will come out on top this Saturday. They had a 22 second split on 1-4...what will it be on 5 this week?

#16 Lockport - Will have an advantage running on their home course, but will that be enough for the Porters to qualify? David Inczaukis has been the lead man for Coach Tom Razo all season. The key for this team will be how close David Sajdak will be to Inczauskis. The 1-5 split could be a concern for Lockport. They will need to be under 70 seconds for 5 to be running as a team next week in Peoria.

#21 Sandburg - How to score Sandburg's team...take the 2 through 5 runners score and add 1. Lukas Verzbicas should claim the individual sectional crown if his achilles does not flair up. This team ran its best race of the season last weekend with a 34 second 5 man split. They will need that kind of split to qualify as a team. Watch for a big race from Kyle Meyer here.

#24 Plainfield South - A team that is running at its best when it counts. South will look to qualify as a team for the first time. Senior Jake Ferris has been the main man for Coach Jason Crowe. He should be in top 5 on Saturday. Their 2-5 split was 20 seconds last week at Regionals. They will need to keep the gap between that group and Ferris under 50 seconds for this team to run together for 1 more week.

Hinsdale Central - Have a good front duo in Senior Arash Darbandi and Junior Billy Fayette. They will need to be in the top 12 for the Red Devils to return to state. Their 1-5 split has been around 45 seconds. This will work for Coach Jim Westphal, but Fayette and Darbandi will need to be in the top 10 for their squad to advance.

Brother Rice - This team has come on strong with the addition of Sophomore Dan Caddigan to the varsity line up. Brian Corcoran will be up with the leaders, but the split on 1-5 has been as great as 96 seconds. This team will need to have a 1-5 split of 61 seconds to make it down state.

Downers Grove North - A team that has been in the decline the last couple of meets, the Trojans hope to rebound this weekend. Junior Ben Silver can be counted on to be with the leaders. The key for North will be how close Brian Llamas can be to Silver. The 2-5 split has to be at least 30 seconds with Llamas within 18 seconds of Silver.


Normal West Sectional

Individuals

Could be a wide open affair here. The on going battle between conference rivals Garrett Sweatt of Edwardsville and O'Fallon's Michael Scolarici will pretty much determine the individual crown. Scolarici has come into his own over the last season and is running with alot of confidence. Sweatt has the mentality he can win any race if he is with the leaders in the last 400. Drew Kerscheiter of Normal West is the mystery man in this battle. He was winning his regional race on his home course when he made a wrong turn on a course modified by the weather...I doubt we will see the same thing happen on Saturday.

After those 3...their are a number of runners that could challenge. The one darkhorse that could steal the race from the above 3 is East Moline United's Cody Webster. Also watch for Dan Mazar of Edwardsville and Moline's Alec Stojanovic and Michael Castel to challenge the individual lead pack.

Teams

#18 Minooka - One of the hottest teams in the state right now. This is a young squad running on a ton of momentum. Without #1 runner Kyle Smith last week, this team ran a 40 man split on 5. They have been running a 25-30 second split on 5 since Sterling at the beginning of October. A line up with 3 sophomores and a freshman, this team runs more like a senior dominated team. Need to keep running with the same formula to advance.

#22 O'Fallon - Have dominated conference rival Edwardsville over the last two meets...could be challenging for the team title here. Michael Scolarici will be challenging for the individual crown here. Their 2-5 pack behind Scolarici has been around an average of 40 seconds. If they can keep the gap between them and Scolarici to 45 seconds, this team could walk away with the team crown.

#23 Normal Community West - It is very hard to examine this team. This has been a season of ups and downs for Coach Steve Destri. His squad has been beset with injuries all season. Yet this team presevered and is in the hunt to qualify for state on Saturday. This team beat a tough Moline squad without a DQ'ed Kerscheiter. With him, the gap between the two teams would have been greater. The pack behind Kerscheiter needs to stay within 60 seconds of him, as long he is in the top 5. Could be the sectional champ, or they could be 5th...depends who is on their game on Saturday.

Moline - Have a good front duo in Junior Alec Stojanovic and Senior Michael Castel. But the problem with this squad is the gap between these two and then the rest of the team. If they can keep their 3-5 split to 10 seconds and stay within a minute of their front 2, this team has a shot of qualifying.

Edwardsville - A team that has been rated all season, the injury and flu bug have hit the Tigers and now will look just to get in. Garrett Sweatt and Dan Mazar can be  counted on to be in the top 6. Senior Chris Taglieri has been on the sidelines over the last 3 weeks. If he is back to full steam, he could be the difference for his team being Sectional champ or just clawing its way to Peoria.

Lincoln-Way East - If one of the above teams slips up, this squad could nudge its way in. Senior Joe Pavilonis has been the front man for most of the year...he needs to be towards the front again for this team. Sophomore Tom Rotondi has been on the last few weeks...needs to run big on Saturday. This team had a 45 second split last week...if they can get it down to 35, this team could surprise.

