The fusion of intensity of the Prospect Wanner Invite's most coveted event- the 4x800 relay
=====
Mt. PROSPECT- Friday evening presented many track and field athletes with opportunities at the 55th edition of the Wanner Prospect Invite. Many teams from the Chicago area who were invited came and conquered what they were looking for in earnest. Naperville (Neuqua Valley) ran away with the team title scoring 141.5 points. The host Knights competed well and collected 124.5 points in the runner-up position.
The 4x800 relay kicked things off in style-
A large collection of coaches were ready to unleash their top relays for the first time this season in earnest. Everyone in the building knew that Naperville Central was the favorite, but the Redhawks still had to earn their keep.
New Trier got the jump on the field right away with its leadoff Samuel Teppo (Sr). He appeared to walk on water for a good percentage of leg the in a swift 1:58.55. At-large participant Chicago Mather earned their keep finishing right on the Trevian's heels with their own quality 1:58.81.
Things would begin to shift on the second leg as Naperville Central would not the field settle in and get comfy. The Redhawks unleashed its best runner Foster Shelbert (Jr). He mowed down the field one by one and by the end of the first lap, he was up by over 20 meters.
The victory was all but over on the third leg with Samuel Barnard (Sr) maintaining a strong advantage for Naperville Central. Lane Tech was batting a host of fenders for the runner-up spot. But in the end, it was all Redhawks who won in IL#2 7:48.86- about 10 seconds better than Downers Grove South who clocked 7:58.80.
The best of the rest-
Tyler Michelini (Sr., Lake Park) entered the shot put field as an at-large entry, and on his first attempt, he set the meet record 62-3.75. Michelini, who is committed to playing football at Grand Valley State University, has only been throwing the shot put for two years. He is currently the state leader with a heave of 63-1.75.
Maverick Ohle (Jr., Naperville Central) came in as the state's fourth-rated discus thrower and he exited in the same position with a toss of 173-4 on his first attempt. Tyler Michelini is also one of the state's best throwers who would have placed second if not for the at-large tag.
James Ammenhauser (Sr., Neuqua Valley) aided his team by collecting 20 points in the long and triple jumps. Ammenhauser put the long jump competition out of reach on his third attempt sailed 22-8 and moves him to IL#7. In the latter event and his specialty, Ammenhauser battled the up-and-coming Max Warner (Fr., Chicago Whitney Young) throughout the competition. Ammenhauser's best attempt was the first one which was good for 45-9.75. Warner had two breaches over 45 feet including his best one that netted 45-4.25.
Dominik Balenda (Sr., Prospect) had an impressive day in the 400 and 4x4 relay. He cruised to victory in the quarter-mile with a season-best 49.65. But the most exciting moment on the anchor and his team positioned in fourth place, Balenda calmly took the stick and methodically moved through up the track in almost a linear fashion. In fact, he was barely obstructed as he entered the homestretch in lane one. It was a straight shot to a team win in 3:25.10. Balenda rocked his opponents with a 48.5 carry and was greeted with a team bumrush that concluded the meet.
The 3200m may have been a little too close for comfort for Zac Close (Jr., Neuqua Valley) who was stalked through most of the race by several competitors. He held a slight advantage at the first mile in 4:42.7. However, Close was able to get some separation from Liam Naughton (Jr., Hersey) with less than two laps to go and win with a solid time of 9:21.14.
Foster Shelbert returned in the 1600 and bid his time until the final stretch of a rather manageable pace that was only 3:17 on the bell. Shelbert would cruise home in a fashionable 4:18.30.
