MSL Baseball: All-Conference Teams from 1980 to 1999
The MSL All-Conference Project
Presenting the All-MSL baseball teams from 1980 to 1999 as part of the MSL All-Conference Project. It was a period where the MSL would establish itself as one of the premier conferences in the state and it was capped its two state baseball champions - Barrington in 1986 under Kirby Smith and Schaumburg in 1997 under Paul Groot. There would be transition as well with the closings of Arlington (1984) and Forest View (1986) and divisional realignment before the 1998-99 school year.
An asterisk * denotes the player was a Paddock/Daily Herald All-Area selection. The selection of these teams has changed through the years in terms of numbers of players and coverage areas. There are instances where a player did not make all-conference but made all-area and those players are listed in that category.
One note about the selection of all-conference teams is coaches had/have different approaches where some might nominate only seniors for the honor. We are not saying there is any perfect or “right/wrong” method but it is the case in various sports.
Notes are also included.
Information is from Paddock Publications/Daily Herald and the Chicago Tribune. If you have any questions, corrections or suggestions please contact Marty Maciaszek at marty.maciaszek@gmail.com.
1980
ARLINGTON - *Mike Antonini (Sr., P), Tim Hart (Sr., SS), Jordy Riedl (Sr., 1B)
BARRINGTON - Chip Owen (Jr., OF), *Paul Tichy (Sr., P-1B), *Chuck Dunn (Sr., 2B), *Joe Kelsch (Sr., SS), *John Trautwein (Sr., P)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Eddie Williams (Sr., P)
ELK GROVE - *Tim Connelly (Sr., P-OF), David Earl (Sr., 1B)
FOREST VIEW - Tom Maloney (Jr., SS), John Kowalski (Sr., P), *Gus Vivirito (Sr., OF)
FREMD - Scott Friskics (Jr., P-OF), *Larry Hernandez (Sr., 3B)
HERSEY - *B.J. Jordan (Sr., OF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Bill James (Sr., OF), *Greg Coxon (Jr., 3B)
PROSPECT - *Mark Heuer (Sr., P), *Mike Nelson (Sr., OF), *Lon Simios (Sr., SS)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Rick Johnson (Jr., SS)
SCHAUMBURG - *John Poehlmann (Sr., SS-3B)
WHEELING - *Joe Riddle (Jr., 2B), *Bob Bucar (Sr., P)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Tim Connelly (Elk Grove)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Tom Conlin (Hersey, Sr., P), Clark Stalker (Prospect, Sr., P), Tim MIllay (Barrington, Sr., OF)
NOTES
- Maine West SS-P Jim Lindeman made the all-area team and starred at Bradley. The 1983 MLB draft first-round pick of the Cardinals had a 9-year MLB career with 5 teams and in the 1987 NLCS and World Series hit .321 with a HR and 5 RBI in 11 games. Lindeman became the head baseball caoch at Rolling Meadows from 2002-17 and his teams won an MSL title in 2009 and 2 MSL East titles.
- Barrington’s John Trautwein was undrafted out of Northwestern but pitched in 9 games for 1988 AL East champion Red Sox. Trautwein also pitched 7 seasons in the minors and his brother Dave, dad Jack and son Michael all played minor league baseball. Trautwein and his wife started the Will to Live Foundation to raise awareness about teen suicide after their son Will’s death in 2010. Trautwein also wrote a book, “My Living Will.”
- Barrington all-MSL picks John Trautwein, Chip Owen, Paul Tichy, Chuck Dunn and Joe Kelsch led coach Kirby Smith to the first of his six Elite Eight trips and seven in school history. The Broncos lost in the quarterfinals to Bartonville Limestone.
1981
ARLINGTON - *Dave Dahlstrom (Sr., C)
BARRINGTON - *Chip Owen (Sr., OF)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Jeff Pease (Sr., P), *Eric Drevline (Sr., P), Dan Bogar (Sr., IF), Kyle Grove (Jr., IF)
CONANT - *Scott Ringa (Sr., P)
ELK GROVE - *Dave Otto (Jr., P-1B)
FOREST VIEW - *Don Johnson (Sr., IF)
FREMD - *Scott Friskics (Sr., OF), *Mike Gellinger (Jr., SS), Tim Morris (Sr., OF), *Tom Fick (Sr., P)
HERSEY - Donn Vukovich (Sr., P), *Keith More (Sr., OF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Greg Coxon (Sr., 3B), Joe Pellus (Sr., OF)
PROSPECT - *Larry Lewis (Sr., P), Jeff Peterson (Jr., IF), *Chuck Jennings (Sr., OF)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Rick Johnson (Sr., SS), *Dan Johnson (Jr., 3B), *Terry Winkelhake (Sr., C), Rick Zell (Sr., P)
SCHAUMBURG - *Bob Smolka (Jr., OF)
WHEELING - *Joe Riddle (Sr., 2B), Mike Rucinski (Jr., SS)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Jeff Trenning (Barrington, Sr., P)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Greg Coxon (Hoffman Estates)
NOTES
- Prospect’s Larry Lewis was taken in the 33rd round of the 1981 MLB draft by the Yankees. He pitched for 3 seasons in their organization and became a high school and college coach - including stints as an assistant at Prospect, Rolling Meadows and Lake Zurich.
1982
ARLINGTON - Tom Reichel (Sr. SS)
BARRINGTON - *Joe Yaney (Sr., P), *Kevin Jones (Sr., 2B), Tom Boyd (Sr., OF), Dan Timlin (Sr., OF)
BUFFALO GROVE - Tom Lahrman (Sr., P), Kyle Grove (Sr., IF)
CONANT - Jim Johnson (Sr., P)
ELK GROVE - *Dave Otto (Sr., P-1B)
FOREST VIEW - Paul Bobek (Sr., C), Frank Kowalski (Sr., 2B)
FREMD - *Jeff Koehl (Sr., 1B), *Mike Gellinger (Sr., SS), Fred Becker (Sr., P)
HERSEY - *Jim Limperis (Sr., OF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Chuck Falls (Jr., OF-P), *Pat O’Driscoll (Sr., C)
PALATINE - Tom Carlucci (Sr., 2B)
PROSPECT - Bill McDonald (Sr., 1B), *Dave Trandel (Sr., OF), Steve Tabbert (Sr., 3B)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Bob Koopmann (Sr., P), *Frank Messina (Sr., P-1B), *Dan Johnson (Sr., 3B)
WHEELING - Ed Grobelny (Jr., P), Steve Isbrandt (Jr., P), *Mark Maziarka (Sr., OF), *Mike Rucinski (Sr., SS)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Dave Otto (Elk Grove).