St. Charles East Sectional

Individuals

Interesting race here to say the least. Senior Tyler Jermann of Naperville North could be considered one of the favorites. He runs with so much confidence...he just goes out and wins. Kevin McDowell of Geneva was at the World Triathlon championships in Australia in September. He has come back in October and looks like a runner that could be in the top ten at state next week. Anthony Manfrin of Crown struggled with injuries early in the year. He looks strong as ever with some good races over the last few weeks...watch for him to make a difference on Saturday.

Brothers James and Jake Waterman of Wheaton North are running in their first XC campaign...hard to tell with the way they have been running the last few weeks. They will be challenging with the lead pack. Others to watch to challenge the lead pack include Aaron Peck of Wheaton-Warrenville South, Bob Guthrie of Naperville North, Kevin Sparks of Geneva, Kevin Jacobs of Rockton Hononegah, and Kyle Zankowski of St. Charles North.

Teams

#10 Wheaton North - A team that has two good lead runners in the Brothers Waterman, Jake and James. They seperated last week at regionals, I don't see that gap this weekend. This team had a 62 second split last week...if they can diminish that by about 6 seconds, this team will be running at state next week.

#11 Wheaton-Warrenville South - The DuPage Valley Conference Champs, this team is deep and can count on up to 9 men to fill the top 7. Last week, usual lead man Aaron Peck snuggled into the pack and finished 14. Expect him to be in the lead individual pack this week. Keenan Havey has been running strong over the last few weeks. He should have another strong race on Saturday. The 2-5 split needs to be 35 seconds for this team to advance.

#14 Naperville North - A team that is finding its identity at the right time and running with more confidence. Seniors Tyler Jermann and Bob Guthrie are runners that can be counted on for low scores. The key will be the size of the gap between them and the 3-7 runners. It has been a minute the last few meets...needs to be a little closer on Saturday.

#15 St. Charles North - The North Stars are a talented squad, but have been overshadowed in their conference by a strong Neuqua Valley team. A lot of depth in this team led by Senior Kyle Zankowski. Ran a comfortable 28 second split. They will have their racing faces on this week...if they can have a 40 second split on Saturday, this team will be in.

#17 Geneva - This team has come on strong the last couple of weeks after the return of Junior Kevin McDowell. Along with Senior Kevin Sparks, the Vikings have been running with more "swagger" the last couple of weeks. Their 3-5 split should be 30 seconds, but how close will they be to the big 2?  If this team runs how it has been, they're in.

Rockton Hononegah - Will have to be at their top of their game this week to advance. Kevin Jacobs will be with the leaders...need to have good races from Ryan Ballard and Dragan Simic for this team to get into the top 5.

Machesney Park Harlem - Surprise winners at their regional last week, a team that was left for dead until they moved 4 members of their frosh / soph squad up to varsity. Will get good experience on Saturday...will be tough, tough, tough in 2010.

Dundee Crown - A team with talent that was hit by the injury bug early in the year, the return of Junior Anthony Manfrin and Senior Nathan Prom have sparked this team. If these two can be in the top 10, it will Crown a fighting chance to get into the top 5.

Schaumburg Sectional

Individuals

Good individual race here. Pat Lesiewicz of Schaumburg ran 14:25 at Peoria Notre Dame in September. With a hiccup at conference, Lesiewicz looks determined to gain this sectional crown. Phil Fairleigh of Cary Grove looks to be recovered from his bout with the flu and will be the chief competition for Lesiewicz. Chris Spudic of Prospect, the runner who won over Lesiewicz at the Mid Suburban League, is running with more confidence will be in the front pack.

It does not stop with those 3. There are at least 6 others that could be in the hunt. Alec Bollman and Chano Bernardo will be in that pack. Also watch for Aaron Ferst of Fremd, Andrew Morrison of Lake Zurich, Henry Mynatt of Lake Forest, and Joe Poupard of Glenbrook North to all be in the hunt of the front pack.

Teams

#4 Palatine - This team thrives by the closeness of the pack. All season they have been within 25-35 seconds of each other. Alec Bollman and Chano Bernardo will be with the front pack. AJ Laskowske and Anthony Gregorio have been a surprise to some, but have come through when the money is on the line. If this team can stay within that 25-35 second area, this team will be back at Detweiller.

#5 Prospect - The Knights came within 4 points of Palatine at conference 2 weeks ago...they would like to take that next step on Saturday. Chris Spudic has emerged as a elite runner for this team. Their split needs to be smaller than 50 seconds. If Al Ciolek and Kellen Strobel can place in the top 15, this team could walk away with the sectional crown.

#13 Lake Zurich - If Palatine and Prospect stumble on Saturday, this team could jump up. Andrew Morrison has come on after a slow start and leads this team. It was carried early in the year by senior Francisco Soto, who has been out over the last few weeks. If Soto comes back, it could be the boost to over take the two P teams.

