Sean and Chris Torpy put on a clinic that will be remember for the ages (Colin Boyle photo)
The weather may have been a bit hotter than what the distance runners had hoped for Saturday evening at Illinois Benedictine University in Lisle. Beggers can't be choosy when you consider how awful the climes were this spring.
Sean and Chris Torpy certainly did not complain once the gun for the 800m went off. The Wonder twins bolted straight for the back of the pace setter through the first 200. It was fast as in 26.1 for Chris and 26.3 for Sean. According to Sandburg coach John O'Malley, Chris Torpy was dead set to stay on the pacesetter. "I actually thought Sean might check out but I got him back on it off the curve and he bolted," said O'Malley. Chris still lead through the first 400m in 52.3 compared to his twin at 53.1. The part about getting Sean back into the race mentality wise kicked in. Sean dropped a 26.9 third 200 to close the gap on his brother. They were 1:19 and 1:20 respectively through 600m and maintaining great form. In other words if they could hold on down the homestretch the times would be blazing fast! Sean over took his brother shortly there after and sped away to a blistering 1:47.95 clocking. The time became the US #1 mark as well as Illinois all-time best. In addition, Sean's performance was the #7 all-time individual performance in US history.
The rest of the field was no slouches either. Chris Torpy earned IL#2 with his 1:49.80 as well as US#8 and the state's 8th fastest effort in historical terms. The fun fact is he is #2 in his school record book and household!
A total of five runners ran 1:50s or better. Kyler True (Kansas) rocked 1:49.87 in chasing down C. Torpy. Torrain Haughton (Maine East) showed his true potential with a monster 1:50.56 and Illinois' adopted son who lives in O'Fallon but recently graduated from St. Louis University High in Missouri, Dustan Davidson clocked a personal best 1:50.87