NOTES
- Elk Grove’s Dave Otto was also the Daily Herald all-area basketball captain and athlete of the year in 1982. The 6-7 lefty led Elk Grove to the 1982 Elite Eight with a remarkable pitching performance of 4-1 with 1 save and the only loss was 1-0 to Edwardsville in the state quarterfinals. Otto was drafted in the second round in 1982 by the Orioles and in the second round in 1985 by Oakland. He won 10 games in 8 MLB seasons - including the 1984 Cubs - and also had a long stint as a TV analyst for the Cubs. In 2025, Otto joined Ed Mathey’s North Central College coaching staff that includes former MLB pitcher Tim Stoddard.
- Rolling Meadows’ Bob Koopmann would be chosen by the White Sox in two phases of the 1983 draft out of Harper College. Koopmann pitched for 3 seasons in the Pirates organization and went on to a long and distinguished college coaching career. He became the winningest coach in any sport at Rockford College in 2025 and also managed Rockford’s Independent minor league team for six seasons (2002-04, 2008-10).
- Fremd two-time all-MSL pick Mike Gellinger, the son of head coach Terry Gellinger, started a long career in pro baseball as he played two seasons in the minor leagues with the Tigers and White Sox. Mike Gellinger became a fixture in the Sox organization as a minor-league manager, instructor and analyst and spent part of the 2024 season as a big-league coach with the team.
- Wheeling two-time all-MSL pick Mike Rucinski was also an all-MSL and all-area QB in 1981 but his best sport was hockey. Rucinski starred at UIC, played 2 games for the Blackhawks in the 1988 playoffs and appeared in his only regular-season game with the team in the 1988-89 season. He also had success in the International Hockey League before injuries curtailed his career. Rucinski was inducted into Wheeling’s athletic hall of fame in 2025.
- Arlington’s Tom Reichel played for two seasons in the White Sox organization (1986-87). His son C.J. was an all-MSL player at Hersey.
1983
ARLINGTON - Tom Reynolds (Sr., OF)
BARRINGTON - *Derek Hopkins (Sr., 1B), *Dave Shotkoski (Sr., P), Tim Skaggs (Sr., OF), *Chris Cummings (Soph., SS), *Matt Wilson (Sr., C)
BUFFALO GROVE - Dave Merker (Jr., P), Mike Yosenick (Sr., IF), *Pete Drevline (Jr., 3B)
CONANT - *Nick Favia (Sr., OF-P)
ELK GROVE - George Pace (Jr., OF)
FOREST VIEW - *Doug Ryan (Sr., SS)
FREMD - Jim Kating (Jr., 3B), *B.J. Jenkins (Sr., P-1B), Mike Angelina (Sr., OF)
HERSEY - Warren Schilf (Sr., P), Dean Moran (Sr., SS), *Mike Huene (Sr,. P-1B)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Chuck Falls (Sr., P-OF)
PALATINE - Chris Mirski (Jr., IF)
PROSPECT - *Joe O’Brien (Sr., DH), *Brad Goranson (Sr., P), Bill Peck (Sr., P), *John Simios (Jr., 2B)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Doug Kane (Sr., P-3B), Mike Cullen (Jr., C)
SCHAUMBURG - Vince Nieland (Jr., 3B)
WHEELING - Clark Pound (Sr., OF)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Dave Shotkoski (Barrington)
NOTES
- Barrington’s Dave Shotkoski was chosen in the 4th round by the Braves in the January phase of the 1985 draft out of Kishwaukee CC. Shotkoski pitched for 6 minor-league seasons with the Braves, A’s and Angels organizations from 1985-91. He decided to make a comeback in the spring of 1995 with the Braves during the 1994-95 baseball strike but was the victim of tragedy when he was murdered outside his Florida hotel in robbery attempt in late March.
- Hersey’s Dean Moran was chosen in the 12th round by the Pirates in the 1986 draft out of the University of the Cumberlands (KY). Moran played one season in Class A in 1986.
1984
ARLINGTON - Brian Hilton (Sr., DH)
BARRINGTON - *Tyler Barth (Sr., OF), Steve Tilles (Sr., 2B)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Pete Drevline (Sr., 3B-DH), *Dave Merker (Sr., P), Tim Bogar (Sr., SS)
CONANT - *Jeff Bigos (Sr., 2B), Tom Dellaringa (Sr., OF)
ELK GROVE - George Pace (Sr., OF)
FOREST VIEW - Roger Nelson (Sr., OF)
FREMD - *Jim Kating (Sr., C), *Dave Eck (Sr., SS), *Jeff Bossong (Sr., 1B), *Rob McCormack (Sr., P), Mike Rathnau (Sr., OF)
HERSEY - *Gregg Del Principe (Sr., 2B)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Paul Belo (Jr., 2B), John Farrell (Jr., OF), *Bill Gwiasda (Sr., OF)
PALATINE - *Chris Mirski (Sr., C), Rick Soja (Sr., SS)
PROSPECT - *John Simios (Sr., SS), Scott Moehling (Sr., P)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Mike Cullen (Sr., C), Ken Huseby (Jr., P), Bob Nicolin (Sr., OF)
SCHAUMBURG - *Vince Nieland (Sr., P-3B), John Masi (Sr., P)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Jim Kating (Fremd)
NOTES
- Buffalo Grove’s Tim Bogar went on to star at Eastern Illinois and was taken by the Mets in the 8th round of the 1987 draft. Bogar had a 9-year MLB career with the Mets, Astros and Dodgers and played in the 1999 postseason with the Astros. Bogar was a successful minor league manager and went 14-8 as Ron Washington’s replacement with the Rangers to finish the 2014 season. Bogar was also the first-base coach for the Washington Nationals’ 2019 World Series champions.
- Buffalo Grove two-time MSL pick Pete Drevline in the seventh round of the January phase of the 1985 draft by the Pirates out of Kishwaukee CC. Drevline became a high school coach and was an assistant at Hersey and then went to New Trier, where he was part of the staff with 1992 All-MSL pick Scott Klipowicz (Rolling Meadows) for Mike Napoleon, who became the winningest baseball coach in IHSA history. Drevline also took over the New Trier boys golf program in 2009 and his teams won 2 state titles (2023-24), finished second 7 times and third once.
