Distance runners pace Batavia to second place

The Batavia Track Men went up against high-powered Lake Park at the Batavia Coach DiDomenico Invite Friday night. The Lancers coming off the IHSA State Championship last spring won the meet with 128 points. Batavia was a close second with 108 points followed by Kaneland 83 points, Burlington Central 64, West Aurora 42, and Bartlett 37.

The Bulldogs were paced by their middle distance and distance runners. In the 400-meter Peyton Piron and Jorden Berendt took first and second with almost identical times of 52.6. The two came back to team up with Ryan Wieties and David Curnock to place third in the 1600-meter relay. The evening's last event saw first to third places separated by only a second.

One of the best races of the night saw Mitch Zabka get second place for Batavia in the 3200-meter with an indoor school record time of 9:43.9. The future Lipscome University runner led most of the race against Jeremy Lozano of Lake Park before getting past on the last lap.

Another Batavia indoor school record was set by Chris Orlow in the 1600-meter run. The senior took the race out hard at the start and fought off a late charge by a Lake Park running for the win in a time of 4:28.7.

Batavia also got a win in the high jump from Nick Majka. Majka one of the best high jumpers in the state won on misses against Daquan Cross of West Aurora.