Proviso West boys Johnny Jenkins checks his stopwatch behind the girls rampage that went on inside their coveted fieldhouse (Mark Capapas photo)
4x800-
Prospect 10:12.23, Schaumburg 10:34.53, Chicago Taft 10:36.90
-Mid-Suburban League rivals Prospect and Schaumburg opened their seasons more in practice mode than all out battle tactics. The Knights used an opening 2:30 leg and slowly pulled away from the field for the easy victory. Schaumburg did not run two legs from their state runner up team including ace Madison Marasco who was holding a clipboard and taking times. Marasco was sitting out as a precaution from a sore ankle. Upstart Taft maintained good position in holding off Mundelein and Chicago Lane Tech. The Eagles may be a team to watch in the Public League this season.
4x200-
Proviso West 1:46.35, Romeoville 1:47.83, Chicago Kenwood 1:47.94
-No one really knew what to expect after the first five sections produced duds. The fastest prior to the championship round was 1:53.01 by Proviso West's "B" team. It was now time for the loaded version of the Panthers "A". Proviso West opened fast against Romeoville and Kenwood who worked in overdrive to stay close. The meet announcer along with home cooking from the crowd inspired the quartet in producing a meet record and state best 1:46.35. Romeoville showed toughness in fighting off Kenwood for the silver medals.
4x400-
Proviso West 4:07.45, Dekalb 4:14.65, Romeoville 4:16.60
-Dekalb set the stage out of the penultimate section 5 with a school record time. For the moment it would a state leading mark. But the question was would Proviso West loading up for another win? Indeed the Lady Panthers go away the Barbs time. The time was 2:04 after two legs and it was clear that a new state best was in order. Proviso West would close things out with their two fastest girls in remarkeable fashion. The final result was another meet record and replacing Oak Park-River Forest's now former mark.