- Multi-sport standouts Jim Kating and Dave Eck led Fremd to a second Elite Eight trip as it lost to Reavis in the quarterfinals in Terry Gellinger’s final year as head coach. Kating and Eck were also all-MSL in football and basketball. Kating was drafted in the 30th round by the Cubs in 1984 and in the first round of the 1986 January phase by the Dodgers and played five seasons in the minor leagues. He won 300-plus games as South Elgin’s only baseball coach from 2007-25. His 2013 team took third in the state in 4A and his last team before retirement reached the supersectional.
- Hoffman Estates’ Paul Belo played on the 1985 Elite Eight team and became one of the MSL’s most successful baseball coaches at Fremd and Palatine before retiring in 2024. His 2000 Fremd team finished in fourth place in the state and he was inducted into the IHSBCA Hall of Fame in 20xx. Belo has been coaching with the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League since 2024.
1985
BARRINGTON - Chris Cummings (Sr., SS), *Keith Noreen (Jr., P-3B), John Bauser (Sr., OF), Tim McGregor (Sr., OF)
BUFFALO GROVE - Dave Manst (Sr., P)
CONANT - Tony Licari (Jr., P)
ELK GROVE - *Ty Barton (Sr., OF)
FOREST VIEW - Steve Freeze (Sr., 1B)
FREMD - *Jim Wittman (Sr., OF)
HERSEY - *Mike Bricker (Sr., OF), Mike Boyan (Sr., P-1B), *Chris Johnsen (Sr., 3B)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *John Farrell (Sr., OF-DH), *Stacey Olenick (Jr., P), *Ken Ciosek (Sr., 2B)
PALATINE - Bob Petersen (Sr., 1B), Craig Hollander (Sr., OF-P)
PROSPECT - *Russ Menczywor (Sr., P), *Brad Shoemaker (Sr., OF), *Ross Giusti (Sr., 3B), Mark Zablotny (Sr., OF)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Ken Huseby (Sr., P), Paul Mazzuca (Sr., P), Jim Gallagher (Sr., SS), *Ken Thomas (Sr., OF), Bob Hopkins (Sr., OF)
SCHAUMBURG - Paul Zuziak (Sr., OF)
WHEELING - Kurt Cooney (Sr., P)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Ken Huseby (Rolling Meadows)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Dan Wilson (Barrington, Soph., C)
NOTES
- Hoffman Estates with 1985 all-MSL picks John Farrell, Stacey Olenick and Ken Ciosek and 1984 all-MSL pick Paul Belo made its only Elite Eight appearance. The Hawks, coached by alum and three-time all-MSL pick Ray Gawron, lost in the quarterfinals to Belleville East.
- Prospect’s Ross Giusti became the MSL’s No. 2 coach in career wins (55x) between Schaumburg’s Paul Groot (611) and Barrington’s Kirby Smith (539). Giusti’s final team before retirement in 2025 won a regional title and his 2011 team took third in the state in Class 4A. He started as head coach at his alma mater in 1997 after his coach, Larry Pohlman, retired following a 28-year tenure.
- Hersey’s Mike Boyan started on the 1985 Elite Eight basketball team and pitched at Bradley. Boyan was drafted in the 73rd round by the Yankees in 1988.
- Rolling Meadows’ Ken Huseby was chosen in the third round of the 1985 draft by the Reds. Huseby pitched for five seasons in the minors with the Reds and Pirates.
- Rolling Meadows’ Paul Mazzuca followed Barrington grad Bob Mackey and Paul Swan as head baseball coach at Stevenson in 2008. Mazzuca went 190-86 in 8 seasons with a third-place Class 4A finish and school-record 35 wins in 2010 and won 2 sectionals and 5 regionals.
1986
BARRINGTON - Dan Wilson (Jr., P-C), Mike Bradley (Jr., OF), Keith Noreen (Sr., 3B-P), Peter Faith (Sr. P), Mark Levin (Sr., SS)
BUFFALO GROVE - Ron Phillips (Sr., P), Todd Shewchuk (Sr., 1B), Dave Weiner (Sr., OF)
CONANT - Tony Licari (Sr., P), Mark Kuffel (Sr., C)
ELK GROVE - Larry Peddy (Soph., C)
FOREST VIEW - Paul O’Callaghan (Sr., C); Ron Szwiec (Sr., SS), Tony Fillicetti (Sr., 2B)
FREMD - Todd Hundley (Jr., C), Jeff Jetel (Sr., P-1B)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Stacey Olenick (Sr., P), Tim Hines (Sr., C), Rich Gianfrancesco (Sr., OF)
PALATINE - Bruce Smolen (Sr., 3B), John Link (OF)
PROSPECT - Eric Porter (Jr., P), Jeff Kutzer (Sr,. OF)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Curt Freeze (Sr,. P), Bob Kowalski (Sr., P), Jeff Rustemeyer (Sr., OF)
SCHAUMBURG - Paul Justin (Sr., 1B)
WHEELING - Dennis Kehrer (Sr., 2B)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Dan Wilson (Barrington)
NOTES
- All-MSL picks Dan Wilson, Mike Bradley, Keith Noreen, Peter Faith and Mark Levin helped give Barrington coach Kirby Smith and pitching coach Dave Engle the powerful combination for the league’s first state baseball championship. The Broncos blasted a state-record 65 homers and beat defending champion Oak Forest 5-4 in the quarterfinals, Belleville East 6-2 in the semifinals and Fenger 12-2 in 5 innings in the championship in Springfield. The homer record lasted only a year as Bartonville Limestone, with Jim Thome, hit the current record of 68, but the Broncos’ 1986 total still ranks third, according to IHSA records.
- The 1986 All-MSL team had three future big-leaguers in Barrington catcher Dan Wilson and Fremd catcher Todd Hundley in baseball and Schaumburg first baseman Paul Justin as a NFL quarterback for 5 seasons with the Colts, Bengals and St. Louis Rams. In Justin’s final NFL season in 1999 he was the backup to Kurt Warner as the Rams won the Super Bowl.
- I am still looking for the Daily Herald All-Area team from the 1986 season.
