Sun-Times top boys track teams, individuals

Updated: March 30, 2011 3:06PM

Teams

1. Lake Park: Versatile Zach Ziemek, the defending pole vault champ, and a deep group of throwers make the reigning Class 3A champs the team to beat again at state.

2. York: The Dukes haven't finished lower than second at state since 2007 and are primed for another trophy run. Distance ace Jack Driggs and the relays are keys for York.

3. Plainfield South: Sheldon Magee, the indoor state champ in the Class 3A 400, leads the way for a team hoping to improve on last year's sixth-place finish at state.

4. Thornton: The Wildcats' girls won a state trophy last season, and it could be the boys' turn this year. Tim Faust, second in the 3A 200 two years running, leads a large and capable senior group.

5. Neuqua Valley: The Wildcats have to replace three-fourths of their state champ 1,600 relay team and distance ace Aaron Beattie from last year's third-place finisher in 3A, but return junior quarter miler Jacob Bender.

6. Lyons: Solid across the board, the Lions are led by distance standout Sam Telfer and some strong relay teams.

7. Crete-Monee: Fifth in Class 2A last season, the Warriors move up to 3A but shouldn't be fazed. Sprinter Lexus Jackson leads a team capable of scoring at state in multiple events.

8. WW South: Titus Davis, one of the stars of the Tigers' Class 7A football champs, is an impact athlete in the sprints and long jump.

9. Prospect: Senior long jumper/sprinter Nick Batcha leads the way for the

Knights, who aim to improve on last year's tie for 16th in 3A.

10. Lane: The five-time defending Public League champs have solid numbers and depth, led by middle distance runners Dylan Allingham and David Timlin.

Individuals

(In alphabetical order)

Dondre Adams, Plainfield South, sr.

Nick Batcha, Prospect, sr.

Jacob Bender, Neuqua Valley, jr.

Ian Barnett, Fenwick, sr.

Steve Blazer, Fenwick, sr.

Greg Block, Lake Park, sr.

Brian Bobek, Fremd, sr.

Ben Bowers, Conant, jr.

Alex Brend, Lake Zurich, sr.

Mike Brown, Argo, jr.

Brandon Carroll, T.F. North, sr.

Brian Carter, Kelvyn Park, jr.

Titus Davis, WW South, sr.

Jack Driggs, York, sr.

David Eckhart, Maine South, sr.

Ahmad Evans, De La Salle, sr.

Billy Fayette, Hinsdale Central, sr.

Tim Faust, Thornton, sr.

Gary Ford, Thornridge, sr.

Mac Ford, Loyola, sr.

Jeff Foreman, West Chicago, sr.

Burnell Gordon, Bradley-Bourbonnais, sr.

Nick Gornick, York, sr.

Tony Gregorio, Palatine, jr.

Will Hague, Loyola, jr.

London Hawk, Thornwood, sr.

Carl Heinz, Oak Park-River Forest, jr.

Rashad Hulbert, Crete-Monee, jr.

Lexus Jackson, Crete-Monee, sr.

Jeremy Kline, Lake Park, sr.

Jermaine Kline, Lake Park, sr.

Mike Lederhouse, Glenbard West, jr.

Igor Liokumovich, Deerfield, sr.

Tre Llanes, Burlington Central, sr.

Sheldon Magee, Plainfield South, sr.

Michael Malone, Hillcrest, sr.

Anthony Manfrin, Dundee-Crown, sr.

Rob Mohr, Batavia, sr.

Garrett Payne, Glenbard South, sr.

Jeffrey Rector, Roosevelt, jr.

Malachy Schrobilgen, Oak Park-River Forest, jr.

Darius Smith, Vocational, sr.

Kevin Spejcher, Lake Park, jr.

John Strickland, Glenbrook South, sr.

Brandon Stryganek, Stevenson, sr.

Corey Szamlewski, McHenry, sr.

Sam Telfer, Lyons, sr.

Lonnie Washington, Perspectives-Calumet, so.

Kevin Wood, Stevenson, sr.

Zach Ziemek, Lake Park, sr.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.