The rain, wind, and cold added to the "Dan Horyn Mile" Friday night (Mark Capapas photo)
-It was cold everywhere including Skokie IL where the 2nd Annual Dan Horyn Invitational took place inside the Chick Hos Stadium on the campus of Niles North. As cold as it was (somewhere in the mid 40s) it felt colder. No one really mailed it in... they couldn't, not with an old school coach such as Niles North head man Paul Swanson. "It isn't looking good [the weather] but we will get this thing in- Dan would not want it any other way," said Swanson from the press box after the rain and wind started picking up speed midway through the meet. This should serve notice that quality events can be conducted with some old school ways of thinking.
The Dan Horyn Mile lives up to billing-
Conducting a high powered invitational is tough but organizing a specific event is even tougher. The Dan Horyn selection committee worked tirelessly in getting the best 1600 "mile" field in the state two months before the event. Coaches Swanson and Dave Shafron went as far as Michigan to try and track down Footlocker champion Grant Fisher (Grand Blanc, MI) for the race. Unfortunately it was his state association that stopped him from traveling across state lines. But the show must go on as they say.
The invite race was moved to the start of the food chain because of worsening weather. The pace got out surprisingly well amid the rain and wind as well as real feel arctic climes on the skin. The opening 400 was led by Jon Davis (Oakwood) in 63.6. But all 14 runners were within an arms reach of Davis. The second circuit did not change things much other than Jones Prep's Kyle Maloney creeping up on Davis' shoulder and threatening to take the pace. The time was negotiated in 2:09.6. It was still anyone of a half dozen runners race to legitimately win. The conditions added a surreal feeling in that it did not feel as cold. The hearty fans that stayed to watch was incredibly loud and energetic.
The Dan Horyn "Mile" winner Jon Davis (Mark Capapas photo)
The gun lap showed 3:15.5 on the clock and Davis still leading the head of the class. But on the final backstretch Christian Swenson from Loyola Academy made a move to the front that was short lived. Davis reacted and shifted into another gear with Pavlo Hutsalyuk (Lane Tech) in pursuit. Jake Hoffert (Yorkville) the defending champion was next. But it was clear the rematch between Davis and Hutsalyuk would be settled in the final 100. Davis' grit is second to no one and he was able to hold on for the win in a personal best 4:15.80. Hutsalyuk collected another consolation prize in second (4:16.86). Davis ran an amazing race despite battling health issues over the past month plus. "I didn't run a step prior to this because of my Soleus," he said. Davis had hurt it at the Top Times meet back in late March but pure rest wasn't working. He traveled to Champaign to get in some biking and therapy. Hopefully, he has turned the corner on his injury problems now.
Christopher Douglas was the star in the hurdles (Mark Capapas photo)
The rest of the best-
- 200: John Miller (Loyola Academy) and Joshua Williams (Vernon Hills) were locked in a virtual tie that happen to be separated by the next thousand- both 22.94 for the stallions.
- Christopher Douglas (Deerfield) had his own coming out party by sweeping the hurdles 110HH (14.56) and 300H (38.79). The long version was a complete blowout as Douglas earned the third fastest time in the state.
- Niles North took two of the three sprint relays 4x1 (43.13) and 4x2 (1:32.03); Glenbrook North snagged the 4x8 (8:17.96) and Lane Tech won the 4x4 (3:30.24).