1987
BARRINGTON - *Dan Wilson (Sr., P-C), *Mike Bradley (Sr., OF), James Wambach (Sr., 1B-P), Tony Mensik (Jr., OF), David Anderson (Jr., P), Adam Sobocienski (Jr., OF)
BUFFALO GROVE - Chad Dobrei (Sr., C)
CONANT - Mike Nelson (Sr. P), Tony Vaca (Sr., P)
FREMD - *Todd Testo (Sr., OF), *Todd Hundley (Sr., C), Scott Sujack (Sr., OF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Brian Dennison (Sr.), *Chad Mills (Jr., 2B)
PALATINE - Jeff Toms (Sr., SS), Jim Pfeifer (Jr., OF)
PROSPECT - *Eric Porter (Sr., P), Scott Whisler (Sr., C), Scott Lothery (Sr., OF)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Greg Ryan (Sr., 2B), David Thomas (Sr., OF), John Valentin (Jr., P), Chris Peters (Sr., SS), *Brian Maize (Sr., 1B)
SCHAUMBURG - *Brad Skiff (Sr., C)
WHEELING - Mike Miloch (Sr., 2B), Keith Richter (Sr., P-OF)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Dan Wilson (Barrington)
NOTES
- Barrington was looking to joine Maine Township’s 1958-59 teams as the only repeat state baseball champs with a record-equaling six all-MSL picks in Dan Wilson, Mike Bradley, James Wambach, Tony Mensik, David Anderson and Adam Sobcienski. The Broncos’ 64 homers still ranks 4th in state history. They rolled into the title game by beating West Aurora 16-4 in the quarters and St. Laurence 6-2 in the semis, but their run at history ended with a 9-1 loss to Springfield Griffin in the title game.
- Barrington’s Dan Wilson and Fremd’s Todd Hundley would be the centerpieces of the MSL’s “Cradle of Catchers” that included Prospect’s Tom Lundstedt, Hoffman Estates’ Sal Fasano and Buffalo Grove’s Josh Paul. Both would be chosen by the Mets in the 1987 MLB draft. Hundley, the son of beloved Cubs catcher Randy, went in the second round and started his pro career. Wilson, who was taken in the 26th round, headed to the University of Minnesota and in 1990 would be chosen by the Reds with the 7th pick overall.
Ironically both catchers would make the 1996 All-Star Game - Hundley for the Mets and Wilson for the Mariners. It was Hundley’s best year with 41 HR and 112 RBI and he would hit 202 HR in a 14-year MLB career that included stints with the Dodgers and Cubs. Wilson also had his best year offensively with 18 HR and 83 RBI and he would end his 14-year career as one of the best defensive catchers in MLB history and a beloved Seattle figure who is in the Mariners Hall of Fame. Wilson then made a significant change in August 2024 when he became the full-time manager of the Mariners.
- Barrington’s James Wambach was not drafted but played the bulk of 6 professional seasons in independent leagues from 1993-99. He played 9 games in affiliated ball for the White Sox’ A team in South Bend in 1995.
- Rolling Meadows’ Brian Maize was chosen in the 39th round of the 1987 draft by the Rangers.
1988
BARRINGTON - *Tony Mensik (Sr., OF), *Adam Sobocienski (Sr., OF), David Anderson (Sr., P), Bryon Bradley (Sr., 3B), Brian Coll (Sr., C)
BUFFALO GROVE - Jon Walczynski (Sr., P)
CONANT - Joe Cowans (Sr., pos-P)
ELK GROVE - *Larry Peddy (Sr., C)
FREMD - *Jim Schwantz (Sr., OF), Jason Joseph (Sr., P), Nick Boratto (Sr., P)
HERSEY - *Mark McCarthy (Jr., 3B), Mark Gunther (Sr., P-OF), Dan Sabatello (Sr., IF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Chad Mills (Sr., SS), Scott Brodkorb (Sr., P-1B)
PALATINE - *Jim Pfeifer (Sr., OF), Dave Sharkey (Sr.), Mike Falcone (Sr., P)
PROSPECT - *Do Kim (Sr., DH), Mark Niedbala (Sr., P), Darryl Nelson (Sr,. OF)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Rick Lytle (Sr., SS)
SCHAUMBURG - *Kevin Hartsburg (Sr., 3B), Tim Litwin (Jr., OF), Mike Ribaudo (Sr. P-SS)
WHEELING - Ernie Pirron (Jr., P), Tim Nisbet (Sr., 1B)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Chad Mills (Hoffman Estates)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Sam Fasano (Hoffman Estates, Jr., C), Dan Marzec (Palatine, Sr., 2B)
NOTES
- Barrington still had plenty of firepower to make a third consecutive trip to the state title game with all-MSL picks Tony Mensik, Adam Sobocienski, David Anderson, Bryon Bradley and Bryon Coll. The Broncos took care of Clemente 17-4 in 5 innings and Edwardsville 9-6 but in the title game fell 21-4 in 5 innings to red-hot Galesburg. Bradley was taken in the 15th round of the 1993 draft by the Cubs out of Indiana and played professionally for 3 seasons.
- Fremd’s Jim Schwantz and Jason Joseph were better-known for their accomplishments in earlier seasons. The Loyola-bound Joseph set the boys basketball school record for career points as the Vikings went to the supersectional. Schwantz also played basketball but was all-MSL in football before becoming an all-Big Ten linebacker at Purdue and as an undrafted free agent playing 6 seasons in the NFL as a special teams standout with the Bears, Cowboys and 49ers. He played in the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XXX victory and in a Pro Bowl. Schwantz has been the mayor of Palatine since 2009 and was a long-time Bears gameday radio analyst.
- Hersey’s Mark Gunther and Dan Sabatello were starters on the 1987 6A state football champions. Gunther would return to his alma mater and was the head football coach from 2004-09, with his first team making the 7A state playoffs. He also has been the head coach of the girls bowling team that has won three regional and sectional titles and qualified for the state tourney 5 times from 2020-25.
- Sam Fasano and not Sal is not a misprint. The future big-league catcher was known as Sam at Hoffman Estates, where he was also an all-MSL and all-area football player.
1989
BARRINGTON - *Kevin Minchk (Sr., 1B), Chris Schubbe (Sr., P), *Jason Schumaker (Jr., 2B), *Eric Slagle (Sr., P)
BUFFALO GROVE - Anthony Kuch (Jr., P)
CONANT - Stan Kwasny (Sr., P-1B)
ELK GROVE - *Jamie Ringenbach (Sr., SS)
FREMD - *Jason Jetel (Sr., 3B), Alex Sanmiguel (Sr., SS)
HERSEY - Mark McCarthy (Sr., 3B-P), Jeff Murray (Sr., C), *Andy Wojtalewicz (Sr., SS-P), Duke Tobin (Sr., OF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Paul Chovanec (Sr., P), Ben Curcio (Jr., P-SS), Brad Gordon (Sr., P-1B-OF), *Sam Fasano (Sr., C)
PALATINE - John Bimmerle (Jr., P), *Mike Imm (Sr., OF)
PROSPECT - Scott Quade (Sr., SS)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Ken Liekis (Sr, 1B)
SCHAUMBURG - *Tim Litwin (Sr,. OF), Jim McComb (Sr., 2B), Juan Reyes (Jr., 1B), *Troy Smith (Sr., P-OF)
WHEELING - John Bencko (Sr., P), *Ernie Pirron (Sr., P), Scott Weisenberg (Sr., OF)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Troy Smith (Schaumburg)
NOTES
- The rise of the Schaumburg program under Wheeling grad and 1974 all-MSL pick Paul Groot to nearly winning a state title in 1989 was a bit of a surprise since it finished .500 in MSL play. But everything clicked for the Saxons with all-MSL picks Tim Litwin, Jim McComb, Juan Reyes and Troy Smith in the postseason.
