Jadon Robertson and Nathan Kirby were two of the main forces behind their team's trophy exploits
RESULTS I VIDEOS I PHOTOS
#1 Cowden-Herrick and #2 Salt Fork battled virtually for supremacy for most of the outdoor season. Both programs came to Charleston on a mission to Eastern Illinois University and O'Brien Stadium as their own personal den for the weekend.
Cowden-Herrick mostly relied on two charges production, seniors Daniel Lucas and Jadon Robertson. Lucas took charge of the throws and Robertson earned his keep in the hurdles, high jump, and long jump.
Last year, Salt Fork won the 2019 team title and finished in the runner-up spot. This time around the greedy vibes of copping a title on the strength of juniors Nathan Kirby, Garrett Taylor, Dylan Diaz, and the 4x1 and 4x2 relays.
Lucas and Taylor won a pair of state titles in the shot put (59'10.50") and discus throw (180'10") respectively. Taylor also collected a third in the SP (55'4") while Lucas provided lent in his pocket.
The action between both schools would take place simultaneously. Robertson was ticketed to win four gold medals that would seal the deal. Unfortunately for him, Luke Jelderks (Sr., Chicago Christian) had other ideas for the long jump, he overtook Robertson on his first jump in the finals and eventually won with a 22'7.25". If that wasn't bad enough, Robertson missed out on another opportunity to cop 10 points. He finished second to Mason Kooi (Jr., Springfield Lutheran) cleared a personal best, and shares the overall state leading 6'10" with the runner-up Robertson. Kooi, who is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot, also won the triple jump (44' 1.25").
Kirby was coming off of a natural high after anchoring his team to a second-place finish in the 4x100 relay behind heavy favorite Winnebago's 42.92. The Storm ran 43.26 and looking to seize the momentum with Kirby in the 110HH. He had a good start but missed his steps on hurdle three and crashed the next hurdle which ultimately led to a disqualification. The sting did not last too long as the Storm took second in the 4x200 (1:30.38).
In between the Salt Fork and Cowden-Herrick fighting was sophomore Tony Phillips of Kankakee McNamara talking with his mouth and feet simultaneously. The defending 100 and 200-meter state champion had proclaimed much of the week leading up to championship weekend that he was more than ready to defend his state titles. Tyreke Fortney (Sr., Peru St. Bede) stood in the way in more ways than one. Fortney, who is also a football standout, burned up the indoor track and field scene, taking the 60 and 200 Top Times times with ease. The clash came to a head on Saturday and Phillips put a kibosh on Fortney's advances with 10.70 and 22.05 burners. After the meet, Phillips announced that he would be transferring to powerhouse Kankakee.
Distance running excitement was not left out of the equation. The 3200m featured Chicago talents Kieran Subra (Sr., Lycee Francais), Ryan Hardiman (Sr., Latin), and Akili Parekh (Sr., Latin). All three are good friends and off-season training partners, bid their time behind a possessed Miles Sheppard (Sr., Warsaw West Hancock) who decided it was a bright idea to set a torrid pace. It's too bad the wheels came completely off on the penultimate lap. Hardiman pounced with 450 to go and tried to apply a knockout punch to the field. He checked his rearview mirror several times en route to the finish. Apparently, with 50 meters remaining, he spotted Freddy Kruger and collapsed to the track. Subra's outstanding finishing kick was the real reason and he dashed past his fallen pal for the win in a PB 9:15.58. Hardiman was able to recover ahead of Shepard for second in 9:22.57.
Eli Mojonnier (Sr., Bismarck-Henning) defended his 800 time with a personal best 1:54.33-1:54.53 over Julian Aske (Jr., Evanston Beacon Academy. Issac Teel (So., Pinckneyville) could be a name to watch this fall in cross country and again next spring after dropping a statement in the 1600 (4:17.59 PB). Teel led coast to coast in the smooth victory.
The final aftermath of the battle between Salt Fork and Cowden-Herrick ended in a tie. Both teams scored 44 points. Robertson's only victory was the 110HH (14.36 [ +1.0]). He took second in the 300H (38.30) behind Jackson Kern (Jr., Auburn) 38.10 to close out his team's scoring. Salt Fork's final tallies came from Kirby in the 200 (3rd- 22.81) and Diaz in the triple jump (6th- 43'0.5").