York earns state title (Colin Boyle photo)
It was approximately a year that every viable talking head was up in arms about the state of the Illinois boys high school track and field. There was a deep concern that the prognosis was grave- particularly in the 3A classification. Those who took time to forecast their doubts had every right. This incredible piece called The State of Speed In Illinois by Thornwood coach Brian Evans seemed to wake everyone up and get those in charge of young men through the state on the right path.
Fast forward a year and it appeared to be a different year from the field to the sprints and relays on the track to the distance running arena. The hurdle events even looked healthy. Even old school heads like the distance running legend Craig Virgin said “it’s great to see all of these Illinois kids running really fast.”
The York players send their long time Head Coach Stan Reddell out in style-
For the Elmhurst York track and field program, it has been a tale of two stories. The sprint and field event area has blossomed over the past several years to become one of the best in the state in terms of competitiveness. Senior Reid Smith proved that with his third place in the high jumpv (6'8"). How about the big money relays? The 4x1 and 4x2 got the job done in style running to second (41.48- barely missing out on first). The latter race took third in 1:26.66.
The second tell all has been a downshift in the distance program. The usually reliable horses did not show and prove as they have in this school calendar starting with the cross country season. The Dukes missed out on a team top three plaque followed by not getting to state in their staple 4x8 relay. The Dukes of York mustered 10 points total via Kyle Mattes (Sr.)- 9th in 3200m, Matt Plowman (Sr.)- 5th in 800m, and Alex Bashqawi (Sr)- 6th in the 1600m. Despite a tough year in the long running department, the seniors found a way to get it done on an individual basis that netted a positive team outcome.
The big story inside of O’Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston was the smooth exit of coach Reddell and the dethroning of four-time champion Roselle (Lake Park) and besting Edwardsville 40-36. Naperville (Neuqua Valley) held off Harvey (Thornton) for fourth 34 to 32. It came to Smith’s big points in the high jump and Bashqawi's last second efforts on the home stetch of the mile to seal the title deal.
The 4x800 final will go down as a classic in years to come-
All year the talk had been on the 4x800 relay being the primary event on the boy’s ledger for years. This was no different with the fireworks starting earlier than normal this season. Chicago Lane Tech kicked off matters in early March at the Downers Grove South Mustang Relays by winning in a fast time of 7:54.21. That outcome prompted talks of a potentially state record by someone come outdoor state. “Tony, I think it’s probably going to take a state record this year to win a state title,” uttered New Trier coach David Wisner to yours truly.
The notion of any team coming close to that the epic 1976 4x880y final sounded ridiculous. Perhaps no race final outside of a stacked New Balance Outdoor Nationals could do that. But in metric terms a notion can become reality.
2006 is by most accounts and arguably the greatest year for the long relay in metric terminology. The state meet was set up by E. St. Louis Senior’s 7:45.84+ sectional leading effort. Algonquin (Jacobs) would pick up the torch in the final prelims a week later running a hot 7:45.40 to lead all qualifiers. Edwardsville ran 7:55.21 and missed the final.
The 2006 final meet was epic because in which Jacobs set the 4x800m record of 7:40.02, the Eagles needed a 1:49 anchor from Evan Jager to win the race over York. The Dukes finished second in 7:41.81 followed by scoring teams Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South) 7:42.97, E. St. Louis Sr. 7:43.77, Quincy 7:45.15, Downers Grove North 7:46.38, Libertyville 7:46.57, Lisle Benet Academy 7:48.16, St. Charles North 7:47.31. That was and perhaps is the best metric state final in history. Also consider that Mt. Prospect (Prospect) finished 12th (last) in a real good 7:57.20.
New Trier produced the salvo that got everyone’s attention at the Loyola sectional with their 7:43.65 leading mark. 19 of the 25 teams ran under the bench mark 8:00; 18 teams hit the state standard mark of 7:58.04.
The prelims were just as thrilling with Orland Park (Sandburg) leading the way in 7:46.53 without top man Denis O’Callaghan (Sr.). The final cut off was 7:55.57 by St. Charles North. An excellent Batavia team ran 7:56.17 and didn’t get in. Neither did Hinsdale Central who hit 7:56.15.
So would the hard racing in near 90 degree weather with less than 24 hours of rest hurt the final?
The answer was no. In fact, the opening legs seemed to be recharged. Every team had at least one key gun to choose from. Neuqua Valley deployed Connor Horn (So.), New Trier used a top man in Chase Silverman (Sr.). Downers Grove North had their ace Tony Zea (Sr.) ready. Lyons Township had their speedy Ed McCarter (Sr.) ready at a minute’s notice. Lane Tech even used the trust worthy David Schmieg (Sr.) to keep the Indians in the championship hunt.
The opening lap was fast but honest in 54.9 as 12 runners were within a body’s length of one another. The pace would pick up around the 500m mark with Zea, McCarter, and Schmieg taking matters into their own hands. Zea moved into the lead at 600m with Schmieg on his heels. McCarter fell back as a fleet of runners started their kick with 150m to go. Sophomore Chris Torphy of Sandburg tried to overtake the lead but Zea held strong. Silverman finished well for his team as did Schmieg.
The second leg continued the torrid pace and the teams that were positioning themselves to be medalists began to form. Sandburg steamed home in the first position. There were four to five units behind the Eagles followed by another three to four just trying to hold on.
