Bull's eye for relay-winning Palatine

Palatine's boys track team was flying under the radar for most of a sunny afternoon on Saturday, but in the end the Pirates were right on target.

The Pirates won only two events but pieced together an impressive title at the 82nd Palatine Relays on Saturday at Chic Anderson Stadium.

Palatine finished with 108 points, holding off Fremd (99 points) and Barrington (97 points) to secure the title for the first time since 2011.

"We talked about not having to win a lot of events, but just keep plugging away," said of Palatine coach John Nalley. "It was definitely a team effort today."

Senior Parker Deloye helped Barrington secure titles in the high jump relay (12-09) and 400 high hurdle shuttle relay (1:04.09). The Broncos senior also finished second in the 300 low hurdles (40.33) and was awarded with the G.A. McElroy award for the top male athlete in the meet.

Deloye cleared a season best 6-8 in taking first individually in the high jump in an impressive performance.

"It's cool to do a lot of events and do well in them, and score points for the team," said Deloye who also was in the long jump relay. "We are getting healthier and stronger, and I think we will put it together at the end."

Kristaff Langford, River Crane, Cam Cornelius and Zion Oluleye combined to give Palatine its sole victory on the track in the 800 relay (1:31.17). Jimmy Jones, Chaka Kelly and Tara Johnson combined to lead the Pirates to victory in the triple jump relay (85-11.5). Jones also had the best individual triple jump (44-7.5).

"We had a good vibe going into the 800 relay," said Cornelius. "It was an all-around team effort today. I think we fed off each other - we have a good thing going."

Junior Graham Brown also stepped up for the Pirates, taking second in both the 1,600 (4:33.26) and 3,200 (9:42.89) to provide crucial points. And Dan Garcia, Guillermo Quillo, Sam Wenner and Oluleye combined to help Palatine take second place in the frosh/soph 800 medley (1:39.31).

"It's nice to win this again," added Nalley, "We didn't have any major stars. Fremd and Barrington are both two very strong progams, so it's good to get this."

Fremd won four events, with Kyle Lewis, Richard Adugba, Darius Burchett, and Jawan Gaines combining to win the 400 relay (43.64). Lewis and Gaines then paired with Kenny Lyke and Ryan McMahon to win the meet-ending 1,600 relay in 3:26.67. Gaines came from behind in the final lap, passing Barrington and Palatine in the final 50 meters.

"I knew it was now or never," said Gaines, who ran an impressive 48.1 split in the final lap. "I pushed through - it feels pretty good."

Brad Ruehrdanz tossed a meet-best 55-10 in leading Fremd to the shot put title (99-04). The Vikings showed their strength in the field events by taking second in the discus relay (261-02), pole vault relay (24-6), and long jump relay (41-0). The Vikings also won the frosh/soph 800 medley relay (1:38.71).

Barrington also had an impressive day, winning four events with Deloye leading the Broncos' charge.

"Parker had a big day," said Barrington coach Todd Kuklinski. "You can put him in any event and he will excel. He is only going to get better."

Tyler Anderson gave the Broncos a win in the 800 (2:00.26), holding off Conant's Jack Hutchison (2:00.94) and Bolingbrook's Kokeith Perry (2:00.99). Barrington also took first in the frosh/soph 1,600 medley relay (3:45.57) and had second-place finishes in the 800 relay (1:31.22) and 1,600 relay (3:26.85).

Hugh Hutchison, Shujaat Sultan, Zack Dale, and Chris Serrano combined to lead Conant to victory in the 3,200 relay (8:06.11).

Grayslake North Alex Shulga cruised to a win in the 400 (49.37), with Titus Booker adding a victory in the 100 dash (10.91).