Chicago Public League Sports Blog

A quick look at Lane's cross country team

Lane Tech will be very strong again this year as they return 5 of their top 7 varsity runners from last year's state qualifying team including (left to right) Oswaldo Lorenzana(sr-to be), David Schmieg(sr), Jon Vara(sr), and Pavlo Hutsalyuk(jr). Christian Badillo(jr- not pictured) is the other varsity returnee.

Despite the graduation of last year's #1 runner Marcelo Burbano and #6 runner (at sectionals) Mansur Soleman, the early indication is that Lane will be very strong again this year. Lane returns 5 runners from their varsity team last year that took second in the city and qualified for the state meet. Those 5 form the core of a team that will look to finish in the top 2 at city and qualify for a 3rd straight state meet.

Lane's expected #1 runner will be Pavlo Hutsalyuk. He finished 14th at sectionals last year and was the top sophomore finisher and had the 2nd best non-senior time at the Niles West cross country sectionals last year. So, big things are expected out of him.

After Hutsalyuk will be strong quartet of Oswaldo Lorenzana, David Schmieg, Christian Badillo, and Jon Vara. All 4 finished in the top 16 at the CPS cross country meet last season and are expected to do so again this year.

As good as Lane's teams have been in the past, there were seldom any seasons in which Lane returned as strong of team as they do this season. The top 5 returnees all have personal bests below 15:45.

Others that could run varsity for Lane this coming season include Alex Rodriguez(sr), Matthew Haak(sr), Miles Strong-Austin(sr), Andrew Figueroa(jr), Luis Ramirez(jr), and maybe a few others that Lane pulls out of the hat.

Lane Tech Summer Camps

Lane is proud to offer a variety of camps & conditioning opportunities to students from fourth grade through twelfth grade. You do not have to attend Lane Tech to attend the camp. Each camp is run by the talented head coaches of Lane Tech. The camps are a great way to improve your skills, cross train, show the coach your talents, meet current players, learn the school, and make new friends.

Lane Tech Summer Camps are listed online at http://www.lanetech.org/athletics.php

The direct link to all the summer camp flyers is http://www.lanetech.org/student/summercamps.pdf

The camps include

• Advanced Swimming 
• Novice Swimming
• Age group Water polo 
• High school Water polo
• Baseball
• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Football 
• Volleyball
• Wrestling 

The 4x800 at the State Meet

Whitney Young, Jones, and Lane battling it out in the 4x800 at the CPS meet. Whitney Young sophomore Kevin Ma(so) has the lead.

This is the first time in modern history (and probably ever) that the CPS will send 3 teams to the state meet in the 4x800 with qualifying times below 8 minutes.

At sectionals Lane ran a 7:51.43, Jones ran a 7:54.69, and Whitney Young ran a 7:59.21. Lane was expected to qualify as they have already ran below the state qualifying standard. Jones made followed up their CPS meet 4x800 record time with a school record 7:54.69. They decided to run their top 800 meter runner Jamison Dale (sr)  in the 4x800.

Whitney Young seems to be peaking at the right time as they bested their season best time by over 5 seconds and just qualified by running faster than the state qualifying standard. This is the first time in a long time that I can remember Whitney Young running faster than 8 minutes (though I may be wrong) in the 4x800.

 The first order of the day is to qualify for the finals.

Lane appears to have the best shot as they are they have the experience edge being the defending state champions in this event.  However, there is no guarantee in the state meet. Their sectional time of 7:51.43 sounds really fast, but believe it or not is only the 4th fastest state qualifying time. Barrington, Stevenson, and Hersey all ran faster times. I like Minooka's chances who some say was at stealth mode at sectionals and is capabale of busting out with a 7:45 type of performanace.. They are my pre-state meet favorites to in the 4x800.  Jones's time of 7:54.69 is 11th best.

It took a 7:53.85 to make it to the finals (top 12 times) last year. With so many quality teams in the field, I think it's going to take that kind of time to make it again this year. If that is the case, then that means Jones is going to have to break their school record for a 4th time this year just to qualify. Lane will have to not have anyone have a bad day and Whitney Young will have to run the race of their lives.

No matter what happens, this is already a banner year for the CPS in the 4x800.

The boys track state meet starts this Friday at Eastern Illinois with prelims.

Lane Wins 7th Straight Public League Girls Softball Title

Lane Tech 6 Whitney Young 2

Lane Tech won their 7th Public League girls softball title in a row and 14 of the last 16 after defeating Whitney Young 6-2. Freshman Kayla Garcia(fr) was 2 for 4 and had a double. Avellys Roman gave up only 6 hits in the win for Lane Tech.

The wind adds to an incredible run for Lane Tech girls sports in the spring. This spring Lane girls have won Public League titles in girls track and field, girls soccer, girls softball, and took 2nd in girls water polo.

Whitney Young Beats Lane Tech for CPS Boys Lacrosse Title

Whitney Young 7 Lane Tech 6

Whitney Young wins its first ever city boys lacrosse title.

Jarka OUT as AD of Lane Tech

Leroy Jarka has resigned for undisclosed personal reason as the athletic director at Lane Tech. Jarka will still remain as a teacher at Lane. Jarka has been at Lane Tech for a number of years. He was even the previous boys basketball coach.

Brian Hoffman has been named the interim Athletic Director for at least until the end of the school year.

CPS baseball playoffs scores

Ace pitcher Jack McLaughlin(sr) pitched a complete game 4 hit 8 strikeout performance in a 5-3 Lane Tech win over Harlan. Lane Tech plays Simeon next in the semi-finals Friday. That is a rematch of last years title game won by Simeon.

Quarterfinals
Simeon 7 Washington 2
Lane Tech 5 Harlan 3

Whitney Young Rallies to Take The CPS Girls Water Polo Title Over Favored Lane

Whitney Young 6 Lane Tech 5

Down 3 goals, Whitney Young stormed back to stun Lane Tech to take the CPS girls water polo title. Jessie Cronin(so) scored the final 2 goals for Whitney Young that proved the difference. Lane had beaten Whitney Young twice during the regular season.

Lane Tech looking to dominate in upcoming CPS girls softball playoffs

This article will be appearing in tomorrow's sun times, thought I'd share.

http://seasonpass.suntimes.com/news_article/show/255690?referrer_id=757226

Lane Tech Wins CPS Cheerleading Title

Lane Tech cheerleading team holding up the 2013 CPS large school championship trophy.
Their motto this year: "preACTice like champions". Sorry for putting thos post up a bit late. Competitive cheerleading is considered an IHSA sport. (Patch photo)