"The potential of the team is unlimited. Also, the amount of games won this year will rest upon their desires," proclaimed Mr. Al Carstens, head coach of the varsity baseball squad.

Coach Carstens is the only coach in Illinois prep baseball to take his team downstate two consecutive years and capture the State title. He accomplished this feat in '58 and '59. He also won the West Suburban conference title in '57, '58, and  '59. Then he came to Maine West and coached the Westmen for the Interim conference honors in '61 and '62. In 1960, Maine West didn't have a baseball team, so actually Coach Carstens has taken the conference title for five consecutive years. His lifetime record is 125 wins and 25 losses.

"I believe our toughest opponents will be Glenbrook North and Niles West," he predicted.

Working for Masters

Mr. Carstens graduated from Maine East and has attended Knox College, where he earned his B.A. in education; Northern Illinois, where he did graduate work; and the University of Illinois. At present, he is working for his master's degree in education.