- Hoffman Estates’ Sam/Sal Fasano went to Evansville and was chosen in the 37th round of the 1993 draft by the Royals. Fasano would quickly move up the ladder and in 1996 started his 11-year career as a big-league catcher with 9 teams. Fasano had career-highs of 11 HR with the 2005 Orioles and 31 RBI with the 1998 Royals and became one of the game’s most popular players. After his playing career ended he was a minor league manager for 4 years and had other instructor roles before becoming the Atlanta Braves catching coach from 2018-24. He joined the Angels as an assistant pitching coach in 2025.
- Hersey’s Duke Tobin quarterbacked the 1987 team to the 6A state title. He played at Illinois and Colorado and for two years in the Arena League before following in the footsteps of his dad Bill as an NFL front-office executive. Duke Tobin has been the Bengals director of player personnel since 1999.
- Barrington’s Kevin Minchk was taken in the 45th round of the 1992 draft out of Iowa by the Padres and played two seasons in the minor leagues.
- Prospect’s Scott Quade was chosen in the 34th round of the 1993 draft out of Austin Peay by the Expos and played one season in their farm system.
1990
BARRINGTON - Matt Birmingham (Sr., P-1B), Matt Kraus (Sr., OF), *Jason Schumaker (Sr., 2B)
BUFFALO GROVE - Eric Millstone (Sr., OF), *Mark Stefani (Sr., 2B-SS)
CONANT - *Ron Cuellar (Sr., OF), *Paul Schimbke (Sr., P-1B)
ELK GROVE - Ray Kutella (Sr., P-OF)
FREMD - *Ken Heard (Sr., OF)
HERSEY - Randy Hjort (Sr., C)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Ben Curcio (Sr., P-SS), Dave Prasczewicz (Sr., 3B), Tom Steel (Jr., P-OF-1B)
PALATINE - *John Bimmerle (Sr., P), *Bob Hanson (Sr., OF), *Matt Sisson (Sr., C), Jason Skicewicz (Sr., P-3B), *Brian Smith (Sr., P-1B)
PROSPECT - Greg Anderson (Sr., OF)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Terry Beyna (Sr., SS-2B), *Chris Meccia (Sr., P), *Jerry Song (Sr., 3B), *Don Spaniak (Jr., 2B-SS)
SCHAUMBURG - Gregg Neuman (Jr., C), Juan Reyes (Sr., 1B), *Greg Schultz (Sr., SS), Mike Sopocy (Sr., P)
WHEELING - Greg Pacenti (Sr., 3B)
NOTES
- Buffalo Grove’s Eric Millstone was also all-MSL in basketball and has been Palatine’s head coach since 2008-09. His 2024 team took fourth in state in Class 4A and repeated as MSL champions. The Pirates hadn’t won the MSL since 1993. Millstone was also a baseball assistant for Jim Koller.
- When talking about “coaches on the field,” the late Larry Tanaka had nearly a complete infield of them in all-MSL picks. Terry Beyna, who was taken in the 42nd round of the 1993 draft out of Illinois State and had a 7-year pro career, turned Elk Grove into an area power with a trip to the Elite Eight in 2006 and 4 MSL titles. Beyna won his 400th career game in 2025 at St. Viator. Don Spaniak was his longtime top assistant at Elk Grove before going to Arizona to become a head coach. And Jerry Song won 2 regional titles during his 9-year tenure in charge at Conant.
- Palatine all-MSL and all-area football and baseball standout Bob Hanson took a vastly different turn to coaching success across town at Fremd. Hanson turned the Vikings’ badminton program into a state powerhouse after taking over in 2002. They have won 13 top-three state trophies - 4 titles, 3 seconds and 6 thirds - and have won a sectional title every year during his tenure. Ironically, Palatine was the area power when Hanson was in high school and won its fourth and last title in 1991.
- Palatine’s Brian Smith also moved across town to Fremd to become a key part of the success of the baseball and basketball programs as an assistant coach.
1991
BARRINGTON - *Brett Glendinning (Sr., P), Darin Schmalz (Soph., P), *Ben Boka (Sr., C), *Jason Armetta (Sr., SS), Mark Post (Jr., 3B)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Chris Bouchard (Sr., C), Jim Mirabelli (Jr., OF)
CONANT - Gary Fassl (Jr., P-1B), Dave Haskins (Sr., P), Eric Kuffel (Jr., C), *Chad Calvello (Jr., 3B)
ELK GROVE - *Masao Yamashina (Jr., P-1B), Dave Kohl (Sr., 3B)
FREMD - *Joe Villasenor (Sr., P), Mike Pellegrini (Jr., OF)
HERSEY - *Tom Knauss (Jr., SS), Jim Caronis (Sr., OF), Bob Kirch (Sr., OF),
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Tom Steel (Sr., P-1B-OF), O.J. Bhagwakar (Sr., 2B), Tony Gilio (Sr., P-1B), Jim Winski (Sr., SS)
PALATINE - Ed Parsons (Sr., P-3B), Karl Gruen (Sr., IF-P)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Dave Clot (Sr., OF-P), Brian Schmack (Sr., P), Ryan Giusti (Sr., C), Matt Powers (Jr., C), *Don Spaniak (Sr., SS)
SCHAUMBURG - Erik Stocke (Fr., P), *Gregg Neuman (Sr., C)
WHEELING - *Mike Slome (Jr., OF)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Chalo Venegas (Fremd, Jr., P-IF)
NOTES
- Conant’s Dave Haskins was the pitching coach for Paul Belo at Fremd and Palatine before becoming a head coach. Haskins led Prairie Ridge to the 4A state title in 2008.
