The backside of the 3A 4x200 relay-
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4x800: The event is back and stronger than ever. First the first time since the 1970s, there was more than one team under 7:40 in the same state meet. Hinsdale Central on the strength of senior Dan Watcke carried an impressive field to a 7:38.59- good for US#5. Downers Grove North set a school record with a runner-up finish in 7:39.03. All 11 finishers were under 8:00.
4x100: Homewood-Flossmoor did not get the all-time record but securing safe handoffs around the track was more important. The Vikings still won easily over Edwardsville in 41.43.
3200: Evan Horgan (Sr., Belvidere North) turned his season on late and peaked at the right time. He was the only 3A competitor with a time under 9:10 coming in. With 600m to go, he left no chance of losing the race, pulling away and winning in 9:05.98.
110HH: It was all smiles for Miles Granjean (Sr., Evanston) who was on a business assignment during the prelims. He clocked 14.36 (-0.6) for his first state title.
100: Daniel Lacy (Sr., Champaign Centennial) bid for a triple crown and began with a huge win in 10.69. It was a personal best and a good sign of things to come.
800: Dan Watcke back after the impressive 1:50 anchor on the 4x800 made things seem easy. The opening lap of 55.1 seemed almost pedestrian as he won comfortably in 1:52.16.
4x200: Homewood-Flossmoor fought for this one but in the end, they ran a state-leading 1:26.20
400: Daniel Lacy had a few meters on Billy Bailey Jr of Joliet West on the home stretch. They both the tape in 47.28. Lacy's 47.274 was the edging win.
300H: It was a sloppy race as two hurdles hit barriers late (Amari Williams of WWS fell), but credit state leader Ryan Schaefer (Sr., Glenbrook South) was keeping his poise when it appeared as though he was going to lose. Schaefer took the victory in 38.34.
1600: In one of the most impressive races in state history in terms of comebacks was right here. Aden Bandukwala (Jr., Hinsdale Central) has a knack for fast finishes. He was sitting dead last on the bell. At best he appeared as though he could nab one of the all-state medals. But no! He started to gobble each competitor as though he was Super Packman. He entered the homestretch with just the leader Marcellus Mines (Jr., Joliet West) in front of him. Bandukwala breezed past Mines and cruised home for the win in 4:10.36.
200: Lacy had just enough juice to take down the field in 21.51 and secure his dream of honoring his father Jimmy Lacy who competed for Peoria Manual in the 1990s. Lacy won the rare triple crown and donned a smile.
4x400: Yorkville was in trouble entering the final exchange of the "showstopper." Credit anchor Josh Pugh for coming to the rescue and dropping a 46.67 split and bringing the crowd to its feet. The end of the show with a time of 3:19.04 over Grayslake Central.
Pole Vault: Tyler Petersen (Sr., Bloomington) missed earning a medal by one spot last year. This year came back and took the gold medal
High Jump: Voldy Makabu (So., Champaign Centennial) was the surprise winner here. He came in with a PB of 6-3 and finished 6-8.25. Those 10 points helped his team earn a trophy.
Long Jump: Parrish Hartley was MIA for Chicago Kenwood for much of the outdoor season. He came back when it counted most and won the title with a leap of 22-10.
Shot Put: Tyler Michelini (Sr., Lake Park) was trailing for much of the competition, and on his final throw, he connected on a 61-4.25 winner.
Discus Throw: One of the state's top guys completed his dream of a state title. Maverick Ohle (jr., Naperville Central) won with a toss of 183-1
Triple Jump: A raucous crowd helps spur Edwardsville junior Malik Allen. He connected on the jump of his life on the final attempt and won the state title with a leap of 48-9.50- #1 in the state as well.