Neuqua Valley senior Maya Neal displays her throwing skills in the Heptathlon (Image of sport photo credit)
No one should ever get criticized for giving a maximum effort when called upon. What is even more eye opening is when teams and individuals take a trek to somewhere when they know they shouldn't. Illinois has had its share of boo boos on the big stage in recent memory. However, the opening day of the prestigious Arcadia Invitational proved to be a very good one for the Prairie State.
- Maya Neal (Sr., Naperville Neuqua Valley) got things started with a third place finish in her signature event the grueling Heptathlon. The two-day battle saw Neal leading into the final event (800m). Neal could only muster a 2:29 which dropped her a few slots. But still it was a great effort for one of the state's most versatile athletes.
- Yorkville girls competed in two events on Friday evening. The first was the invitational 4x800 relay. The Lady Foxes placed 9th in 9:22.59. The mark is currently #1 in IL. Junior Skyler Bollinger closed things out with a 2:16.06 split; 4x1600 relay concluded things for the Lady Foxes, The quartet clocked 21:11.07. Bollinger did lead things off in the second race. She kept team in it with a 5:11 lead off carry.
- The Neuqua Valley Boys represented for their school in a big way with a state leading and US#11 7:52.74. Senior Ty Moss continues to build his credibility as a great closer. His Wildcat team was completely out of the race but he moved them to fourth with a sizzling 1:50.99 anchor. He ran the fastest leg of anyone in the race. By the way US #1 800m man Connor Ross of McQueen, NV ran the anchor for his team that finished third. Ross went out like a crazed maniac opening the first 400 in 51 before slipping with a 1:51.71 split. Both runners will duel in the Invitational 800m on Saturday.
- 3200s: The Arcadia Invite is all about this event. Connor Horn (Jr., Neuqua Valley) gave his mates something to chew on for the remainder of the meet. Horn earned a big PB by finishing second in the #2 rated race 9:16.79. He reportedly ran 2:13.9 for the final 800m; Blake Evertsen (So., Hinsdale Central) is starting to show the promise that everyone had of him coming out of middle school. Evertsen ran a PB 9:14.39. As time goes on watch for this young man to continue to grow under the top long distance program in the state; Sam Oh (Sr., Stevenson) ran well and pushed his top ever time in the same race as Evertsen. Oh hit for 9:18.75.