- Rolling Meadows’ Brian Schmack overcame a lot of odds to become all-MSL and get the opportunity to pitch at Northern Illinois. He was undrafted and had to go to independent ball in 1996 to start a 10-year pro career with the White Sox, Tigers and Rangers organizations. His reward was a late-season callup with the 2003 Tigers where he got a win in 11 appearances. Schmack went to Valparaiso University as the pitching coach in 2007 and just finished his 12th season as head coach in 2025.
- Barrington’s Ben Boka was a 4th round pick of the PIrates in the 1991 draft and he played 4 seasons in the minors with the Pirates and Mets.
- Schaumburg three-time all-MSL pick Erik Stocke was the first freshman all-MSL baseball selection.
1992
BARRINGTON - *Jeremy Engle (Jr., P), Brian Pollack (Sr., OF), *Ryan Radosh (Sr., C),* Darin Schmalz (Jr., P)
BUFFALO GROVE - J.D. Blackburn (Jr., SS), *Jim Mirabelli (Sr., OF), *Josh Paul (Jr., C), *Marc Thorstenson (Sr., 1B)
CONANT - *Mike Curtin (Sr., 2B), Eric Kuffel (Sr., C), Mark Ranallo (Sr., P)
ELK GROVE - Masao Yamashina (Sr., P)
FREMD - Dave Dumele (Jr., OF), *Mike Pellegrini (Sr., OF), *Chalo Venegas (Sr., P-3B)
HERSEY - *Mike Clark (Sr., P-1B), *Grant Johnson (Sr., 2B), *Tom Knauss (Sr., SS), *Rob Quarnstrom (Soph., P), Chris Wold (Jr., 3B)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Dan Hemminger (Jr., P)
PALATINE - Ed Lowitzki (Sr., OF)
PROSPECT - Keith Dunn (Sr., P), *Dave Haut (Sr., 1B), *Craig Shaver (Sr., P-OF)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Scott Klipowicz (Sr., P)
SCHAUMBURG - *Corey Delatori (Sr., P), *Jason Farnam (Sr., OF), *Craig Resch (Sr., OF), *Erik Stocke (Soph., P)
WHEELING - *Nick Gengo (Sr., P-IF), Brian Jamieson (Sr., SS)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Tom Knauss (Hersey)
NOTES
- Hersey’s Tom Knauss was Illinois’ Gatorade Player of the Year and he was taken in the 2nd round of the 1992 draft with the 68th pick by the Twins. Knauss spent 6 years in the Twins’ farm system.
- Prospect’s Keith Dunn was also all-MSL in basketball and helped the Knights reach the AA supersectionals in 1991. Dunn was the head baseball coach for five years (2003-07) at Crystal Lake South and his first team won 20 games.
- Rolling Meadows’ Scott Klipowicz pitched at Evansville and briefly professionally in independent ball in 1997. He has been the pitching coach for 20-plus years on the staff at New Trier, along with two-time all-MSL pick Pete Drevline from Buffalo Grove, for Mike Napoleon, the winningest coach in IHSA history.
1993
BARRINGTON - *Darin Schmalz (Sr., P), *Jeremy Engle (Sr., P-C), Oscar Contreras (Jr., 3B), Patrick Jensen (Jr., OF)
BUFFALO GROVE - Kyle Garifo (Jr., P), Mark Greenlee (Jr., P), *Josh Paul (Sr., C), *J.D. Blackburn (Sr., SS)
CONANT - Ken Cromwell (Sr., P), Rob Schader (Soph., P-OF)
ELK GROVE - George Boyk (Jr., P), Dominic Savino (Jr., 2B)
FREMD - Deron Birsa (Sr., P), Don Sevcik (Jr., P), *Dave Dumele (Sr., OF)
HERSEY - *Rob Quarnstrom (Jr., P), Chris Wold (Sr., 1B), Ryan Gibis (Jr., OF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Dan Hemminger (Sr., P)
PALATINE - Taylor Bechtold (Sr., SS)
PROSPECT - *Tom Kutzer (Sr., P-OF), *Mike Cacini (Sr., 3B), Rob Ipsen (Sr., 2B)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Ron Arndt (Sr., P), *Brian O’Grady (Jr., P)
SCHAUMBURG - Ryan Cerne (Sr., P-OF), *Erik Stocke (Jr., P), *Brian Bahn (Sr., C), *Chuck Abbott (Sr., SS), Steve Hartsburg (Soph., 3B)
WHEELING - Brian Hecht (Sr., P-IF), Will Welch (Sr., OF)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Josh Paul (Buffalo Grove)
NOTES
- Buffalo Grove’s Josh Paul went to Vanderbilt where he was drafted in the second round in 1996 by the White Sox, which was a dream come true for the fan of Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk. Paul played for 9 years in the big leagues with the White Sox, Cubs, Angels and Tampa Bay Rays and became a minor league manager and coach with the Yankees and a major league coach with the Angels and Tigers.
- Schaumburg’s Chuck Abbott went to Austin Peay, where he had a 42-game hitting streak as a junior and was drafted in the second round by the Angels. Abbott spent six years in the farm systems of the Angels and Cleveland and got as high as Triple-A. He also was a head baseball coach at Hoffman Estates.
- Wheeling’s Brian Hecht was taken in 19th round of the 1997 draft out of Illinois by the Astros. Hecht pitched for 3 seasons in the minors.
- Barrington’s Darin Schmalz was chosen in the 29th round of the 1997 draft out of Notre Dame by the Dodgers and pitched for one season in the minor leagues.
- Conant’s Rob Schader played on the 1994 Elite Eight basketball team and was a head coach in girls basketball and bowling at Addison Trail.
1994
BARRINGTON - *Ryan Archibald (Sr., P-1B), Ryan Schumaker (Sr., C), *Oscar Contreras (Sr., 3B), Patrick Jensen (Sr., 2B), Ken Saveley (Jr., SS)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Kyle Garifo (Sr., P), *Mark Greenlee (Sr., P), Jeff Perconte (Soph., SS-2B), *Ray Sanchez (Sr., 1B)
CONANT - *Rob Schader (Jr., OF-P)
ELK GROVE - Eric Maleski (Sr., P), Scott Barone (Sr., C), *Dominic Savino (Sr., 2B)
FREMD - Don Sevcik (Sr., P), Kevin Eiden (OF)
HERSEY - *Rob Quarnstrom (Sr., 1B-P), *Ryan Gibis (Sr., OF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Bryan Ginter (Sr., P), Dave Salvatore (Sr., 1B), Nick Iovinelli (Jr., OF)
PALATINE - *Bill Peters (Sr., P-IF), Tim Stockwell (Jr., 2B)
PROSPECT - Ryan Porter (Sr., P-1B)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Steve Gagliano (Soph., P), *Mike Joyce (Sr., P-OF), *Brian O’Grady (Sr., P), *Glenn Olson (Sr., 2B), Brian Ford (Sr., OF)
SCHAUMBURG - *Craig Chmura (Sr., P-OF), *Steve Hartsburg (Jr., SS)
WHEELING - Ryan Mroz (Jr., P), Brad Wasserman (Sr., SS)
NOTES
- Elk Grove two-time all-MSL pick Dominic Savino coached at Glenbrook North for 13 years (2011-23) with a record of 287-134, 8 Central Suburban League division titles and 4 regional titles. His first team won a school-record 33 games and lost in the supersectional to Prospect. Savino was inducted into the IHSBCA Hall of Fame in 2025.
