The battle for the boys track city title is shaping up to be an interesting one. But, while Lane Tech and Mather would love to add a city trophy to their mantle, the ultimate goal is showing what they can accomplish at the state level. And they'll be rooting each other on along the way.

"It's a good rivalry," Lane Tech head coach Kris Roof said. "Both programs support each other especially at the big meets we're in. We want the suburban teams to know that two city teams came and gave them a run for their money."

Before the state finals, however, lies the city title and that's something Mather is thirsting for.

"We know it's going to be a battle," Rangers head coach Dale DeVinney said. "They're the defending champs and we're both stacked. It's going to be a great meet.

"At Lane they expect to win city championships. At Mather everyone is overwhelmed when we win the city championship. It's David vs. Goliath and we're the little guys."

Mather is looking exceptionally strong in the relays.

The 1600 relay team of Brian Shaw, Jeremy Webber, Jorge Casiano and Jovahn Martinez ran a 3:32 at Lewis University last Saturday and they expect that time to drop as the season goes along.

The 800 relay has been even stronger. Led by Shaw, Martinez, Omipence Jimenez and Edward Olagbegi, the team has high aspirations for a spot in the state finals.

Ivan Coronel and Carlos Hernandez lead the distance runners and both have gone under 4:40 this season.

Edwin Moreno leads the way in the field events.

To the Southeast, the Indians are prepared to defend their city title with pure depth.

Gerald Turner and Jay Jordan lead the way in the 110 high hurdles while Troy McAlister and Chris Blackmon solidify the 300 intermediate hurdles.

Speedsters Fuad Salami, Chris Kyles and Kenny Blanks give Lane a big advantage in the sprints.

Kevin Beltran and Kulayifi Haji will take the reins in the distance events.

"Our strength, for us, is our depth," Roof said. "We'll only have guys in one or two events and we expect to place high in every event."

While city is the first stop, the ultimate goal is a strong performance at state.

"Our main goal and our cheer at every meet is 'state points,' " Roof said. "Last year we got a bunch of kids Downstate but we didn't get them to Saturday."

Prosser also hopes to make some noise in the city race. Leading the way is Sorhando Peter. He'll compete in the 400 and all three sprint relays.

Other key contributors are David Mitchell, Jovan Jill, Derrel Garmon, Deshawn Hope, Mo Daniels, James Ogden, Chris Williams, DeAndre Know, Diego Lamas and Kevin Ison.

"We have great leadership from last season returning," Falcons head coach Vince Rociola said. "Last year we once again qualified for State and we lost only one senior."

The area's top runner is Gordon Tech's Patrick George. He's qualified for the state meet the last two seasons and finished ninth in the 100 in 2005 and eighth in the 200 in 2006.

George, who will play football for Northern Illinois this fall would love to leave high school with a state title.

In the East Suburban Catholic Conference St. Patrick will be gunning for a conference title.

Leading the way is Vince Johnson who finished second in conference and went Downstate last year in the triple jump.

Mike O'Neill (shotput) and Justin Pagan (discus) will also lead the way in the field events.

On the track, the Shamrocks will look to Mark Ridley and a host of other to fill the shoes of Frank Prill, who is doing the decathlon for Iowa's track team.

"We have a lot of good experience but not a lot of seniors," St. Patrick head coach Anthony Enright said. "We'll be in the race for conference. All our relays are really strong and we have 120 guys out for the team."

Brian Ruiz, who was a tailback for the football team, has stepped up in both hurdles races.