IC boys track preview: Knights hoping to continue sprint success and more

• COACH: Bob Cronin (6th season)

• 2008 RESULTS: Finished seventh at Class A Lisle Sectional

• RETURNING STATE QUALIFIER: Senior Marco Medina (28th in discus)

• OTHER VARSITY RETURNEES: Senior Josh Fenton (shot put, discus); juniors Miguel Cavazos (distance), Mark DiBrito (jumps, sprints), Anthony Garcia (sprints, hurdles), Caleb Hamilton (sprints) and Nick Stam (discus)

• TOP NEWCOMERS: Seniors Will Cronin (sprints), Rob Peachey (sprints) and Antonio Taylor (sprints)

• OUTLOOK: IC graduated sprint standouts and school-record holders Jon Ellis, Brendan Ryan, Andy Larem and Nick DiBrito, but have some promising candidates poised to fill their void.

"We're trying to figure out our best combination to continue our long tradition in the sprint relays," Bob Cronin said. "We're trying to get a feel for our team and see where we're at as far as expectations."

Garcia and Peachey have solidified their spots in the relays, while Will Cronin, Hamilton, Mark DiBrito and Taylor are all vying for spots.

Peachey, Will Cronin and Taylor are all out for track for the first time after leading the football team to the Class 2A state championship last fall. Will Cronin played baseball the past two springs, but is looking to improve his speed for football.

Medina, a co-captain with Fenton, leads the group of returning athletes and would like to qualify for state in the shot put and discus.

"He has the ability to do that," Bob Cronin said. "That's his goal and he has looked good so far and is working hard."

IC opened the outdoor season by placing third out of six teams at the St. Viator Invitational Saturday. The Knights (93 points) finished behind St. Viator (174) and Aurora Central (131). Peachey had an impressive debut, placing second in the 100-meter dash, second in the long jump and was a member of IC's second-place 400 relay.

-- by Ken Ryan