Top boys cross country teams, individuals

Updated: September 8, 2011 2:56PM

Top teams

1. Palatine: Senior all-stater Anthony Gregorio is one of four state-meet returnees for the Pirates, who were fourth in Class 3A last season and are aiming for their first state title. Tim Johnson, Marcus Garcia and Tim Meincke also ran in Peoria, while Peter Tomkiewicz moves up after winning the Mid-Suburban League JV title.

2. Neuqua Valley: The Wildcats are hungry for more hardware after winning three state trophies (first in 2007 and ‘09, third last year) in the past four seasons. Neuqua is led by returning all-stater Taylor Soltys (17th), who is healthy after an injury-plagued track season, and Mark Derrick, who was sixth in the Class 3A 3,200 last spring.

3. York: The defending Class 3A champs graduated five of their top seven, including runner-up Jack Driggs. But the Dukes have won 43 state trophies in the past 49 seasons under legendary coach Joe Newton, and there’s no reason to think the Long Green Line is coming to an end. Juniors Alex Mimlitz and Scott Milling lead the York pack.

4. New Trier: Seniors Leland Later, Chip Schaff and Eric Underwood set the pace for the Trevians, who aim to contend for their first state trophy since taking third in 1962. Later’s victory in last weekend’s Hinsdale Central/Hinsdale South meet was an auspicious sign.

5. Barrington: Senior Erik Peterson, sixth in Class 3A last season, is the leader for the Broncos, who are hoping to improve on last year’s eighth-place state finish.

Top individuals (in alphabetical order)

Aidan Askin, sr., Wheaton North; Jereme Atchison, sr., Buffalo Grove; Dan Caddigan, sr., Brother Rice; Jamison Dale, jr., Jones; Mark Derrick, sr., Neuqua Valley; Todd Ford, sr., Loyola; Marcus Garcia, sr., Palatine; Anthony Gregorio, sr., Palatine; William Hague, sr., Loyola; Tim Johnson, sr., Palatine; Pat Juras, sr., Lake Zurich; Jack Keelan, sr., St. Ignatius; Clint Kleim, sr., Burlington Central; Leland Later, sr., New Trier; Mike Lederhouse, sr., Glenbard West; Eric Lindelsee, sr., Oak Lawn; Scott Milling, jr., York; Alex Mimlitz, jr., York; Pat Niyork, sr., Willowbrook; Grant Nykaza, jr., Beecher; Neal Omar, sr., Niles West; Erik Peterson, sr., Barrington; Evan Prizy, jr., Schaumburg; Malachy Schrobilgen, sr., Oak Park-River Forest; Taylor Soltys, sr., Neuqua Valley.

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