Season Preview: Veterans to Lead Giants on Track Field

Here's some background on 's track team as it gears up for the spring season.

Last Year’s Record: Third place in the Central Suburban League North Division. 

Last Year’s Highlights: The quartet of , Jake Hoffman, Ethan Zallik and Jon Gonzalez broke the 46-year-old school record in the 800-meter relay. Gonzalez, Hoffman, Zallik and Giorgio Montenegro tied the Giants’ 400-meter relay record. Stern became Highland Park’s seventh best long jumper, while David Berk qualified for the state meet in the pole vault. 

Top Returning Scouts: Stern and Berk return for the 2011 season to lead the Giants. In addition to the long jump, Stern will compete in sprints. returns from last year to pace the school's distance runners. 

Leading Newcomers: Bringing new strength to the team are high jumper John Bricker, triple jumper Alex Heymann and shot putter Devontae Jackson. Michael Bernstein will run the 400- and 800-meter races for the Giants, and Nate Echt will help in the 200- and 400-meter lengths. 

Season Outlook: expects veteran leadership from Stern, Rothschild and Berk to be the rock of the 2011 edition of the Giants. 

“Our biggest challenge will be having our junior class, with some help from a few sophomores, learn how to compete and train at high levels,” Caines said.