- Rolling Meadows’ Glenn Olson was also all-MSL in basketball and went on to a successful career as a boys coach for two years at Maine East and at Niles North since 2009. He is closing in on 400 wins and has won 6 regional titles and a sectional at Niles North.
- Rolling Meadows’ Brian O’Grady as had a long tenure as Leyden’s badminton coach.
- Palatine’s Bill Peters was taken in the 48th round of the 1994 MLB draft by Colorado.
- Buffalo Grove’s Mark Greenlee was drafted twice by the Florida Marlins - in the 38th round in 1994 and the 59th round in 1995 out of Triton College.
- Hersey three-time all-MSL pick Rob Quarnstrom was chosen in the 30th round of the 1994 draft by the Twins. Quarnstrom would go to Arkansas and was undrafted out of college but pitched for three seasons in the Texas Rangers organization.
1995
BARRINGTON - Eric Alley (Jr., P-OF), *Jon Anderson (Sr., SS), *Rob Brauch (Sr., P), *Nick Franzese (Sr., 1B), Jermaine Johnson (Sr., OF)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Jeff Busse (Jr., C), Ryan Lovitz (Sr., OF), *Chris McKeown (Sr., P), Jeff Perconte (Jr., SS), *Brad Verber (Sr., OF)
CONANT - Jeff Fabbiano (Sr., OF), Christian Hoch (Sr., P)
ELK GROVE - Mike Nisi (Sr., 3B)
FREMD - Shane Altergott (Sr., 2B-SS), *Tony Clark (Sr., P)
HERSEY - Kevin Ibach (Jr., 2B), Mike Milazzo (Jr., OF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Nick Iovinelli (Sr., OF)
PALATINE - *Matt Marzec (Sr., SS), Steve Rick (Sr., OF)
PROSPECT - Greg Haut (Sr., SS), Dave Pohlman (Jr., OF)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Quinn Chism (Jr,. 1B-P), *Steve Gagliano (Jr., P-OF), Rick Kirsten (Jr., P-OF), Rob Pomazak (Jr., SS)
SCHAUMBURG - *Keola Delatori (Jr., P), *Steve Hartsburg (Sr., SS), Adam Nelson (Jr., P), Dan Vrbancic (Sr., 1B)
WHEELING - Tony Jones (Sr., P), *Lou Kantzavelos (Sr., 3B)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Nick Franzese (Barrington)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Steve Hartsburg (Schaumburg)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Ken Saveley (Barrington, Sr., 2B)
NOTES
- Barrington made its fifth Elite Eight trip under Kirby Smith with five 1995 all-MSL picks in Eric Alley, Jon Anderson, Rob Brauch, Nick Franzese and Jermaine Johnson and 1994 all-MSL pick Ken Saveley. The Broncos lost to Morris in the quarterfinals.
- Barrington’s Jon Anderson was chosen in the 28th round of the 1999 draft out of Illinois by the Red Sox. Anderson played 4 seasons professionally and was the head coach at Dundee-Crown for 4 seasons (2013-16), where he won a regional and had a 20-win season.
- Hersey’s Kevin Ibach played collegiately at LaSalle and has gone on to a long career in baseball as a scout and front-office executive. Ibach joined the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012 and has been a big part of their success - he was promoted to VP, Assistant General Manager in November 2023.
- Schaumburg three-time all-MSL pick Steve Hartsburg was chosen in the 14th round of the 1995 MLB draft by the Tigers. Hartsburg went to Oklahoma State and played 32 games with the independent Schaumburg Flyers in 1999-2000.
- Palatine’s Matt Marzec starred in baseball at Eastern Illinois and is in the school’s Hall of Fame.
- This was the first time the MSL published Division Players of the Year in baseball.
1996
BARRINGTON - *Mike Brawley (Sr., 2B), Eric Alley (Sr., P-OF), *Nick Rengel (Sr., P-1B), Sean McNichols (Sr., P-SS), John Austin (Soph., P)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Jeff Busse (Sr., C), *Scott Thorstenson (Sr., 3B-P), Matt Beecher (Sr., OF), Jeff Perconte (Sr., SS)
CONANT - Tim Heyse (Sr., 3B)
FREMD - Kevin Maher (Jr., 1B-P), Adam Wright (Sr., P), Dave Wosik (Sr., OF), John Benedetti (Sr., SS-P)
HERSEY - *Todd Rzepka (Sr., OF), *Darren Beck (Sr., P-1B-3B), *Steve Blank (Sr., P-OF)
PALATINE - Bubba Mariani (Jr., C), Andy Lange (Sr., P)
PROSPECT - *Mike Adams (Sr., SS-P), *Dave Pohlman (Sr., 3B-OF), Vine Edward (Sr., P-1B), *Dominic Monaco (Sr., P-1B)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Steve Gagliano (Sr., P-OF), *Rick Kirsten (Sr., P-OF), *Erik Nelson (Sr., C), Rob Pomazak (Sr., SS), Quinn Chism (Sr., 1B-P)
SCHAUMBURG - *Keola Delatori (Sr., P-SS), Tim Chambers (Jr., 2B), Mike Nall (Jr., P-C), *Paul Reuer (Soph., OF)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Jeff Busse (Buffalo Grove)
SOUTH PLAYERS OF THE YEAR - Keola Delatori (Schaumburg), Steve Gagliano (Rolling Meadows), Rick Kirsten (Rolling Meadows)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Steve Gagliano (Rolling Meadows)
NOTES
- Rolling Meadows reached the AA Elite Eight, led by the 1996 draft pick pitching duo of Steve Gagliano and Rick Kirsten, and all-MSL picks Erik Nelson, Rob Pomazak and Quinn Chism for coach Bill Niedbala. The Mustangs lost to Moline in the state quarterfinals. Kirsten was a 16th-round pick of Tigers and pitched professionally for 7 seasons, making it as high as Triple-A. Gagliano was a 20th-round pick of the Florida Marlins and also pitched professionally for 7 seasons in the Marlins, Brewers and Cubs organizations.
