Trojans hope to extend undefeated streak

A Weisenberger, Fairleigh, Uvodich, Kustief and Farbiak are scheduled to be on display in Huntley this weekend.

No, they aren't exotic automobiles. But spectators are likely to be left awestruck by their combination of speed and endurance.

McHenry's Curtis Weisenberger, Cary-Grove's Phil Fairleigh, Crystal Lake South's Josh Uvodich, Dundee-Crown's Connor Kustief and Huntley's Todd Farbiak are among the top contenders to win the FVC title at the conference championships at Deicke Park at 10:45 a.m. Saturday.

Grayslake North senior Nick Lane could also have a say in who takes home the league crown as the conference's lone returning state qualifier.

Here's a quick look at the area's boys cross country teams heading into this weekend's FVC championships.

TROJANS: While the FVC determines its conference champions solely on the league meet, defending champion Cary-Grove looks strong once again after going undefeated in dual meets.

The Trojans finished second at the Kaneland Invite Sept. 15 and an impressive fourth out of 51 teams at the Peoria Invite Sept. 29.

Even without No. 1 runner Phil Fairleigh, who was disqualified after taking a wrong turn, C-G took third out of a 35-team field at the Wauconda Invite Sept. 8. The sophomore ace bounced back to set a course record (14:56.1) in the sophomore race at the Palatine Invite two weeks later.

"I think the team is progressing well," C-G coach Layne Holter said. "We started the season with some injuries among our top seven and have struggled throughout the season to run our best top seven all at the same time.

"Nonetheless, this team is resilient and continues to improve. I think we will be in a good position to defend out conference title."

Holter is counting on continued success from the rest of his lineup, including seniors Mike McNamara, Dan Bartz, Jeff Boivin and Kevin Lang and juniors Kia Rikardsen and Adam Resseguie. Otherwise, the Trojans could be feeling the heat from McHenry, Dundee-Crown and Crystal Lake South in the top four.

GATORS: The Gators seem to be running their best at the end of the year, placing third at the Bartlett Invite Sept. 22, second at the Antioch Invite a week later and second again at the McHenry Invite Oct. 2.

Senior Phil Hernandez has the potential to finish in the top five with junior standout Josh Uvodich, while juniors Joe Bruzzini and Wade Kilian and sophomore Ryan Kethcart have been solid in recent weeks. Wade earned all-FVC honors with his 23rd-place showing a year ago.

"We are hoping to stay close to Cary and McHenry and get third," South coach Rich Eschman said.

CHARGERS: Senior Connor Kustief, 22nd (14:52.7) at the Palatine Invite Sept. 22, leads a young and hungry Dundee-Crown club that could prove dangerous Saturday.

The Chargers boast a number of talented underclassmen, headlined by Anthony Manfrin, who won the frosh/soph race at Palatine in impressive fashion with a time of 13:15 in the 2.5-mile race.

RED RAIDERS: Huntley senior Todd Farbiak, who took second at the Bartlett Invite Sept. 18, should be someone to keep an eye on in the lead pack.

Teammate Alex Beruscha, who placed 16th (16:37) to lead Huntley to 13th at the Wheeling Invite Saturday, could threaten the top 10. Senior Matt Soling and junior Tyler Leibnitz have their sights set on earning all-conference honors for the hosts, who finished seventh last season.

Fifth-runner candidates Andrew Hafner, Marcus Montello and Eric Wiedenfeld have to step up if the Red Raiders are to make a charge up the FVC standings this weekend.

"If we finish fifth, we'll have had a very good race at conference," Huntley coach Bob Walsh said. "We're looking to have our best races at conference, regionals and sectionals and send some individuals to the State Meet."

EAGLES: Junior Kyle Kopinski's (16:52) sixth-place finish paced Jacobs (55) to third place at the McHenry Invitational Oct. 2. The hosts' Curtis Weisenberger picked up the victory at 16:19.

Despite losing state champ Evan Jager, the Golden Eagles have had a much improved season from last year and are expected to improve on their eighth-place finish from a year ago.

Kopinski, who ran a personal-best 16:22 at the Bartlett Invite, and Tim Constant, who ran a 16:14 at the Peoria Woodruff Invitational, have formed an exciting 1-2 punch up front. Junior Andrew Jorgenson and seniors Alex Kembitzky and Cisco Langner have also given the team a boost.

Freshman Dan Carey has been a consistent third runner with a personal-best of 16:37. Freshmen Nick Mangiameli and Nick Ellingson have been fine additions at the back of the lineup.