#19 Cary-Grove - This team is finally running where it should be after a tough regular season dominated with the flu bug. Led by Phil Fairleigh, this squad is running on all cylinders. The 2-5 men, led by Matt Klein and Eddy Gibbons need to have good races. They have the potential to challenge for the team title. But all 5 runners need to have good races on Saturday for this team to make it back to state.

#20 Barrington - With Sophomore Eric Peterson moved up to varsity, the Broncos have received a boost and have the capability of making it to state. The split needs to be within 45 seconds. Watch for a big race on Saturday from Chris Cogswell.

Schaumburg - The Saxons have been up and down over the last few weeks. Pat Lesiewicz will be up with the leaders. This team ran a controlled race at regionals...will have to be at their best on Saturday. Travis Morrison is running better and better and could be the key for this team. Tyler Andersen and Mike Perry would give that push into the top 5 for Schaumburg.

Lake Forest - If their 1-5 split can be lowered, the Scouts could qualify for state. Henry Mynatt has been tough all season and will be in the top 10 on Saturday. THe gap between Mynatt and the rest of the pack needs to be at 30 seconds for a chance to make it down state.

Buffalo Grove - An up and down season for this team, they hope to be up on Saturday. Sophomores Taras Didenko and Jereme Atchison lead this team. If the split is under 30 seconds, this team could surprise.

Fremd - A team that is trying to rebound after the injury to top 5 runner Andrew Mack. A good team led by Aaron Ferst. The split needs to be at 40 seconds...will need big races from Seniors Daniel Ricketts and Spiros Angelakos.

Niles West Sectional

Individuals

Great individual race that will correspond with a great team race. 7 schools are rated in the Dyestat Illinois Top 25 and the individuals that are on these teams make this sectional the race to watch in the state. Nico Composto of Loyola Academy is one to watch. He ran 14:35 at Peoria, and has won at Palatine and his conference and will be up their pushing the pace. Martin Grady of Fenwick threw in an eye popping 14:46 at Schiller Woods last Saturday and will be pushing the pace. The York duo of Andrew Smith and Jack Driggs are running hot at the right time and will be in the mix for the individual crown.

Malachy Schrobilgen of Oak Park has been running better and better in his first XC campaign will be in the hunt. Loyola teammates Mark Donohue and Jack Seeberg have run fast times all season and will be in the mix. Tommy King of New Trier and Noah Graboys of New Trier are big race runners...they have been in the top 5 consistently all season. Don't expect that to change on Saturday. Others to watch in the lead pack include Ron Hedman of York, David Eckhart of Maine South, Nate Young of Glenbard East, and Steve Krauss of Lake Park all to be in the pack. This will be a tactical race...in the manner of who will push the pace first. This will not be a slow pace...who ever has the most at the end of an expected blistering pace will deserve to win.

Teams

#1 Loyola Academy - has the 3 great front runners in Nico Composto, Jack Seeberg and Mark Donohue. Watch to see what the gap is between Composto and his 2 teammates. If they are within 10 seconds of Nico, this team could win. The 5 man split also needs to be under 50 seconds for this team to win.

#3 York - Onlookers have looked at this team and have left them for dead after conference. This is a team that has been itching for "championship season" and will be up for the challenge on Saturday. Andrew Smith and Jack Driggs will be in the front on Saturday. Watch for Ron Hedman to play a key role on Saturday. If he can be within 10 seconds of the two, the Dukes will be towards the front. Watch for a big race from Junior Nick Gornick here.

#7 Oak Park-River Forest - A young team that is up for this sectional challenge. Sophomore Malachy Schrobilgen will be with the front pack. Juniors Jack Stapleton and Peter Hogenson lead the 2nd pack and need to be within 40 seconds of the sophomore. If the Huskies can stay within 50 seconds of each other, they will be running in Peoria.

#8 Maine South - a squad that has been underrated by some. This is a solid squad that thrives off of pack running. David Eckhart, Mike Moore, and Sean Senf are the top 3 for this team. This team could make a 2nd state appearance if it can stay within 35 seconds of each other.

#9 Fenwick - Team that is peaking at the right time. Martin Grady looked tough last week at regionals and will be in the front. 2nd man Bill Toohey will have to be 35 seconds behind Grady with an overall split of 50 seconds for the Friars to make it down state.

#12 New Trier - You know this team will get good races from Tommy King and Noah Graboys. The big key for the Trevians will be keeping the 3rd man within 35 seconds of the front 2. Their 3-5 men have been close to each other all year...but watch that gap from 2 to 3.

#25 Lake Park - With the loss of Luke Nally to a season ending hip problem, the Lancers could rebound here. Big races should come from Seniors Steve Krauss and Ryan Jorgensen for Lake Park to push into the top 5. A 30 second split from the top 5 with 1 runner between 10 and 15 could get this team in.