Midwest Distance Festival Preview
The Midwest Distance Festival, the off-shoot of the Midwest Distance Gala, will unleash its second edition Saturday evening at the comfortable digs known as Illinois Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.
MWDF meet director Mike Newman has done a fine job in assembling solid boys’ fields against the advent of plethora of post-season meets. No matter, the MWDF should be a good one.
Boys fields stacks nicely-
Steeplechase-
Key figures: Marcelo Burbano (Sr., Chicago Lane Tech), Trevor Kuehr (Sr., Lake Zurich), Harry Winter (Jr., Palatine Fremd).
Outlook: Burbano is the defending champion and he is not a mere novelist here. Mr. Burbano produced a US#30 mark of 6:19.32 last year. He may have the advantage of practicing at a facility with steeplechase capabilities. Lane Tech stadium has all of those. His steeplechase coach Kris Roof was a former standout steepler at Depaul University. He also earned a trip to the US Junior Nationals last June. In addition, Burbano’s flat performances were pretty solid; he produced 9:24i (3200m), 4:19.34 (1600m), and (1:57.3r- 800m). Kuehr and Winter are notable standout distance runners. Kuehr was an all-state cross country runner who placed 20th. Winter is one of the top runners in the Mid-Suburban League.
800-
Key figures: Andrew Dusing (Sr., Brookfield Central, WI), Brad Johnson (Sr., Brookfield East, WI), Trent Daniels (Sr., Brookfield East, WI), Alex Riba (Sr., O’Fallon), Zac Justus (Jr., Pontiac), Nathan Kucero (Jr., Maple Park Kaneland), Kyle Carter (Jr., Maple Park Kaneland).
Outlook: The first thoughts that come to is the crosstown rivalries that Brookfield East and Central have. Both of these two proud programs send Johnson, Daniels, and Dusing across state line south duel amongst themselves and newfound rivals. Dusing placed second at his state meet with a personal best 1:53.15. His rivals Johnson and Daniels will be up for the challenge. Daniels competed in last year’s race and placed 9th. Kucero and Carter are coming off of a state 4x800m championship. They both will look to improve on their 1:55 and 1:54 stats. Finally, Riba will look to sharpen his legs up for the upcoming New Balance Outdoor Nationals mile race.
Mile-
Key figures: Jack Keelan (Sr., Chicago St. Ignatius), Jacob Poyner (Sr., Warsaw, IN), Josh Evans (Jr., Linn-Mar; Marion, IA), Garrett Lee (Sr., Belvidere North).
Outlook: Warsaw, IN is best known for its high school basketball… and former distance phenom Ashley Erba. Now, let’s welcome the return of Poyner. He may be the guy to slow down Keelan. Poyner ran 4:10.00c last year last post-season at the Festival. He is already ahead of that curve with a smoking 4:09.95 third place performance at his state championship. But Keelan has not been challenged in Illinois or the Midwest this season. Could he get down to 4:05 or 4:06 for the full mile? It will depend on how fast the pace is set for the first 800. Look for Wisconsin D1 champion Carl Hirsh (Sr., Brookfield Central). Evans has a personal best of 4:10.86 that he earned in winning the Drake Relays 1600. Lee would love nothing more than beating Keelan in their final prep match-up. He let a golden opportunity to best Keelan slip by several weeks ago in his state championship. Lee will be attending the University of Illinois this fall and may never compete against Keelan unless on the national stage. Also, keep an eye open for Marc Maton (Sr., Chatham-Glenwood), Riley McInerney (Sr., Charleston), and the upstart Billy Bund (Sr., Lake Forest).
2mile-
Key figures: Addison DeHaven (Jr., Brookings, SD), T.J. Carey (Sr., Lake Orion, MI), Nolan McKenna (Jr., Wheaton-Warrenville South), Alex Gold (Sr., Deerfield), Ben Eaton (Sr., Downers Grove South), Jamison Dale (Sr., Chicago Jones).
Outlook: If the surname DeHaven sounds familiar, it should. Addison is the byproduct of his famous father Rod DeHaven. Rod has a long list of accomplishments that is highlighted by an appearance in the 2000 Sydney Olympics Marathon. The yearling appears ready to assume the throne of proud papa and bust out a fast time. Addison blazed 9:00.19 at his chilling state meet that he won by nearly 30 seconds. Hopefully, he will be able to get significantly under 9:00 with help from McKenna, Gold, Eaton, Dale, and Carey. Carey had a relatively quiet track season despite winning the 1600m at his state meet. Carey only ran 9:19 in limited action, but he did have an appearance in the Nike Cross Nationals last fall.
Girls-
Unfortunately, the girls’ portion of the meet is very slim. However, the 800m should be a good one if the featured athletes are still fit. The Illinois girls haven’t raced since May 18- that’s nearly a month! Watch for the competitive edge of McKenna Kiple (Sr., Wheaton-Warrenville South), Michelle Dobbs (Sr., Rochelle), and Shianne Baggett (Sr., Chicago Whitney Young) to shine bright. Kiple and Baggett placed second and fourth in the legendary 3A championship that finally saw Shelly McBride’s (Crete-Monee) immortal record erased by Courtney Clayton (Rockton Hononegah). Clayton ran a sizzling US#5 2:07.05. Kiple and Baggett ran 2:11.74 and 2:13.57 respectively. Dobbs is no slouch either. Although she competed in 2A, she was able to produce the state’s second fastest time in 2:10.78. Wheaton South will also have Hope Schmelze (Sr.) and Erin Hermann (Sr.) competing as they prep for NBON and the 4x800m championship.
The 2mile will be highlighted by the Kentucky state champion Emily Bean (Jr., Louisville Assumption). She cruised to victory in 10:59.93. Indiana’s Sarah Ray (Sr.) will take part in the race as will Victoria Clinton (So., Maple Park Kaneland). Clinton, the 2A cross country champion, has spent time working on her triathlon game. She will take a shot at a fast time before turning her duties back to cross country.