- Rolling Meadows’ Rob Pomazak was also all-MSL in football and took over as head coach of the St. Charles North football program in 2012. He is 95-39 going into the 2025 season with a second-place state finish in 7A in 2018 and 8 playoff trips. Pomazak also had a brief stint in independent baseball with Rockford in 2002.
- Fremd’s John Benedetti was a 10th-round MLB draft pick of Tampa Bay in 2000 out of Augustana and he pitched professionally for 5 years.
- Conant’s Tim Heyse was also all-MSL in football in 1995. He went from assistant to head football coach at Hoffman Estates in 2017 and has a 52-29 record entering the 2025 season. His first team reached the 6A semifinals and six of his teams have made the playoffs.
- Palatine’s Bubba Mariani was also a star in football who led the 1996 6A state semifinalist. Mariani is now a high school head football coach in Las Vegas.
- Schaumburg’s Keola Delatori was a two-time draft pick of the Cubs - the 35th round in 1996 and the 7th round in 1998 out of Triton College. Delatori pitched professionally for 2 seasons.
1997
BARRINGTON - George Allendorph (Sr., C), *John Austin (Jr., P-OF), *Kyle Flubacker (Jr., 2B), Dimas Moreno (Sr., 3B-P), Jess Sayre (Jr., SS), Tim Tommaso (Sr., OF)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Steve Hecker (Sr., P-DH), Dan Hoffman (Sr., OF), *David Horn (Sr., 1B-P), Joe Parenti (Soph., OF)
CONANT - *R.J. Cropper (Sr., 1B-P), Jason Miller (Sr., C), Chris Spiering (Soph., P)
FREMD - Matt Caccamo (Sr., 2B)
HERSEY - *Ryan McCarthy (Sr., P-3B), Ed Tolzien (Sr., P-1B)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Derek Fivelson (Sr., C)
PALATINE - Scott Nelson (Soph., 2B), *Neil Williams (Sr., 1B-P)
PROSPECT - Andy Adams (Sr., SS-P), Jon Haase (Sr., P-IF), *Jason Pullano (Sr., OF)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Kevin Nelson (Soph., C), *Nick Troy (Jr., P-OF)
SCHAUMBURG - Mark Belousek (Sr., C-P), *Tim Chambers (Sr., 2B), *Mike Nall (Sr., C-P), *Paul Reuer (Jr., OF), *Brian Wojtanowski (Sr., 3B)
WHEELING - Chris Carlson (Sr., P), Matt Melamed (Sr., C)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAINS - Mike Nall (Schaumburg), John Austin (Barrington)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Augie LaCapra (Palatine, Sr., OF)
NOTES
- Schaumburg, led by Wheeling grad and 1974 all-MSL pick Paul Groot, became the second state baseball champion from the MSL behind all-MSL picks Mike Nall, Paul Reuer, Mark Belousek, Tim Chambers and Brian Wojtanowski. Nall threw a no-hitter to beat Clemente 3-0 in the quarterfinals, Belousek won the semi 11-1 over Rock Island and Wojtanowski had the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 9th to beat Lockport 5-4 for the state title. Two-time all-MSL pick T.J. Nall was the winner in relief.
- Schaumburg’s Mike Nall was drafted twice - in the 49th round by the Marlins in 1997 and the 28th round by the Phillies in 2001 out of Northwestern. He pitched professionally for one season.
- Hersey’s Ed Tolzien was chosen in the 18th round of the 2001 draft by the Angels out of Illinois State as a 1B-OF. Tolzien played one season in the minors.
- Hoffman Estates’ Derek Fivelson became Conant’s head baseball coach in 2014. His 2024 team was the first since Schaumburg in 1997 to reach a state title game and it finished second in 4A with 30 wins.
- Barrington matched the record of six all-MSL baseball picks for the third time (1978 and 1987). Maine West (1965), Rolling Meadows (1975) also had six all-MSL selections.
1998
BARRINGTON - *John Austin (Sr., P-1B), Frank Favia (Jr., 3B), *Kyle Flubacker (Sr., 2B), Jason Mergott (Sr., OF), *Dan Pohlman (Soph., P-OF), *Jess Sayre (Sr., SS)
BUFFALO GROVE - Bob O’Roark (Sr., P), *Joe Parenti (Jr., OF), Brad Wendell (Jr., 2B)
CONANT - Chris Spiering (Jr., P)
ELK GROVE - Mike Shafar (Sr., P-1B)
FREMD - Paul Diederich (Sr., 2B), Andre Duncan (Sr., OF), *Chris Hoffer (Sr., P-1B)
HERSEY - Adam Lutostanski (Sr., P-1B), Stacey Staten (Sr., P-1B-OF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Brian Cosentino (Sr., P-OF)
PALATINE - *Scott Nelson (Jr., OF), *Clint Yactor (Jr., OF)
PROSPECT - *Shaun Friziellie (Sr., DH), *Kevin Koeneman (Jr., SS), Paul Ratkovic (Sr., P)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Nick Albu (Sr., P-1B), Sean Chism (Sr., OF), *Nick Troy (Sr., P-1B-OF)
SCHAUMBURG - *Josh Dryden (Sr., SS-P), *Mike Weel (Sr., P-1B), *T.J. Nall (Jr., P-IF), Paul Reuer (Sr., OF), Russ Sellinger (Jr., DH)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAINS - John Austin (Barrington), Paul Reuer (Schaumburg)
NOTES
- Barrington had six all-MSL picks for the second consecutive year and fourth time with John Austin, Frank Favia, Kyle Flubacker, Jason Mergott, Dan Pohlman and Jess Sayre as it made its sixth Elite Eight trip in Kirby Smith’s final year as head coach. The Broncos took third in Class AA by beating Simeon 12-0 in 5 innings after beating Lockport in the quarterfinals and losing to Andrew in the semis. Barrington would also finish second in the state American Legion tourney.
- Schaumburg’s Paul Reuer was taken in the 33rd round of the 1998 draft by the White Sox. Reuer and all-MSL picks Josh Dryden and Mike Weel also started for the 1997 AA state champions.
1999
