Ottawa, IL- Many were worried about the Ottawa Sectional even happening as a Tornado warning was in effect four hours before the start of the meet. People wondered if it would even take place... luckily when people arrived the sun was out and temperatures hit near 90 degrees which lead to some good times
Entering the meet everyone was looking to see what would Marcellus Moore of Plainfield North do in his comeback meet? "Baby Holyfield" missed the past two weeks due to a tweaked hamstring which was a big reason behind him only running the 100m and 200m. A "workout meet" he called it.... usually sectionals isn't a workout for most as it is the biggest meet of most athletes in the state. Cello almost toyed with the competition running an easy 10.79 in the 100m and 21.83 in the 200m. The question next week has to be does he still have what it takes to repeat as state champion in the 100m and 200m or will the hamstring ruin that dream?
The show stealer had to be the 4x800m with Neuqua Valley and Plainfield South shocking many going back in forth from the start of the race. Neuqua Valley prevailed going 7:53.69 for an IL#4 time. The event in total is sending four teams downstate with Oswego East running 7:56.63 for third and Plainfield North going 8:02.40 for fourth.
Field events were popping with qualifiers galore. Matthew Appel of Neuqua Valley set two new school records in Shot Put and Discus with a 57-5 shot and 187-11 disc. The discus actually sent down five qualifiers for the state meet. It was one and done in the horizontal jumps with both winners Geremiah Lawson of Plainfield Central in LJ and Myles Lincoln of Plainfield South in TJ getting the qualifying mark and getting out the pits as they weren't in the best shape. Alex Babbington of Plainfield East looked like his old self in the high jump clearing 6-5 just in time as the state meet rolls in next week.
Donovan Turner of Neuqua Valley had a comeback to his old self somewhat with a great day overall. He was a double champion in the hurdles winning the 110H with a 14.71 and the 300H in 39.02. The real bright side was his 4x400m anchor leg running a 48.xx anchor leg to bring his team downstate once again. How will he perform in Charleston next week?