Sandburg led once again going into the third leg. The field began to stretch out and it appeared as though the Eagles and Neuqua Valley would have their teams set up very nicely for the anchor legs. New Trier was now out of the winning spotlight. Barrington, Lane Tech, Lyons, Lake Park, DGN, and Crystal Lake South had to fend for themselves if they wanted medals.
It was all Sandburg and Neuqua Valley on the anchor leg. O’Callaghan and Ty Moss (Jr.) would duke it out. It was the Eagles vs. the Wildcats for the state championship. O’Callaghan must have known that Moss was a threat because he tried to furiously shake him. Moss refused to go. New Trier’s Peter Cotsirilos (Sr.) pulled away from Barrington’s Konrad Eirling (Jr.) and went after the leaders. The chase pack behind him desperately made their last moves on the bell lap.
With 200 to go it was O’Callaghan and Moss locked together. But in reality it was going to be Moss’ race to lose because of his superior speed. The race hit the homestretch and the cover boy Moss shifted his motor into fifth gear and pulled away from the courageous O’Callaghan with ease and the spoils of victory followed in a near state record and US#2/IL#1 7:40.21 (1:58, 1:55.6, 1:54.0, 1:52.6). Sandburg ran extremely well checking in at 7:40.77- US#4/IL#2. New Trier just missed their sectional best but still earned a very fast bronze medal in 7:44.27. Five other teams were under 7:50 led by last year’s champ Barrington 7:47.11. Seven of the teams moved into the nation’s top 35! Lyons 7:47.28, Lake Park 7:47.45, Lane Tech 7:47.52, and Downers North 7:47.95. Glenbard West ran a fleeting 7:50.83. Their mark got them 10th and in the top 60 in the country but no state medal. This was how fast the final was. It was simply amazing.
Jesse Reiser with Illinois distance legend Craig Virgin and Tony Prepster (Colin Boyle photo)
Best of the rest-
Pole Vault: Luke Winder (Sr., Plainfield Central) completed his IHSA career as the best to ever have done it by setting the all-time state record with a 17-3 outstanding effort. He overtook Daren McDonough of Edwardsville 17-0.50 mark down from the record book. Winder moved to US#4 in the process.
High Jump: Jon Wells (Sr., Grant) won the title leaping 7-0 and beating a tough foe in Erik Miller (Sr., St. Charles North) who hit 6-10. Wells went on to attempt 7-1 but tired legs prevented him from improving from the US#8 long jam.
Shot Put: Martinus Mitchell (Sr., Collinsville) maintained his prelim 61-0.75 winning effort to beat out the her Kyrin Tucker (Sr., Normal West) 60-5.
Triple Jump: Marcus Jegede (Sr., Lake Park) showed why the University of Louisville is getting an absolute warrier. Jegede missed most of the outdoor season due to severe knee tendinitis to win in 48'4.75 (+4.0).
Discus: Stephen Hubona (Sr., Benet Academy) won his first title easily in 185-1. He actually hit on his state leading effort in the prelims.
Long Jump: Jon Wells completed the double task by taking the title in 23-0.75 over defending champion Cole Henderson (Sr., Pekin) who had the same mark. Wells' second best jump was 22-10 compared to Henderson's 22-7.75.
4x100: Edwardsville proved that going to the big time Penn Relays was no fluke. The Tigers won the time in a speedy 41.46; 5 teams cracked the 42.00 mark compared to none last year.
3200m: Jesse Reiser (Jr., McHenry) clocked 2:01 in last 800 to earn his first state title 9:03.60. Patrick Perrier (Sr., O'Fallon) had an opportunity to win it but faded late to get second 9:07.10. Zach Dale (Jr., Conant) 9:07.82 got third.
110HH: Antonio Shenault (Jr., Lake Park) won in 14.14 (+0.1). Tifonte Hunt (Sr., Thornton) hit the last hurdle and took second 14.17.
100: Cole Henderson repeated in 10.53 (+1.8)- legit time against a strong field.
800: Johnny Leverenz (Sr., Danville) did not let the speedy Matt Anyiwo (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor) use his superior speed in the early going. Leverenz hit the bell in 54.xx and won in 1:52.00. Anyiwo hit 1:52.38.
4x200: Schaumburg got revenge from false starting in the 4x1 prelim to win in 1:26.13. Thornton 1:26.26 with an alternate to Cavion Clayton who was injured. Last place was a very speedy 1:28.53.
400: Kahmari Montgomery (Jr., Plainfield Central) ran an amazing race in a US#8 46.82- bringing life into an event that has been soft for years. Chris Wilson (Sr., Minooka) took second in 47.40.
300H: Connor Dunham (Sr., Chicago St. Ignatius) beat his friendly nemesis Imani Payton (Sr., North Lawndale Prep) 36.90-37.33. This race was won over the final two hurdles. Dunham looked flawless down the stretch.
1600: Patrick Perrier came back to win in a commanding 4:10.34. Chris Korabik (Sr., St. Ignatius) almost snatch a victory from Perrier on the third lap finished second in 4:11.20.
200: Kahmari Montgomery won in a blazing 21.25 (-0.2).
4x400: The favorite E. St. Louis Sr. cleaned up by taking the showstopper in 3:16.59. 7 teams broke 3;20.